You're right Frank. That's what I mean. In my case I am installing a single source a-bus, with the source being the receiver. However, you can change inputs on the reciever to listen to different things such as cd, mp3 server, satellite radio, etc, right? so for my situation, is there a need for a more advanced receiver as a source for my setup?

I woudnt think so, if its a dedicated reciever, and not also running a H/T etc. As long as it has enough inputs for what you will be using.

Frank,

Since it's my cousins, what do you think I should charge? I know if they were regular customers it would be somewhere in the ballpark of 10k, but I can't charge them that. If I can get all the equipment for around 2k, how much would be fair to charge in labor?

tca

We have done many retrofit DA systems. Generally we do these T&M but if the customer wants a firm bid I normally double the time I think it will take. If it is a newer home (not an old plaster home) and has standard construction, this is not that hard of a job. Good call using in-wall vs. in-ceiling speakers, doing in-ceiling speakers retrofit into a first floor location if the house has a second floor is really time consuming. Try to stick to interior walls wherever possible so you don’t have to pull thru the insulation. As far as the equipment to use I would strongly recommend Nuvo, great stuff, reliable and simple to install. There new digital Simplese system is a four zone four source with double the power of an A-bus. Also since the power is at the head end and not the keypad if you need more power for the outdoor speakers you can just add an external amp. If you need more then four sources use a cheap receiver to do the switching. We generally use the Denon DRA-295, dirt chap and it will do what you need. You might want to get some basic retrofit tools, ball chain, magnets, push rods, long drill bits, and Magnepul Spider. Having the right tools really helps. As far as time we charge $65hr per man but the going rate may be more or less in your area.

Above idodishez posted he would be happy to do it for 10k. I pulled 10k out of the air? Are you saying that this job is only worth 4k? Including all the equipment? I don't want to tell my cousin it would cost 4k and look like an idiot.

I generally charge $300.00 per room of audio for installation. I would think you are really overcharging for this installation based on what you have disclosed. I have done this same setup including all time and materials for $2500 and profitted from it. 10k is outrageous for a 4 room abus system installed. Just my 2 cents

dirte,

Thanks for the input. How could you make a profit? The equipment alone with speakers and reciever, cd changer, wire will run minimum $1100. Plus, the walls are closed! I am not charging 10k. That is what I threw out as a number as a guess and others agreed due to the fact that everything needs to be snaked. What do you think I should charge?

The Abus is a good way to go but it is not a party device. As far as pricing for family goes I have one rule. CHARGE THEM. Work is work .Family should want to give you the job bceause you are good and you are family and they would rather spend their hard earned money with you rather than a stranger. Now normally I discount the componets, never the labor. Beleie it or not my mother taught me this side of the business and it proves true every time. When you charge them fair, no one feels that they got over.

Thanks. Is there anything that would be a party device that is in the same pricerange as the abus?

$1100.00 in materials plus $1200.00 in labor = 2300.00. Lets say we will add 200.00 additional for the Oh shit factor. Your still making money

How much do you charge an hour? How long should it take you? I could generally complete this job in 6-8 hours and my price per room does more than compensate me. How much experience do you have doing retro work?

Try this on for size.
Russound 4Zone, 4 Source A-Bus system. Comes with Hub, PS, 4 A-Bus Keypads & 1 Remote. Retail $1500.00.
Russound In-Ceiling Speakers 6.5"-8"
Retail $200.00 - $400.00 per pair.
Siamese Wire 16/4 + Cat5
500' Roll approximately $125.00
16/2 Speaker Wire
500' Box approximately $110.00
Labor
open and or T&M

Now you have the ability to run 4 sources in the house and using the siamese wire will give you the ability to put in an upgraded system down the road. Do not waste your time just pulling a cat5 only to keypad.

Sure I could do it for around $4500.00 - $6000.00 depending on difficulty of job. Call me, I'll put it in my schedule.

DIRTE,

That's the problem. I have no experience with retro installs. I have only done a few installs in general, and the wall were all open. I'm not that good at snaking yet. What would take you 8 hours will probably take me a week. But it's a good learning experience. I am doing it for family, so it is more of a learing experience than a profit maker. I will lose money but gain knowledge in the process. I am ok with that.

I have a general snaking question:

How do you normally decide where to place the in wall speakers so that they will be easy to snake? Once you decide, what happens first? Do you make the cutout for the speaker and then snake up to it from the basement? I'm not sure how to find where to drill up from the basement ceiling to get exactly into the wall where the speaker is. I don't want to make a mistake and drill through the floor! Thanks for all your help.

In retro, why waste your time with inwalls? Even in new construction, we place speakers in ceiling. Most customers prefer it because it does not take up valuable wall space for picturs and art and such.

just my $.02

Isn't it easier to snake into the wall rather than the ceiling? I don't have an attic above. There is another floor. I would have to snake up from the basement and then somehow across on the ceiling? Is there an easier way?

TCA

Now that you've mentioned the walls are closed, and you are pretty new to this... Why not save yourself a lot of hassle & do a SONOS system???

In terms a a 4 zone system - retro installed, you'd be looking at around $500 per room (minimum) labor & wire, for the two speakers & keypad install.

Figure if you are doing this, and without experience, it could easily take an experienced professional 3 hours or more per zone = 2 0r 3 times that with a lot of frustration for a week-end warrior...and maybe some drywall repair.
You might be doing yourself a favor to look at SONOS.

Might seriously think about geting a couple estimates first... How much is your free time worth to you? You could hire a guy, to run the wire-you could watch how he does it... and then YOU could HOOK-UP everything, and charge for your time for doing the hook-up and make a few bucks on the gear-plus-it could get done in a day or two, vs a few weekends & many hours... plus if you ran into hook-up questions, you could get help from the guy you hire... kind of a win-win.

Good luck