The D.R. Horton Smart Home Package, Explained.
The D.R. Horton Smart Home Package, Explained
What's actually installed in your DFW new construction home, what HomePro activates after closing, and what nobody tells you before move-in day.
Sound familiar? It should—this is the experience of the majority of D.R. Horton buyers in DFW. The smart home hardware is in the house. But the smart home itself isn't finished until HomePro comes out to activate it. Here's what you need to know before, during, and after closing.
- What D.R. Horton Includes as Standard
- Every Device, Explained
- How the Alarm.com Platform Works
- HomePro: The Missing Step Most Buyers Don't Know About
- Step-by-Step: From Close to Fully Connected
- The Subscription Question: What Costs Money After Closing
- Upgrades Worth Considering Through HomePro
- Buyer Warnings
- 20 Frequently Asked Questions
What D.R. Horton Includes as Standard
D.R. Horton markets their smart home offering under the name "Home Is Connected"—and in the DFW market, it is one of the most comprehensive standard smart home packages offered by any production builder at their price tier. The entire ecosystem runs on the Alarm.com platform, which is not a consumer-grade app you download from the App Store—it's an enterprise home automation and security platform used by professional integrators nationwide.
Here is what is included in virtually every D.R. Horton home in North Texas as of 2026:
D.R. Horton explicitly reserves the right to substitute devices without prior notice. Specific brands and models in your home may differ from what is described here depending on your community and build date. Always confirm the exact device list in writing with the builder's sales representative before signing your purchase contract.
The distinction that trips up most buyers: D.R. Horton installs the hardware during construction. The activation, configuration, and setup—including the physical installation of the video doorbell—is handled after closing by their technology partner, HomePro Technologies, once you have internet service active in the home.
Every Device, Explained
Here is a plain-language breakdown of every component in the D.R. Horton smart home package and what each one actually does for you on a daily basis.
Full Feature & Capability Table
| Feature / Capability | Works Offline (Local) | Works Remotely (App) | Requires Subscription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thermostat control (panel) | ✓ | ✓ | For remote access only |
| Thermostat geofencing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart lock (keypad) | ✓ | — | ✗ |
| Smart lock (remote app) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart lock access codes | ✓ | ✓ | Remote management requires subscription |
| Video doorbell (live view at panel) | ✓ | — | ✗ |
| Video doorbell (remote app) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video doorbell cloud recording | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart switch (panel) | ✓ | — | ✗ |
| Smart switch (remote app) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automation rules & schedules | ✓ (panel) | ✓ | ✓ for remote |
| Alexa / Google voice control | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Professional security monitoring | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ Add-on |
How the Alarm.com Platform Works
Alarm.com isn't the brand name on any device in your home—it's the invisible platform that ties everything together. Understanding what Alarm.com is and how it operates will make everything about your D.R. Horton smart home click into place.
Alarm.com's service providers work alongside D.R. Horton's subcontractors to configure smart locks, thermostats and lighting hardware after installation—adding new devices homeowners choose to include after closing, and supporting each home's technology for years beyond the point of sale. — Alarm.com, February 2019 (announcing the D.R. Horton partnership)
The Architecture
Think of it in three layers. The devices (lock, thermostat, doorbell, switch) communicate via Z-Wave radio to the Qolsys IQ panel, which is the local hub that stores your settings and can control everything offline. The Qolsys panel then connects to the Alarm.com cloud via Wi-Fi or cellular, enabling remote access through the Alarm.com app and integration with services like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
This architecture has an important practical benefit: if your internet goes down, local control through the Qolsys panel continues to work. Your thermostat still follows its schedule, your keypad lock still responds to codes, and your panel still displays sensor status. You only lose the remote app access and cloud features—not the device control itself.
Z-Wave: Why It Matters
The lock and thermostat in your D.R. Horton home use Z-Wave—not Wi-Fi. This is a deliberate engineering choice. Z-Wave operates on 908 MHz, a dedicated frequency completely separate from your home's 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. That means your smart lock and thermostat don't compete with your streaming, gaming, video calls, or the dozen other devices on your Wi-Fi network. Z-Wave is also a mesh protocol, meaning each Z-Wave device repeats the signal to others—the more Z-Wave devices you add, the stronger and more reliable the mesh becomes.
Expandability
This is where the Alarm.com platform genuinely earns its place in your home. The Qolsys IQ panel is compatible with Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices from hundreds of manufacturers. You're not locked into D.R. Horton's specific device selections—you can add more Z-Wave door sensors, additional smart locks, outdoor security cameras, smart plugs, water leak detectors, smoke detectors, and garage door controllers, all integrated into the same Alarm.com app. HomePro handles these additions as upgrades, or you can add compatible devices yourself.
What Alarm.com Is NOT
Alarm.com is not a free app. It is a subscription-based service platform that requires a relationship with a service provider (like HomePro) to access its full feature set. D.R. Horton's package covers the hardware—the ongoing platform access, professional monitoring, and cloud video storage all require a paid plan after any complimentary period.
At least one DFW homeowner documented paying approximately $50/month after Alarm.com's free tier was discontinued—specifically for the ability to remotely control the thermostat and lock. Always confirm the current subscription terms with HomePro at your activation appointment.
HomePro: The Missing Step Most Buyers Don't Know About
HomePro Technologies is D.R. Horton's preferred technology installation and activation partner in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. They are an Alarm.com service provider—meaning they are the company that bridges the gap between the pre-wired hardware in your home and a fully functional smart home system you can actually use.
Here is the reality that most D.R. Horton buyers in DFW discover the hard way: the video doorbell is not installed at closing. The wiring is in place. The box may be there. But the doorbell itself is typically not mounted, not connected to the Qolsys panel, and not linked to your Alarm.com account until HomePro comes out to do it.
The same is true—to varying degrees—for the initial system activation, the Alarm.com account setup, the thermostat and lock pairing confirmation, and the walkthrough of how everything works. D.R. Horton builds the home. HomePro makes it smart.
What HomePro Does at the Activation Appointment
- Physically installs and mounts the Alarm.com video doorbell at your front entry
- Activates the Qolsys IQ panel and connects it to the Alarm.com cloud platform
- Confirms the Honeywell thermostat and Kwikset lock are paired and communicating with the panel
- Sets up your personal Alarm.com account with your login credentials
- Walks you through the Alarm.com app on your smartphone
- Demonstrates how to use the Qolsys touchscreen panel for local control
- Explains monitoring options and any subscription plans available
- Presents upgrade options for additional cameras, sensors, audio, or security features
You must have active internet service in your home before HomePro can complete the full activation. The Alarm.com platform requires a live internet connection to pair devices to the cloud and set up your account. If HomePro arrives and your internet isn't on, the appointment will be incomplete and you'll need to reschedule. Set up your ISP service before you close—or at minimum, the same day you get your keys—so HomePro can finish the job on the first visit.
How to Reach HomePro
After closing, D.R. Horton or HomePro should reach out to schedule your activation appointment. If you haven't heard from them within a few days of closing, don't wait—contact HomePro Technologies directly:
Step-by-Step: From Close to Fully Connected
Here is the exact sequence that gets your D.R. Horton smart home from "hardware in the wall" to "actually working."
The Timeline at a Glance
The Subscription Question: What Costs Money After Closing
This is the part D.R. Horton's marketing doesn't lead with—and the part HomePro will walk you through during your activation appointment. It deserves plain, direct coverage here.
What Works Without Any Subscription
The Qolsys IQ panel provides local control of all paired Z-Wave devices even with no internet and no active Alarm.com subscription. You can physically walk to the panel and control the thermostat, lock or unlock the front door, arm or disarm the security system, and see connected sensor status. The Kwikset keypad lock also functions completely offline—anyone with a valid access code can use it regardless of whether Alarm.com is active.
What Requires an Alarm.com Subscription
- Remote control of thermostat, lock, and switch from the Alarm.com app
- Live view and two-way audio with the video doorbell from your phone
- Cloud video recording and clip storage for the doorbell camera
- Geofencing automation (auto-lock when you leave, auto-adjust temperature)
- Push notifications for lock events, motion alerts, and sensor triggers
- Voice control through Amazon Alexa or Google Home
- Activity history and event logs
What Professional Monitoring Adds
- 24/7 dispatch of police, fire, or medical response when your alarm triggers
- Cellular backup—the system continues to communicate even if internet goes down
- Smash-and-grab protection—alarm triggers even if someone destroys the panel
- Faster response than self-monitored systems, particularly during night hours
Pricing varies based on the plan HomePro offers and any promotional rates available at the time of your activation. Get the current plan options and pricing in writing during your HomePro appointment—don't rely on pricing you've seen online, as Alarm.com service rates vary by provider and plan.
Some technically inclined D.R. Horton homeowners choose to integrate the Qolsys IQ panel with Home Assistant—a free, open-source home automation platform that runs locally on a dedicated device. This approach allows full remote control of Z-Wave devices (thermostat, lock, sensors) without paying Alarm.com monthly fees. It requires technical comfort and is not supported by HomePro, but it's a well-documented path with an active community of D.R. Horton homeowners who have taken this route.
Upgrades Worth Considering Through HomePro
HomePro's value extends well beyond the standard D.R. Horton activation appointment. Because they already understand the specific infrastructure installed in your home, they are typically the most efficient vendor for upgrades compared to a third-party integrator starting from scratch. Here are the upgrades that make the most sense to discuss during your initial appointment.
Additional Security Cameras
The Alarm.com video doorbell covers the front entry. It does not cover the driveway, backyard, garage entry, or side gates. If whole-property visibility matters to you—and in DFW's sprawling neighborhoods, it often does—ask HomePro about running PoE (Power over Ethernet) cable to additional camera positions during or immediately after your activation appointment. Camera wiring is substantially more difficult to add through finished walls and attic spaces than during the initial technology setup visit. Adding three to four hardwired cameras at strategic positions is one of the highest-ROI security investments for a new construction DFW home.
Professional Security Monitoring
If you travel frequently, have children home during after-school hours, or simply want the peace of mind of 24/7 professional monitoring, this is worth the monthly fee. HomePro provides monitoring through the Alarm.com platform using the hardware already installed in your home—no additional equipment is required. The upgrade from a self-monitored plan to a monitored plan is a plan change, not a hardware installation.
Garage Door Integration
D.R. Horton does not include smart garage door control as a standard feature in most DFW communities. HomePro can add a Wi-Fi garage door controller (compatible with Alarm.com) that lets you monitor whether the garage is open or closed, open and close it remotely from the app, and receive alerts if it's been left open. For households where the garage is the primary entry point—which is most DFW households—this is a practical daily convenience.
Whole-Home Audio
If your D.R. Horton home was pre-wired for in-ceiling speakers during construction (a design center option), HomePro can install and configure the amplifier and control system for multi-room audio. This is significantly less expensive to add when the wiring is already there. If you didn't opt for speaker pre-wire during construction, the cost of retrofitting dramatically increases—make this decision at HomePro's visit while you can still assess what was and wasn't pre-wired.
Buyer Warnings
Do not expect the Alarm.com video doorbell to be mounted, connected, and functional when you pick up your keys. The wiring is in the home. The device activation and physical installation happens at the HomePro appointment. Plan accordingly—do not rely on the doorbell camera for security during the gap between closing and HomePro's visit.
This is the most commonly skipped step. HomePro cannot complete your smart home activation without active internet service. Schedule your ISP before closing, not after. In some DFW communities, scheduling installation can take 3–7 business days. Don't leave your home without a fully functional smart system because you didn't call the internet company in time.
D.R. Horton's Builder's Limited Warranty covers workmanship, mechanical systems, and structure. It does not cover the Qolsys panel, Honeywell thermostat, Kwikset lock, or Alarm.com doorbell. If any of these devices fail, you contact the manufacturer—not D.R. Horton. Register each device with its manufacturer at the HomePro appointment.
The hardware is included at no extra cost. The full remote functionality—app control, geofencing, cloud video, voice control—requires an ongoing Alarm.com subscription. Budget $30–$50+ per month if you want the remote features that most people picture when they think "smart home." If you only want local panel control, that's free—but many of the advertised benefits disappear without the subscription.
D.R. Horton explicitly reserves the right to substitute any device without notice. The brands listed on their website and in this post reflect their general program—your specific home may have different hardware. Ask your sales rep for the specific device list for your community, in writing, before you sign a purchase contract. Don't assume the national brochure matches what's in your home.
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