tacos

Could it be that…maybe o gosh I don’t know … they just like helping people ? 
 

I am part of multiple other specialty forums where I just, you know, try to help people lol 

 

it also creates stickiness and generates income / reputation for the forum and maybe even dealers if they can get a little business here 

21 minutes ago, rocky350z said:

I look at this completely the opposite.  Maybe he should have left out the pricing, I could agree with that. BUTTTTT, why would you not want your client to make a educated decision.  This sounds like a completely controlling dealer relationship, if you would not want your client to understand options.  As in you do it my way or you dead to me. 

 
the "do it my way or highway" mindset has to do with incentives and profiteering 

I wonder how his current/prospective clients would react knowing this ridiculous mindset

3 hours ago, JSTRONG said:

Eggz, he is for sure looking for someone to tell him that the equipment prices are way out of line. 

As was mentioned, you are way better off building a trusting relationship with an integrator. Go ahead and get a couple of prices, ask them questions, ask for references, look at completed jobs, and make a choice.

 

 

 

 

 

thanks for your help

3 hours ago, CTMatthew said:

You'll notice a theme in your feedback is imploring you to express what you actually want to accomplish and/or what you think might be wrong with the proposals you've received. 

An example of a useful question might be: "I really value high-quality audio and I want music throughout my home. My dealer has proposed Sonos, but I'm concerned that this system will not live up to my expectations. Am I worrying over nothing or is there another solution that might better meet my needs?"

What you've basically done is cut and paste a restaurant's menu and asked "Whadda ya think, food-wise?"

Fair enough...I really value ease of life.  My wife values aesthetics. So goal is a reasonable balance between the two

While I like music, I am not an audiophile and my ears likely won't be able to discern the best from the average.  I would ideally want music throughout the house, but I don't want to rip up a brand new house. Hence, focusing mainly on the most used Family Room area. In the future, I am okay with expanding with a plug/play option

LMK if you have any specific questions and I will try my best to answer 

5 hours ago, eggzlot said:

Both

as you haven’t said here what is the end game

just asking people to review paper and prices

could be more helpful if you summarized what you discussed 

those quotes are vastly different so I defer back to my point on communication 

trying to be helpful not argumentative 

Goal is posted in one of my earlier posts, but I guess it is non-specific. 

"summarized what you discussed " 
 - goal: automation along with a security system
 - family room requires new TV along with an audio system - the walls are already up so plan was try not to tear everything up, hence combo of plug/play sonos with some minimal in wall speakers so they don't jut out of the walls as aesthetically unpleasing
- cameras external and internal - i left this up to each dealer to decide and recommend
- light controls - left up to the dealer to decide
- wifi system - left up to the dealer to decide
- security system - each dealer recommended an alarm company to connect with 
- additional audio throughout the house - briefly discussed, but again the walls are up, so plan was either plug/play sonos or skip altogether

let me know if you need additional details 

4 hours ago, CTMatthew said:

If a client put my proposal on a public forum for input I'd return their deposit and end our working relationship. This just isn't a productive way to proceed. If you don't trust your dealer find another one. if you have questions about what you're buying ask your dealer. This is like hiring a personal chef. By nature you're outsourcing some control to someone else. That's built entirely on trust. This action demonstrates a complete lack of trust. 

Disagree totally. so far, it has been very productive 
 

If I had a dealer who couldn’t handle a public review of their proposal, a relationship wouldn’t be considered. In addition, as you have noticed, I’m not putting any one on blast or naming names etc - this is more of a learning exercise

 

 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, eggzlot said:

It’s why I mentioned be specific on your needs.  What audio and where.  What you need with TVs,  HVAC etc and what they need to do

your responses have been vague and that could be why you got two drastically different quotes.  
 

if I told two travel agents my wife and I want a vacation someone could book us for 4 weeks in Europe and another agent could book us for 4 days in Sedona.   Both are nice but night and day difference 

please give details on what you need, what you have, what you need to buy, what wiring is needed etc

I can assure you we had the same convo with each dealer

are you asking me a specific question or just making a point?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Waiting on the initial dealer for replies. 
 

 

had another dealer do a walk through and the result was totally different than the initial. See below : 

 

 

 

Forgot to mention - we also plan to get some motorized blinds. We prefer the Shade Store but have read Lutron is preferred. Not sure if Lutron has the same fabrics etc as shade store 

1 hour ago, Andrew luecke said:

I wouldn't be using any unmanaged Network switches (AN-110). Also, no mention of what switches and Wireless AP's being used 

can you expand on why not recommended? Sorry if noob question as I’m learning 

 

on another note , I asked the dealer multiple questions. Will report back. 

26 minutes ago, BXTR said:

Might I recommend finding a new dealer?

The fact you’re coming to a public forum looking for feedback tells me you’re not terribly confident of the dealer in general 

Follow your gut, it’s usually right 

i don’t not like the dealer. This is all sort of new to me so having expert feedback is very helpful for a 5 figure job

24 minutes ago, eggzlot said:

This a house with 2 people and 2,000 sq ft?  7,500 sq ft with a family of 6?  3 TVs?  12 TVs?  In general there are multiple ways to do things.

So it really comes down to size of the house, your budget and what you want.  Sonos can be wireless sure - but it needs some smart set up to not cause wireless havoc in your house - if your dealer has that experience that is fine.  Can you get the music apps you need from Sonos?

most security systems like Elk, Honeywell, DSC will all work with c4.  C4 camera integration is basic but any ONVIF camera should work (aka not Ring, Nest, etc)

All the hardware listed is fairly well known and will work within c4.  So you shouldn’t worry.  There are always other options but a dealer should recommend products they know/support so they can configure easily plus hardware that gets the job done for you.  So if they told you these devices can do what you need, and they recommend it, it should be fine.

Pricing seems reasonable - labor hard to judge as different markets have different costs for labor + not sure how much they are wiring vs maybe an electrician, etc.  but i dont think its insane.  Where I am at in Northern NJ its easy $75-$150 for a tech per hour depending on experience, so they have 2 people at the house for a day so that could be $2k right there.

I’d also ask for composer home edition - its $150 but comes with a year of 4sight, so its just $30 more and it is software that lets you do 95% of the programming on your own (you cannot add hardware, change bindings, etc but you can do all the programming/logic on your own)

House 5k square feet with 3 little ones and wife.  Only one TV for now but will get a few more in the future. 
 

thanks for suggestions 

1 hour ago, eggzlot said:

What is your goal?  Listing a bunch of equipment just gives people the ability to say well you can do something other than Sonos.  but maybe sonos has a service/app you need and you discussed that with the dealer but didn’t mention it in your post

Do you want lights and HVAC and security and motion sensors and blah blah blah.  Are you looking for control?  Automation?

So giving us a better picture of your end goals, what you want out of the system, what audio/video services you like using, then maybe the suggestions can be a bit more tailored to what you need

Sonos picked by dealer. I was/am open to anything. Dealer reasoning was that it would not need destruction of the current walls. 
 

I want lights, HVAC , security system , cameras etc etc Looking for automation to make things easier. Control at night would be nice ie night setting shuts off certain indoor lights, turns on outdoor lights, locks doors, arms alarm etc etc

 

pretty open to any audio and video suggestions 

 

Goal : I suppose to make life easier with  ample security. 

14 hours ago, cjh said:

I’d opt for an EA3 instead of the EA1. Gives you room to expand. IMHO you’d be capping yourself out on day 1 w/the EA1. 
 

I would also get the Composer Home Edition (HE) bundle which comes with 1 yr of 4sight. It is just a little bit more money and gives you a perpetual license to make programming changes to your system. 
 

I’d ask for a lot more detail on the home Wi-Fi line item for $3500. How many APs…model…# runs they will need to do. Unless your home is 15k sq ft or more my gut says that is excessive. 

Finally, ask/think about some keypads in place of or in addition to the lighting switches. We use our keypads all the time to activate scenes - like going outside to grill one button on the keypad turns on lightning, music, etc. A keypad press puts the house to sleep at night etc. Keypads (engraved) are really useful.  

imho

Thanks - will inquire and post back 

Thanks for the input. 
 

I wasn’t too thrilled about the Sonos recommendation but the dealer stated “it is the easiest” Anything you suggest? I’m okay with spending more for higher end if needed 

 

thought on Clare vision cameras? I plan to get a security system as well 

Hey all - we moved into a new home and looking to get control4We had a dealer do a walkthrough. I am posting the suggestions below from dealer 

 

Please let me know your thoughts about pricing, equipment choices, etc etc Suggestions on how to improve are especially welcome  

 

 

Card Access C4-SGB10A-2D-ZP

Smart Garage Bundle Up to 2 Garage Doors

$466.95

1

Control4 C4-VDB-W-SN

CHIME VIDEO DOORBELL (Wi-Fi) - Satin Nickel

$509.95

1

1 related item   

Control4 C4-4Sight-E

1 Year 4Sight Subscription Kit

$120.00

1

Yale YALE-RD226NR-619

Yale Assure Touch Screen Deadbolt - (Satin Nickel)

$169.00

2

ITEMSSELL PRICEQTY

Samsung 65LS03AA

Samsung 65" The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV (2021)

$1,699.00

1

1 related item   

Strong SM-RBX-PRO-20-BLK

Strong VersaBox Pro | Recessed Flat Panel Solution - 14" x 20"

$315.95

1

Araknis Networks AN-110-SW-R-8

Araknis Networks 110-series 8-port Unmanaged+ Gigabit Switch with Rear Ports

$138.95

1

Sonos Arc (White)

SONOS ARC WHITE

$899.00

1

1 related item   

Sanus WSSAWM1-W2

Sanus Extendable Wall Mount Designed For Sonos Arc - White

$119.99

1

Sonos ONE GEN2 - WHITE

SONOS ONE WHITE

$219.00

2

2 related items:   

Sonos SONOS-ONE-WM-PR-WH

Sonos Wall Mounts for One, One SL, and Play:1 (Pair) | White

$99.00

 

Outlet installs for Sonos Ones

$75.00

2

Sonos Sub (Gloss White)

Sonos - Sub (Gen 3) Wireless Subwoofer - White

$749.00

1

Control4 C4-EA1-V2-RSK

Control4 EA-1 Entertainment Bundle W/Remote & Recharging Station V2

$960.95

 

4

Programming

$250.00

 

Outside : 

ITEMSSELL PRICEQTY

Sonos Amp (Black)

Sonos Amp (Black)

$699.00

1

Episode ES-500-AW-6-WHT

Episode All Weather 6-1/2 in. Speakers (White | Pair)

$502.95

1

1 related item   

Epic SystemsSpeaker Pre Wire

Speaker cable for audio system

$50.00

 

Home Networking

 

Total coverage Wifi. All hard wired Access points, Switch and Router for a complete enterprise network

$3,500.00

Surveillance

 

Clare Controls CLR-V200-8PNVR2

ClareVision NVR - 8 Channels | 2TB

$541.95

1

2 related items:   

Araknis Networks AN-210-SW-R-8-POE

Araknis Networks 210-series 8-port Websmart Gigabit Switch with Partial PoE+ and Rear Ports

$434.95

1

 Pre Wire

IP camera network run

$50.00

7

Clare Controls CLR-V300-8B28CNW

ClareVision Performance Series 8MP Color at Night Bullet Camera | White

$274.95

3

Clare Controls CLR-V300-8T28CNW

ClareVision Performance Series 8MP Color at Night Turret Camera

$274.95

 

6

Surveillance Total    $4,241.55  

Lighting

ITEMSSELL PRICEQTY

Control4 C4-V-FPD120-WH

Essential Forward Phase Dimmer, 120V (White)

$92.95

8

Control4 C4-V-AUX-WH

Essential Auxiliary Keypad (White)

$34.17

4

Control4 C4-V-SW120277-WH

Essential Switch, 120V/277V (White)

$92.95

2

4

Lighting Total    $1,726.18

 

 

 

total is about $16k parts and $4k labor 

 

 

 

appreciate all the input