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Builders, notes Morgan, can profit from structural prewiring if they also sell the products those wires are meant to operate.

“A lot of builders are looking toward technology as a way to differentiate their product and sell it at possibly a premium or more quickly or in more volume than their competitors,” he says. “If someone walks through a model home and sees hardwood floors and granite countertops, but it also has automated lighting, you might upsell the customer. Once they're excited by that, they'll want lighting control in every room and a home theater.”

Grayton Beach, Fla., builder Ray Jackson agrees. “My customers are asking for it, especially sound systems,” he says. “They want convenience more than gadgets. They want music and the capability of talking from room to room without having to get up and go.”

He adds: “My houses are a pretty good size. Without [home automation], we holler down the hall quite a bit.”

Control4. The Media Controller (AVM-MC1-B) digitally stores the music collections of everyone in a household and allows family members to access the tunes they want, via a wired or wireless home network, in any room—even if several people want to listen to different music at the same time. In addition, the Media Controller is the center of a complete home automation system that controls lighting, security, and temperature. 801-523-3100. www.control4.com.

JDS Technologies. Stargate, an interactive automation system, centralizes control of lighting, security, heating and cooling, home theater, audio/video, voice mail, intercom, pool/spa, and even a home's irrigation system. A built-in voice response feature allows the homeowner to program voice prompts to control lights and other connected systems. The product may be used with most brands of dimmers, switches, and modules. 800-983-5537. www.jdstechnologies.com.

Leviton. Decora Home Control devices use powerline carrier technology, working with the home's existing AC wiring to allow for manual and remote control of lights and appliances. The devices' Intellisense circuitry also cuts down on noise that might flow through the AC line, the company says. 800-323-8920. www.leviton-lin.com.

Elan Home Systems. The latest addition to the company's Via line of touch-panel control systems, Via Valet 6.4 is a 6.4-inch color LCD touchpanel with a sleek body that can rotate and swivel up under a cabinet or fold and lay flat against its base on a tabletop when not in use. The panel can control compatible audio/visual systems, lighting, temperature, and security devices, and doubles as a video monitor that provides users with the ability to view satellite and cable TV as well as monitor security cameras around the home. 859-269-7760. www.elanhomesystems.com.

Home Automation. The OmniPro II automation and security controller is designed for large residences. The system coordinates lighting, heating and air, security, and messaging based on the homeowner's preprogrammed schedules. In addition, the user can access it remotely using any Internet browser. 800-229-7256. www.homeauto.com.

Smarthome. Insteon is the first home automation network technology to combine the home's existing wiring with radio frequency communications for automatic or remote control of a home's lighting, security, entertainment systems, appliances, and temperature, the company claims. The firm also says Insteon works 30 times faster than X10, which uses the home's existing wiring only. 866-243-8020. www.smarthome.com