Smart plug setup in Exeter
Professional smart plug setup services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Smart plugs won't connect or too fiddly to set up? I'll get them working with WiFi, your phone app, and voice control. Simple remote control for lamps and appliances.
The Smart Plug Promise
Smart plugs seem brilliant: control anything from your phone, voice commands, automatic schedules.
Then you try setting them up and:
- App can't find the plug
- WiFi pairing fails
- Voice control doesn't work
- Instructions are useless
- You're ready to chuck them in the bin
💡 Pro tip: Smart plugs work great once they're set up. It's just the setup process that's badly explained. Five minutes with someone who knows what they're doing and you're sorted.
What Smart Plugs Do
🔧 Main Uses
| Use Case | Example | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Remote control | Turn lamp on from bed | Convenience |
| Voice control | "Alexa, turn off fan" | Hands-free |
| Schedules | Lights on at sunset | Automation |
| Away mode | Random light patterns when on holiday | Security |
| Power monitoring | See how much devices use | Save energy |
Not all plugs do all features - depends what you buy.
What I Set Up
📦 Full Installation
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Plug in | Position smart plugs where you want them |
| Connect WiFi | Get plugs talking to your network |
| Pair with app | Set up phone control |
| Link voice assistant | Connect to Alexa/Google if you have it |
| Set up schedules | Automate what you want automated |
| Show you controls | Demo how to use everything |
Time: 20-30 minutes for 2-3 plugs. Quick once you know the process.
Pricing Guide
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Setup 2-3 smart plugs | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Whole house (5-6 plugs) | 45 mins | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Why Choose Us for Smart plug setup in Exeter?
Plugs connected to WiFi and app
Voice control with Alexa or Google
Schedules set up if you want them
Shown how to use and control
What to Expect
Step 1: Physical Setup
Plug smart plugs into sockets where you want control. Plug your lamps/devices into the smart plugs. Power everything on.
Step 2: WiFi Connection
Use manufacturer's app to connect plugs to your WiFi. This is where it usually goes wrong - I know the tricks to make it work.
Step 3: Configure & Teach
Name each plug (table lamp, bedroom fan, etc), link to voice assistant, set up any schedules you want. Show you how to control everything.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to set them up yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Basic setup process
- Download app: Get TP-Link Kasa, Tapo, Amazon Alexa, etc (depends on plug brand)
- Plug in smart plug: Put in socket, LED should start flashing
- Add device in app: Open app, tap "Add Device" or "+"
- Connect to plug's WiFi: App tells you to connect phone to plug's temporary WiFi
- Enter home WiFi password: App asks for your WiFi details, sends to plug
- Wait for connection: Plug joins your WiFi, LED stops flashing
- Name the plug: Give it a clear name
- Test control: Turn on/off from app
📐 Voice assistant linking
- Alexa: Enable relevant skill (TP-Link, Tapo, etc), discover devices
- Google Home: Link account in Google Home app, sync devices
- Test: "Alexa, turn on [plug name]"
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Phone on 5GHz WiFi (many plugs only connect to 2.4GHz)
- Entering wrong WiFi password (plug can't connect)
- Plug too far from router (weak signal fails to pair)
- Not resetting plug when pairing fails (hold button 5-10 secs to reset)
- Giving plugs confusing names ("Thing 1" - Alexa doesn't know what that is)
💡 Pro trick: Name plugs by location and function clearly - "Living room lamp" not "Lamp 1". Makes voice control actually usable and you'll remember what controls what.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Want to control multiple things together? Create groups or scenes in the app. Then "Alexa, turn on downstairs lights" controls all ground floor lamps at once.
Power monitoring? Some smart plugs show how much electricity devices use. Useful for finding energy hogs. Not all plugs have this - check before buying if you want it.
Smart strips vs individual plugs? Smart power strips (multiple sockets) can be cheaper than individual smart plugs if you need several near each other. But less flexible for placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I control with smart plugs?
Anything you plug into them - lamps, fans, phone chargers, coffee makers, etc. If it has an on/off switch and plugs in, you can control it remotely or by voice. Works best with things that are either on or off, less useful for things with variable controls.
Do smart plugs use electricity when nothing's plugged in?
Tiny amount - about 1-2 watts to maintain WiFi connection. Costs pennies per year. The benefit of automating lights or cutting phantom power to devices usually saves more than the plug uses.
Can I set them to turn things on and off automatically?
Yes - that's one of the main benefits. Lamps on at sunset, off at midnight. Coffee maker on at 7am. Fan off after 2 hours. Whatever schedule makes sense. I can set up basic schedules or show you how to do it yourself.
Will they work if my internet goes down?
App control needs internet. Voice control through Alexa/Google needs internet. But many have manual buttons on the plug itself - so you can still turn things on/off locally. Schedules usually still run even without internet.
Which smart plugs are best?
TP-Link and Tapo are reliable and cheap. Amazon's own are fine. Avoid random Chinese brands with spelling mistakes in the instructions. Stick to known names and you'll be fine. I'll set up whatever you've bought though.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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