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installation questions

post #1 of 7
12/1/07 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 
I just got an estimate from an installer and i must say i was very shocked. The estimate was $2,500. There's a Plasma and system hookup for $750, labor for speaker drop $840, program remote $200, labor for plaster work $150, universal remote $500. My room is 19.5 X 15. At this rate I may not hang my lcd on the wall. This doesn't include hdmi cables or a wall mount. I know orange county california can be expensive but this is ridiculous. I took some pictures of the room but I don't know how to upload them. Anybody know of installers over here?
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post #2 of 7
12/2/07 at 1:57am

Re: installation questions

If you have to have plaster work, then it must be a pretty difficult install. The plasma install probably includes a new power outlet hidden behind the TV. The only thing that I see over the top is the remote. A Harmony 880 is $120 and you can program it yourself.

As for posting pics, host them at sites like Photobucket and link to them using the IMG tag. You need 5 or 10 posts before your links become active though. Keeps the spammers out.

-Robert
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post #3 of 7
12/2/07 at 5:24am

Re: installation questions

This is the way I see if a quote is out of line.
  • Ask them to break out material cost. They will have some mark up for their efforts to get the material, but it may not be much effort and you can do it.
  • Next to justify the labor cost, ask them in a round about way, how many people will be working on it and how long they think the project will take. Then take the total labor dollars and divide it by the time it will take, and then divide it by the number of workers. This gives you the "Per man hour rate". Estimate the installers pay and subtract it. What you are left with is the companies overhead and profit. Remember to factor in some travel time, is more than one visit needed, any expensive equipment needed?
I agree $500 for the remote + $200 to program it is out of line. Many on this forum use Harmony remotes. They can be purchased fro under $200 and one of their main selling points is the easy programming. It should take you under an hour to do.
For $ 150, plaster work sounds like cutting holes in the wall for boxes. If there was spackling involved, it would include more than one trip and painting.
The $750 for hook up I feel is unnecessary. Let us know model numbers and possibly pictures of the equipments inputs and we can tell you where to plug things in.
I don't know what is involved in running your speaker wires so I can't comment on the $840.
There are many DIYers here who can help you. What is your skill level? Also don't forget calibration of the picture and sound system. This is something else you can do your self with under $75 investment and a few hours.
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post #4 of 7
12/2/07 at 11:07am
Thread Starter 

Re: installation questions

Thanks very much for your replies. I believe one or at most 2 people will be working on it. I already have some holes in the wall and they will be using some of the holes and all they will do is patch the holes, no painting. He really wanted to run the wires outside the house then go inside the house to install the back speakers. i told him i didn't want wires outside, it looked tacky. It doesn't include a new power outlet hidden behind the tv. All he will be doing is running the tv plug down the wall and then coming out and plugging it in the outside outlet.

once again, thanks so much for your replies.
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post #5 of 7
12/2/07 at 7:25pm

Re: installation questions

That is way out of line for installs. I work at Great Sounds in Dubuque, Iowa, and our installs are about 600 at the most for parts and labor (of course excluding wiring and cables). The remote may be justifiable if it's a Monster Harmony 890? I think I have the model number right...that's a great remote it really is. Sometimes the less expensive harmony remotes drop codes and you have to reprogram them, and the 890 has it's own rechargeable base. A very nice remote, but 200 bucks to program it is ridiculous. All you need is your model numbers and then you need to know what you want on when you want it on, and it's very self explanatory. Just have them mount the speakers, but 800 is outrageous for that, I would argue that the price is way too much, or find someone else to do it. As far as mounting the TV goes, that's a weekend project you, a buddy, and a 30 pack of Budweiser can get done without any problems. Two studs, a few holes in the wall, and a few screws gets you a mounted plasma/lcd TV. It's not difficult at all. Save yourself a grand and step it up buddy
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post #6 of 7
12/2/07 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 

Re: installation questions

I certainly would do it myself if i could but i am disabled. That's why it's very disheartening. This is definitely something I would have done myself. I'll keep looking around for other estimates.

Thanks.
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post #7 of 7
12/2/07 at 11:46pm

Re: installation questions

My sincerest apologies, I didn't know. But yes I do recommend finding another installer, it sounds those guys are determined to be a hole in your wallet. That install is outrageously priced. Once more I apologize.
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