For you rack users out there:

When you pre-rack systems in shop, do you deliver them to the residence with all gear installed? Or do you remove some or all of the components for transport.

The obvious issue is the sheer mass of a large, fully loaded rack.
I like to build our systems in the shop, and deliver them as a complete, working unit. When a builder sees the efficiency of the final install when using a pre-racked rack, I find it helps to justify the cost of the racks. And they are much more accepting of the prewire "anaconda" emerging for the wall at the future rack location.... because they understand why we need so much extra llength (we use AXS racks mainly)... and will support us when "negotiating" with cabinet maker for proper space and ventilation.

However, a few of my co-workers have been doing it for a long time without racks... and althought they see the benefits, they continue with the struggle of "lifting" loading racks into the clients home (and up and down stairs etc).

So, on a recent job that we're involved with, we ARE using racks, but I've been persuaded to install the gear at the site. I find this incredibly tedious.

Any thoughts welcome.

We build all of our racks on site, and put the equipment in onsite. I have never thought of pre-racking at the store. That would be a PITA! Carrying all of that stuff down the stairs, around corners, etc. THe MA stuff comes flat packed, so we just take the boxes to the cust's house and assemle the rack there and then put the equpiment in. Otherswise, we would need two vans to just bring the equipment and rack out to the house.

Mike

Regarding this How do you deal with the inspectors regarding not terminating the cables to pass the final inspection?

We always build the racks at the shop. If it is a very big rack or has to go up stairs we will remove the amps while moving the rack. Otherwise, we jsut use a furniture hand truck with straps to get the rack mobile. It has never been a big deal with 3 guys.

Hand truck and several people.

It's better to prebuild off site. Unload amps if too heavy.

I'd work on my rhetoric with the builders and clients, because I can (with a minimum of BS) make the point that it's actually cost effective to have racks for systems in just about every situation. Cleanliness and organization are always cost effective.

We don't have a shop so we build on site but have always wondered if that method would be better.
Building on site allows everyone to see the growing pains and to realize that quality work does not just roll in through the door.
If I was to build the rack somewhere else then just wheel it in mostly completed, the homeowner and or builder would have no appreciation for what I did.

We *always* want to build, program, test & "burn-in" systems in our shop.

Aside from all the quality control issues, just the wasted drive time to do this work on site is a bad deal.

We do pull the heavy stuff for delivery, but this is small price to pay for the control we gain from working the systems out in-house.

This is close to non-negotiable with us. All my clients understand - it's very rare to build a rack out of the shop.

Couldn't agree more.

We build our Racks on site. I have found that when the client is there to see all the wiring involved and our wiring technics applied they understand why we call ourselves custom and charge a custom rate.

If you build them in the shop you have to pick them up like furniture and deliver them and you increase your chance on scratches or damage.

anyway putting the rack together is the best part of our work so the bottom line is just build them onsite....but thats my opinion and we all have our own ideas.

have fun!

Funny this comes up. I got shafted by the cabinet guy on an install last week. My SRSR rack wouldnt rotate, so I had to remove the base and do the wiring off to the side then lift the assembly onto the sliding mechanism. It was only a 15 u unit and it ended up being heavy to say the least. I thought at that moment HTF do those gys rack this then transport. It just seems like an accident waiting to happen. My job was on the third floor. I was needin 10 Advil a day fro 4 days after humping the 55" Fuji up there. A completed rack would have never made it - in 1 piece anyway.

I respectfully disagree. I think its much more professional and custom oriented to spend time building and wiring the racks off site. I don't see how all the boxes, parts, wire scraps, wrapping paper and bags etc... strewn all over the room can even remotely look professional.

Want to justify your custom fees while building offsite? Then take pictures and send daily emails to your clients pointing out the neatness of the wiring. Then send pictures of all their equipment powered up and being tested before it ever gets to their house. Then take pictures of the stuff that brakes during that process and that is being replaced. Then explain to them that had that been in their house, their whole system would be down while you got a replacement advanced RA.

Or, just have a good rapport with your client and explain to them during the sales process why you build them first.

As for moving the racks once built? Just take the amps, receivers and other heavy parts out before it leaves your shop. The wires are all still tied to the right place and will just plug back in again on site.

I think when speaking of professionalism, there is only one way to build/install a rack.

Maybe if you had an installer or helper your back wouldn't hurt and you could hoist that rack up the stairs. ;)

We have done it both ways, but for me this is a no-brainer.

Pro's:

* Drive time to & from the rack staging area... 0 Hours.
* Programming & fully testing BEFORE arriving on-site... priceless.
* Finding bad equipment EARLY in the process... priceless.
* ALL shop wires, cables & parts are 10-20' away from our rack staging area.
* Garbage box next to the rack... dumpster nearby.
* We have (3) real live service techs right down the hall.
* Any last minute missing doodads are 15-20 minutes out... still in town.
* Good lighting & climate control. Don't mis-underestimate this.
* OUR music of choice on the radio, fridge & coffee machine right here.
* Active cable, satellite, networks, phone & Cresnet wires in place for testing.
* Programmers table 10' away for them to work their magic.
* Any problems between the assembler & programmer get resolved ASAP.
* No last minute on-site cell phone calls to tech support.
* UPS pickup bench right here for last minute deliveries & RA returns.
* No plumbers, HVAC guy, electricians or whoever to distract us.
* No jobsite security/theft issues.

Con's:

* Wasted drive time to job site... our jobs average 2 hours a day round trip.
* Programming & fully testing on site... painful & flat-out inefficient.
* Discovering bad components on site... painful & flat-out inefficient.
* Vans never have *every* wire, cable & part to finish... Parts Run!
* We have (3) real live service techs... where are those guys?
* Any last minute missing doodads are 2 hours out... back to town... Parts Run!
* Crappy lighting, too hot, too cold, concrete floors.
* Rap/Crap/Country on the radio, where's the fridge & coffee machine?
* No cable, satellite, networks, phone wires in place for testing.
* Programmers on card tables, client's furniture or balancing laptops on sawhorses.
* Assembler/programmer problems need both on-site & "ready".
* Last minute on-site cell phone calls to tech support... IF we have cell service.
* UPS pickup & delivery will have to wait until the next business day.
* EVERY plumber, HVAC guy, electrician AND their dog to distract us.
* Jobsite security/theft is a real issue. Who owns the equipment at what stage?
* The completed rack is to heavy to deliver? Has not been an issue for us.

The only semi-valid argument here is "If we just deliver a finished rack, the client and fellow tradesmen won't see us work our wonders & appreciate what we do".

I always show prospective clients our staging area, introduce them to our people, and explain exactly the level of wonderment involved and WHY we do it this way. Never ever had anyone not understand.

I also invite them to come visit their system anytime. If I was more efficient I'd email pictures of the assembly... I like that idea.

Hell, if any of us were really smart, we'd install a webcam over the rack staging area and tell our clients how to access it 24/7.

Great list Barry.