Do You Need A Professional To Set Up Your Home Theatre?

Home theatres are significant investments, making DIY methods seem like a viable option. However, we recommend the opposite — hiring a contractor for your designs. At Elite HTS, we’ve consulted thousands of clients, and here’s why hiring a professional is worth it for your home theatre.

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Common Pitfalls of a DIY Approach

DIY approaches can be effective if you have the necessary expertise. Going the DIY route means you have the confidence to work with electronics, know the ins and outs of each component going into your home theatre system, and, most of all, can help you save time and money if you’re on a tight budget. However, if you’re opting for DIY to save money without the expertise, many things can go wrong, such as these common issues:

Your Tech Gear Doesn’t Mesh Well

Imagine you just got a great deal on a set of surround-sound speakers. You saved a lot of money and got something you believe will rock, making music-listening and movie-watching fantastic. You may buy high-quality products, but what if they’re not compatible with each other?  

Speakers that don’t match your visuals or space can render your investment a waste. If you purchase equipment that doesn’t fit, whether it takes up too much space or isn’t compatible with your other devices, your theater room will fall flat and take longer to finish. 

Making Assumptions About Your Habits 

The best way to analyze how a space could be used isn’t by assuming that everyone will flock to the room every night once all the work is done. One of the biggest mistakes people often make when designing their home theatres is designing a space that, while it functionally works, doesn’t work for you. 

Your habits and favorite gathering spots play a key role in how a space is used. Home theatres aren’t just about neat visuals and booming surround sound but about how you and your family feel in the space when you enter. Equipment, wallpaper, and amenities shape the overall experience. Poor design, even with good intentions, can leave the space unused and your money wasted.

Failing to Check Permits and Regulations 

One less often talked about topic that can lead to trouble down the road is whether you have the permits to make home renovations in the first place. While most home theatre guides assume you’re a homeowner, those in apartments or condos must verify permits and regulations before starting renovations.

Suppose you do not own your living space and have a lease, rent-to-own, or a month-to-month lease agreement under a landlord. In that case, you should verify with your landlord and make sure they contact their municipal building inspection department to find out what permits you’d need to start your project. If you don’t, then you could face more liabilities than you’d wish, such as legal issues with your landlord. 

Designs Fall Flat Once It's Finished 

Home theatre design involves symmetry and integrating technology to create a space you’ll love. A DIY approach requires managing factors like color theory, aesthetics, and material choices.

Not only will you have to be selective with your audio and visuals, but you may need to replace wallpaper, rip up carpet, repair electrical wires, and construct raised platforms just to get it the way you want. 

Home theatre design takes a considerable amount of time to plan out, source materials, and carry out your designs without making them go askew. If you don’t know what you’re doing, then the designs and all the effort you put into your project could backfire and leave your space lackluster. 

Who Should You Hire For Your Home Theatre Design?

If your abilities don’t match your ideas for your space, then we recommend hiring a contractor. Hiring contractors can save money in the long run and ensure polished finishing touches. By taking the time to meet with contractors and compare their quotes, you can get a good idea of their workmanship, where they specialize, and how they plan out steps to get the work done. 

Contractors have diverse specialties, so it’s important to choose one with experience in home theatre design. It’s important to vet your potential contractors on how they perform tasks, what projects they work on, and who they’re certified with to get the most out of your contracts. Some examples of contractors that are often used in home theatre designs include: 

• Audio Visual Technicians: Audiovisual technicians help set up and maintain tech used for audio and visuals. These technicians help set up event venues, such as concerts and conventions, and know the particulars of the latest audio subwoofers and LED TV displays out on the market. While no federal regulations require permits for their work, they typically require at least a college degree and professional certification from the CAVPA to qualify for freelance and company-based jobs. 
• Architects/Interior Designers: Interior designers, regulated by the IDC, and architects, regulated by various national institutes, both have strengths in home design and often work together to design spaces. These people have a great understanding of spaces and their intended uses, and hiring either one of these for your home theatre space can help take the artistic struggles out of your hands. 
• Electricians and Plumbers: While these professions may not seem relevant, if you’re planning a complete overhaul of your room’s utilities, then these are the contractors you should hire. Not only do these workers have years of training in their specialty, but they are federally regulated, often requiring permits for electrical repairs, plumbing reworks, and other major changes. 
• General Contractors: Lastly, you have your general contractors, or your jack-of-all-trades handyman. These people will have a wide range of skills and resources, such as repainting walls to help you install new furniture in your space. Because of how varied these people are, it’s especially important to perform background checks and see what tasks can be covered.  

When hiring a contractor, ensure the contract includes inspections, permits, and insurance coverage. If there’s an accident during renovations, then it can be disastrous, especially if warranties don’t cover you under a contract. If you or someone working with you gets injured, your homeowner’s insurance might not cover any extensive damages. You’ll face liability for the injury, and any extensive damages to your home’s structure will need to be renovated out of pocket. 

For Design-Sleek Furniture, Choose Elite HTS

Designing a home theatre should be exciting, and Elite HTS offers the finishing touches to perfect your space.  Our selection of theater seats, including recliners and theater beds, can be customized to fit your space. We work with manufacturers to offer the highest quality, like Valentino leather, to make your dream theater come true. 

If you’d like to learn more, contact us today for a free custom quote and let our designs do the work for you.  

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