The Design Perspective

While DistinctAV can manage all phases of a basement renovation project for you, there are some steps you can take as the homeowner that will save you time, headaches, and thousands of dollars.

Learn what’s possible. DistinctAV offers free seminars covering everything that is possible today in home electronics and also gives a glimpse of what to plan for.

 Think beyond the basement. If you’re making holes in the basement walls and ceilings, that’s the time to get all the wiring you may need into the first or even second floors. Once the wiring is in the walls, the dirty work is done.
Budget enough to do the job. Renovations are difficult because the builder doesn’t know exactly what he or she will find behind the walls. You also want enough funds to take advantage of any opportunities that arise during construction.
Don’t squeeze the subs. Minor scope changes are usually not a problem but lots of them can strip every bit of profit out of the contractor’s job. If you ask a contractor to change something, they are doing more work and should be compensated for that work. Be sure it’s worth it and don’t flip-flop decisions.
Make as many decisions as you can as early as you can. Design changes become very expensive once construction begins. Take your time in the Dream Stage. It’s all part of the fun of creating your project so don’t cheat yourself of the experience.
Hire expert consultants. Designers are great with colors, details, and finding that oh-so-perfect piece to fill the room. Tech-Style Designers are experienced in making a room beautiful AND functional with a holistic approach to your home.
Set realistic performance bonuses and penalties. Realistic performance bonuses help keep projects from becoming a Lifetime Achievement Award. Demand a project plan and schedule so you have milestones to measure against. The stakes don’t have to be too high. 3-5% can be a sizable incentive.
Design then Build. Ask for a complete electronics system design set be provided shortly after the deposit. Be sure you get a complete set of “as-built” plans so you can maintain the system without being tied to the vendor.
Get detailed quotes. A one or two page quote for a $100,000 AV system should send up red flags. Expect detailed descriptions of the hardware, engineering, software, and functions the system will perform. If the AV provider can’t document it, how can they produce it?
You’re buying an intricate system–be sure you can get service. Does the AV vendor have in-house programmers or do they subcontract the work out? Subcontracting the work is ok if the sub is highly skilled but be sure they have local support too.
Avoid Gimmicks or Trends. There are lots of “Smart Home” features that sound really cool when they roll off the tongue of the AV salesman but in reality they cause more harm than good. Annoying features are often disabled by the homeowner in desperation, often resulting in the system failing to work and ultimately an unsatisfactory experience.
Use a service contract for upgrades. If your AV provider offers service contracts of pre-paid time and response time–go for it. Use the time to make software modification requests until the system is perfect.
Howzeedooit? My design team at DistinctAV publishes this monthly newsletter that is full of ideas that enhance your home and office.  If you’re remodelling, building, or just interested in the practical application of home electronics and controls, subscribe to The Design Perspective.