Preparing for Your Shipshape Installation

Overview

Your Shipshape installation is coming up, and you want to make sure everything goes smoothly. The good news is that Shipshape's monitoring equipment is designed for fast, non-invasive installation. There is no drilling, rewiring, or construction involved. In most homes, your service professional can complete the full installation in 30 to 60 minutes.

That said, a little preparation on your part can make the process even faster and ensure you get the best possible monitoring setup for your home. This guide covers what to expect during the installation visit and a few simple things you can do ahead of time to help.

What to Expect During Installation

Here is a high-level overview of what your service professional will do during the installation visit:

1. Set up the gateway. They will connect the Shipshape Gateway to your internet router using an ethernet cable. This takes about 2 minutes. See Connecting Your Shipshape Gateway for details.

2. Walk through your home. Your service professional will tour the home with you to identify key appliances and systems that should be monitored. This includes things like your HVAC system, water heater, sump pump, dehumidifier, and major appliances.

3. Place sensors. Based on the walkthrough, they will place sensors at the appropriate locations throughout your home. Each sensor pairs wirelessly with the gateway.

4. Verify everything is online. Before leaving, your service professional will confirm that every sensor is communicating properly with the gateway and showing up in the app.

5. Give you a quick overview. They will show you the Shipshape app, walk you through the main features, and explain what kind of alerts and insights you can expect.

The entire visit is straightforward and conversational. Your service professional is there to help, so do not hesitate to ask questions or point out areas of your home you are concerned about.

How to Prepare Your Home

A few simple steps before the visit will help your service professional work efficiently and ensure nothing gets missed.

1. Know Where Your Router Is

Your service professional will need to access your internet router to connect the gateway. If your router is in an unusual location (inside a closet, in the attic, behind furniture), make a note so you can point them to it quickly.

Also check: is there an open ethernet port on the back of the router? If all ports are in use, let your service professional know. They can bring a network switch, or you can pick one up ahead of time (any basic 5-port switch from an electronics store will work).

2. Clear Access to Key Equipment

Your service professional will need to reach several areas of your home to place sensors. Before the visit, make sure the following areas are accessible:

• HVAC system (furnace, air handler, indoor unit). This is often in a basement, attic, utility closet, or garage.
• Water heater. Usually in a basement, garage, or utility closet.
• Sump pump (if you have one). Typically in a basement or crawlspace.
• Dehumidifier (if you have one). Often in a basement or crawlspace.
• Electrical panel. Usually in a garage, basement, or utility room.
• Major kitchen appliances (refrigerator, freezer). The service professional may need to access outlets behind these appliances.

You do not need to move heavy appliances yourself. Just make sure the general area is not blocked by storage boxes, furniture, or clutter that would prevent access.

Good to know: If any of these areas require a key, code, or special access (like a locked utility room in a condo building), make arrangements ahead of time so your service professional can get in without delays.

3. Make Sure Your Internet Is Working

The gateway needs an active internet connection. Before the visit, confirm:

• Your internet service is active and working
• Your router is powered on
• You know the WiFi network name and password (in case the service professional needs to verify connectivity)

If you have recently changed internet providers or moved your router, make sure everything is stable before the installation date.

4. Download the Shipshape App

If you have not already, download the Shipshape Home app before the visit:

• Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store
• Search for "Shipshape Home"
• Create your account and set up your home profile using the steps in Getting Started with Shipshape

Having the app ready means your service professional can connect sensors to your account in real time during the visit, and you will see everything come online as it is installed.

5. Make a List of Your Concerns

This is your chance to tell your service professional about any areas of your home that worry you. Think about:

• Has there been water in the basement before? Extra leak sensors can be placed in problem areas.
• Does one room always feel too hot or too cold? A temperature sensor can help SAM identify the cause.
• Is your HVAC system older and you want to keep an eye on it? Monitoring can track performance decline over time.
• Do you have a vacation home or rental property? Your service professional can configure monitoring priorities for unoccupied homes.

The more your service professional knows about your concerns, the better they can customize the sensor layout for your home.

What Your Service Professional Brings

You do not need to purchase or prepare any equipment. Your service professional arrives with everything needed, including:

• Shipshape Gateway and power adapter
• Ethernet cable for the gateway connection
• Smart Power Plugs for appliance monitoring
• Leak Detectors for water-sensitive areas
• Humidity/Temperature Sensors for environmental monitoring
• Range extenders in case any sensors are too far from the gateway
• Backup sensors in case any unit has an issue during installation
• Network switch in case your router has no open ethernet ports
• Extension cords and pigtail adapters for tight outlet situations

They come prepared for common challenges, so you do not need to worry about having the right cables or adapters on hand.

How Long Does It Take?

Installation time depends on the size of your home and the number of sensors being placed:

| Home Size | Typical Install Time | |-----------|---------------------| | Apartment or condo | 15 to 20 minutes | | Small home (under 2,000 sq ft) | 20 to 30 minutes | | Medium home (2,000 to 3,500 sq ft) | 30 to 45 minutes | | Large home (3,500+ sq ft) | 45 to 60 minutes |

These are estimates. Some homes go faster, especially if access to equipment is easy and the layout is straightforward. Occasionally, unusual configurations or range issues add a few extra minutes.

After the Installation

Once everything is installed and verified, here is what happens next:

• SAM starts learning. Over the first few days, SAM establishes baseline patterns for each sensor and appliance. During this learning period, you may not see alerts because SAM is figuring out what "normal" looks like for your home.
• Your Home Health Score begins building. As data flows in, your score will become more accurate and comprehensive.
• You will receive your first insights. Within the first week, SAM will start surfacing observations about your home's systems, like equipment age, efficiency patterns, and any early signs of concern.

Tip: After the installation, take a few minutes to explore the app. Tap on each appliance to see its sensor data, check your Home Health Score, and try chatting with SAM to ask a question about your home.

Quick Preparation Checklist

Use this checklist the day before your installation:

• [ ] Internet is working and router is powered on
• [ ] You know where your router is located
• [ ] Key equipment areas are accessible (HVAC, water heater, sump pump, electrical panel)
• [ ] Shipshape Home app is downloaded and your account is created
• [ ] You have noted any specific concerns or problem areas to discuss

Need Help?

If you have questions before your installation, reach out to our support team at (512) 221-2584. You can also chat with SAM in the app. SAM can answer questions about what to expect and help you prepare.