Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Multiplex booth installation costs

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 08-12-2003, 09:15 PM:

I've been curious as to what a typical installation rate would be for a multiplex on a per screen basis. What do some of you guys charge and what all does that include?

Assume it's for new equipment in a new building with full digital sound systems and the electrical contractors to do a lot of the crap work like running speaker and automation network wires.

What about speaker installation? Do you install the speakers or do the front-end guys do it or is the general contractor responsible for it? I've seen it any of those ways.

I'm not looking for an exact quote or anything. I'm just curious what you guys charge for labor installation rates on a per-screen basis.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-12-2003, 09:24 PM:

They is alot of variables there
did the equipment get purchased from the installer or are they installing someone elses mess
Is the electrical and gen contractor obligated to follow the installation drawings by the installer
and where si it and what travel and lodgeing costs are involved

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 08-12-2003, 09:41 PM:

Also assume the following:

The installer sold the equipment to the theater, the electricians are to follow the directions of the installer and the theater is local to the installer. The projector and console are pre-wired and the sound rack is unassembled.

Would you assume that all these assumptions are assumably average assumptions? [Smile]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-12-2003, 10:00 PM:

OK Gordon, let's assume the equipment was purchased elsewhere, but to your specs and is all in the booth in the boxes when you arrive for the install.

Take in consideration that you would probably have to spend some hours on the phone in advance of the install with suppliers & vendors.

The speakers and screen are installed by other vendors and all the wiring is all pulled per YOUR specs by the contractors and YOU check to make sure all is installed correctly.

You must terminate all signal & control wires. The electrical contractor is responsible for terminating all line-voltage connections.

You must build the racks on site, install and align the single 35mm projector and platter.

Assemble, align & tune the audio system and meet SMPTE and THX specs for both pic & audio. (Assuming the equip as delivered is as YOU spec'd)

The location is an US/Canada location and the Per Diem for all members of "your" crew includes the hotel and eats, but not the travel.

You have a reasonable time-table for the install time and there are NO complications, but you MUST budget for the "unknown" anyway.

What am I missing in this "contract"? [Razz]

Quote me a package or daily price all of yous!

>>> Phil

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 08-12-2003, 10:06 PM:

OK, I'll bite. Ballpark figure--about $5k USD per screen.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-12-2003, 10:16 PM:

quote:
Would you assume that all these assumptions are assumably average assumptions?

So Adam, do you like get a dollar from Brad everytime you get to use a word that has "ass" in it?

>>> Phil

Posted by Bud Shepard (Member # 357) on 08-13-2003, 12:39 PM:

We structure our pricing according to equipment condition and whether the installation will lead to a full projection room contract after completion. Gordon is correct in his previous statement about variables on the job. NCS always does a flat rate per screen on all new installations. Pricing is well below $5,000 per screen.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-13-2003, 06:06 PM:

I love that comment above that NCS does it for less than 5K. Of course you get the cigarette butts and other garbage in the bottom of the rack from them at N/C! You also forgot one important point....... After you call in another tech to straighten out what they didn't do properly you will be paying at least 5K by then!

Here at CLACO we charge 45.00 per man hour for installation. This type of charge eliminates the hassles of where the equipment came from, weather it was new or used, problems with the electrical contractor(all too common), or problems with thegeneral contractor. This rate is for projection and sound installation. Auditorium rates are different. From our experience, and with the experienced people that we have on staff we've founf that it ususally ends up costing our customers less.
Mark

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-13-2003, 06:11 PM:

I agree Mark, that seems on the low side....especially for quality work.

>>> Phil

Posted by Bud Shepard (Member # 357) on 08-14-2003, 10:48 AM:

Well, I've done numerous installations in and out of this country and I can assure you that I've always left a clean, fully-functional projection room. I don't even smoke and I've never had a tech working with me at National Cinema Service who did smoke and left butts around. Now, I can't speak for the other trades on construction sites. I'd be willing to list some of our installation sites for you if you wish to verify our professional standards. Please remember that NCService and NCSupply are two separate companies.

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-14-2003, 12:08 PM:

In my "past" life as a cinema equipment dealer with in house crews, upstairs and front end, our average install per booth was around $3600.00 minimum. We prefabricated most systems in our shop and did the custom work in the field. On more complex projects we had a project coordinator, ramp up the project as other trades and deliveries allowed, switch in and out teams as the project ebbed and flowed, coordinate with the architect and contractor, work until a week past opening day for training and debugging and always hit the opening date. We would schedule a follow up visit 45 - 60 days later before we would consider the project closed. My last project, a 14 plex, had a bill of $72,000.00 with per dium expense, for booth / front end / electrical pre-wire on a 75 day schedule.
A long story was the next project with higher equipment pricing, but with an installed cost of of 50% less from another vendor, we lost that project. The project missed their opening date by weeks.....hard for two guys trying to do the work of 4 to 5 in 100+F degree heat [Smile]

.
Bud Shepard supervised a project that I had in Argentina which had much vendor equipment problems and the end result was very, very satisfactory.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 08-16-2003, 11:32 AM:

We charge a flat $45.00 Ca per hour time and materials

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 08-16-2003, 12:34 PM:

Gordon, you are not only well dressed but cheap too!

$45 CAN = $32.56 US

Hell, the hourly rate for the punk who installed my kick-ass, car stereo yesterday was $50 US. I could afford to fly you down here, have you work on my theatre and feed you wine, for the price of a US service technician.

Posted by Gracia L. Babbidge (Member # 582) on 08-16-2003, 06:19 PM:

I don't have any complaints in regards to NCS techs in this neck of the woods. [Smile]

In fact, I spent a little over three years working in a booth that Bud helped assemble (with a few other gentlemen that are also film-techers). [thumbsup]

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 08-16-2003, 08:40 PM:

I know several of the New England NCS engineers, including Bud Shepard. And, from having serviced booths they installed, and knowing the happy customers in that area, rest assured Bud and his crew are well-respected and widely considered without peer.

Okay, people, what's with this $45 an hour business?! When I left this job, billable work was no less than $65 an hour! Don't give it away! Don't forget, the theatres CAN afford you now, since they don't have to pay those high union projectionist wages anymore!

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 08-16-2003, 09:10 PM:

Actually Tim, It depends on the area of the country you're in as to the hourly rate. Out here in the mountain states you'd never get 65.00 an hour. I charged 65.00 hr when I was back in the midewest and when I raised my rates to that amount no one even batted an eye. A few customers actually said its about time I charged what I was worth!! We have some customers that we may even charge slightly less than the 45.00 an hour due to huge volumes of work they provide us.

As to cigarette butts..... Been there seen em. I can absolutely point my finger at both NCS and MTS for really sloppy work that I've seen in new plex's. I'm certainly not pointing my finger at anyone in particuluar and with larger companies things do get out of control sometimes. I know one tech that stops work at 4PM to have his beer and cigarettes every day!
Mark