Should I expect a discount from dealer for buying and installing complete system

The $125.00 an hour for qualified audio technician or electrician is what I would expect to pay for one person where I live. The helper should be 1/2 of that in my area.  The rate of $250.00 and hour for two men, could be a competitive rate in a major NE metropolitan city?

It’s been a while since I messed with home theatre in a serious way, but the last big one had lots of complications in terms of pulling cable, getting it all working- lots of gear racked up on big custom made Mid Atlantic racks- my electrician at the time came to install power outlets for the projector,  and a 240 volt line to feed a separate power system for the thing, but the install team worked very hard, long days, and I’m glad I was capped out at a flat rate for the whole package. The end product was great- but it took time. So, I didn’t really quibble about the line items of equipment cost- some of it was stuff I already owned that was refurbished- (I was insane enough to be running 3 ARC tube amps for the midrange at the time) plus woofers, plus all kinds of other stuff that, today, would probably be built in -native rate scaler/video switcher- etc.
It was not an easy install. The room was not to the studs, it was a finished room that required a lot of hole punching to pull cable.
The finished system was great- the owner of the company drove up from the city to see it and make sure I was satisfied. And apart from a few changes I made myself over time- eventually disconnecting the tube amps in favor of solid state --it just got too hot-- I don’t remember haven’t any issue with that set up, which was done in around 2005? and ran until I moved in around 2017. (I had upgraded the projector and a few other things over time which required follow up visits but nothing drastic).
The biggest issue to me was making sure it was done right, done well, and was reliable, and that there was support. That’s worth the little extra the guy might make by not discounting the equipment. Have you seen any of his other installs? And apart from the equipment warranties, what ’warranty’ do you get if things go awry and you need a visit to readjust, tweak settings or deal with some problem?
I’m sure modern home theatre can be less complex now (I use a small system that I basically installed myself- no more projection and huge theatre like experience). But, the key to me is getting it done cleanly and having the support if something goes down.

If the dealer is making a larger profit on Sony then why would one salesman and both of the two co-owners suggested the 7amp version rather than the 9 amp version which is $500 more. I really think people don't get that this is is not an operation like Magnolia. https://www.musicloversaudio.com
They are not trying to suck every dollar from me, it's the opposite.
Yes, I agree about having it done right. This business will do it right, I have no doubt.
Like I have said this isn't a simple installation as every wire including the sub is hidden in the walls as the room was just a frame when my 5.1 system was installed. All the electronics are in a closet so it will be a lot of work to do the wiring.
The owner loves the John Wick movie and he demoed the Atmos with the DVD. Was great with my speakers and the 7 amp Sony receiver with the 45C center so I know it will sound even better with the more powerful receiver and the 55C center

I did think about separates it does make some sense but I think good separates would be a lot more money than $2200 for the receiver. Years ago, about 40 years ago I was very interested in equipment and had a lot of different amps and preamps. I would most of the electronics used and they were easy to sell so I was always buying and selling. I think I had a Threshold Amp, Adcom, Nad, McCormick and so many different preamps. Bryston, I forget the others but they were all good. I think I bought and sold most of them on Audiogon. I bought my speakers back then at Music Lovers. So I know about separates and I don't want to go down that road again but it is an interesting idea

galleybob said:
3-24-2019
8:35pm

Like I have said this isn’t a simple installation as every wire including the sub is hidden in the walls as the room was just a frame when my 5.1 system was installed. All the electronics are in a closet so it will be a lot of work to do the wiring.

galleybob said:
3-23-2019
1:45am

The labor estimate is $3000. I think it will go up though. When the installers come they will go under the house to see the feasibility of installing wired surround sound speakers. The owner thought it would be labor intensive and suggested the wireless surround. I have to see the difference in price because with the wireless I need the wireless transmitter plus the Parasound amp. I would prefer the surrounds to be wired so I am hoping it will be not to hard to install the wires through the back of the house.

galleybob said
3-23-2019
1:45pm

It’s a complete redo of my home theater and will require extensive installation as my home theater room was done when we renovated and the room was frame. All the wiring is hidden behind the walls and all the equipment is in the closet. A lot of holes will be drilled and crawling under the house and going into the attic to do the work. Am I out of line to expect a solid discount on the equipment?
Thanks,
Bob

A lot of holes will be drilled and crawling under the house and going into the attic to do the work.

All hot and dirty time consuming work!
(One man will be working on the clean main level of the house, while the helper will be working in the crawl space and attic.)

Two men a day and a half.... I hope the dealer guesstimated enough time for the project.

Questions.
How will the cabling through the crawl space be supported?
How will the penetrations drilled though the floor for the cabling ran from the crawl space be sealed?
If any holes are cut in walls who is responsible for patching and painting?

Is the $3000.00 figure for labor a hard price or is it just a guesstimate? Are you paying $250.00 per hour (two men) even if the cost, (hours worked), goes above the estimated $3000.00 price? In other words say the job takes longer than a day and a half, (two men 12 hours each), are you responsible for the cost of the additional labor hours worked?

IF, the $3000.00 is a hard price, you might want to rethink your approach of asking the Dealer for a discount on the equipment, cables, and speaker stands. You might just ask him if he has any wiggle room to give you a break on those items.

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