Smart Home Automation · University Place · Pierce County

University Place Smart Home Specialists. Chambers Bay · Cirque Drive · West UP · South UP

University Place is one of Pierce County's most sought-after communities — established homes, Chambers Bay views, and homeowners who expect precision and quality. Rivas Technology Group designs every system as one architecture: Control4, Ajax, AVA, and enterprise networking installed by the same local team that designed it.

Credentials
Control4 Gold Dealer
Ajax Systems Certified
AVA Certified
UniFi Certified
WA Lic. RIVASGL799DR
Kent-Based 20 Min Away
C4 Gold Control4 Dealer
AVA Certified
Ajax Certified
0 Subcontractors
Why University Place

A Community That Demands a Higher Standard

University Place has a distinct character — established neighborhoods with well-built homes, a strong sense of community, and residents who take pride in their properties. It's also one of the most underserved markets in Pierce County when it comes to premium smart home integration. Companies that credibly handle this level of quality either don't serve the area or charge a premium for the commute from Seattle.

We've designed and installed systems throughout University Place — whole-home Control4 automation for larger established homes on the bluff, enterprise networking for multi-level properties with Chambers Bay views, and home theater systems that elevate what's already a beautiful living environment. University Place clients typically know what they want and care deeply about fit and finish. That matches how we work — every system designed together as one architecture from the first conversation.

We're one of the only South Sound integrators certified in the AVA Cinema Remote platform — the premium theater control that UP homeowners increasingly request by name. Our certification exists because we did the training and passed the evaluations. Read how we approach cinema-quality sound in University Place homes →

Every project starts with a site visit — University Place's housing diversity, from mid-century ranches to newer two-story builds near Chambers Bay, means design has to start from scratch every time.

From Ivan Rivas — Owner & Sales Engineer
University Place clients have done their homework. They come in with specific brands in mind, specific features they want, and a clear expectation of quality. That's the kind of client we do our best work for.
IR
Ivan Rivas Owner & Sales Engineer, Rivas Technology Group
University Place Property Profile

What UP Homes Typically Need

University Place's housing stock has specific characteristics that shape every system we design here.

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Established Single-Family Homes

Most UP homes are well-built single-family properties — many from the 1970s through 1990s — that need wireless-first retrofit design. Ajax's wireless security sensors, Lutron wireless lighting, and in-ceiling wireless speakers minimize disruption to original finishes while delivering modern smart home capability. We specialize in retrofits that look like they were always part of the home.

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Home Theater & Premium Audio

University Place homeowners are among the South Sound's most active home theater buyers — dedicated media rooms, Amina invisible speakers, Control4-integrated AV, and AVA Cinema Remote are all common requests. We've built more purpose-designed theater systems in UP than anywhere else in our service area. See how we design home theater for UP homes →

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Chambers Bay & Bluff Views

Properties with Chambers Bay or Puget Sound views have west-facing exposure that demands intelligent shade management — motorized shades designed into the architecture from the start, automatically managing glare and heat gain without sacrificing the view. PowerShades and Lutron systems integrated with your lighting scenes so your shades respond to sunlight levels throughout the day, hands-free.

What We Install in University Place

Every System. One Team. One Architecture.

Six disciplines designed together — installed, programmed, and supported by the same South Sound team. No subcontractors, no hand-offs.

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Control4 Smart Home Automation

Lighting, security, audio, shades, climate, and networking — designed together as one architecture from the first conversation. As a Control4 Gold Dealer we handle whole-home systems for UP's established homes with multi-zone integration done right.

See how Control4 + Ajax work together → Explore Smart Home Automation →
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Ajax Smart Security

Professional wireless intrusion detection with cellular backup, AI cameras, fire and flood monitoring, and 24/7 professional monitoring — integrated with your automation, not bolted on separately. One of the only Ajax Systems certified dealers in Pierce County.

Why Ajax outperforms Ring & ADT → Explore Smart Security →
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Home Theater & Audio

Dedicated theaters, media rooms, and whole-home multi-room audio. AVA Cinema Remote, Amina invisible speakers, Salamander cabinetry, Cambridge Audio, AudioControl, and Control4. UP's most requested service category and our strongest work.

Cinema-quality sound for University Place homes → Explore Home Theater & Audio →
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Smart Lighting

Control4 lighting, Lutron Caséta, Lutron RA3, and PoE systems — designed alongside your shades and security. Retrofit-friendly wireless keypads and dimmers for UP's established homes, with circadian tuning, scene automation, and occupancy-based programming.

Explore Smart Lighting →
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Enterprise WiFi & Networking

The foundation everything else runs on. Alta Labs, Ruckus, and UniFi access points with structured Cat6A — enterprise-grade infrastructure designed for UP's multi-level property profiles, handling every connected device without dead zones or congestion.

Why UP homes need enterprise networking → Explore WiFi & Networking →
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Motorized Shades

Clara Shades, PowerShades, and Lutron — designed into the architecture from the start. Essential for UP's west-facing Chambers Bay view properties — scene-integrated so shades respond automatically to light levels, time of day, and occupancy without touching a button.

Explore Motorized Shades →
Why Rivas Technology Group

What University Place Homeowners Should Demand

The credentials to match UP's expectations — and the local team to back them up.

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AVA Cinema Remote Certified

One of the most requested premium theater platforms in UP — and one of the few South Sound integrators with AVA certification. We integrate the AVA Cinema Remote with Control4 so pressing play automatically dims your lights, closes your shades, and starts the movie.

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Control4 Gold Dealer

The advanced tier — not entry-level. Gold certification requires demonstrated capability on complex multi-zone systems. UP homes typically have multiple rooms, multiple subsystems, and homeowners who expect sophisticated programming. Gold is the right credential for this market.

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Ajax Systems Certified

One of the only Ajax Systems certified dealers in Pierce County. Professional wireless security that integrates natively with Control4 — encrypted wireless, cellular backup, AI cameras, tamper detection. A meaningful upgrade over every consumer platform available in UP.

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South Sound–Local Team

Based in Kent, 20 minutes from University Place. Our team is in the South Sound — not commuting from Seattle. Same-week service calls, no travel surcharges, and a team that's familiar with UP's housing stock, neighborhoods, and HOA requirements.

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No Subcontractors

Every person on your project is a full-time Rivas Technology Group employee. The team that designs, installs, and programs your system is the same team that supports it long-term. No accountability gaps, no strangers in your home.

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Transparent Pricing

Published pricing for every service. Every service has a defined scope and a set rate — you know the number before we start, and it doesn't change. No surprise invoices, no hardware markups discovered after commitment.

Where We Work in University Place

Across Every UP Neighborhood

From the Chambers Bay bluff to Cirque Drive and everything in between — University Place is a community we know well.

Waterfront / Bluff

Chambers Bay Area

Premium bluff properties with Chambers Bay and Puget Sound views — motorized shades for west-facing exposure, whole-home automation, outdoor audio, and enterprise networking for larger multi-level properties.

Residential / Established

Cirque Drive Corridor

One of UP's most recognizable residential corridors — larger established homes ideal for whole-home Control4, wireless-first smart home retrofits, and premium home theater installations.

Residential

Grandview / UP Core

The heart of the UP community — established single-family homes across a range of sizes and ages. Smart lighting retrofits, security upgrades, networking improvements, and Control4 integration are our most common project types here.

Residential

Brookdale / North UP

Northern University Place transitioning to Fircrest — well-maintained residential properties where smart home upgrades, enterprise WiFi, and security modernization are the most common client requests.

Residential / Newer

South University Place

Newer development on UP's southern edge — properties built in the 2000s and newer that are well-suited for comprehensive smart home systems with pre-existing low-voltage infrastructure.

Residential

West UP / Sound View

Properties with Puget Sound exposure on UP's western edge — motorized shades for glare management, outdoor audio, Ajax security with exterior cameras, and enterprise WiFi extending to outdoor living areas.

Residential / Community

Brentwood / Fircrest Border

Quiet residential neighborhoods on the UP/Fircrest border — smart home retrofits, Control4 integration, and security upgrades for well-established properties with attentive homeowners.

Mixed Use

Bridgeport Way Corridor

UP's commercial spine — bar and restaurant AV, commercial security, enterprise networking, and business AV for University Place's small business community alongside adjacent residential smart home work.

Common Questions

Smart Home FAQ for University Place Homeowners

What's the best smart home system for an established University Place home?

For most UP homes — established single-family properties built before 2000 — the right approach is wireless-first design with Control4 at the center. Lutron wireless lighting switches, Ajax wireless security sensors, and in-ceiling wireless speakers allow us to deliver a complete smart home experience with minimal drywall impact. Control4 ties everything together as one architecture — one system, not a collection of separate apps.

Do you install the AVA Cinema Remote in University Place?

Yes — we're AVA certified, one of the few integrators in the South Sound with that credential. The AVA Cinema Remote is the most elegant theater control solution available, and we integrate it with Control4 so pressing play on the AVA remote automatically dims your lights, closes your shades, and arms your security perimeter. Read more about our University Place theater work →

Can you handle motorized shades for a Chambers Bay view home?

This is one of our most common University Place requests. West-facing Chambers Bay properties with large windows need motorized shades designed into the architecture from the start — managing glare and heat gain without obscuring the view entirely. We design PowerShades and Lutron systems with scene integration so your shades respond automatically to sunlight levels throughout the day. Hands-free and invisible.

How is Ajax security different from what UP alarm companies install?

Most local alarm companies use basic unencrypted wireless that fails when internet goes down. Ajax uses encrypted wireless with cellular backup, tamper detection on every device, AI camera integration, and native Control4 integration — one unified system, not a separate app. Read the full comparison →

What does a smart home system cost in University Place?

A focused installation — smart lighting and automation for main living areas — typically starts around $8,000–$12,000. A whole-home system with lighting, security, shades, audio, theater, and networking is typically a mid-to-high five-figure investment depending on scope. Use our instant estimator to get a starting range, or schedule a free consultation for a scoped proposal.

Do you serve the Fircrest area as well?

Yes — Fircrest is immediately adjacent to University Place and well within our regular service area. The housing stock is very similar and many of our UP clients have referred neighbors in Fircrest. Call 425-954-6003 or use the contact form to schedule a visit.

Also Serving

University Place & the Greater South Sound

Based in Kent, we serve the full South Sound — every city receives the same team, same standards, and same level of service.

Your Whole Home. Designed Together. In University Place.

Schedule a free consultation. We'll visit your home, assess your goals, and design every system together — built around your space and how you live in it.

Or call us directly: 425-954-6003
📍 University Place, WA — Pierce County — South Sound
Rivas Technology Group — University Place, Washington Smart Home Automation
Control4 Gold Dealer, Ajax Systems Certified, AVA Certified, UniFi Certified, and CEDIA Member serving University Place, WA and Pierce County. Smart home automation, home theater and audio, security systems, smart lighting, enterprise WiFi and networking, and motorized shades. Serving Chambers Bay, Cirque Drive, Grandview, Brookdale, Brentwood, Bridgeport Way, West UP, and South University Place. Also serving Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Tehaleh, Fircrest, Federal Way, Auburn, and Kent. Based in Kent, WA. WA Electrical Contractor License RIVASGL799DR.

Smart Home Automation · Smart Security · Smart Lighting · WiFi & Networking · Motorized Shades · Home Theater & Audio · Commercial Integration