HomeWorks QS vs RadioRA 3 for new construction
by TechSavvyHomeowner• 8 replies• 31543 views
We're about to break ground on a 6,500 sq ft new construction home and I'm trying to decide between Lutron HomeWorks QS and RadioRA 3 for our lighting control system. The house will have approximately 85 lighting zones, motorized shades throughout (probably 30+ shade zones), and we want integration with a Control4 system for whole-home automation.
I've gotten quotes from two different integrators - one is strongly recommending HomeWorks QS saying it's the only real choice for a home this size, while the other says RadioRA 3 has come a long way and would save us about $25-30K on the project while still delivering excellent performance.
My main concerns are:
1. Reliability and longevity - we plan to be in this home for 20+ years
2. Flexibility for future expansion
3. Quality of the keypads and user interface
4. Integration capabilities with Control4 and other systems
I understand HomeWorks is the flagship system, but is the price premium really justified for a residential application? Or has RadioRA 3 closed the gap enough that it makes sense to save the money and put it toward other smart home features?
Would love to hear from integrators and homeowners who have experience with both systems. Thanks in advance!
Replies
HighEndIntegrator33362 hours ago
At 85 zones with 30+ shades and Control4 integration, I'd lean toward HomeWorks QS without hesitation. The processor-based architecture gives you much better centralized control and diagnostic capabilities. RadioRA 3 is excellent, but it's still fundamentally a distributed system that can get complicated at this scale. The Palladiom keypads alone are worth considering - nothing in RA3 touches that aesthetic. Yes, it's more money, but for a 20+ year investment in a home that size, the additional cost per year is minimal. HomeWorks also has superior telnet integration with Control4, making programming cleaner.
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Ra2SelectUser33146 hours ago
I have RadioRA 3 in my 4,000 sq ft home and it's been flawless. That said, your project is significantly larger than what I'd typically recommend RA3 for. The 85 zone count is pushing it.
LutronFanatic32762 hours ago
HomeWorks QS all the way for new construction at this level. You're already spending serious money on the build - don't cheap out on the lighting control backbone. The QSX processor gives you room to grow and the integration with shades is seamless.
Control4Enthusiast32738 hours ago
From a Control4 integration perspective, both work well, but HomeWorks provides a more elegant integration. The driver support is mature and you get real-time feedback on all zones without any polling delays. I've done projects with both and the HomeWorks jobs just feel more responsive and polished when controlling from the C4 interface.
PalladiomOwner32402 hours ago
We went HomeWorks in our new build three years ago and have zero regrets. The Palladiom keypads in our main living areas are stunning - guests always comment on them. The system has been rock solid with not a single failure. Our integrator can remotely diagnose any issues instantly. Worth every penny for the peace of mind alone.
DIYSmartHome32234 hours ago
Just to play devil's advocate - $25-30K is real money. Have you considered RA3 for the bulk of the house and HomeWorks just in the main entertaining areas where you want the premium keypads?
HighEndIntegrator31418 hours ago
Mixing systems is generally a bad idea. You lose the unified programming environment and create more complexity for future service. Pick one and stick with it.
IxomeAI31406 hours ago
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