What you'd like
to know beforehand.

Yes, that is part of our service. We check your models and set up supported connections for status notifications, shared controls or automations. Capabilities vary by device: Wi-Fi alone does not mean every feature is available in Home Assistant. We clarify what is possible before starting.

We review your devices, manufacturer accounts, bridges and hubs. Supported features can be brought together and linked, for example in Home Assistant. Existing systems do not automatically need replacing. Some manufacturer apps remain necessary for updates, map editing or special settings. We explain what can be combined and what stays separate.

We recommend products we have practical experience with, considering setup, everyday use and how they work with other devices. This is not independent certification or a guarantee for every combination. Before recommending a product, we also check whether the specific model suits your home and the features you want.

Both are possible. On request, we select suitable devices with you and supply them at the agreed selling price. We also integrate existing or self-purchased devices where they support the required features. Hardware and setup are listed separately in the quote. Speak to us before buying so the model and system match.

No. It depends on the model, available interfaces and features intended by the manufacturer. Some devices only provide status information; others allow commands or require approval on the device itself. We do not bypass safety locks. For washing machines and dryers, a finished-cycle notification can be useful even without automatic start.

For many uses, yes. Smart plugs, suitable bulbs and battery-powered wireless buttons or sensors let you get started without new wiring. Whether a device can be mounted without drilling depends on the model and the surface. Together, we check which solutions suit your flat and can be removed later. If existing switches or fixed electrical installations need to be changed, we discuss that work separately with you in advance.

Often, yes. The exact model number, firmware and available Home Assistant integration are what matter. Some devices connect directly and locally; others need the manufacturer's bridge or a cloud service. Before quoting, we check your devices and the functions actually available. We explain what can be reused and where additions make sense. Feel free to send model names or photos of device labels before our first call so we can prepare a focused check.

That depends on how your lighting is connected. If an existing switch cuts power to a smart bulb, it can no longer be reached wirelessly. We therefore plan the controls with you: suitable wireless buttons or an appropriate integration of existing switches may work, depending on the situation. On site, we check what is possible without altering the electrical installation and show you the agreed controls at handover.

Locally configured devices and automations can keep working during an internet outage, provided the hub has power and the necessary local connections work. Cloud integrations, external information and some voice services need internet access. Remote access also stops if your home internet connection goes down. During planning, we establish which routines matter most to you and choose the technology accordingly. You'll know in advance which agreed functions work locally and which require an online service.

Without power, affected lights, sockets, network equipment and the hub do not work. If only the hub fails, automations running through it are temporarily unavailable. Certain directly paired buttons may still control their devices if the chosen technology supports this. We discuss important manual controls with you and check behaviour after a restart. If needed, an uninterruptible power supply can be planned for selected components; its runtime depends on capacity and connected devices.

We tailor the controls to you and your household. Clearly labelled buttons, a simple dashboard or a few easy-to-understand scenes such as evening lighting and all off are often enough. Anyone who wants to use an app can have their own Home Assistant user account. We agree which controls suit you and go through them at handover. With a suitably configured physical button, guests need neither an app nor an account to operate the lights directly.

No. You can control devices with suitable buttons, your smartphone, a dashboard or predefined automations. If you'd also like voice control, we check your rooms, desired commands and suitable hardware together. Home Assistant provides Assist for this purpose. You can choose exactly which devices it may control. For example, start with living-room lighting and add commands later. Your everyday use helps you decide where voice control is useful.

With fully local voice processing, your spoken commands stay on your own hardware. The microphone, speech recognition and speech output need to suit your commands and the hub's processing power. Cloud voice services process parts of the request outside your home and need internet access. Speed, supported languages and available commands vary between solutions. We first clarify whether you mainly want to control lights and devices or also ask more open-ended questions, then choose the right option with you.

By default, Home Assistant stores history in a database on your hub. You can configure which device values are recorded and how long detailed history is kept. Different retention periods may apply to long-term statistics and backups. If you use manufacturers' clouds, external voice services or cloud backups, those providers' data flows also apply. We discuss which records you need, which data stays local and which optional services process or store data outside your home.

You don't need a Home Assistant Cloud subscription for local operation. Extra services, such as Nabu Casa for convenient remote access and cloud voice features, are optional and have their own terms and fees. Some manufacturers also offer paid features. Our quote clearly lists the chosen services and their recurring costs. You can commission support from AI Smart Living when needed; we charge for the time spent. You decide which additional services to use.

Yes. For example, you can start with lighting and a button in the living room. We consider your next wishes when choosing the hub and planning wireless coverage. Compatible devices and further automations can be added later. Before expanding, we check compatibility, range and available capacity so new features fit the existing system. Together we decide a sensible order: first what helps you every day, then more rooms and routines.

Yes. Home Assistant is open source and offers a documented interface for devices, automations and settings. You can learn to manage it yourself or engage other qualified support later. At handover, we discuss administrator access, the agreed configuration and backup options. We clarify dependencies on manufacturer accounts, cloud services or special extensions when choosing devices. You'll know which parts you can manage and where later changes need extra knowledge or provider access.

Home Assistant supports manual and automatic backups and restoration to an existing or new system. An up-to-date copy stored outside the hub is essential so it remains available if hardware fails. Encrypted backups also require the corresponding key. Together, we choose suitable storage locations and what to back up. Restoration puts the saved settings back. If you change the wireless adapter or hardware at the same time, extra setup steps may be needed before devices are reachable again.

You can install updates yourself or ask us to do it when needed. Support is charged for the time spent. Before major changes, we check a current backup and the relevant release notes. Updates can change device integrations or automations, so affected routines also need to be tested afterwards. Batteries, the network and manufacturer firmware need occasional attention too. At handover, we discuss which tasks you want to take on. For new wishes, we check together how they fit into your existing system.

If you want remote access, we can set up Home Assistant Cloud or a suitable VPN connection by agreement. The choice depends on your network and requirements. Separate user accounts, strong passwords and additional login protection help you control access. We set up remote access for our support only with your permission and use it within the agreed scope. We show you how to revoke it. Without remote access, Home Assistant is normally accessible on your local network.

Many loose or plug-in components can move with you, as can the hub and its configuration. For fixed components, it depends on installation and agreed terms. In your new home, we check rooms, network and wireless coverage again and adapt affected automations. It's best to make a current backup before moving. Together, we establish which devices can be reused and whether you need extra sensors, buttons or wireless coverage for the new rooms.

You can buy devices from us at the agreed selling price, source them yourself or use existing ones. In every case, we check compatibility with your desired functions in advance. Setup is charged separately. Your individual quote clearly separates hardware, setup and optional services. The scope depends on your rooms, network and desired automations. If you source components yourself, we agree them with you before purchase so you can buy the right ones.

With a compatible control cube, you can change a lighting scene or adjust brightness by turning it, for example. Available gestures depend on the cube model, operating mode and integration. The Aqara Cube T1 Pro, for instance, has different scene and action modes. After checking the device, we agree which gesture triggers what and configure the automations. The cube sends commands to your system; the lights or other devices you want to control must be integrated there.

We check reception based on your home and chosen devices. Typical Home Assistant Zigbee devices use the 2.4 GHz band, which Wi-Fi also uses. Suitable channels, keeping the wireless adapter away from the router and USB interference sources, and well-positioned Zigbee devices with repeater functionality help reduce interference. Wi-Fi devices need adequate reception where they are installed. Matter over Thread also requires a compatible Thread border router. What matters is the local connection in your rooms; internet speed alone tells you little about that.

We start with a short, free phone call to discuss your wishes, existing devices and whether our service fits your plans. For detailed planning, you can then arrange a paid visit to your home in Graz or the surrounding district. This consultation is credited if you commission the work. You then receive an individual quote for the agreed scope. Our service is for private customers. You can book later support when needed; it is charged for the time spent.

Many everyday functions can be brought together in Home Assistant. A manufacturer's app may still be needed for initial setup, firmware updates or special device functions. Its role depends on the model and integration. For example, Philips Hue scenes are created in the manufacturer's app and then used in Home Assistant. At handover, we explain which apps you still need and which controls are available directly through your shared dashboard.