Field notes · Smart home setup
A quick walkthrough of what we usually ask a client to gather before we start planning a connected home setup. It saves time, avoids back-and-forth, and makes the first session far more useful.
When someone books a consultation about adding smart lighting or a voice assistant, the first question is often “what do I need to have ready?”. The honest answer: not much, but a few small things make a real difference. We are not talking about technical documents or floor plans. Just a clear idea of the rooms you want to cover, the Wi-Fi situation, and which devices you already own.
Start with a simple list of the rooms where you spend most of your time. In a typical South African home, that is usually the living area and the main bedroom. Knowing this helps us suggest the right type of bulbs or plugs, and whether you need a hub or can run everything directly over Wi-Fi. You do not need exact measurements, but a rough sense of room size matters. A large open-plan lounge behaves differently from a smaller bedroom when it comes to signal range and light output.
The second thing to check is your router. Most modern smart devices work fine on a standard fibre connection, but older dual-band routers sometimes cause issues. If you have a separate 2.4 GHz network, that is worth mentioning. Many budget-friendly plugs and bulbs still rely on it. We have lost count of how many setups stalled because a device could not see the 2.4 GHz band. A quick screenshot of your Wi-Fi settings is more useful than you might think.
Finally, think about the brand ecosystem you prefer. If you already use a Google Nest speaker or an Amazon Echo, it makes sense to stick with that platform. Mixing assistants can get messy, especially when you want voice control across multiple rooms. During the consultation we can work with what you have, but knowing your preference upfront helps us tailor the recommendations.
“The best preparation is a quick look at your Wi-Fi name and password, plus a mental note of which rooms you actually use at night.”
You do not need to be technically minded to prepare for a consultation. The goal is simply to give us enough context so we can skip the generic advice and focus on your actual home. If you are unsure about any of these points, that is fine too. We will ask the right questions during the session.
Want to compare your options before the call? Read our guide on choosing a service format that fits your setup. Or if you have a specific question, get in touch.
About the reviewer
Every review on this site starts with a real device plugged into a real wall socket in a South African home. No lab conditions, no press kits, just the same network and power constraints you deal with daily.
Founder & Lead Reviewer
I have spent the last six years installing and troubleshooting smart home gear across Johannesburg and Pretoria. What started as a hobby wiring up my own flat with a few Wi-Fi plugs turned into a habit of taking apart every gadget I could find and putting it through the kind of use it will actually see here.
My focus is practical: does a device survive load shedding, does it stay connected on a standard fibre line, and does the app make sense for someone who does not want to read a 40-page manual? I write about what breaks, what works, and what is simply not worth the money.
When I am not testing, I help local homeowners plan simple connected setups that do not require a technician on speed dial. The guides on this site come from those conversations.
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