Why so much negativity?

potee

I try to do most stuff around the house my self also most things on the car and truck. If I think it too technical I'll get help.

I do remeber how happy I got everytime some one brought thier boat to the shop with moter parts in a box. Instant money.

TECHNOKID

appadv wrote: »

This is not meant to start a flame war...

But why is there so much negativity towards DIY Custom Home Theater installation, DIY projects and the like?

A while back I posted about doing my own automated HT install (Crestron, for example) and everyone says to find an installer. Why can't I buy the stuff myself and give it a shot (even if there's a steep learning curve)? I see plenty of it on eBay and I understand you need to learn how to program Crestron systems, however it's been done before by end users successfully. Some of them don't even have a computer programming degree.

Same goes with stuff around the house and the like. I was told by a plumber not to fix my shower myself and I successfully did that, along with replacing a toilet because the drain pipe in the ground was leaking.

Heck, I asked about how to drop the transmission pan in my Nissan and I was told to take it to a mechanic. Well, I did the job myself, bought some synthetic transmission fluid ($35) and saved maybe $50-100.

So is the DIY custom HT stuff really THAT hard or are people just trying to make money?

mmadden28 wrote: »

I do DIY wherever possible and where I am capable. I am also in the camp that if you want something done right do it yourself. I'm not bashing any professional industry as a whole here, but I just seem to get the short end of the stick whenever I cave in and hire a pro. So I dread the thought of having somebody else do it for me whe I am perfectly capable-Maybe I'd feel like lesser of a man and less of a provider for my family--who knows.
Maybe I expect too much, but I really don't. I expect to get the service that I paid for-not half assed quality or workmanship. More often than not I am finding some of the pros I hire, based on reputation, get big enough that they have to hire subs and they can't directly control thier subs---The poor workmanship may not be indicitive of that pros usual work, but I usually seem to get the new guy, or the lazy guy, etc.

I mean I don't even like to accept free labor from friends if I am not familiar enough with their skillset. Its not even about money there.


Again, every situation is different. Hire a pro if it suits you and if you can afford to. If you like DIY or can't afford to do the project otherwise-go for it.

All just MHO

I am on the same page here as mmadden28, DIY is also so rewarding when you see the end results. When you think about it, the satisfaction is TOTALLY yours NOT mostly due to a contractor.

When I retired from the military and taking back over my house I made my own plans and did most of the work my self on my major renovations (wanted the house to be worthy of my new bride). Due to time restraint I sucontracted some of it which was not bad looking at the time (Cabinetry and flooring install; respected my plans and all) but nearly 15 years later, I see the imperfections of the subcontracted work popping in my face as the years go by. Unfortunately, contractors most always work as fast as possible, cutting corners in order to make as much money as possible on the project.

I am slowly (getting older makes me wiser and more knowlegable but slower )doing my own HT design and work my self. The same applies to the outdoor re-design not counting that both my sons have learned and are more than willing to help their Dad where his aging ( :mad: (ego)) makes it tougher to accomplish (IE: redoing the worshop barn style roof and redoing the house roofing again (first time around was much easier as I was much younger :mad: (ego again)).


appadv, go for it, don't listen to the negation. If you have confidence in your self, why not? Do your home work (internet is great for that). Surround your self with people you trust (friends relatives etc...), subcontract wherever you do not feel confident but stick around to monitor and learn. All in all, as I pointed out DIY will generate your greatest satisfaction in the project as it is YOURS, YOUR BABY, YOUR CREATION :cool:

When it comes to CRESTRON, here in Canada it is a protected market (passwords for programming purpose are only provided to authorised dealers/installers). If this is different in the US, good for you as automation is a very fascinating area/world and if you are really good with programming you can do just about anything you can dream of... The limits are usually your imagination! GO for it and ENJOY!!!

Cheers!
TK

jinjuku

DIY borrows heavily from the Iron Triangle of Business:

Have it done fast/Have it done right/Have it done cheap: Pick two.

I could have come out of pocket $2.5-3K for L/C/R setup. Instead I invested that $$ into tools (table saw, router w/bits, sander, clamps + materials) and did a DIY 3.5 way tower.

I have speakers I enjoy, tools to do other projects with, and a new skill set.

Don't ever let them tell you different. Some things I have others do just because it is plain easier. I will let someone change the oil for $20.

exalted512

Do they make kits for things like home theater automation? Where can you get them? Or do you have to order everything piece by piece?
-Cody

Serendipity

polrbehr wrote: »

Hey, I 've seen some of your work, App, you're fine.

Thank you. Next project is going to be either the automated HT or something else like that...

I'd love to do THIS: http://www.vonslatt.com/bus-main.shtml

Now that would be awesome!!

Face

How about an amp instead.

Serendipity

Face wrote: »

How about an amp instead.

Instead of what? The school bus?

Face

Automated HT.

Why bother with a fancy, hi-tech HT if you can't turn your receiver up without going into protect mode?

Serendipity

That's because the Onkyo is rated for 8-ohm speakers, not 4-ohm speakers.

I don't listen that loud anyways.