# New Setup Advice

**URL:** <https://community.smartthings.com/t/new-setup-advice/87069>\
**Category:** Connected Things\
**Created:** [May 11, 2017, 5:12am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/new-setup-advice/87069 "2017-05-11T05:12:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DaveP2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DaveP2](https://community.smartthings.com/u/DaveP2)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 5:12am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/new-setup-advice/87069/1 "2017-05-11T05:12:37Z")

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Noob here - we’re just finishing a major remodel which includes about 70 GE z-wave dimmers, switches and plugs, and a couple Fibaro RGBW controllers. More to come. I have a smartthings hub set up and added one of the GE switches for fun. So far so good.

I now want to start adding the rest of the devices and was wondering if there is a smart way to do this. Some of the devices are located further from the hub and will need to be discovered through other devices. Should I work myself outward from the hub? Should I try to move the hub around the house to help with the discovery process. Should I be worried about the number of devices?

Any advice appreciated, looking forward to the journey.

thx, Dave

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**Author:** ![JDRoberts](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jdroberts/32/56577_2.png) [@JDRoberts](https://community.smartthings.com/u/JDRoberts)\
**Post date:** [May 11, 2017, 5:38am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/new-setup-advice/87069/2 "2017-05-11T05:38:31Z")

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Welcome! 🕶

This should help. Read the whole thread, but start with post 11.

> [@A Guide to Wireless Range & Repeaters](https://community.smartthings.com/t/a-guide-to-wireless-range-repeaters/11440/11):
>
> One more thought. While I understand the marketing reasons for the decision, the fact that SmartThings gives customers zero guidance on how to set up a network backbone does lead to a lot of frustration that shouldn’t have to exist. if people knew that .1) The hub should be located centrally in the home, both vertically and horizontally. Don’t put it in a garage or basement as those have concrete and pipes and metal objects which will reduce signal. If your Internet router is off in some inaccessible corner, you can use a Wi-Fi access point that has a ethernet port on the side and plug into that. Also, the hub should not be put in a cabinet. You just want to make it as easy as possible for signal to spread around your house. .2) you need one device that can repeat about every 40 feet…

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**Author:** ![DaveP2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DaveP2](https://community.smartthings.com/u/DaveP2)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/new-setup-advice/87069/3 "2017-05-16T04:45:34Z")

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Thank you JDRoberts, just what I was looking for.