Buyer's Guide
AI Buyer's Guide 2026
An honest 2026 buyer's guide to AI features in luxury smart homes. What works, what is hype, and what to ask before you sign.
8 pages · 706 KB
Resources Library
Sixty-six free PDFs. Buyer's guides, field manuals, and references.
Restrepo Innovations publishes a working library of documents we use on projects across NJ, NY, and CT. Buyer's guides for owners. Installation standards for trades. CEU material for architects. Honest, field-tested, and free. We are an Elite Pro Crestron Dealer, HTA Luxury Certified, OSHA Certified, and a Ubiquiti UISP and Pro Partner. These documents are how we work.
66 free PDFs. Field manuals, buyer's guides, reference documents, and legacy-system conversion guides.
Jump to a Series
01 · Buyer's Guides
For owners and clients.
What to ask, what to spec, and what to ignore. Honest 2026 guides written for the person paying the bill, not the salesperson selling the system.
Buyer's Guide
Apple TV Buyer's Guide 2026
How to spec Apple TV in a luxury system. Models, networking, integration, and the gotchas no salesperson will mention.
8 pages · 503 KB
Buyer's Guide
Hi-Fi Listening Room Guide 2026
Room geometry, acoustic treatment, and component selection for a true two-channel listening room in a private residence.
8 pages · 463 KB
Forever Homes
Forever Homes: Our Approach
Why we build technology infrastructure for the home a family intends to stay in for 20 to 30 years. Our philosophy on conduit, network backbone, and aging-in-place planning.
12 pages · 298 KB
Forever Homes
Forever Homes: 20 Things to Remember
A planning checklist for homeowners building or renovating a forever home in NJ, NY, and CT. Twenty practical questions to settle before you specify a system.
10 pages · 252 KB
Forever Homes
Forever Homes: Selecting Your Integrator
How to evaluate technology integrators for a forever home project. Twenty diagnostic questions that separate serious firms from order-takers.
10 pages · 187 KB
Forever Homes
Forever Homes: 20 Mistakes to Avoid
Twenty common mistakes we have watched homeowners make on long-horizon residential projects. Each comes with the correction we wish had been applied at design time.
10 pages · 206 KB
Forever Homes
Home Theater Planning Guide
Room planning, acoustic treatment depth, projector and screen geometry, seating layout, and where the budget actually goes on a dedicated theater build.
24 pages · 186 KB
Brownstone Specialist
Brownstones: 20 Things Not To Do
Twenty mistakes new brownstone owners make - plaster wall wiring, landmark facade decisions, party-wall acoustics, garden-level moisture. NJ, NY, and CT brownstones across NJ, NY, and CT.
10 pages · 45 KB
Brownstone Specialist
Brownstones: 20 Things To Do
A proactive 90-day checklist for new brownstone owners. Conduit planning, electrical service audit, original-detail preservation, party-wall sealing, exterior tech that respects landmark requirements.
10 pages · 45 KB
Brownstone Specialist
Brownstones: Last 100 Years
Long-horizon stewardship checklist for brownstone owners. Infrastructure decisions that outlast the current technology generation. Built for the next century of ownership.
10 pages · 46 KB
Buyer's Guide
Restrepo Concierge for Realtors
One-page overview for real estate agents: what we do, how to introduce us to clients, and how to get a quick walkthrough.
1 page · 4 KB
02 · Field Manuals
For architects, builders, and trades.
Sixty installation standards. Rough-in, electrical, flush-mount, invisible speakers, linear lighting, panels, shades, access control, channel reveals, and pre-wall details. Trade-share encouraged.
Field Manual
Access Control Standards
Door classification, fail-safe and fail-secure logic, electric strike and maglock hardware, PDK and Brivo cloud panels, LiftMaster UL 325 gate operators, Crestron and Lutron lock integration, power and battery sizing, commissioning QC.
45 pages · 156 KB
Field Manual
Access Control Onepager
One-page clinical summary of access control standards. NFPA 80 and NFPA 101 logic, fail-safe vs fail-secure, PDK io and Brivo, UL 325 gate compliance, power and battery sizing.
1 page · 40 KB
Field Manual
Rough-In Standards
Field-tested low-voltage rough-in standards for new construction. Cabling, conduit, and stub-out coordination for AV, lighting, and shading.
45 pages · 227 KB
Field Manual
Electrical Rough-In Standards
Coordination spec for the electrical trade. Line and low-voltage interfaces, panel feeds, and switching loads.
50 pages · 253 KB
Field Manual
Flush-Mount Standards
Pre-wall and substrate cut-line standards for flush-mounted devices, panels, and architectural trim.
32 pages · 160 KB
Field Manual
Invisible Speakers Standards
Pre-wall and pre-ceiling standards for invisible speakers. Substrate, cure, and skim-coat coordination.
31 pages · 157 KB
Field Manual
Linear Lighting Standards
Channel reveal, mud-in, and drywall coordination standards for architectural linear lighting.
30 pages · 148 KB
Field Manual
Shades Standards
Motorized shade pocket, reveal, and bezel standards for architecture-first window treatments.
32 pages · 167 KB
One-Pager
AI Conference Room One-Pager
Pre-wire reference for AI conference room codec placement, network requirements, display positions, and mic field coverage.
One-Pager
Door and Gate One-Pager
Quick-reference for gate operator conduit, intercom heights, access reader positions, and entry automation coordination.
One-Pager
Energy Systems One-Pager
Single-page reference for CT placement, sub-meter locations, panel coordination, and energy data network requirements.
One-Pager
Building Envelope One-Pager
Pre-wire reference for motorized shading pockets, exterior sensor positions, and conduit sleeves through frames.
One-Pager
Garage and EV One-Pager
Quick-reference for EV charger circuits, conduit stub-up positions, and garage automation pre-wire.
One-Pager
Outdoor Living One-Pager
Pre-wire reference for outdoor speaker stub-ups, burial depths, and IP enclosure requirements.
One-Pager
Pool and Spa One-Pager
Single-page reference for underwater speaker conduit, bonding tie-in points, and pool equipment room wiring.
One-Pager
Wellness Room One-Pager
Pre-wire reference for sauna and steam control wiring, moisture-rated speakers, and lighting conduit.
One-Pager
Whole House Audio One-Pager
Quick-reference for in-ceiling speaker rough-in positions, wire sizing, and zone count decisions.
Field Manual
AI Conference Room Standards
Full technical standard for AI conference room infrastructure: codec, network, display, mic placement, and signal flow.
Field Manual
Door and Gate Standards
Complete standard for access control topology, gate operator sizing, intercom architecture, and trade coordination.
Field Manual
Energy Systems Standards
Full standard for energy monitoring: sub-metering architecture, CT selection, communication bus, and automation integration.
Field Manual
Building Envelope Standards
Complete standard for motorized shading infrastructure, exterior sensor network, and weatherproofing requirements.
Field Manual
Garage and EV Standards
Full standard for EV charging circuits, conduit routing, smart charger connectivity, and automation integration.
Field Manual
Outdoor Living Standards
Complete standard for outdoor AV: speaker placement by zone, IP ratings, distributed audio wiring, and lighting control.
Field Manual
Pool and Spa Standards
Full standard for pool technology: underwater AV conduit, NEC bonding, equipment room design, and control integration.
Field Manual
Wellness Room Standards
Complete standard for wellness room technology: sauna and steam wiring, moisture-rated hardware, and ventilation integration.
Field Manual
Whole House Audio Standards
Full standard for distributed audio: speaker placement geometry, rough-in requirements, and home automation integration.
Pre-Wire Standard
Keypad Pre-Wire Amendment
Amendment defining keypad pre-wire requirements: box dimensions, conduit routing, mounting heights, and gang count.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Drywall Audio Standard
Pre-drywall audio inspection and sign-off: speaker box verification, wire pull confirmation, and blocking inspection.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Foam Wiring Standard
Standard governing wiring protection before spray foam: conduit end sealing, wire bundle sleeving, and sign-off.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Hardscape Conduit Standard
Standard for conduit placement before hardscape: burial depth, stub-up tolerances, and sign-off before concrete.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Pool Bonding Standard
NEC 680 bonding requirements for AV components in pool environments: conductor sizing and tie-in positions.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Power Rough-In Standard
Standard for electrical power rough-in for AV systems: dedicated circuits, outlet placement, and conduit from panel.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Rack AI Standard
Standard for equipment room rough-in for AI automation: rack space, conduit layout, power, and network infrastructure.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Slab Conduit Standard
Standard for conduit placement before concrete slab: type selection, depth, placement tolerances, and pour sign-off.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Trench Gate Standard
Standard for gate conduit during site trenching: burial depth, driveway sleeves, and sign-off before backfill.
Pre-Wire Standard
Pre-Wellness Rough-In Standard
Standard for wellness room rough-in before vapor barriers: conduit sealing, moisture-rated wiring, and tile coordination.
Field Manual
Rough-In Onepager
Single-sheet rough-in field card. Print, laminate, pin to the job site for the framer and electrician.
1 page · 52 KB
Field Manual
Flush-Mount Onepager
The flush-mount cut-line and substrate handoff condensed to one printable page for the field.
1 page · 55 KB
Field Manual
Invisible Speakers Onepager
One-page reference for in-wall invisible speaker integration: substrate prep, mud-in, finish, and acoustic considerations.
1 page · 58 KB
Field Manual
Linear Lighting Onepager
Quick-reference for linear lighting integration: extrusion selection, driver placement, dimming protocol, and miter detail.
1 page · 53 KB
Field Manual
Shades Onepager
One-page shade install card: pocket sizing, fascia reveals, motor wiring, and Lutron QS handoff.
1 page · 58 KB
Field Manual
Panels Standards
Architectural panel rough-in and finish standard. Substrate prep, reveal lines, hardware coordination, and finish handoff for keypads, thermostats, and AV trim.
31 pages · 160 KB
Field Manual
Panels Onepager
Architectural panel install summary in one printable page. Cut-line, reveal, finish.
1 page · 61 KB
Field Manual
Channel Reveal Standard
Standard for architectural channel reveals around linear lighting, AV trim, and panel borders. Substrate, framing, and finish handoff.
8 pages · 87 KB
Field Manual
Pre-Wall Bezel Standard
Bezel-mount detail for in-wall devices: substrate cut, bezel handoff, finish reveal, and trade coordination.
9 pages · 95 KB
Field Manual
Pre-Wall Cure-Cone Standard
Cure-cone pre-wall detail for downlight and architectural cone trims. Substrate prep, mud handoff, and finish.
9 pages · 98 KB
Field Manual
Pre-Wall Pocket Reveal Standard
Pocket reveal detail for recessed shade pockets, linear coves, and architectural pockets. Framing, substrate, and reveal handoff.
9 pages · 101 KB
Field Manual
Pre-Wall Substrate Cutline Standard
Substrate cutline standard for pre-wall trim, panels, and architectural details. Cut tolerance, depth, and substrate spec.
10 pages · 110 KB
02b · Legacy System Conversion
Replacing a Control4, Loxone, or older Crestron system.
Three documents for the homeowner, the engineer, and the field tech evaluating a legacy-system replacement. What stays, what comes out, how a Crestron rebuild lands on top of the existing infrastructure.
Buyer's Guide
Homeowner Legacy System Guide
For owners whose smart-home system is aging out. What "legacy" means in practice, how to evaluate a replacement integrator, what survives a Crestron migration, and where the real costs land.
9 pages · 52 KB
Engineering Manual
Legacy Conversion Engineer Manual
Engineering-level reference for converting a Control4, Loxone, or older Crestron deployment to a current Crestron architecture. Audit scope, hardware retention rules, network rework, programming migration.
11 pages · 48 KB
Field Reference
Legacy Conversion Field Reference
One-page quick reference for the technician on site. Cable types to keep, panels to replace, common Crestron migration shortcuts.
1 page · 19 KB
03 · Reference Documents
CEU catalog and quick references.
The 2026 CEU catalog for architecture and design firms, plus pre-engagement checklists and lighting specification quick-references.
Reference
Restrepo CEU Catalog 2026
The 2026 catalog of AIA continuing-education sessions Restrepo Innovations delivers to architecture and design firms.
21 pages · 93 KB
Reference
Executive Verification Checklist
A short pre-engagement checklist for owners and family-office principals vetting an AV and automation integrator.
7 pages · 50 KB
Reference
Lighting Spec Guide
Quick-reference lighting specification guide for architects and lighting designers. Tunable white, layers, and control.
10 pages · 65 KB
04 · Tools and Methods
Tools, methods, and job-site standards.
What we actually use on jobs across NJ, NY, and CT. Tools that earn their place in the bag. Tools that look good in a catalog and fail in the field. Drop cloths, vacuums, and the job-site protocols that keep a luxury home spotless during a build. A living section that grows as we add to it.
Tools Library
Browse the Tools Library
Common tools, top-of-line picks, what does not work, specialized tools, speed tools, bags and boxes by job type, and job-site cleanliness gear.
Stay current
Get notified when we publish new resources.
New buyer's guides, additional field manuals, and refreshed reference docs ship throughout the year. Drop us a note and we will let you know when something new lands.
Get in touchBuyer guides and quick references
Honest reading before you spec or buy.
Position pieces and buyer guides covering AI in the home, source-device strategy, listening rooms, lighting spec, and how to verify any integrator (including us) before you sign.
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AI Buyer's Guide 2026
Honest framing on what AI in the home actually does today, where it falls short, and what to look for before a vendor sells you on it.
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Apple TV Buyer's Guide 2026
Why Apple TV is still the right source device for most rooms, and the four configurations that actually work in a luxury system.
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Hi-Fi Listening Room Guide 2026
What separates a great listening room from a good one. Room geometry, treatment, speaker placement, and the gear hierarchy that matters.
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Restrepo Lighting Spec Guide
Quick-reference spec guide for lighting layout, control, and fixture coordination on a Restrepo project.
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Executive Verification Checklist
What to verify before you sign a contract with any AV integrator. Insurance, licensing, references, real proof of the work.
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Restrepo Concierge for Realtors
How we work with realtors and their high-end buyers from offer through closing day.