Jump to content
C4 Forums | Control4

Got an estimate for my system upgrade, where can I trim the fat?


Recommended Posts

Invited a local dealer that my wife found through recommendations from her facebook into my home to walk through and find ways to upgrade my 8 year old system.  I received the estimate yesterday and it came back quite a bit more than I had anticipated - about $15K whereas I kind of had a $10K budget in mind thinking that about half of that would be a new matrix and then new network gear, etc. following after.

I'm wondering if some of you can take a look and see where in the quote I can either ask for less costly gear and/or things that I could eliminate completely?  I've blacked out personal identifying information.  Lastly, I'm not trying to moan about this dealer's pricing - I know you all have to make money on this.  What I'm really wanting to know is what things I can substitute for cheaper alternative and what those alternatives would be specifically.  If anyone wants to comment about the pricing quoted, that is fine but that's not my main goal in posting here.  Thanks.

 

 

 

 

IMG_4579.jpg

IMG_4580.jpg

IMG_4581.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Replies 135
  • Created
  • Last Reply

There's no a heck of a lot in it - so there isn't a lot to change.

The one item would be the Video switch, but if you want reliable, proven, you're not going to drop the price by much....if the dealer is even willing to use different gear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For example, maybe the network gear and the cameras can be swapped out for something equivalent but cheaper?  I'm just looking for ways to present this to my wife in order to minimize her obligatory eyeroll 😉

Link to comment
Share on other sites

$1700 for 3 access points seems high.  While I don't use Araknis equipment, can't comment if that's reasonable.  Been using Ubiquiti and rarely have any issues.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, SY3 said:

$1700 for 3 access points seems high.  While I don't use Araknis equipment, can't comment if that's reasonable.  Been using Ubiquiti and rarely have any issues.  

Yes, I was particularly surprised by the home network section of the quote.  Granted, I'm only familiar with consumer-oriented hardware (Netgear, Linksys, etc.), but $600 for a switch and $500 for each of 3 access points really caught me off guard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So you're really doing 3 projects -

1. Video distribution

2. Network equipment upgrade

3. Video surveillance - are they running new cables?  

Might be helpful to break them into smaller chunks.  Also, sounds like this was your first quote.  I would get at least 3 and compare them unless you are set on this dealer.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3.  Not running new cables - the pre-existing camera runs have combo cables including coax, power and cat5e.  The cat5e are not being used for the current cameras.  I currently have 4 cameras and the quote includes two new cameras for which I guess he would need to run cables.  I may just cut out those 2 extra cameras and only replace the existing ones.

I've got a call into my original installing dealer from 8 years ago, so will see if/when they can come out for a quote.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, and you'd be surprised how difficult it is to get any dealer here in the Houston area to come out to do anything smaller than a new installation.  I guess this upgrade may be big enough to entice some dealers, but most don't even reply or respond to small requests/inquiries.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, pinkoos said:

I'm not familiar with Araknis, but it sounds like it must be some high end networking gear.

It's SnapAV's networking brand.  I wouldn't say it's super "high end," but it's the choice of many integrators that use SnapAV simply because of the support.  I'm sure it works just fine, but personally, I wouldn't pay that price for wireless access points when there are proven alternatives that can be had for much cheaper.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Networking price(hardware) looks high to me, and you could probably save a few thousand on the 4k video matrix as well

 

 

Here is an 8x8

https://www.amazon.com/SWITCHER-SELECTOR-CRESTRON-CONTROL4-AUTOMATION/dp/B07D7XCPDF/ref=lp_15343946011_1_1?srs=15343946011&ie=UTF8&qid=1527622102&sr=8-1&th=1

 

EDIT: DAMN this includes 8 baluns!!!! so its way less than half the price

 

some guy bought one of these a few months back and said it was working just fine in his environment. I dont even think the Control4 one is HDR 4K 60hz YUV444 but dont quote me on that

 

This is what I believe most people run from a WAP: supports 2.4/5ghz

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-802-11ac-Dual-Radio-UAP-AC-PRO-US/dp/B015PRO512/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527622287&sr=1-1&keywords=ubiquiti+wap

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, blackfiveo1 said:

Networking price(hardware) looks high to me, and you could probably save a few thousand on the 4k video matrix as well

Save money on the matrix by buying something different?  If so, what?  Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FWIW I bought all Cisco (switches) equipment for less than that. Its been rock solid(duh) for 3 years and have never rebooted it. If this stuff is in a nice shiny rack that you want to show off to all your friends maybe you pay an extra few hundred bucks for the "sleek design".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think you have to weigh if  you want this dealer to support you long term and if this price is acceptable OR if you want to personally take on some technical risk by modifying the equipment list. Likely this dealer will be less interested in supporting you if you reduce his profit and maintainability by moving away from the equipment they are experienced using.

I don't see audio. Do you really need video matrix?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

blackfiveo1, those are some crazy prices compared to my estimate.  Wow.

Pounce, yes, you are right, I don't want to penny pinch but I also don't want to spend through the nose if I don't have to.  In terms of reducing his profit, are there distributor deals in place with dealers that have them push certain brands/products over cheaper alternatives b/c they get some kind of incentive back?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, Pounce said:

I don't see audio. Do you really need video matrix?

 

 

I have an AVR and an amp.  The video matrix is b/c my original matrix doesn't do HDMI.  It was installed 8 years ago, so I guess back then everything was run over component.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, pinkoos said:

I have an AVR and an amp.  The video matrix is b/c my original matrix doesn't do HDMI.  It was installed 8 years ago, so I guess back then everything was run over component.

You do not have speakers in the ceiling or walls etc? No whole house audio?

 

What does your TV watching habits include? Netflix, Hulu, Prime?  Live TV? I think you could save a bunch of money by eliminating the matrix and simply steaming to local TV's.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do have whole house audio - speakers in ceilings in multiple rooms.  The audio from the sources output to those speakers.

I have Comcast cable, but don't use their boxes - instead use two Tivo boxes distributed to all the TVs in the house.  I actually held off on the Xfinity boxes b/c of the problems using them with my original matrix.  That's why I stuck with the Tivos but may consider dumping the Tivos and using the Comcast boxes if I upgrade my matrix.

We use Netflix via an Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video via a Roku that is locally connected to just one TV.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only thing I see that "might" be worth comparing is the networking.  We use Araknis and Ubiquiti pretty much exclusively.  Yes the Araknis WAP's are more expensive, but you'll also have them and the other networking gear on OVRC, and Snap's support is great.  If something is defective, they'll usually overnight a new one.  You could swap in Ubiquiti, but the support won't be there.  Granted, I haven't seen many Ubiquiti failures, but I digress.  Other than that, I don't see much that is worth changing.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Get 2-3 quotes to compare.  Ask about service and warranty.  Personally I wouldn’t nickel and dime much in this space.  If you don’t need rewiring and you want to hand pick hardware maybe find a remote dealer here.  Maybe 1-2 with different skills or product knowledge to help.  Your local guy likely has a line or two of products he sells and supports.  He cannot support every WAP on the market or every matrix.  If you don’t like his set up keep shopping.  Or just ask for certain % or something off the total invoice and negotiate the full price vs swapping your own selected gear in and out.  Offer to pay cash for a lower price etc 

whats his labor?  Is he running wire because wire not his time are free.  If you have an old house with stone walls running wire is awful.  Small attic?  No drop ceilings etc.  if any of that work needs to be done that explains labor costs 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.