Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How do I get started?
Book a consultation. We'll discuss your goals, assess your property, and provide a customised proposal with no obligation. Contact us via phone, email, or our website booking form.

How much does a smart home system cost?
Individual packages start from around $2,000–$5,000 depending on scope (lighting, security, climate, etc.). Comprehensive whole-home systems range from $6,000–$40,000+. Commercial projects vary based on size and requirements. Every project is unique, so we provide detailed quotes after your free consultation.

What are the payment terms?
We require a 50% deposit to secure your installation slot and prepare your equipment. The remaining 50% is due upon completion. We accept bank transfer and credit/debit cards.

How long does installation take?
Individual packages: 2–8 hours
Basic whole-home automation: 2–3 days
Comprehensive premium systems: 3–5 days
Commercial projects: Varies by scope

We'll provide an accurate timeline during your consultation.

What's your service area?
We service all of Victoria including:

• Metro Melbourne and all suburbs
• Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Ballarat
• Dandenong Ranges, Macedon Ranges, Bendigo
• Gippsland and regional Victoria

Expanding to NSW in 2026! Want to be notified when we're in your area? Email us at admin@cyborgautomation.com.au

Understanding Home Assistant

What is Home Assistant and why do you use it?
Home Assistant is the world's leading open-source home automation platform. We use it because it offers:

Privacy-first: Everything runs locally on your property, not in the cloud
No subscriptions: One-time cost, no monthly fees forever
Device freedom: Supports 7,000+ devices from any manufacturer
Complete control: You own the system, not a tech company
Offline operation: Works even without internet

Unlike proprietary systems (Google, Amazon, Apple), you're never locked in or forced to replace everything when a company changes direction.

How is this different from Google Home or Alexa?
Google Home and Alexa are voice assistants that control individual devices using their respective apps. Home Assistant is a complete automation platform that:

• Integrates Google/Alexa AND hundreds of other brands into one system
• Creates powerful automations impossible with voice assistants alone
• Works locally (doesn't rely on cloud servers)
• Never charges subscriptions
• Gives you complete control and customization

Think of Home Assistant as the brain that makes everything work together, and you can still use Google/Alexa for voice control if you want.

Do I need technical knowledge to use the system?
Not at all. We handle the entire setup and create an intuitive interface tailored to your needs. You'll control everything through simple dashboards, voice commands, or physical switches, no coding or technical knowledge required.

However, if you ever want to customise things yourself, the option is always there. We also provide training so you feel confident using your system.

Devices & Compatibility

Do you work with devices I already own?
In most cases, yes! Home Assistant supports 7,000+ integrations including popular brands like:

• Philips Hue, IKEA, Aqara (lighting)
• Reolink, UniFi, Ring (cameras)
• Google Nest, Ecobee (thermostats)
• Tesla Powerwall, Fronius, Sungrow (solar/battery)
• And many, many more

Send us a list of your existing devices during consultation and we'll confirm compatibility. We prioritize local-control devices for better privacy and reliability, though we can integrate cloud-dependent devices when needed.

Can you integrate my existing solar system?
Absolutely! We support most major Australian solar inverter brands including:

• Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge, Enphase
• Sungrow, GoodWe, Growatt, Huawei
• Tesla Powerwall and other battery systems

We'll create a beautiful dashboard showing your production, consumption, battery status, and grid usage in real-time. You can also automate devices to run when solar production is high. See our full compatibility list on our website.

What's the difference between Zigbee, Z-Wave, BLE and PoE?
Great question! Here's the simple breakdown:

Zigbee – Most common, affordable, huge device selection. Works great for most homes.
Z-Wave – More reliable, better range, costs slightly more. Better for larger properties.
Thread/Matter – The new standard everyone's moving to. Future-proof but fewer devices currently.
PoE (Power over Ethernet) – Wired, most reliable, needs cables. Perfect for cameras, tablets, and permanent installations.

Don't stress about choosing! We'll recommend the right protocol for each device based on your property and goals. Most homes end up with a mix, and that's perfectly fine. Your Home Assistant hub speaks all these "languages" fluently.

Features & Capabilities

Can I access my system when I'm away from home?
Yes! We can configure secure remote access so you can monitor and control your system from anywhere in the world via smartphone, tablet, or computer. This is entirely optional and set up with your security and privacy preferences in mind.

Can I control everything with my voice?
Absolutely! We set up a local voice assistant that runs entirely on your property, no cloud servers, no recordings sent to data companies, complete privacy. You can control lights, climate, scenes, music, and more using natural voice commands.

We can also integrate Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Siri (HomeKit) if you'd like. The choice is yours, you can use our private local voice control, stick with what you know, or use both together.

The key difference: Our local voice assistant processes everything at your home, so your voice commands never leave your home. Perfect for privacy-conscious households.

What happens if my internet goes down?
Your smart home continues to work! Home Assistant runs locally on your property, so lights, switches, sensors, climate control, and automations keep functioning normally.

You'll only lose:

• Remote access when away from home
• Voice assistants (Google/Alexa)
• Cloud-dependent devices
• Weather-based automations

Everything returns to normal when internet reconnects, no reconfiguration needed.

What happens during a power outage?
When power returns, your system automatically restarts and resumes normal operation within 2–5 minutes. All your automations, settings, and schedules remain intact.

For critical systems (security & elderly care), we can add battery backup (UPS) to keep everything running during short outages.

Do I need a strong internet connection?
No! Basic operation doesn't require internet at all, everything runs locally. However, internet is helpful for:

• Remote access when away from home
• Software updates and improvements
• Weather-based automations

A standard NBN connection is more than sufficient. Even slower connections work fine.

Flexibility & Support

Can I start small and expand later?
Absolutely! This is one of Home Assistant's biggest advantages. Many customers start with one package (like smart lighting or security) and add more over time. Since the foundation (Home Assistant hub) is already installed, adding new packages later costs less than if you had started fresh.

We'll teach you how to add compatible devices yourself, or you can hire us for professional expansion anytime.

What if I move houses?
Unlike built-in systems that stay with the property, most of your smart home can move with you:

What moves: Smart bulbs, sensors, switches, cameras, tablets, the Home Assistant hub, and most wireless devices
What stays: Hardwired installations (some switches, PoE cameras, ducted climate integration)

We can help you relocate your system or provide a discount on your new home's installation since you already own the core equipment.

What if I'm renting?
Many of our solutions are renter-friendly! Smart bulbs, plug-in sensors, portable tablets, and wireless devices can all move with you without leaving holes or damage. We'll recommend non-permanent options that won't require landlord approval.

When you move, take everything with you and reinstall at your next place.

Is this suitable for businesses as well as homes?
Absolutely. We work with offices, retail spaces, warehouses, hospitality venues, and medical clinics. Business automation includes:

• Automated lighting and climate control for significant energy savings
• Access control and security monitoring
• Meeting room automation (booking systems, AV control)
• Occupancy-based scheduling
• Energy management and reporting for sustainability goals

Warranty & Support

What warranty do you provide?

Premium & All-In-One Systems Include:
- 3 years comprehensive warranty - parts & labor fully covered
- 5 years labor warranty - we fix it, you pay parts at wholesale cost
- Lifetime technical support via phone and email
- Priority service response

Budget Systems Include:
- 1 year comprehensive warranty
- 2 years labor warranty (parts at cost)
- Ongoing technical support

Optional Care Plans Available:
- Annual maintenance & priority support: $249/year
- Extended full warranty: $299-499/year

WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS:
This warranty does not cover:
- Damage from power surges, lightning, or electrical issues
- Customer modifications or third-party installations
- Normal wear and tear or cosmetic damage
- Discontinued products (equivalent replacement provided)
- Acts of nature, accidents, or misuse
- Internet service or network infrastructure issues

Customer is responsible for maintaining adequate power protection and internet connectivity for smart home systems.

Do you offer training?
Yes! Every installation includes a comprehensive handover session where we teach you and your family how to use the system. We cover:

• Using the dashboard
• Manual overrides
• Basic troubleshooting
• How to add simple devices yourself (optional)

We can schedule follow-up training anytime if you need a refresher or want to learn advanced features.

Technical Details

Where is the Home Assistant hub located?
We typically install it in a central location like a utility room, study, or network cabinet. It's a small, fanless device (about the size of a paperback book) that connects to your home network. It runs silently 24/7 with minimal power consumption (under 10 watts).

What if I want to DIY some additions later?
Great! We encourage it. During your training session, we can show you how to add compatible devices yourself. Home Assistant has excellent documentation, and there's a huge online community. You'll never be locked in or forced to call us for simple additions.

Of course, we're always available if you prefer professional installation or want help with complex integrations.

Privacy & Security

Is my data private?
Absolutely. This is why we use Home Assistant:

• Everything runs locally on your property, no cloud servers required
• Your data never leaves your home unless you explicitly enable remote access
• No company is tracking your habits or selling your information
• You own and control 100% of your data and devices

We can configure the system for complete offline operation if privacy is your top priority.

Is the system secure?
Yes. Security features include:

• Encrypted remote access (if enabled)
• Local network isolation
• Password protection
• Regular security updates
• No dependency on cloud services that could be hacked

We follow security best practices during installation and can configure additional security layers for high-security requirements.

learn more about our installation here