Frequently Asked Questions

A smart home is a living space enhanced with connected devices that automate and simplify daily tasks. These devices—like smart lights, thermostats, cameras, sensors, and switches—can be controlled with your phone, voice, or based on custom automations. Whether you're managing a household, hosting short-term rental guests, or running a business from home, smart home technology helps everything feel a little more seamless.

Smart home automation helps reduce stress, increase safety, and give you back time and mental bandwidth. It can handle repetitive tasks, alert you to problems (like a water leak), and even adjust your environment automatically based on your habits. From saving energy and improving sleep routines to keeping your home more secure, a smart home can adapt to what you need most—without locking you into a specific vendor or app ecosystem.

Absolutely. We specialize in solutions that support executive function and sensory regulation. That might mean setting up lights to dim automatically at bedtime, adding buttons or voice commands for routines, or creating calming sensory scenes that help when things get overwhelming. Many of our clients are neurodivergent themselves or care for neurodivergent family members, and we tailor every setup to fit their needs—not just the tech specs.

We help families support older loved ones with automations that promote safety and independence. These might include nighttime path lighting, door and activity sensors that check for movement, voice controls, or emergency alert buttons. You’ll know your family member is safe—and they’ll feel more confident staying in their own space.

Yes! We can set up smart pet cameras, environmental sensors, pet-friendly motion detectors, and automations that adjust lights or temperature for your pets’ comfort. Whether you’re monitoring them while away or creating a cozier home for them while you’re busy, we’ll help your system keep up with your furry friends, too.

We install a wide range of smart home products, including lights, switches, thermostats, motion sensors, cameras, smart plugs, leak detectors, and more. Our specialty is integrating these into a vendor-agnostic, privacy-focused system using Home Assistant—a local smart home controller that lives right in your home. That means no cloud dependency, more flexibility, and better data privacy.

Privacy and security are top priorities. Unlike many big-brand smart home systems, we don’t route your data through the cloud. Instead, we install a local controller in your home—so your data stays yours. Even if the internet goes down, your smart home will keep working. We also take extra steps to secure your system against digital threats and guide you through best practices for keeping things safe.

Yes! We’ll set up secure remote access so you can check cameras, adjust lights or climate, and receive important alerts—whether you’re at work, on vacation, or managing a property remotely. You’ll always stay in control without compromising your privacy.

Most of the time, yes. We’re big fans of reusing your existing smart home gear if it fits into your overall setup. During our consultation, we’ll assess what you have and look for ways to make it work with your new system, which helps keep costs down and avoids unnecessary waste.

Not at all. Our systems are designed to be easy to use from day one. Whether you prefer app control, voice commands, or physical switches and buttons, we’ll tailor it to your comfort level. You’ll also get a one-on-one training session after installation and a follow-up 30 days later to make sure everything still feels good.

Yes! We work with investors who manage everything from single-family rentals to multi-unit properties. We can standardize smart device setups across your units for consistency, or tailor each property’s system to its unique needs.

We install smart locks that work with time-based codes, guest platforms, or centralized dashboards—so you can manage check-ins, cleaners, and maintenance remotely with confidence and no key handoffs.

Our systems are designed with local control hubs that continue running even if Wi-Fi drops. Tenants can still use wall switches or remotes, and critical automations like water shutoff or lighting still work.

It starts with a free discovery call where we learn about your goals. Then we book a 60-minute Peace of Mind Consultation—virtual or in-person—where we walk through your home and routines in detail. You’ll get a personalized plan, including product suggestions, automations, and a flat-rate installation quote. If you move forward, we professionally install and configure everything, teach you how to use it, and check in 30 days later to answer any lingering questions. You can also opt into our ongoing support service if you’d like help down the line.

No required monthly fees. Your system will run just fine without one. But if you want remote monitoring, proactive maintenance, or help with troubleshooting, we do offer affordable ongoing support packages.

Costs vary depending on the size of your home and what you want to automate. Many of our clients spend between $500 and $1,500 for simple setups, and $2,000 to $5,000+ for larger, whole-home systems. You’ll always get transparent, flat-rate pricing in your proposal—no surprise charges or pressure to add on.

We include a 30-day follow-up to fix any issues or make adjustments. After that, we’re still here for you! Our optional support plans include remote troubleshooting, update help, and ongoing peace of mind. You’ll never be stuck calling an overseas help desk—we’re just a phone call or message away.

We currently serve South Jersey and surrounding areas. Not sure if you’re in range? Just reach out—we can let you know if in-person support is available, or we can walk you through a remote-guided setup.

We love to hear that! You can schedule your Smart Home Peace of Mind Consultation right here: https://calendly.com/serenitysmarthomesnj/peace-of-mind-session.