Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices

Home Theater Installation

Home Theater Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information

January 2017

Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Home Theater Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Home Theater Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Home Theater Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Home Theater Installation labor cost? What are the important Home Theater Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?

Home Theater Installation - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fair price for Home Theater Installation?	Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Home Theater Installation expect to pay between $26.63 to $93.19 per component. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs.
Is a permit needed for Home Theater Installation work?	Design approval and permits from your local building authority are usually not required for Home Theater Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association covenants, you should verify that the Home Theater Installation complies with association guidelines.
Is it worth using a professional to perform Home Theater Installation work?	The appearance, functionality and useful life of the home theater wiring may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below).
Is Home Theater Installation something that I can do myself?	The typical Home Theater Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Home Theater Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning.
How many days are typically required to complete the Home Theater Installation work?	Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day.

Home Theater Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details

Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Home Theater Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Home Theater Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.

The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Home Theater Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
All wiring will be sized and configured to provide reliable, safe operation and full design performance of the home theater wiring
A detailed home theater wiring layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
Locate and secure wiring in straight, clean runs along framing, so that wiring is protected from damage
All connections will be made with a single continuous length of wiring; there will be no splice along any connection
The home theater wiring will be securely anchored to structural framing
Ceiling and wall cutouts will be neat, uniform and no larger than necessary; any air gaps around the cutout(s) will be insulated and sealed; the cutout(s) will not be visible when cover plates are installed
Install home theater wiring with horizontal edges level and vertical edges plumb to within 1/32 inch
Home theater wiring will be installed so that the home theater wiring base/trim is solidly attached and attached completely flush to the mounting surface
All home theater wiring wiring operates within manufacturer's performance specifications
The home theater wiring surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage

Home Theater Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders

The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Home Theater Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the home theater wiring work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.

Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
Review written list of work to be completed; review quality requirements and payment terms before work begins
Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of home theater wiring, before any work begins
Review quantity calculations for home theater wiring and any associated construction materials; overage /waste should be less than 7.5% of calculated quantities
Confirm date (and time) for project start with subcontractor - one week and two days prior to project start
Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
Install home theater wiring using insulated wire staples, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
Install wiring perpendicular (not parallel) to AC power runs and no closer than 3 feet to fluorescent lighting fixtures
Clearly label all media connection jacks and plates
Inspect Home Theater Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
Patch holes, gaps and openings left by the Home Theater Installation work; patch must be secure and match shape, texture and color of surrounding surfaces
Install trim plates or pieces
Submit final payment in exchange for signed lien release; final payment amount should be adjusted for excess material to be returned and tasks not performed; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes