HOW TO PLAN A REALISTIC BUDGET FOR YOUR AV INSTALLATION

TIPS ON SPENDING MONEY WISELY WHEN BUILDING YOUR HOME’S AV SYSTEM

A high-quality audio video system can significantly enhance how you and your family enjoy your Baton Rouge home. Your home’s audio and video involves more than just speakers and TVs. You can have whole-home audio that plays music simultaneously in every room; or indoor and outdoor home theater systems that provide superior watching experiences. You can even incorporate the latest hidden AV tech that blends seamlessly with your décor.

Those are just a few possibilities for AV installation and smart technology, but you’ll also want to think about your budget and how much you’re willing to spend on your products. When setting a realistic budget for your Baton Rouge home’s AV installation, here are some critical topics to consider.

SEE ALSO: FAQ: Answering Your Biggest Home Audio Video Questions

HIRE A QUALIFIED AV INTEGRATOR

A critical part of planning an AV installation for your Baton Rouge or Tampa home is hiring a qualified AV integrator. An integrator will guide you through the AV installation process and provide guidance before, during, and after your system is put in place. The right installer can help you differentiate between products and choose the best system for your home and lifestyle. Installing audio and video on your own, without specific technical knowledge, may cause stress, wasted time, and added expenses. A professional, expert AV integrator will provide upfront costs and complete the project correctly and on time.

AV integrators often also have partnerships with name-brand manufacturers. Through working with a partnered AV company, you may be able to get essential home AV components at a lower cost than purchasing them on your own as a consumer. 

HAVE SEPARATE BUDGETS FOR YOUR SYSTEMS

With the various technologies and components that go into an AV installation, trying to create a single, large budget can be overwhelming. To make budgeting more straightforward, consider separate budgets and itemized lists for each system in your installation:

• Sound systems—When deciding how much money to set aside for your sound system, consider how many areas in your Baton Rouge home will be outfitted with speakers. You will also want to decide how important sound quality is for you compared to the other components of your AV system. For example, if you spend more time listening to music than watching TV, you might allot your audio system a bigger budget compared to your video budget.

• TV systems - Like sound systems, a major consideration to make when budgeting for TV systems is the quality of television you want and how many you need. To stretch your budget further, you may want to prioritize high-end TVs for media rooms, family rooms, or spaces where you’ll be hosting guests. Spaces where you can compromise on video quality, such as the kitchen, or even the bathroom, can be areas where you can reduce some of your costs.

• Home theater - Though home theaters integrate with the rest of your home’s audio video system, creating a separate budget for your theater is a great way to make planning your costs easier. As there are so many components that go into a home theater design, costs can vary greatly depending on what you want for your space. Custom home theaters also allow for a lot of cost flexibility, such as choosing more affordable seating in order to add a star ceiling.

• Smart home automation and networking systems - Budgeting out your home AV installation includes more than just speakers and TVs. How do you want to control your system? Does your home’s network support the technologies you’re adding? You may already have a smart home automation system like Control4 in place, which would free up some of your budget. Networking, especially, is one of those overlooked items when homeowners plan out the costs for their AV system.

Also, consider purchasing and implementing your AV technology and tools in phases. You can make the most necessary purchases first and monitor how everything’s working. If there’s anything you’re missing, you can then make additional purchases. Our experts at Acadian can help you prioritize key features and offer recommendations on which systems to implement first for maximum impact and efficiency.

DON’T SETTLE FOR CHEAP

Investing wisely in quality audio-video solutions yields systems that perform reliably and add long-term value to your home. However, it is equally important to not overspend on features and functions that you don’t need or won’t use. Take time to consider why you want an AV system and what you are going to use it for. Seeking expertise from your AV integrator can help you with your decision-making. They can recommend a quality system and ensure the system design fits your needs.

For help choosing the right TV or Projector, check out our article on the best home audio video screens.

USE A BUDGETING CALCULATOR

There are tools that will help you understand what you should expect to spend on a new home technology project. Using a trusted calculator like The Home Technology Association’s online Budgeting Tool helps you gauge what to expect in terms of costs, including design, labor, and installation. We recommend it as a starting point for anyone looking to make informed decisions about home technology investments. You can count on the HTA as a helpful resource; their certification system is the first and only industry standard of excellence for home technology installation companies.

As an award-winning AV integrator, Acadian brings expertise, long-standing manufacturer partnerships, and 24/7 support to every project. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to build your ideal AV system, our team is here to deliver an experience that enhances your lifestyle and home’s value.

We’re excited to help you, so fill out our online form or give us a call today!