Home automation help in Exeter
Professional home automation help services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Smart home devices connected and actually working together properly. I set up your Alexa, Google Home, smart lights, thermostats, and whatever else you've bought - then show you how to use it all.
Your Smart Home Should Be Smart, Not Frustrating
You bought all this clever tech to make life easier, but instead you've got three different apps that don't talk to each other, voice commands that don't work, and a drawer full of smart bulbs you can't be bothered to set up.
Smart homes are brilliant when they work. When they don't, they're just expensive normal lights.
💡 Pro tip: Most smart home problems aren't faulty devices - they're setup issues. Get the configuration right and everything suddenly works beautifully.
Common Smart Home Problems I Fix
| Issue | What's Actually Wrong |
|---|---|
| "Alexa can't find my lights" | Lights on different WiFi band, or skill not enabled |
| "Some devices work, some don't" | Mix of incompatible ecosystems not bridged properly |
| "Voice commands only work sometimes" | Device names too similar, or routines set up wrong |
| "Can't control from phone when out" | Remote access not configured, or firewall blocking |
| "Heating schedule doesn't work" | Smart thermostat not connected properly to system |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Audit | Check what devices you have, what you want them to do |
| Connect | Get everything on WiFi, linked to your hub (Alexa/Google) |
| Configure | Set up rooms, create routines, test voice commands |
| Teach | Show you how to use it all, adjust settings yourself |
📦 You're Left With
- All devices working reliably
- Voice control responding properly
- Useful automations set up (morning routine, goodnight, etc)
- Understanding of how to change things yourself
Pricing Guide
| Setup Complexity | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic hub + few devices | 1 hr | £60 |
| Multiple rooms, routines | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Full house automation | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Final quote depends on number of devices and complexity.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Bought smart devices but can't get them working - still in boxes
✅ Some work but not others - want everything connected properly
✅ Want routines and automations - not just individual device control
✅ Not very technical - need patient help setting it all up
Why Choose Us for Home automation help in Exeter?
All your smart devices working together
Voice control actually responding properly
Routines and automations set up for you
Patient explanation of how it all works
What to Expect
Step 1: Understand Your Setup
I check what smart devices you have (or want), what hub you're using (Alexa, Google, Apple), and what you actually want to achieve. No point setting up stuff you won't use.
Step 2: Connect Everything
Get all your devices on WiFi, linked to your hub, and talking to each other. Lights, plugs, thermostats, switches - the lot.
Step 3: Make It Useful
Set up routines ("Alexa, goodnight" turns off downstairs lights and locks front door), create scenes, group devices by room. Then show you how it all works and how to adjust things yourself.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle smart home setup yourself? Here's what to know:
📱 Before you start
- Download the app for your hub (Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home)
- Make sure you know your WiFi password
- Charge your phone - this takes a while
- Do one room at a time, not the whole house at once
🔧 Basic setup process
- Plug in/install each smart device
- Add to manufacturer's app first (e.g., Hue app for Hue bulbs)
- Then link manufacturer's app to your hub (Alexa/Google)
- Test each device works before moving to next one
📶 WiFi requirements
- Most smart devices need 2.4GHz WiFi (not 5GHz)
- Check if your router has separate names for 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Guest network won't work for most devices
- Devices must be on same network as your phone/hub
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Trying to set up too many devices at once - overwhelming
- Not updating device firmware - causes random failures
- Using WiFi extender for devices - adds complications
- Giving devices confusing names ("Light 1", "Light 2" - Alexa gets confused)
💡 Pro trick: Name devices clearly and logically - "Bedroom Main Light", "Kitchen Spotlights", etc. Makes voice commands much more reliable than "Light 1" or manufacturer default names.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Moving to a new house? Smart home setup is perfect to do before you fully move in - I can set everything up while rooms are empty, test it all properly.
Mixing ecosystems - You can use Alexa AND Google Home in same house, but pick one as your main system. Otherwise you'll confuse yourself.
Old vs new tech - Older WiFi routers sometimes struggle with lots of smart devices. If you've got 20+ devices and an old router, that might be your problem (not the devices).
In older Exeter houses - Thick walls affect WiFi range. Smart devices in far corners of the house might need WiFi extenders or mesh WiFi to work reliably.
Privacy concerns? I'll show you how to turn off always-listening features on smart speakers if you're worried. They work fine with wake word detection only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What smart home systems can you help with?
Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Hue lights, smart thermostats (Nest, Hive, Tado), smart plugs, smart switches - pretty much anything. If it connects to WiFi and has an app, I can probably get it working properly for you.
I've got some devices working but they won't talk to each other - can you fix that?
Yes, that's a common issue. Usually it's about getting everything on the same ecosystem (Alexa, Google, or Apple), setting up routines properly, or using IFTTT to bridge incompatible devices. I'll sort out what you've got and make it all work together.
How long does smart home setup take?
Depends how much you want connected - basic Alexa/Google setup with a few lights is an hour. Full house with thermostats, lights, plugs, routines, and multiple rooms can be 2-3 hours. I'll estimate properly once I know what you're after.
Do you set up the automations or just connect the devices?
I do the lot - connect devices, set up rooms in your app, create routines (like 'goodnight' turns off all lights), and show you how to adjust things yourself. You'll understand how it works, not just have it magically set up.
Can you help if I'm completely new to smart home stuff?
Absolutely - most of my customers are. I start from scratch, explain everything in normal English, and set it up so you can actually use it. No tech jargon, just practical help getting your house working smarter.
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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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