I reached out to Erskine Group a couple months back to see their offers for layout and design services. I've heard many good things about their services and have seen a couple disgruntled customers on this forum. Dennis sent me the list of their design offerings that start at $2000 for a basic design and go up to $27k+ for the THX certification. I was interested in more than the set of services provided by the basic plan, but not interested in spending $4-$6k for verification of what I think I already know, and solutions to a few specific concerns I have.
I followed up to that email discussion to Dennis with the question: What about the old layout service? In other words: What about a simple layout service for the DIY crowd or anyone versed in this forum who may not need all the detail, the back and forth for a detailed design, but rather just needs some guidance?
Good news: Yes is the answer.
Shawn Byrne (SierraMikeBravo) apparently convinced Dennis to re-offer the layout service that was previously offered directly through AVS. The AVS offering now is provided through Rives Audio- I don't have any information or comment on that offering. The Erskine Group Layout Service is not offered through AVS, but is available to folks like me or any of you reading this. This is a layout service, not a design service. Don't sign up for this service and expect to have hours of back and forth with re-design submittals over many iterations. This time around the layout service is provided in conjunction through EG and Jeff Parkinson (BigMouthinDC). EG is doing the layout, providing their intellectual property (much of what has been shared in pieces on AVS by Dennis, Shawn and others through the years), and Jeff is the main contact for support throughout the remaining life of your project utilizing the layout.
Pricing is $600 right now for the layout service, and I was told will go to $700 on April 15, 2014.
The base price provides speaker placement, subwoofer placement, seating placement, screen size and placement, acoustical treatment plans for Quest panels, all into front-right-rear and floor elevation drawings. So this to me is pretty close or identical to the old EG\AVS layout service.
Additional services can be added to the layout for riser constructions details, soffit details, stage details, equipment recommendations in good-better-best tiers, alternative (non-Quest) acoustic treatment schedule, door placement/construction, and additional phone support time, each at additional cost. The phone support time post drawing completion is provided by Jeff (30 minutes included in base layout). My understanding is that Jeff will be the guy to guide on-site construction, who can advise the DIYer or consult with a General Contractor. Jeff probably has more experience than anyone outside of EG's contractors in implementing EG designs, so I, for one, am pleased with this business arrangement.
Dennis, Shawn, Jeff - please correct anything I misrepresented here.
All in all, I must admit I am happy to know this service is available again. I expect to have my layout from Shawn in a few weeks, so I may provide further information and perspective at that time.
Cheers,
Thomas
I followed up to that email discussion to Dennis with the question: What about the old layout service? In other words: What about a simple layout service for the DIY crowd or anyone versed in this forum who may not need all the detail, the back and forth for a detailed design, but rather just needs some guidance?
Good news: Yes is the answer.
Shawn Byrne (SierraMikeBravo) apparently convinced Dennis to re-offer the layout service that was previously offered directly through AVS. The AVS offering now is provided through Rives Audio- I don't have any information or comment on that offering. The Erskine Group Layout Service is not offered through AVS, but is available to folks like me or any of you reading this. This is a layout service, not a design service. Don't sign up for this service and expect to have hours of back and forth with re-design submittals over many iterations. This time around the layout service is provided in conjunction through EG and Jeff Parkinson (BigMouthinDC). EG is doing the layout, providing their intellectual property (much of what has been shared in pieces on AVS by Dennis, Shawn and others through the years), and Jeff is the main contact for support throughout the remaining life of your project utilizing the layout.
Pricing is $600 right now for the layout service, and I was told will go to $700 on April 15, 2014.
The base price provides speaker placement, subwoofer placement, seating placement, screen size and placement, acoustical treatment plans for Quest panels, all into front-right-rear and floor elevation drawings. So this to me is pretty close or identical to the old EG\AVS layout service.
Additional services can be added to the layout for riser constructions details, soffit details, stage details, equipment recommendations in good-better-best tiers, alternative (non-Quest) acoustic treatment schedule, door placement/construction, and additional phone support time, each at additional cost. The phone support time post drawing completion is provided by Jeff (30 minutes included in base layout). My understanding is that Jeff will be the guy to guide on-site construction, who can advise the DIYer or consult with a General Contractor. Jeff probably has more experience than anyone outside of EG's contractors in implementing EG designs, so I, for one, am pleased with this business arrangement.
Dennis, Shawn, Jeff - please correct anything I misrepresented here.
All in all, I must admit I am happy to know this service is available again. I expect to have my layout from Shawn in a few weeks, so I may provide further information and perspective at that time.
Cheers,
Thomas
