As the Danube rises and threatens to overflow its banks, there’s a certain irony in watching a problem that could have been avoided with better planning. The current flood situation here mirrors a common issue we see in the renovations of Budapest homes: when you don’t prepare for what’s coming, you end up facing costly and disruptive consequences.
Yesterday, Andrew and I were invited to a potential client’s apartment, mid-renovation, to discuss their AV and smart lighting needs. What we encountered was an avoidable problem, one we see all too often in both smart home installations and general renovations. The client had not involved us earlier, nor had they used a licensed electrician. Now, they were facing the unpleasant surprise of insufficient electrical amperage to support their kitchen appliances, let alone the smart systems they were trying to integrate.
It’s Not Just About Technology—It’s About Renovations
While we specialise in smart home technology, the lessons from this case apply to all renovations. Whether you’re installing a high-tech AV system or simply upgrading your kitchen, early involvement of systems integrators, technology architects, and licensed electricians can prevent a host of issues. Electrical load problems are a prime example. In older buildings, especially the beautiful, classical apartments scattered across Budapest, the electrical supply often hasn’t been updated in decades.
Many of these buildings have only 16 amps of coverage, barely enough to power modern appliances, let alone a complete renovation with high-end features. This isn’t just a “smart home” issue—it’s a renovation issue. If you’re updating your home, whether with new appliances, lighting, or any form of technology, a deep understanding of your home’s electrical infrastructure is crucial.
The Hungary Construction Market size was valued at USD 13.56 billion in 2023, and is predicted to reach USD 19.73 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030.
Renovation in Budapest: The Numbers Tell the Story
Budapest is experiencing a renovation boom. According to recent statistics, Hungary’s renovation market is strong, with a focus on updating older properties to modern standards. Furthermore, many renovations involve significant electrical upgrades due to outdated systems. Budapest’s historic apartments are some of the most sought-after in the city, but they come with their own set of challenges—chief among them, the need to upgrade electricity to handle today’s power demands.
Electrical loads, wiring, and integration of modern systems need careful planning. Yet many renovators either don’t think about it or are swayed by builders who insist they can “handle everything” without the need for specialists. The result? A renovation that hits roadblocks, costs more than planned, and sometimes requires walls to be torn down to fix mistakes that could have been avoided.
The Role of Systems Integrators in Renovations
Systems integrators are often pigeonholed as “smart home” specialists, but our role goes far beyond that. In any renovation, we look at the entire system of the home, from the electrical capacity to how various elements—lighting, appliances, AV systems—will work together. By involving us early, we can ensure the home is not only tech-ready but future-proofed against electrical overloads and other avoidable problems.
Take our potential client’s apartment, for example. Had we been involved from the start, we would have identified the lack of electrical capacity immediately. Instead, they now face the prospect of tearing down walls and adding more amperage at a significant cost. This is a common issue in older Budapest homes, where utilities haven’t kept pace with the growing demands of modern living.
Experience the epitome of luxury living. Andrew Woods, our Chief Technology Architect, designs systems that enhance your home’s beauty and functionality.
Licensed Electricians: A Critical Component
Then there’s the matter of using a licensed electrician. In Hungary, as in many countries, it’s a legal requirement to use a licensed contractor for certain installations, such as ovens or any major appliances. This isn’t just a formality—if you skip this step, manufacturers often won’t honour warranties. We’ve seen clients spend thousands on premium appliances, only to find out later that their warranty is void because they didn’t use a licensed professional. Additionally, If an unlicensed individual installs the oven and a related issue arises (like a fire), your insurance may not cover damages if they find out the installation was not performed by a licensed professional.
In this case, our potential client had hired an outside electrician—someone their builder recommended—who wasn’t properly equipped for the task. As a result, the apartment’s electrical system was left underpowered, unable to support the appliances and smart systems the client wanted to install. The cost of fixing this now is not only financial but emotional—delays, dust, and tearing apart work that’s already been done.
Renovation Challenges in Budapest Homes
Older Budapest homes and apartments are known for their charm, high ceilings, and historical character. But beneath that charm, many of these buildings hide outdated electrical systems that simply cannot handle the needs of a modern renovation. It’s not uncommon to discover that gas lines haven’t been updated or that walls need to be ripped out to accommodate new electrical wiring. In some cases, the electrical supply from the main utility provider can’t be increased, forcing homeowners to compromise on their renovation plans.
These are the kinds of surprises that can turn a dream renovation into a nightmare. But by involving systems integrators and licensed electricians early in the process, you can avoid most of these pitfalls.
While the city faces its own flood, we’re here to prevent any technological flooding in your home. (Photo by Attila Volgyi, Sept 19, 2024).
Avoidable Mistakes, Preventable Costs
The floodwaters may recede, but the costs of poor renovation planning don’t disappear so easily. The solution is simple: bring in the experts early. By involving systems integrators (or technology architects) and licensed electricians from the start, you can prevent costly mistakes and ensure that your renovation runs smoothly.
At S3, we pride ourselves on not only making your home smarter but safer, more efficient, and better prepared for the future. Whether it’s a smart lighting system or a kitchen renovation, our job is to ensure everything works together seamlessly. And as this recent flood in Budapest has shown, the time to plan for what’s coming is before it arrives, not after.
0 Comments