[sawyer1370]

We are building a house in the Phoenix area, and I came across this HT designer that builds some pretty nice in-wall centers. I have seen a number of new model homes that have things like this, but not as elaborate, and the builders charge $900-2,000 for the upgrade.


This dagr designs does much more advanced stuff, with lighting and some advanced custom designs. They want $5,000-7000 for one of their in-wall designs.


Does anyone know of any other places like this in the Phoenix area, that charge a reasonable amount. I'm thinking just a good carpenter could do something similar for about $300-500 in materials, and $500 for the labor.


I wanted to get some peoples thoughts on this to see if I am off base in my thinking.


Thanks!

 

[greywolf]

I spent about $2000 for materials for my stand alone unit. I do decent work but I'm slow and probably put in over 100 hours. Somebody with experience would still probably take 40 hours and charge $100 and hour. There's a difference between a carpenter and a cabinetmaker. Add some demolition to the mix and your numbers are way too low.

 

[sawyer1370]

Wolf, I'm not looking for something that is a finished cabinet. I'm looking for of some basic shelving with 2x4 construction and drywall. The materials shouldn't be more than $200 ($5-8 per sheet of drywall, and $2 per 2x4).


If you take a look at the websites below to get an idea of what I'm talking about.
Canterra Homes second pic with inwall unit
Fulton Homes pic of the family room with inwall unit
Fulton homes something basic like that without the fireplace
dagr designs now those are much more advanced in design. They have advanced lighting and other things, which I'm not looking for.


I just want something simple that will house my TV, AV stuff and a few other shelves. Anyone every done this, or have it done?

 

[greywolf]

That is pretty basic. Something like that is only built in in the sense that is is affixed to the existing structure. There aren't even any doors or areas cut to fit the equipment. Any finish carpenter ought to be able to handle something like that.

 

[gonediesel]

I just finished something what you are describing. The cost for something similar for my builder in Tucson was about $4k. I did it in about two weeks for about $1100. I build the AV rack first and then it took two weeks to frame it out and get to drywall and texturing. Painting was a few weeks later. The only thing left is recessed lighting. The only thing I didn't do my self was the had trowel texture. First time doing anything like it. Most of my friends that have seen it don't believe I actually did it myself. I will do a full write up after I finish the lighting. If you have questions before I do the final post you can e-mail me. Here is a before and after shot. BTW I also had tile installed midway through the wall project.

http://usera.imagecave.com/gonediese...T001Before.jpg


http://usera.imagecave.com/gonediese...InDaylight.jpg


http://usera.imagecave.com/gonediese...8RackFinal.jpg

 

[siphon]

Beautiful work, gonediesel. You did an amazing job.

 

[soopernova]

Wow very nice work Gonediesel! What a difference some 2x4s and drywall can make...although the tv changed a little bit and that helps too


Soop

 

[sawyer1370]

gonediesel, that's just about what I'm talking about. So you were quoted $4k for something like that by someone else doing it? I'm thinking of just having someone come in and frame everything for me. I don't think I could get the whole thing square (I'm not very handy in that department). I figure I can do the sheetrock fine, just take my time.


So what did the materials set you back. That's a great job. When I get my house built, wanna come over and help me build my entertainment unit? Make it worth your while ;-)

 

[gonediesel]

Thanks for the kind words. I am pretty excited about the outcome and my new HDTV and AV equipment. Sawyer, all the materials including the AV rack were about $1100. The rack's wood and hardware, that includes glass door and hinges set me back about $350. The rest was just lumber and drywall. When it comes to getting things square I am not that good either but when you look at how these builders throw these homes together, my work is just as good if not better. The sheetrock and mud for me was the hardest part. With all the cubicals there are a mindnumbing amount of corners to tape and mud. The builder had an upgrade that was similar for just under $4k. It had more cubicals but none of the hidden features I put in. I was quoted a little less to have a contractor do it. I had the AV rack quoted in at $700. All the quotes were insane to me so I just decided to do it my self. If you are planning on something smaller like those ET centers in the links you posted, I would just do it my self.

 

[atlantar6]

I saw the first picture only and I was thinking "Um, I don't think that's what he is talking about doing".


Then I saw the "after" pics. Very nice!

 

[Bobby_M]

Exactly what are all those huge deep nooks for? I know you're not going to put your speakers in there, and they seem a little deep for books. Where's your front projection screen?


Bobby

 

[majormojo242]

gonediesel, I'd like to know what you used to shrink your speakers. They look about 8- 10" shorter in the second photo than in the first. Did the shrinking process affect sound quality?


Very nice work. :thumbsup:

 

[gonediesel]

Bobby, currently my cat resides in the bottom four. We had planned to place some smaller speakers in the bottom two. No books just some statues, pictures, pottery, etc. They are deep. If I were to do it again I would not make them so deep or wide. Major has a good eye. The before pics have the infinity delta 60s and the after pic has the delta 40s. LOL! I have since put the larger back up front. The projection screen will come with time. Not in this home. This is a temporary home until the wife is finished with school. The 27" panny has done me good for 10 years. I hope the DLP will last nearly as long. GD

 

[sawyer1370]

gonediesel


On the depth of the nooks, I know most of the builders in AZ build such units about 2' deep. I'm looking at getting a DLP myself, which runs about 18" deep. And a receiver runs about 19" deep, without having the wires and cables in. So the 2' depth is about right. I'm thinking for some of the nooks, the 2' depth isn't needed, and about 12" should do it. Any thoughts?

 

[gonediesel]

Sawyer, for the nooks 12" is enough. My nooks are 24" and the nook for the TV is 28" deep. For the audio equipment I went 24" and I now wish I had went the whole 28" I had space for. It is very tight with all the wires in the rack. I'd give as much room as possible for the TV. I have a 36" tube that barely fits in the nook. I wanted the TV nook to be flexible for future owners. Also think about the bottom surface for the TV nook. Tile or faux stone would be a good idea to Put down to prevent scratching of drywall. My wifes classmate has a very nice built in ET center but who ever built it just used drywall as the base. Every time they move the TV it screws up the drywall surface. Do some searches for Eldorado Stone they make the most realistic stone I have seen. GD