COST ESTIMATES

TIME COSTS:

CONSULTATION: $25 PER HOUR, 1 HR MINIMUM.

I will cheerfully discuss home theater, or train you on home theater set-up/tuning or explain the operation of your home theater for as long as you want to pay me.
* Evaluation of your needs for tune-up or installation: 1-2 hours

TUNE-UP AND SET-UP: $50 PER HOUR, 2 HR MINIMUM.

NOTE: Job times will vary a lot, depending on the condition and complexity of your system.
* TUNE-UP IF THEATER IS ALREADY INSTALLED AND BASIC SETUP IS OK: 2-3 hours
* THEATER NEEDS REWIRING AND RECONFIGURATION: ADD 1-8 hours
(This includes thorough documentation of the new configuration. 8 hours is typical when many pieces of equipment are involved, when there is cabinetry preventing good wiring access, or complicated "high-end" equipment is part of the system. Also, increasing system capability to add functions such as recording from cable, satellite, and antennas adds time.)
* PROGRAMMING OF REMOTE CONTROLS: ADD 1-4 hours
* INSTALLATION OF NEW EQUIPMENT (for example):
**Changing a VCR: ADD 1/2 hour
**Installing a complex receiver: ADD 1-3 hours
(Such receivers may have multiple zones, audio and video switching, complex configuration steps, and equally complex user instructions.)
* RUNNING CABLES OR WIRES UNDERNEATH HOUSE: ADD 1-2 hours, but please note that 'whole-house' wiring is outside my scope. I will work with a contractor you select for this work.
* INSTALLING PLASMA TV ON WALL: ADD 2-4 hours

SUPPLIED (BY ME) MATERIAL COSTS:

* CABLES, CONNECTORS & ACCESSORIES: I charge 50% over my purchase and stocking costs. I pay the taxes.
--To save time, I stock basic cables, connectors, and accessories to complete a typical setup. I use good quality commercial or industrial items from reputable industrial suppliers such as L-Com for cables, Thomas & Betts for crimp-on connectors, Tripp-Lite for surge protectors, and Pomona for banana connectors.
--I do NOT offer or recommend high-priced "high-end" audio-video cables, connectors, or accessories. Please see my essay "Wiring and Cabling Hustle" to understand my perspective. The companies I buy from offer reasonably priced products with good performance and value--and the products are actually easier to use because they're not oversized for the job.
--I will only recommend replacement if existing cables or connectors are defective, or are otherwise causing problems.
--If you require "high-end" cables, please have them on hand for installation, or allow time for purchase and shipping.
* MATERIALS PURCHASE: $25/hr. If I have to run to a store for additional parts to complete a job, I'll charge that time at Consultation Rates.

EQUIPMENT PURCHASING COSTS:

--I will consult with you about what to purchase, but I will ask you to buy your equipment, as that way you are the purchaser of record for warranty and equipment customer support issues.
--In general, the local A/V stores (Best Buy, Magnolia Audio/Video, Circuit City) offer plenty of good choices at reasonable prices, and with local support. Costco can offer great prices, if the right item is available. Mail/Internet ordering can work, as long as you buy name brands from reputable dealers. Internet auction sites must be used with the greatest of caution.
--Home Theater gear prices range from Wal-Mart cheap to "Boutique Audio-Video" hysterically expensive. Top dollar does not always give best value--too many 'bells and whistles' may make the system difficult to set up and use. Inexpensive equipment usually has reliability, performance, or usability problems. Many mid-range brands offer very good performance at decent prices. Using equipment from the same manufacturer almost always improves system ease-of-use.
--Consumer Reports magazine or website is always a good place to start for sensible advice. "High-End" folks sneer at them, but I agree 100% with 90% of what they say.
--Good TVs range in price from $400 to $3000
--Good Recievers range in price from $200 to $800
--Good DVD Players range in price from $60 to $200
--Good Surround Speaker Sets range in price from $300 to $2000
* HOME THEATER GEAR PURCHASE CONSULTATION: $25/hr. If you like, I will go shopping with you, charging only at-the-store time for local stores.

TRAVEL COSTS: $15 PER HOUR, 4 HOUR MAXIMUM

Up to 1 hour of travel time one-way: No charge.

If travel time to your location exceeds an hour, one way, travel time will be charged for total round-trip travel time up to four hours.

I serve customers in Sonoma and Marin Counties in California.

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Contents copyright 2005-2007 by David C. Gibbons