How to upgrade a smart home as much as possible?

That's how it is, everything that is "smart" comes and goes with the control unit for many.

May I ask which application areas you use today and would use again. I am currently dealing with the topic myself and am still trying to find out which areas I find useful for us.

It started for me with heating thermostats, as I was often on business trips or away over the weekend and wanted timed temperature control. Quickly, a few light switches were added (wireless switches for the bed so you don’t have to get up to turn off the light; additional lights for the home cinema room, dimmers for the living and dining room). For the Christmas lighting, there were also switched sockets and an outdoor temperature sensor.

But the system only really became smart for me through the use of Mediola and the Logitech hub, which I have been using since last year. Via tablet and smartphone, I can now automate many things (turning on TV, receiver, and AVR, dimming the lights, automatic dynamic reduction and volume adjustment at certain times), lowering temperatures when on vacation including automatic adjustment on the day of arrival, higher temperatures in the living room and guest bathroom when visitors come. Absence light control during vacation, email notification when the washing machine is finished, ambient lighting in the living room and bathroom through combination with Philips Hue. Notification when leaving the apartment if lights are on or windows are open. In addition, I have the cheapest fuel prices visualized as well as local weather data. Currently, I am working on a visualization of my calendar.

Much is play, but also some comfort. A motion detector serves as a mini alarm system when away, and I can check and control the status of my devices worldwide via VPN. So theoretically I can switch the washing machine or TV on and off.

I use Homematic.

Would you rather recommend HomeMatic or Homematic IP.

I am currently in a new building and initially only want to control the roller shutters and venetian blinds.
Later, I want to connect these to light and wind sensors.

Where does one start and where does one stop....

Would you recommend Homematic or Homematic IP more?

I am currently in a new build and initially only want to control the roller shutters and venetian blinds.
Later, I want to connect these to light and wind sensors.

Definitely Homematic. Homematic IP is just a stripped-down version. It is easier to set up, but significantly more limited. All Homematic IP components can currently also be controlled by the Homematic central unit, so you are flexible in this regard.

If you are still in the new build phase, I would consider whether Homematic wired might be the better option. Basically, the Homematic system is already very transmission-secure, but if the central unit happens to be processing a large script in parallel, an action can sometimes be delayed by about a second (if it goes through the central unit, not with direct links).

If you are still in the new building phase, I would consider whether Homematic wired might not be the better option..

Thank you. I have already thought about that too. As a layperson, it's not feasible (to get familiar with it alongside the new build).

And unfortunately, the electrician has limited knowledge regarding smart home / Homematic.

So it will probably be the CCU2 and the wireless roller shutter actuator.

While googling, I came across the SmartHome/Homematic solution from Telekom. I’m guessing it’s better to stay away from that?!