When one works in this business,
one gets more than his share of questions. Once people find
out we design and install home theaters, multi room audio,
etc., they immediately follow with a question or two. It's
OK with us, so ask away.
When should I contact you about a system
for the home I am building?
The best time is to contact Integrated
Home Systems about your system needs is when you have a
set of working drawings. Your floor plans and elevations
of planned equipment locations are most critical for the
initial design meeting. The installation of system wiring
begins immediately after your electrician is done with the
high voltage wiring and before insulation is installed in
the walls. Before we will begin wiring any system we need
to agree on a your custom design plan or package, order
the materials for wiring it and schedule the work. The typical
lead time for packaged systems is 10 to 14 days, custom
designs take longer.
Can my electrician do the
wiring I need for my Home Theater or Multi-Room music system?
If your electrician is willing
to do the wiring for your home theater or music system that
is fine with us as we commonly work with electricians to
install systems. The most important aspect of a successful
installation is in the design. The person creating the design
needs to be informed and experienced in the installation
of the system you require. This is where working with one
of our system designer's benefits you tremendously. When
we have your design plan confirmed with you then we can
provide your electrician with the information he needs to
quote a price for the system wiring. This method insures
you have every wire you need, in the right place. Using
our written plans your electrician can provide you with
a fair and accurate quote for the wiring installation. Your
electrician will appreciate the additional work more when
someone else is taking responsibility for the design.
To insure a successful project
Integrated Home Systems will provide: all the wire (including
specialty cables), written plans, including locations of
all wiring runs, type of wire to be used, and additional
lengths we need at each end. During your installation, your
IHS project manager will be available via cell phone for
any questions that may arise. Later, your project's lead
installer will complete a check list of installed wiring
prior to closing the walls. You should be leery of any company
that does not provide a written plan and confirmation that
it has been followed before you proceed with further construction.
If we install a "Structured
Wiring" system can you come in and install a system
after construction?
Structured wiring supports Networking,
Telephone and Television distribution from a central panel
(usually in the basement) to the rooms in your home. It
does not support speakers, sub woofers, displays, or wall
mounted controls, i.e., key pads or touch panels.
If you are planning a media room
or theater and it is possible to add a few wires for speakers
and the video display, then, of course, we can add a system.
Your feature options, and locations may be limited. Usually,
a system installed into furniture is the way to go. If you
are planning to repaint the room after we wire it anyway,
then nearly anything is possible. When you are planning
to retrofit a system into a finished room (or rooms) the
system design and wiring are your first step.
Where should I have my electrician
install the outlet behind my flat panel television?
I
have created a drawing to answer this question. Use this
link to open the drawing in a new window. The common
mistake I have observed is a tendency to place the outlet
right in the center of the area where the display is going
to be mounted. Placing the electrical outlet right in the
center interferes with the mounting bracket and makes disconnecting
power to your display impossible.
