A/V providers can be contracted through general contractors, designers or directly by you. Whomever they bill, communication with the homeowner is essential. When courting your A/V guru, remember that he or she may specialize in a particular area such as audio, video, telephone, Internet, security, lighting or climate control. A service provider who excels in home theater installation may not be as well versed in, or even deal with, security. You should know whether the service provider is a specialist or can perform all the functions of integration. Determine your needs, get references, ask questions. Will the A/V specialist both design and engineer your project, or will he be coordinating with other trades?

Even when working through a designer, a good A/V contractor will want to meet with you one-on-one to assess your needs. Make the time. You don’t want your system to outreach your ability or desire to operate it. Don’t get swept up in your tech-happy A/V provider’s enthusiasm for all the cool things available to you. Stand fast. Are you really looking for a movie palace complete with stadium seating, and does it need to be tied into the landscape lighting and the air conditioner in the kitchen? Remember, the latest may not be the greatest; the newest innovation hasn’t been around long enough to be tested. Some A/V contractors prefer a lag of six months after the introduction of a product so that they can follow its performance before recommending it to their customers. If you’re the first one in on a new gizmo, know that you may be the first one out of luck.

The means of customization and the materials used differ widely from shop to shop. Some contractors only work in certain brands. Others will install anything you want. Request that the bid proposal be itemized and a sketch attached if you want the finished product to perfectly match your dreams.

Miscommunication commonly surrounds the role of the electrician in an A/V installation. Some A/V providers want the electrician to pull the low voltage cable; he’s always on site, already holds a permit, and it eliminates an extra trip and a coordination headache. Many prefer to do it themselves, knowing that some electricians treat delicate cables with the care of baggage handlers at LaGuardia. Just check that someone’s on it before the walls close up. Also know that A/Vs are not going to install or relocate the electrical outlest that will power up your system.

The cost of your A/V project will be a reflection of the design work involved, the degree of customization, the type and number of devices and pieces of equipment to be installed, the length of cable to be pulled and the anticipated man hours, plus overhead and profit. Many jobs require a deposit of up to 50 percent, with progress payments to be made when materials and equipment arrive on site, and again upon job completion. The warranty guarantees should appear on the bid proposal. A year of free service is standard.

Because this is a new field, there is currently no licensing requirement for A/V services in Manhattan. Fortunately, this also means that no permit is required. Check your municipality, however, because where it’s mandated, these service providers should be licensed and insured. If you’re still confused, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA at www.cedia.org) is an excellent resource..