In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner at RMS in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. RMS is an electrical services provider, lighting specifier, and technology integration company. As Caleb puts it, they are “not just the AV guys.”

Caleb explains why electrical, lighting, and technology planning need to happen much earlier in a custom home or renovation project than many homeowners expect. He says the ideal time is usually after schematic design, as the project moves into design development. That is when the architect, builder, client, and technology team can talk through goals, budget, finish level, and how the home will actually be used.

A major theme of the conversation is that good technology should make a home easier to live in, not more complicated. Caleb pushes back on the idea that smart home systems mean too many apps, touchscreens, or voice commands. When done well, technology can simplify daily life with carefully planned buttons, lighting scenes, wired infrastructure, and systems that are tailored to the homeowner’s routines.

We talk about lighting design, LED technology, and why cheap or default choices are not always the best choices. Caleb explains that better lighting does not always mean a dramatically higher budget. Sometimes it means bringing the right people in early, asking better questions, and giving electricians or lighting professionals enough time to make thoughtful recommendations.

For homeowners who are not building luxury homes, Caleb’s advice is still clear: find professionals who listen to your goals, understand the quality of experience you want, and are not just trying to sell gadgets or win the job with the cheapest bid. He also explains why “wireless” homes still need wiring, especially for internet infrastructure, security cameras, doorbells, generators, and other connected systems.

Sheri and Marilyn close the episode by reflecting on how important it is for homeowners to advocate for what they want. Technology, lighting, and integration affect daily life in a home. Planning them early can prevent frustration later and create a better experience from design through move-in and beyond.

(00:00) Intro

(00:39) What RMS does: electrical, lighting, and technology integration

(04:10) Why the end of schematic design is the right time to start

(06:34) Budgeting early for lighting and technology

(08:22) Homes are more complex than they used to be

(10:17) The myth that technology makes a home harder to use

(12:13) Why RMS avoids the phrase “smart home”

(13:55) Why architects and builders need specialty experts

(16:49) RMS’s role in lighting design

(19:20) How RMS connects design with field implementation

(24:16) Advice for homeowners outside the luxury market

(28:05) The future of LED lighting, connected devices, and AI

(39:03) Caleb’s favorite part of helping homeowners

(42:42) Recap

(53:35) Summer vacation announcement

Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  [email protected]

Learn about our hosts:

Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com

SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com

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