May 12, 2011
After being in the professional audio/visual business for awhile, I’ve begun to recognize certain project approaches that have a recognizable and uncomfortable sound to them.
At first they sound logical and make sense in casual conversation, but they are extremely ill-advised, and if the client/owner is not educated about A/V project management, those expectations can become expensive and extend the time of a project.
Here are a few of those myths.
Myth No. 1: By the time this project goes to bid or gets installed, the technology will be half as expensive as it is now.
Truth: Consumer technology does get cheaper, but expectations and wants increase and usually make up the difference. For example, that DVD player now is a Blu-Ray and hi-def equipment in every room. We wait to order certain equipment because we know the model will change and the price will sometimes drop.
Myth No. 2: The holidays are a down time for us, so that’s when we’ll get the project installed.
Truth: Everyone wants it before the holidays and waits for the prices to drop. Doing so means it becomes tricky scheduling technicians, doing the engineering, and ordering product. Get on the schedule first to get your project done.
Myth No. 3: I’ll buy some or all of the equipment online and save a lot of money.
Truth: Don’t forget the cost of shipping or to pick the equipment up. Most integrators won’t install online-bought equipment anyway. If the equipment fails out of the box, it’s your responsibility. Warranty issues also are yours and not the integrators. There is not a lot of profit margin in equipment these days, and that little bit of profit is what pays the bills for us.
Myth No. 4: Now that the A/V contractor has been paid in full, they will be happy to come back out and finish the work.
Truth: When a contractor receives final payment, it is commonly thought that the owner/client is happy with the project and the installation is complete. Make sure a walk through is done and a punch list created of any pending issues. If a return trip is needed, it will be determined if it is a change order or warranty issue.
Myth No. 5: My friend is an IT guy and is knowledgeable in A/V and he says your system is too expensive and uses the wrong equipment.
Truth: This myth costs owners/clients more money and time than anything else. Everyone is comfortable with specific equipment so they always recommend what they know and not what’s best for the application. A lot of things have to be considered with a system design (space, heat, power, functionality) and all these things have to be determined by what works for the specific application, not what your IT guy is used to.
Myth No. 6: There is no difference between A/V companies so we are sending bid requests to them all and will take the cheapest one.
Truth: There is a huge difference between A/V companies and the cheapest is not always the best. Some are one-man shows and some are large corporations with a large staff. It’s hard to compare proposals so make a decision based on the companies’ references, jobs/projects, professionalism, dedication and commitment to your project, and ability to listen to your needs and give you direction.
Myth No. 7: Once the equipment is installed, I won’t have to worry about it anymore.
Truth: A/V equipment, just like anything else, needs maintenance, repair and an occasional upgrade. A $100,000 A/V system will cease to function within a few years without proper care. In addition, users will simply abandon a system that doesn’t work well, so it’s a good idea to have a regular “check up” on your system to keep it running in optimum condition.
It’s not easy to convince clients/owners that their decisions are ill-advised sometimes. As integrators, we offer examples and make suggestions so your system is as cost effective and efficient as possible. We will work to meet expectations, as long as we know what those expectations actually are.
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