When To Bring Audio Visual Into The Construction Process

We’ve seen it before. A construction project is underway. The finishing touches are almost in place. An audio visual team is brought in to make communication technology work together. Many times, this is where drywall is torn down, labor costs skyrocket, and plans for audio visual are altered.

Why?

It is all about when those conversations start.

When you know

If your new space will rely on audio visual technology, like a bar, restaurant, office building, and more, then your preferred audio visual integrator should be at the table with you from the beginning. Many audio visual installation issues can be solved by having at least a preliminary design before construction starts.

If your space doesn’t rely heavily on audio visual elements, it is still helpful to include your audio visual team during the preliminary stages, well in advance of the finishing touches.

Who to choose

Choosing an audio visual partner who works toward a complete solution rather than selling pieces of equipment is very important. A company who understands the construction process brings great ideas to the table, and is able to help you avoid the mistakes associated with communication technology, will make all the difference on your next project.

Reasons to bring audio visual in early:

1. Save money- Having your technology specified at the beginning can save on future work. Having to take down walls, rip up flooring, and mount ceiling speakers can cost you more in labor and materials than if your audio visual provider could have done their work before the walls and ceilings were finished.

2. Save time- Some technology takes longer than others to produce on the manufacturing level. So bringing audio visual into the fold later can limit what technology your system can have by the time of your grand opening.

3. Better design- It is always best to plan ahead, especially when hiring a team of audio visual professionals. While general contractors and architects aren’t always thinking about lighting, projectors, screens, and sound, your team of professionals will have valuable input on that giant window invading with projector screen or what flooring choice will create an echo with your sound system.

Open ceilings are another hurdle that can create audio visual challenges. If your audio visual provider is in on the process in advance, audio visual technology can be specified to work with the open concept.

Keep in mind

There are many reasons why a general contractor or subcontractor should bring in an audio visual partner early. Cory’s, can keep an eye out for the following:

1. Audio visual technology in sheet rock- Wall or ceiling boxes, speakers, recessed ceiling projector screens, mounted projectors, etc.
2. Cable runs- It is best to do when framing is up and the walls are unfinished
3. Floor runs in concrete- Core drills, trenching, and floor boxes
4. Electrical and IT needs- Outlet locations, audio visual rack locations, network port locations
5. Furniture- Will your conference room table contain audio visual cables? Will the cabinet fit the audio visual rack?
6. Mounting locations- Is the wall with the projector screen or digital display facing a window? Have you planned to have a touch panel in the same place the new big glass wall is located? Your audio visual partner can make sure these surprises don’t come up.

For general contractors, architects, and subcontractors, a solid relationship with an audio visual company can help save your project money, time, and headaches.

At RePUBlic Gastropub at Chisholm Creek, bringing Cory’s in from the beginning design stages helped to build a space that focuses on clean, modern designs centered around 24 displays showing sports games and other large televised events. Because of the advance planning and collaboration, their benefits include:

• • • A streamlined system that is easy to operate and maintain despite its complexity
    • Coordination with contractors during the construction process, which decreased installation costs
    • Advice to help narrow in on how technology might help them achieve their vision
    • Custom programming for their system to operate in a way that made sense to their operations

Above all, RePUBlic Gastropub was left with a restaurant that is known to be an interactive, fun place to watch or host events.

We would love to hear about your next construction project and how audio visual can work for you, not against you.