I'm looking at getting my TV mounted above the fireplace

What I need run is:
-3 HDMI, 1 RJ45, 1 VGA from the side of the fireplace to where the TV will go.
-2 pairs of speaker wire & 1 RCA running to the other side of the fireplace.
-2 pairs of speaker wire to rear wall.

* This is all on a crawl space, so running the cable to the other side of the FP and rear wall isn't too bad.

A local shop quoted me $1300 which seems really steep, although they said its an over-quote because it is retro-job and it is $150/hr (75 per guy) and it likely won't take the 3 hours they estimated. That price is also not including running power to the TV since they won't do that, and doesn't include sheetrocking any holes.

I'd do it myself if the cable didn't have to be fished down an exterior wall and cross about 3-4 studs. Would I be better off hiring a electrician to come and fish the cables, since I am capable of picking what cables need to be used? I'm hesitant to go with this if $1300 still leaves me with holes in my walls and power not run to the TV. The electrician that the AV people quoted me they could have run the outlet is ironically only $50/hr.

About what price should I expect to pay for a job like this? Would a electrician be cheaper than an 'AV installer?'

Here they have 2 guys, and you pay $60/hr per guy. So $120/hr....Obviously this varies with company, just saying how much it is here. Good luck

$1300.. wow! thank god I ran all my cables myself.. Its not that hard to fish cables down the wall and in the ceiling especially with a crawl space. I just ran 5 speaker cables,3 Hdmi cables,Subwoofer Cable,2 Ethernet Cables,Phone cable, and coaxial cable and a power bridge for my projector. Thats 13 cables and it took few hours. I thought it was going to be harder then it was since it was my first time. I had someone here helping me out. I personally wouldn't pay $1300. You and a friend should be able to get it done in a day. Just be ready to do some cutting in the drywall and some drilling. Just give it a shot!

Just do it yourself! You're looking at <$100 for supplies. $1300 is crazy...especially if you're over a crawlspace.

Seems pricey, but they are a company and need to cover their overhead. I do side work sometimes for folks, for something 1000 to 1200 I would also include the outlet/powerbridge and actually mounting the tv. Materials is separate though with no upcharge.

Why so many wires to the TV? Are you not running a surround sound receiver ? If so, all the wiring goes to it and just the video feed runs up to the TV.

I'm looking at getting my TV mounted above the fireplace
.......
About what price should I expect to pay for a job like this? Would a electrician be cheaper than an 'AV installer?'

It always makes me wonder about these "Best Buy" style installations. They go to great pains to conceal every wire except the AC. Now they are quite correct in that they legally can't do primary AC wiring without an electricians license. But what's the point of paying for all the other wires to be hidden and still have the AC cord hanging down. Just bundle everything together in that case. (bundling the signal cables with the AC cord for a few feet won't hurt the image or sound quality - check my site, I know what I am talking about):rolleyes:

In your case I would ask the elctrician to do it all. Any licensed electrician is qualified to run low voltage wiring. Terminating connectors may be out of their expereince. But many electricians these days are learning the details of A/V and data wiring and acquiring the special tools due to the demand.

Hourly rates vary depending on where you are located. For example a Journeyman Electrician makes $44.70/hr in New York and $20.19 in Dallas add in the company overhead and prices will be all over the map. So, your location will determine reasonable cost. Second, fishing wires through an old house is a crap shoot it could take 3 hours or 3 days depending on what you run into. In these cases getting a fixed price will end up with a high cost, these guys aren't going to donate their time to you if they run into problems. My suggestion is to get recommendations from friends on a good honest electrician, and use him/her on an hourly basis reguardless of his hourly rate. If you don't have any friends :) join a group like Angie's List and read up on recommendations for electricians in your area.

They are charging $150 per hours for 3 hours, that's $450, which isn't bad if you can't do the job yourself. But does that mean they are charging $750 for some cables?

Has anybody ever blindly bid/estimated on a retro install that is going to utilize an outside wall...? I believe the quote the OP received, is the overcharge/who care's bid. If he accepts...whoo hoo we're going to make money. If he doesn't..."who cares" it means I don't have to deal with it.

I've been apart of many jobs where we went extremely overboard on the quote, (industrial electrical work). It sounds horrible but it's better than refusing. Because, like I said..., if the customer accepts. It's a profitable day...

To properly retro wires within a finished outside wall is a huge pain in the ass. I am assuming they will make all efforts to maintain your vapour barrier...?

Just my 2Cents but I had a quote from a place in Wilmington NC for 5 speakers max. 30 feet each and an HDMI cable - 3 ft length, mounting a projector, and a screen, for the fair fair price of $4,000. I laughed and I hope you did too.


Thanks!!

+1 for Glimmie.

Why pay a less qualified "HT install crew" when you're going to need to have an actual licensed EC on site regardless?

The only termination they might have trouble with is the RJ45 (which has the color code on the device itself, aka NOT rocket science.) Although they may not own an impact punchdown tool.

You're using factory assembled HDMI right? If so, buy it yourself to save some money.

Cat5 and RG6 are cheap (especially at the wholesale level) so let the EC supply those. Most ECs will have several boxes already in inventory.

In regard to the price quoted, I don't think it is unreasonable depending on the quality of the installation, i.e., how much drywall damage are you going to be left with. As for their estimated manhours, from the information given, they are being optimistic (fishing exterior walls is always a crapshoot.) Unless they expect to do a smash and grab, amateur, or quick and dirty install, I think 9-10 manhours is more probable.

Ask an actual EC for a quote on site, discuss your needs and you're desired budget/ timeline. I suspect you'll be glad you did.

I'm in the Chicago suburbs, and that market is where I get my opinion on the price.

Best of luck.

Rob