Local Smart Home Solutions in South Jersey

Professional Home Assistant training and consulting for homeowners who want local control without the DIY learning curve. Expert guidance for camera integration, automations, and ongoing support.

Home Assistant Training & Consulting for Privacy-Focused Homeowners

Expert guidance and hands-on training so you can confidently manage your Home Assistant setup without endless YouTube tutorials or Reddit deep-dives.

Book Your Free Consultation Now

You want the privacy and control of Home Assistant 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.

Start with a free consultation so we can understand your home, property, and goals.

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, 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 and other platform integrations to work with your existing ecosystem

"Ashley's expertise and thorough evaluation were incredibly helpful! I truly appreciate the work she put into the project."

Jekia L.

How sessions work

Virtual 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
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.

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.

Focus on sustainable systems you can maintain

The goal isn't to make you dependent 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.

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.

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

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 (virtual 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

Virtual consulting available nationwide

Screen sharing and remote guidance work great for most consulting needs.

In-person available in:

New Jersey
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Northern Delaware

Travel surcharges may apply for in-person sessions outside primary service area.

Why choose Serenity Smart Homes for Home Assistant consulting?

Ashley Williams, Founder of Serenity Smart Homes

I bring 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, SmartThings, and other platforms with Home Assistant, but we don't consult on purely cloud-based systems.

Is this different from the Command Center setup?

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 90 minutes 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 if needed.

Do you provide ongoing support plans?

The multi-session package gives you scheduled support over 6 months. For ongoing maintenance, we can discuss custom arrangements based on your needs.

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.

Schedule Your Consultation

Not sure if consulting is right for your situation? Book a free 30-minute strategy call and we'll help you figure out the best path forward.