Re: How many service techs?

["Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Right on the money dood.

I will sell the a/v stuff too though, but only stuff I can get a fair markup
on, otherwise I tell the buyer if they can get a better price go for it and
we'll just install it on T&M. Sheesh, what I make on connection cables is
more than I'd make on a DVD or A/V reciever!!




"Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1160196048.491565.219730@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
|
| tourman wrote:
| > Your post leads me to believe something that I have suspected all
| > along. Full prices for systems in the US are considerably higher than
| > we charge or can get in Canada. I know that is a generalization, but
| > modifying a system for $2750 is about double what we can get for even a
| > large system hereabouts even starting from scatch. I doubt that even
| > ADT would charge those kinds of prices around here !
| >
| > I'd take that one too because the work would be well worth it at that
| > pricing level.
| >
| > RHC
| >
|
| I'm finding that in recent years that more jobs are falling into the
| $3000.00 and up range, just for security installs.  Then, on top of
| security there's the possibility that one or all of of the following
| things will be added ..... like ..... telephone, Cat5 LAN wiring, CATV,
| intercom telephone, whole house audio, and/or surround sound and
| entertainment system layout, setup and programing. Right now I've got
| one house (I have no idea what the house will be worth when it's
| finished) with 73 windows and 10 doors. In addtion to security, I'm
| doing all of the above. Total job $13,000.00 and there will be some
| overruns. Customer buys all the enterainment and audio hardware
| himself. Only equipment I supply is for security and possibly the whole
| house audio speakers.
|
| Another home that's in progress is a $3.5 million home ( pretty high
| price for around here, but it's not as big as the one above...... only
| 52 windows and 5 doors) where the builders alarm that came with the
| house, consisted of 5 door contacts, two PIR's, two keypads, one
| speaker on first floor in a 10,000 sq ft home. The homeowner told them
| not to install the panel and keypads. I'm adding detection on every
| window ( both wired and wireless) Doorbell intercom, various CATV and
| Cat5 LAN, telephone, whole house audio and surround sound and
| entertainment set up. I didn't have to break drywall up to this point
| but now they want the whole house audio speakers in the ceilings, so
| I've got no choice but to "notch" to get around the headers, to get to
| the ceiling bays.  Security will total about $5000.00, the rest of the
| job I'm pricing as I go. I figure it will land in the same price area
| as the one above. It's a "smaller" house but since construction is
| completed, there's lots more labor.
|
| I have to say, however, if it wasn't for the fact that I've got a
| sufficent number of accounts, at this stage, that these kind of jobs
| don't do much to add to the equity of my company. These people don't
| pay anymore per month for monitoring than someone with a $1000.00
| system. But the challenge is super and the prestege of being chosen to
| do these high end jobs, because of good referrals, is a great feeling.
|