WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME CINEMA INSTALLER

WHAT IS A HOME CINEMA ROOM?
A home cinema room is a dedicated space in a house or apartment where people can watch movies and television shows. The room is typically designed to minimise distractions and maximise viewing pleasure. For example, the walls may be soundproofed to prevent outside noise from interfering with the audio. The room may also have comfortable home cinema seating and high-quality speakers to provide an immersive experience.
In some cases, home cinema rooms also have projection equipment and large screens to simulate the experience of going to a movie theatre. Dedicated home cinema rooms can be expensive to create, but they can provide a unique and enjoyable way to watch films and TV shows.
OWN HOME CINEMA ROOM COSTS
There are many elements to look at when working out how much your home cinema installation will cost. The size of the room, the type of equipment you want to include and the level of finish are all important factors. Some of these choices are down to personal preference but some will be necessary to ensure your home theatre functions well and the entire system functions correctly.
Below is a breakdown of some of the key cost considerations:
HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU WANT IT TO SEAT
Is your bespoke home cinema just for you, for family or for inviting friends around? The home cinema room cost will be greatly affected by this, as choosing cinema seating, getting them positioned correctly and ensuring everyone enjoys a great cinema experience will determine the room size, sound system and screen size to create the perfect space. If you have space limitations you will really think about your home cinema design and may have to look at cinema seating such as a cinema sofa to accommodate more people.
ROOM SIZE
The space you have available for your room will have a big impact on costs. If you want a large screen and high-quality speakers, you will need a bigger room. Conversely, a smaller room will be cheaper to equip and easier to soundproof.
EQUIPMENT
The type of set up you choose will also affect the home cinema cost. For example, a projector and screen will be more expensive than a television, but they can provide a more immersive experience. If you want the very best visual audio quality, you may also want to invest in a high-end sound system with in wall speakers. Do you want to control the entire home cinema system including the lights and sound from your chair? What level of home cinema seating are you looking for to watch your favourite films.
LEVEL OF FINISH
The level of finish you choose for your home cinema installation will also impact costs. For example, if you want acoustic treatment, you will need to budget for soundproofing materials and installation costs.
THE EXTRA BITS
Similarly, if your perfect home cinema experience requires a luxurious finish, like leather recliners to give it the real wow factor and a custom-built bar area, you will need to factor in these costs. Good lighting design can help create a perfect home cinema room by creating the cinema ambience and changing your home entertainment into a night out. You may wish to include a control system so you manage your whole cinema system, home cinema lighting, surround sound and projector from your seat so you don’t miss a minute of your favourite movies.
INSTALLATION
The cost of installation should also be factored into your budget. If you are planning to do the work yourself, you may be able to save money. However, if you hire a professional installer, they will be able to ensure that the work is carried out to a high standard and that all the necessary cables and connections are in place. If there is building work to be done and an electricity supply to be included reputable home cinema installers should be able to provide, or recommend, suitable tradesmen.
AFTERCARE AND MAINTENANCE
A good home cinema installer will also be able to provide you with an aftercare and maintenance service. This means they can resolve any technical issues you may have and keep your cinema room up-to-date with the latest technology.
FINDING HOME CINEMA INSTALLERS IN THE UK
INDUSTRY REGULATION
Home Cinemas are a new trend that has been gaining momentum in recent years. There is no regulating body for this trade and so anyone can set up shop as an installer, regardless if they have the necessary skills or not. This means there is plenty of room to go wrong when choosing your home cinema installer. This can leave consumers vulnerable because without any regulations how does the customer know who they should trust?
REGISTERED DEALERS
Some manufacturers do have approved dealers who may have undergone training. For example, Control4 is a home automation and networking systems provider for homes and businesses. Control4 installation requires their dealers to have undergone training on their products. It is always useful to check if the home cinema installers you are considering are registered dealers of the systems and products you are looking to install.
RECOMMENDATIONS
So where do you start when you are looking for someone to install your dedicated cinema room? The best place to start is by asking friends, family and neighbours for recommendations. Media Room and Cinema Room installation is a relatively new field and so it can be difficult to find a company with a long history of work under their belt but you can find installers who have a long history in other relevant areas
FIND A SHOWROOM
If you do not know anyone who has had a cinema room installed, look around for a local showroom. A company that has committed to physical premises rather than just a website, will have made a considerable investment in their business. This can be a good indication that they are serious about their work and more likely to do a good job for you. Of course, this is not always the case, but it is worth considering when making your decision.
TALK TO THE EXPERTS AND ASK QUESTIONS
When you have found a few potential companies for your home cinema installation, it is time to start talking to them. This is your chance to get a feel for the company, their level of expertise and whether they are the right fit for your project.
SOME KEY QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK INCLUDE:
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they have any relevant qualifications or experience?
- What level of customer service do they provide?
- Do they offer any guarantees or warranties on their work?
- Can they provide you with references from previous clients?
Ensure all the home cinema installers have listened to your requirements and drawn up a plan that meets your needs and gets you off on the right foot. They should be able to offer you some insight and top tips for creating a great home cinema system that meets your own personal requirements and gives fantastic audio visual movie nights.
FULLY INTEGRATED SERVICE
They should also be able to take care of every aspect of the installation process, from start to finish. This includes:
- Design
- Project management
- Equipment supply
- Building work if needed
- Installation
- Commissioning
- Aftercare and Maintenance
IN SUMMARY – WHEN LOOKING FOR HOME CINEMA INSTALLERS IN THE UK
- Ensure you know what you want to achieve before you begin looking for an installer
- Ask for recommendations from family and friends
- Talk to the experts and check that they listen to your requirements
- Find out if they are approved dealers
- Make sure the quotes cover all of your requirements including building and electrical work if necessary
- Check that their builders and electricians are members of regulatory bodies
- Ensure you understand the after-care plan
- Look for a company that has a track record of happy customers
Hopefully, if you have done your research you will soon be sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the perfect cinema experience in your very own dedicated home cinema room.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you wish to find out more about Home Cinema Installation here at Finite solutions we offer a complete design to installation service. So why not get in touch with our team today or visit us at our UK showrooms in London, Leeds, York and Cheadle where we will be more than happy to help.