https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/ Home automation guides, pricing breakdowns and honest system comparisons from a Loxone Silver Partner in the East Midlands. en-GB https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-a-home-automation-installer/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-a-home-automation-installer/ The questions that separate a good smart home installer from an expensive mistake — certification, sub-contracting, fixed pricing, handover, and what happens when they stop trading. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/annexe-heating-bills-guide/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/annexe-heating-bills-guide/ Why an annexe costs more per square metre to heat than the house it is attached to, how to work out a fair contribution, and what to settle before the walls close. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/extension-automation-cost-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/extension-automation-cost-uk/ What smart lighting, heating and shading add to an extension budget, why the same work costs three times more after plastering, and what the cable alone costs if you're not ready to commit. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/indoor-pool-running-cost-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/indoor-pool-running-cost-uk/ Pool plant is usually the largest single load on a domestic supply, and it is almost never measured. Where the money goes, and what control actually saves. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/new-build-smart-home-what-to-ask-developer/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/new-build-smart-home-what-to-ask-developer/ A short list of things to ask a housebuilder to run before plaster, why most of them will say no, and what to do about it in the gap between getting your keys and moving in. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/home-cinema-cost-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/home-cinema-cost-uk/ Real UK home cinema costs broken down by room type — garden room, converted garage, spare bedroom and dedicated cinema — with where the money actually goes and where it's wasted. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-lighting-cost-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-lighting-cost-uk/ What smart lighting costs in the UK per room and per house, why smart bulbs get abandoned, and where the money goes in a wired lighting control system. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-crestron/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-crestron/ Crestron is the reference standard for high-end AV integration. Loxone is built around automation and energy. Where the money goes, and which one your project actually needs. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-knx/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-knx/ An open standard against an integrated platform. Cost, flexibility, installer lock-in and long-term support compared — including where KNX is the better choice. Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-home-assistant/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-home-assistant/ One costs almost nothing and does almost everything, if you're willing to be the integrator. The honest trade-offs on reliability, time, support and who fixes it at 11pm. Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-hive-nest/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-hive-nest/ A £200 thermostat against a £20,000 system. What the difference actually buys, when consumer kit is the right answer, and the ten-year cost nobody adds up. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/best-smart-home-system-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/best-smart-home-system-uk/ Loxone, Control4, Crestron, KNX, Home Assistant and the consumer ecosystems compared on cost, reliability, subscriptions and who each one actually suits — from an installer who only fits one of them. Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/wired-vs-wireless-smart-home/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/wired-vs-wireless-smart-home/ The real trade-offs between wired and wireless smart home systems — reliability, batteries, cost, retrofit difficulty and resale — and the hybrid approach most houses actually need. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/what-is-home-automation/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/what-is-home-automation/ What home automation actually means, how it differs from a smart home, what it can control, and what it costs in the UK — written by a Loxone Silver Partner who installs it for a living. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-automation-benefits/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-automation-benefits/ The honest, jargon-free benefits of professional smart home automation — convenience, energy, security, accessibility and resale — with UK examples from real Loxone installations. Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-control4/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-vs-control4/ An honest comparison of Loxone and Control4 for UK installations — what each does well, where they differ, real costs, and which is right for your project. Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Comparisons https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-garden-room-ideas/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-garden-room-ideas/ Twelve practical smart-home garden room ideas, from bar sheds and cinemas to home gyms and home offices — with real Westgate Loxone build examples and pricing. Sat, 23 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Garden Rooms https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-miniserver-explained/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-miniserver-explained/ What the Loxone Miniserver actually is, what it does, how it differs from cloud-based smart hubs, and why it's the foundation of every Loxone smart home. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-energy-saving-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/smart-home-energy-saving-uk/ Does a smart home actually save energy? Honest numbers on lighting, heating, EV and solar — and where Loxone's local control outperforms cloud-based smart kit. Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-home-automation-cost-uk/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/how-much-does-home-automation-cost-uk/ Honest cost ranges for home automation in the UK — from budget DIY kits to professionally installed whole-house systems — and what actually determines the price. Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-smart-home-new-build-east-midlands/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-smart-home-new-build-east-midlands/ How to integrate Loxone into a new build or major renovation from the start — why timing matters, what architects need to know, and how Westgate works alongside your build team. Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/bar-shed-automation-loxone-guide/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/bar-shed-automation-loxone-guide/ How to automate a bar shed with Loxone — smart lighting scenes, music, heating and keyless entry, all from one system. What's included, what it costs, and how it's installed. Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Garden Rooms https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-loxone-silver-partner/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-loxone-silver-partner/ Loxone certifies installers in three tiers. Here's what Silver Partner status actually means, what training it requires, and why it should be your first filter when choosing a smart home installer. Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Guides https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/garden-room-automation-loxone-guide/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/garden-room-automation-loxone-guide/ Everything you need to know about automating a garden room with Loxone — what you can control, which tier suits your build, and what a real installation looks like from quote to handover. Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Garden Rooms https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-installation-cost-uk-guide/ https://westgateps.co.uk/blog/loxone-installation-cost-uk-guide/ A transparent breakdown of Loxone installation costs in the UK — garden rooms, whole-house systems and new builds — with real price ranges from a certified Silver Partner. Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pricing