The Installation Challenge Every Contractor Faces
“People often think about adding things after the renovation is complete,” says Tom Shafnisky. “The house is painted, they have a tiled backsplash, and now they’re thinking, ‘Hey, it’d be great if we had another switch here.’”
As an electrician, Tom understands what matters to customers: “We have to do the job fast, we have to do it clean, and then we have to keep it under budget for the customer.” Traditional wiring means risk—one mistake cutting into that expensive tile backsplash, and you’re explaining costly repairs.
The Smart Solution That Changes the Game
With Caséta, Tom doesn’t have to cut into finished surfaces. He adds wireless controls that give customers exactly what they want without the installation headaches. “No matter what type of fixture the customer provides us, we can always find a Caséta solution.”
The technology works reliably with any LED lighting, and setup is straightforward. “The Lutron app is very easy and intuitive. Once we install the app, we set the system up and program it for them.”
Once the customer finds out this technology exists, they have to wonder, well, why didn't the contractor know about this?
The Customer Experience That Builds Trust
Tom’s approach is scalable and low-pressure. He starts customers with a small system—two or three zones with a smart hub—then follows up to ensure everything runs smoothly. The result? After a couple of months, they usually call back and ask to add more zones. “When you present smart technology that solves problems and gives them the controls they want, the customer usually sees you as the premier contractor,” Tom explains.
Getting Started: Overcoming the Hesitation
“I feel other contractors are intimidated by smart devices,” Tom observes. His advice? Start simple. Get your first system under your belt with just a hub and three controls, and you’ll be on the road to installing smart technology. Tom’s confidence comes from experience: “Before I recommend a product to my customer, I have to trust it. Caséta is what I trust in my own home.”