On a current (relatively small - approx $20k) project, the client would like me to quote the addition of two displays. The displays retail for $10K each, are an unusual form factor (7' x 2.5'), are not available to me at discounted pricing, and would be installed in a custom structure designed by the architect and built by the GC with assistance from me.

I really don't want to touch this. The only way I could justify the risk of dealing with $20K of fragile gear in a relatively complex installation would be to quote so much in labor that I fear losing the trust of the client.

On the other hand, the client is excited about incorporating these displays in the project, and I don't want to shun the idea if I don't have to.

How would you handle this?

time and materials!!!! no other way.

and let the customer buy the tv's. Granted, you still will have some risk in handling them. Customer will use the "you broke 'em, you bought 'em" card of course.

Express your concerns with the customer. So what are your concerns aside from damaging the tv's?

You could push all of the physical details on to the GC and you just handle the signal and control.

If you're not making a profit from the displays and the client or GC don't want to handle the acquisition and transportation, charge for that- it's only fair that you be compensated for something the others don't want to do. Also, add a rider to your insurance to cover any kind of damage that may not already be part of your policy- charge for the cost of this added coverage as well as your time involved with dealing with the insurance company. The client chose the displays- if there's no way for you to make money by selling them, make it clear that you're not trying to gouge him, but your business depends on a certain amount of profit in order to survive and prosper.

"It's not personal, it's just business".

BINGO!

People hire others to do things they can't or don't want to do.
That's all there is to it.

Time and materials and expertise! You've learned how to handle huge skinny TVs without folding them up like a taco, and you know how to be sure this TV is handled safely. You may need to bring an assistant, so that will cost, too.

Why is this a small project, $20K or so, but two TVs at about $10k will be added. That makes it a $40K plus unknown handling and installation costs of the added TVs type project. Your skill at handling very fragile TVs is worth a lot. Your skill at knowing when to rent a Genie lift, when to PURCHASE padding, frinstance moving blankets, to make sure you don't taco the displays... all that, and the cost of insuring just this one project... all those things are costs.

If the client balks at paying for what you KNOW you need to do to ensure the TVs get installed without damage, then respectfully decline.

What kind of video signal is going to be displayed on these? What kind of technology are they? Another odd thing is that if the intention is to mount one TV above the other, the combined image make a 1.4 ratio image with a line down the middle.

"One-off" is a GREAT name for this project. It has many risks. If the client will not recognize this and realize you'll be using all your skills to get it done right, and you need to be compensated for that, then yeah, I'd hesitate to do it, too.

The "TV taco" is definitely the worst kind to eat.

Very well said, you want to let the client understand that while the work is the similar to installing other tv's there is a lot more knowledge needed in handling and installing these without risking damage to them. An oil change on a Bentley is 100 times more than a Honda there is a reason.

Make sure the client understands that you want to do this for him and have him happy. However, there are costs that need to be addressed when dealing with such tv's.

Time & Materials.

Have your client procure the displays...100% of the process...ordering paying picking up delivery receiving testing whatever.

These are the clients displays. They are going into the builders enclosure that the architect designed. Think of this like an electrician installing a dimmer that you sold. The electricians part is to wire it up...screw it in and make sure it works. If the dimmer is dead the electrician hands it back to you and says order me a new one.

Your part in this project is to wire up the displays that the builder is installing. You are then going to make sure it turns on/works. If it doesnt work the builder and the client can get it replaced. If it does work you are done. When it needs to be serviced its their problem.

Any time you spend on this is billable including any troubleshooting and even standing around while the builder does his thing.

A signed legal AND binding contract that absolves you o any liability regards the TV's, along with the explanation.

Appreciate everyone's thoughts. Pushing the physical details off to the GC and focusing on the AV signal seems like a good start.

I guess ultimately I can't escape all of the physical details, because the other parties will look to me for at least some guidance on things like ventilation, access for maintenance, etc. But, that part is much more manageable.

Thanks again.

Ventilation specs will be in the manuals. If not, call a halt and get written specs from the manufacturer.

I'm still wondering what video will fit on these displays. What's the resolution or pixel count?

Edit: looking again at this thread, I'd say you should
push your expertise,
push that this is likely to be full of unexpected things,
and be a TOTAL hard-ass about following EVERY detail that the manufacturer suggests or implies about how to do this.

For instance, a client doing a spec home wanted us to mount two plasmas, one above the other, with only an inch of perimeter ventilation. We refused without a waiver (manual said 2" min all around). Client refused to sign one. We refused. She called another company. They saw the situation, lsughed, and walked away. She got her GC to hang them wirh plumber's tape but NO PROBLEM WOULD BE HUNG ON US.

Tell them "RTFM".

It does no good to tell a client, especially with something squirrely like this, to read the manual. The installer needs to TELL the client what the manual says and TELL the client that he's going to go by the requirements outlined in the manual. And get a signature from the client indicating that he knows what the requirements are, or, at the very least, that he knows the installer will follow the manufacturer's requirements.