When DIY Doesn’t Cut It: How an AV Expert Can Help

While many of us enjoy a good DIY project, when it comes to home AV projects and solutions, such as TVs, speakers, smart doorbells, thermostats, and everything in between, it’s almost always worth hiring an AV professional to help with the job. While there are certainly some AV solutions, such as a basic speaker or home theater set up, that can be installed by a capable DIYer, an expert is normally a good investment if you want the job done right the first time. The following are some guidelines on when a project can be completed alone and when it’s better to call in an expert.

When to DIY

Undertaking your own AV projects in your home may be a necessity if you’re on a time crunch or a tight budget, so long as you’re sure you know what you’re doing. There’s a multitude of online resources — videos and how-to guides — that can help you in this process. Be sure to invest the time to watch and educate yourself, follow directions carefully and choose quality components for your project. Obviously, what you’re capable of will depend on your confidence and experience; but generally, things like wiring outside of the walls or TV/Component installations can be undertaken relatively simply and usually without needing to hire outside help.

When to Hire an Expert

It’s always better to be safe than sorry! If you feel like you’re venturing into territory beyond your experience or comfort level, an AV professional will save you time and money and almost certainly reduce your anxiety level. Naturally, expert installers know the best equipment to use — and can gauge that effortlessly for your needs — as well as the most efficient ways to install these solutions, especially if you’re wanting to avoid unsightly wires everywhere. They can teach you how to use and get the most from the equipment, and how to integrate the solution with other smart home or AV devices so everything works together seamlessly.

When you hire a qualified AV specialist, you can expect ongoing support, maintenance, and upgrades — an investment that will hopefully last the lifetime of the product or installation. It’s useful to know that if something were to go wrong, you can call on someone knowledgeable to help troubleshoot or pinpoint further issues before they become a major problem.

When choosing the right specialist for the project you’re wanting, there are a few key factors worth considering. First, you want to make sure your expert has the appropriate credentials and authorization to undertake the work. Next, you want someone experienced with the same types of projects and scale as yours, and a proven track record of quality work. It’s also important that your communication skills mesh well. An expert who responds in a timely manner and can solve problems quickly is a good choice.

Because technology is always evolving and nothing is failsafe, you should consider an AV expert as integral to the success of your home AV solutions. Your chosen expert should be able to easily undertake the kind of planning, equipment, installation, integration, maintenance, and upgrades required for the job, while making your life easier and the financial investment worthwhile.

Call or Visit Us

If you need help finding the best expert to fit your upcoming project, our experts at Southern Cinema Design provide many options to cater to your home. Contact us to learn more about our products and services.