You want the privacy and control of without becoming a Reddit regular
You know Home Assistant is the right choice for local control and privacy. You just don't have the time to figure it all out yourself.
You've done your research. You understand that cloud-based smart home systems mean your data lives on someone else's servers, that companies can shut down services you depend on, and that monthly subscriptions add up fast.
Home Assistant is the answer, but the learning curve is steep. Every time you want to add a camera or create an automation, you're down another YouTube rabbit hole or searching through forum threads from three years ago trying to figure out why something isn't working.
You don't need to become a Home Assistant expert. You just need someone who already is one to sit down with you, get your system working the way you want it, and show you how to maintain it going forward.
That's exactly what our Home Assistant consulting and training provides: expert guidance tailored to your specific setup, your devices, and your routines, without the guesswork.
"I've talked through smart home upgrades, workflow improvements, tech options for various projects and more, and Ashley shows up to each conversation with a startling amount of knowledge on the subject, insights into how things can connect that I would never see, and the patience of a saint. I can't recommend her highly enough."
Choose your path: In-person or remote consulting
Professional guidance available worldwide or hands-on in New Jersey & Philadelphia metro
Remote Consulting & Training
Available worldwide • EU-friendly scheduling
Learn to build and secure your own privacy-first smart home system with expert 1-on-1 guidance. Perfect for DIY-capable homeowners who want to own their technology, not rent it.
What you'll learn:
Home Assistant setup & configuration from installation to advanced features
Network security hardening including VLANs, firewall rules, secure remote access
Self-hosting architecture to run services without cloud dependencies
Automation design that works for your actual daily life
Troubleshooting independence so you can diagnose and fix issues yourself
Pricing:
$185/hour - Single "Get Unstuck" session
$499 (3 hours) - Foundation Package: Secure setup over 2-3 weeks
$999 (6 hours) - Complete Implementation: Full mastery with weekly sessions
Sessions via Google Meet with screen sharing • Recordings provided • Follow-up email support included
We are available during EU evenings!
In-Person Consulting
New Jersey • Philadelphia Metro • Delaware
Hands-on, in-home consulting for homeowners who prefer face-to-face guidance. I'll work directly with your setup, devices, and networking gear in your own home.
Perfect for:
Camera integration with network storage setup
Device troubleshooting when things aren't working
Automation design based on your daily routines
System planning for multi-phase expansions
Network infrastructure evaluation and optimization
60-minute focused sessions working directly with your system. Includes follow-up documentation, code examples, and email support for questions that arise after the session.
Pricing:
$185/hour - Single "Get Unstuck" session
$499 (3 hours) - Foundation Package: Secure setup over 2-3 weeks
$999 (6 hours) - Complete Implementation: Full mastery with weekly sessions
Travel fees apply 20 miles outside of Cherry Hill, NJ
Not sure which option is right for you? Remote consulting works great for most configuration, automation, and planning needs. In-person is best when you need hands-on hardware troubleshooting or network infrastructure work. Book a free 30-minute strategy call and we'll help you decide.
The Open Home Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns and protects Home Assistant, ESPHome, Music Assistant, and many other open source smart home projects. They fight for the principles of privacy, choice, and sustainability in smart homes - the same values that brought you here.
Your investment in learning doesn't just help you escape corporate surveillance and subscription traps. It helps ensure these privacy-first tools remain free and open for everyone. The Foundation works at the policy level, funds critical open source development, and protects these projects from corporate buyouts and abandonment.
You can also support the Open Home Foundation directly through Home Assistant Cloud subscriptions or by purchasing official hardware from their partners.
Real consulting sessions, real results
Here's what working together actually looks like
A recent client had Home Assistant running but couldn't figure out how to get his cameras integrated. He'd watched videos, read documentation, but nothing was quite clicking. We spent a session together working through his specific setup:
Added all his cameras to Home Assistant
Set up HomeKit integration so he could view cameras from his iPhone
Configured network storage for video recordings
Created automations based on contact sensors to record clips only when needed
Identified which cameras were causing problems and recommended better alternatives
After our session, he had a working system he understood and the confidence to expand it on his own. We also mapped out the next phases of his smart home integration so he knows exactly where he's headed.
This is consulting, not cookie-cutter solutions. We work with what you have, solve the problems you're actually facing, and teach you how to maintain and expand your system moving forward.
What Home Assistant consulting includes
Hands-on sessions focused on your specific needs and goals
Every consultation is customized to your situation. We work on what matters to you, whether that's getting cameras integrated, creating automations and dashboards, or planning your next expansion.
Common consulting topics
Camera integration including HomeKit sharing, network storage setup, and motion-triggered recording
Device troubleshooting when things aren't working as expected or integrations are failing
Automation design based on your daily routines and specific needs
System planning for multi-phase expansions and future device additions
Network storage configuration for video recordings and backups
Protocol selection (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, Thread) based on your devices and goals
Dashboard customization for easy control and visibility
HomeKit, Homebridge, and other platform integrations to work with your existing ecosystem
Security hardening including network segmentation, remote access, and certificate management
"Ashley's expertise and thorough evaluation were incredibly helpful! I truly appreciate the work she put into the project."
How sessions work
Remote or in-person depending on your location and preference
Screen sharing and hands-on guidance so you learn by doing, not just watching
Follow-up documentation with links to resources, code snippets, and next steps
Session recordings (remote sessions, with your permission) to review anytime
Focused problem-solving on your actual devices and configuration
Strategic planning for phased expansions that fit your budget and timeline
After your session
You'll receive a detailed follow-up email with:
Documentation links for what we covered
Screen recordings or code examples
Product recommendations when needed
Clear next steps for continued progress
Ongoing email access for quick questions
Why work with Serenity Smart Homes for Home Assistant?
Home Assistant is powerful, but it's also complex. Most people trying to set it up on their own spend hours troubleshooting issues that an experienced consultant can solve in minutes.
Over 20 years of cybersecurity and infrastructure experience
I understand networks, security protocols, and system architecture at an enterprise level. This means your Home Assistant setup isn't just functional, it's secure and properly configured from the ground up.
Privacy-first approach to smart home design
I chose Home Assistant for the same reasons you did: local control, no cloud dependencies, and complete ownership of your data. I'll help you maintain those principles while building a system that actually works for your daily life.
Teaching independence, not creating dependency
The goal isn't to make you reliant on ongoing support. It's to teach you enough that you can confidently manage your system and expand it when you're ready, with the option to call me when you hit something tricky.
Real-world problem-solving, not theoretical knowledge
I've worked through countless Home Assistant configurations, device incompatibilities, and integration challenges. You get the benefit of that experience without spending your weekends troubleshooting.
Available during EU evenings
For remote consulting clients in Europe, my US East Coast workday (10am-5pm EST) perfectly aligns with your evenings (3pm-10pm GMT), making scheduling convenient for international clients.
Setting up a smart home is an ongoing project. You don't need to learn everything at once. You just need someone who can help you through the parts that are blocking your progress.
Brands and Tech We Work With
We work with a wide range of trusted brands, and we'll work with what you already have. Whether you're starting fresh or blending old and new devices, our goal is to create a smooth, privacy-focused system that works locally, not in the cloud.
See it in action: What Home Assistant can do
Watch how centralized control works when properly configured
Complete home control from one dashboard
This demonstration shows centralized smart home automation through a Home Assistant platform. Watch seamless control of multiple smart devices (lighting, climate, security, and more) all managed through a single, intuitive dashboard interface.
Instant device response with no cloud lag
See immediate smart lighting control through a tablet interface. Watch the one-tap functionality as I control lamp brightness, color, and power with instant physical response. No lag, no confusion, just reliable local control.
This is what we'll help you build and understand. No more app hopping. No more cloud dependencies. Just one unified platform that puts you in complete control.
Who this consulting is for
You value privacy and local control, but you don't have time to become a Home Assistant hobbyist
You're a good fit if you:
Already have Home Assistant running (or want help getting it set up)
Have specific devices or integrations you're trying to configure
Prefer learning by doing with expert guidance
Want a privacy-focused system but lack time for DIY
Value expert shortcuts over trial-and-error learning
Located anywhere in the world (remote) or NJ/PA/DE region (in-person)
This consulting isn't right if you:
Enjoy spending weekends tinkering and troubleshooting for fun
Prefer YouTube tutorials and forum discussions to personalized guidance
Don't have Home Assistant running yet and aren't sure if it's right for you (start with a free strategy call first)
Want someone to manage everything for you long-term without learning the system
This is for people who want to own and understand their smart home system, but need expert help getting past the learning curve and technical obstacles.
How consulting sessions work
Simple process from booking to implementation
Step-by-step process
Book your session using the scheduler below or contact us with your availability
Pre-session questionnaire so I understand your current setup and goals before we meet
Live consulting session (remote or in-person) where we work together on your system
Hands-on guidance as you make changes with my support and expertise
Follow-up documentation with everything we covered, resources, and next steps
Email support for questions that come up after the session
Service areas
Remote consulting available worldwide
Screen sharing and remote guidance work great for most consulting needs. EU-friendly scheduling available.
In-person available in:
New Jersey
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Northern Delaware
Travel surcharges may apply for in-person sessions outside primary service area.
✨ Hear What Our Clients Have to Say ✨
Siedah B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you’re apprehensive, just go for it! Ashley is professional, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable on all things tech and automation. She is ready to customize your home life and make your house work for you!"
Danny B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Ashley from Serenity Smart Homes is highly recommended!! She gave me some creative and incredible ideas to make my office so much more efficient, reduce staff workload and create a better experience for both the office staff and patients!"
Kim F.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Ashley explains complex technical concepts in a way that I can understand, and I feel more confident about my setup after talking with her!"
Rebecca E.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Ashley shows up to each conversation with a startling amount of knowledge on the subject, insights into how things can connect that I would never see, and the patience of a saint. I can't recommend her highly enough."
Melanie A.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Her expertise and ability to explain concepts in "non-techie" terms is impressive. I highly recommend her services to anyone needing assistance with smart home technology or IT solutions."
Dominic B.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The consultation that we went through was very helpful, and I have a better idea of how to outfit my smart home in the future."
Jekia L.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Ashley's expertise and thorough evaluation were incredibly helpful! I truly appreciate the work she put into the project."
Why choose Serenity Smart Homes for Home Assistant consulting?
I bring over 20 years of cybersecurity and internet infrastructure experience to residential smart home systems. Before founding Serenity Smart Homes, I solved complex technical challenges for enterprise clients, and now I apply that same expertise to help homeowners build privacy-focused, locally-controlled smart home systems.
I chose Home Assistant for my own home for the same reasons you're considering it: complete local control, no cloud dependencies, and genuine privacy. I understand the platform deeply because I use it daily, not just as a consultant but as someone who values the same principles you do.
Professional-grade standards
Enterprise security practices applied to residential systems
Privacy-first approach with your data staying in your home
Clear documentation and sustainable training
Focus on systems you can maintain and expand independently
Bonded, insured, and background-checked for your peace of mind
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Home Assistant already running before booking?
Not necessarily. If you have it running but struggling with specific issues, consulting is perfect. If you're starting from scratch, consider the Command Center setup package or start with a free strategy call to discuss your situation.
Can you help with device recommendations?
Absolutely. Part of consulting often involves identifying which devices will work best for your needs and which ones to avoid based on compatibility and privacy considerations.
What if I run into problems after our session?
Email support is included for follow-up questions. For more complex issues, you can book another session or purchase a multi-session package.
Do you work with other platforms besides Home Assistant?
Home Assistant is our primary platform because of its privacy-first approach and local control. We can help integrate HomeKit, Homebridge, and other platforms with Home Assistant, and we'll advise on the best ways to integrate smart home gear that you already own.
How does remote consulting work technically?
We use Google Meet with screen sharing. You'll share your screen so I can see your Home Assistant interface, walk you through changes, and troubleshoot in real-time. It works just like in-person consulting.
Yes. Consulting is for people who already have Home Assistant (or can set it up themselves) and need help with specific configurations, integrations, or planning. The Command Center package is a complete soup-to-nuts setup with hardware, installation, and training.
Can you help with camera integration specifically?
Yes, camera integration is one of the most common consulting requests. We can help with local recording, HomeKit sharing, motion detection automations, and network storage configuration.
What happens if one session isn't enough time?
Most single issues can be addressed in one session, but complex projects may need multiple sessions. We'll discuss this during the session and you can book additional time or choose a package that includes multiple sessions.
Do you provide ongoing support plans?
The multi-session packages give you scheduled support over several weeks or months. For ongoing maintenance, we can discuss custom arrangements based on your needs.
Why do you donate to the Open Home Foundation?
Because Home Assistant and the entire open source ecosystem only exist thanks to the Foundation's protection and advocacy. Supporting the tools we all depend on is the right thing to do, and your consulting fee helps ensure these projects remain free and open.
Ready to move forward with confidence?
Stop fighting with forums and start building the smart home system you want
Book your first consulting session and get expert guidance on your specific setup and goals.
Many clients combine approaches, often starting with a blueprint for strategic planning, then using product packages for quick implementation, followed by professional services for complex integrations.
