Smart Home Wiring and Installation Durham, NC
Smart switches, thermostats and doorbells only work as well as the wiring behind them. Brian Electric installs smart home devices in Durham and nearby towns, checks the wiring first and sets everything up with your app.
- Licensed in North Carolina
- All major brands installed
- App and Wi-Fi setup included
What We Install
Smart Home Devices We Install in Durham
As a licensed electrician in Durham, NC, we install the device, check the wiring behind it and set it up with your app and Wi-Fi. For a single switch or outlet, see our outlets and switches page.
Smart Switches and Dimmers
Control lights by app, voice or schedule.
NeedsNeutral wireSmart Thermostats
Ecobee, Nest and others, matched to your HVAC system.
NeedsC-wireVideo Doorbells
See who is at the door from anywhere, with steady wired power.
NeedsDoorbell transformerCameras and Floodlights
Wired outdoor cameras and motion lights that never need a battery.
NeedsPower or network cableSmart Smoke and CO Alarms
Hardwired and linked, so one alarm sets off all of them and alerts your phone.
NeedsHardwired circuitGarage Door Openers
Open, close and check the door from your phone.
NeedsCeiling outletSmart Outlets
Put lamps, fans and holiday lights on a schedule.
NeedsStandard boxWhole-Home Lighting Control
Lutron RadioRA, Control4 and similar systems that run every light from one keypad or app.
NeedsPlanned wiring
All major brands. Lutron, Leviton, Ecobee, Google Nest, Ring and more. Already bought your devices? We install those too.
The Wiring
Why Smart Devices Need the Right Wiring
Most smart device problems are not the device. They come from the wiring behind the wall. These are the four we check every time.
The Neutral Wire
The problemMost smart switches need a neutral wire to stay powered. Many older switch boxes do not have one.
Our fixWe check each box. If there is no neutral, we run one or use a model built to work without it.
The C-Wire for Thermostats
The problemA smart thermostat needs steady power from a C-wire. Without it, it can drain, reboot or make the HVAC act up.
Our fixWe add a C-wire at the furnace or air handler, or fit the adapter your thermostat maker provides.
Doorbell Transformers
The problemVideo doorbells need more power than old chime doorbells. A weak transformer causes reboots and dropped video.
Our fixWe replace the transformer with one sized for your doorbell and test the chime.
Room in the Box
The problemSmart switches are deeper than old ones. Crowded or shallow boxes leave no room, and wires get pinched.
Our fixWe swap in a deeper box when needed, so the switch fits safely.
Plan It
Plan Your Smart Home Room by Room
Not sure where to start? Pick a room to see the upgrades our customers use most there.
Entry
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Video doorbellSee and talk to visitors from your phone.
- Motion entry lightsLights that turn on when someone walks up.
- Porch light on a scheduleOn at sunset, off at bedtime.
Living Room
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Scene keypadOne button for movie night, one for cleaning.
- Smart dimmersSoft light in the evening without getting up.
- Wired TV and networkAn Ethernet line behind the TV for steady streaming.
Kitchen
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Under-cabinet light controlTurn on counter lights by voice when your hands are full.
- Smart smoke and CO alarmAlerts your phone even when you are away.
- Smart outletsShut off the coffee maker from your phone.
Bedroom
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Wake-up lightingLights that slowly brighten in the morning.
- Smart thermostat scheduleCooler at night, warmer before you get up.
- Ceiling fan controlChange fan speed from bed.
Garage
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Smart garage openerCheck if you left the door open, and close it from anywhere.
- Motion lightsLights on when you pull in, off when you leave.
- Network dropA wired connection for a camera or Wi-Fi access point.
Outside
3 upgrades our customers pick most
- Wired camerasPower or PoE cable to each camera, so you never change a battery.
- Floodlight camerasLight and video in one fixture over the driveway.
- Landscape lights on a timerPath and yard lights that follow the seasons.
Older Homes
Smart Upgrades in Older Durham Homes
Smart devices were made with new houses in mind. Many Durham homes, like those in Duke Park, were built long before. That does not rule them out. It just means the wiring needs a closer look.
If the old wiring itself is worn or ungrounded, fix that first. Our house wiring and rewiring page explains how we update it in stages.
The Process
How a Smart Home Install Works in Durham
Pick Your Devices
Tell us what you want to control. We help you choose devices that work together and with your home.
Check the Wiring
We open the boxes and check for neutrals, C-wires, transformers and box space before anything goes in.
Install
We mount and wire each device, and run any new wire or network cable it needs.
Pair and Test
We connect everything to your Wi-Fi and app, set up scenes and schedules, and test each one.
Show You How
We walk you through the app and the controls before we leave.
Smart devices have small circuit boards that a power spike can ruin. A whole home surge protector helps protect them all at once.
Service Area
Smart Home Installation in Durham and the Triangle
We are based in Durham and install smart home devices all over the Triangle. Not sure if we come to your town? Call and ask.
Neighborhoods We Serve
View All Service AreasFAQ
Smart Home FAQs
Not sure which devices will work in your home? Call and tell us what you want to control, and we will tell you what comes next.
Call (984) 271-2113How do I know if my switch box has a neutral wire?
With the power off, a neutral is usually a bundle of white wires tied together in the back of the box. Many older homes do not have one at the switch. We check every box before you buy, so you get a device that works.
Can you install smart devices I already bought?
Yes. Tell us the brands and models when you call. We check that your wiring works with them and plan any changes before we arrive.
Will a smart thermostat work with my HVAC system?
Most systems work, but heat pumps, two-stage systems and older units with no C-wire need a closer look. We check your system and wire it so the thermostat gets steady power.
Do you set up the app and Wi-Fi?
Yes. We connect each device to your Wi-Fi, add it to your app and set up schedules or scenes. Then we show you how it all works.
Which brands do you install?
All major brands, including Lutron, Leviton, Ecobee, Google Nest and Ring. We also install whole-home systems such as Lutron RadioRA and Control4.
Can all my devices work in one app?
Often, yes. Many devices work with Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Apple Home. We help you pick devices that work together before you buy.
Can smart switches go in an older home?
Yes. Some models work without a neutral wire, or we can run one. We also swap in deeper boxes when the old ones are too small.
What does a smart home install cost?
It depends on how many devices you want, whether the wiring needs work and whether you need new network cable. You get a written price before we start.