There's no better moment to make a home smart than move-in day. The electrician is already on site, the walls are empty, and you haven't yet formed habits around the old switches. Do it now and you'll never have to "upgrade later." Here's a practical, room-by-room checklist for a new Indian home.
Before You Move In: Do These While the Electrician Is There
- Voltage protection at the board. Fit a voltage protector and surge protection device in the main panel — it protects every appliance you're about to buy. See our protection guide.
- Smart switch modules in every switchboard. Retrofit modules like the 8 Node Smart Switch (living room) and 4 Node (bedrooms) go in during wiring for zero extra effort.
- Confirm a neutral wire in every back box — it makes smart switches straightforward.
Room-by-Room Checklist
Living Room
- Smart switches for lights and fan.
- An IR Blaster to control the TV, set-top box and AC by voice.
- A smart extension board for the TV unit.
Bedrooms
- 4 Node switch for lights + fan, with a "Good Night" scene.
- A smart plug for the bedside lamp or AC.
Kitchen & Utility
- A 16A smart plug or switch for the geyser and water motor.
- Smart task lighting under cabinets.
Entrance
- A smart door lock — keyless entry from day one.
The Right Order to Buy
1) Electrical protection → 2) switch modules (while wiring) → 3) IR blaster + plugs → 4) lighting & lock → 5) expand. This keeps cost spread out and gets the "can't-do-later" items done first. For a full category rundown see our complete buyer's guide.
Budget Guide
A 2BHK can be fully automated for a modest budget when you retrofit rather than replace — see how much it costs to automate a 2BHK or 3BHK. If you'd rather start small, the Smart Starter Kit covers lights, a geyser and the AC/TV in one box.
Mistakes New Homeowners Make
- Waiting until after the wiring is closed — the costliest time to add switches.
- Mixing five brands and five apps.
- Skipping voltage protection and losing a new fridge to a spike.
More in 7 common smart home mistakes.
Start your new home smart: explore the full AZIOT smart home range and tick off the checklist before you unpack.