Wiring for phones, data, video, and audio is not the same as it used to be a few years ago.

•  Industry standards have changed.
•  Design criteria are different and more complex.
•  Installation standards and quality are very important for the systems to work properly.
•  Communications wiring and systems are not the same thing as electrical wiring for powering home appliances.

Planning is important to ensure that the communications and entertainment systems perform properly. When should you plan your communications and entertainment wiring?

•  Planning is ideally done during the architectural design phase, particularly if the customer wants to include an full scale home theater, more than one home entertainment/ surround sound systems, or distributed audio or video.
• Design issues include proper placement of video displays, projectors, screens, speakers, etc.
•  Also important is the communications/ entertainment node. Each type of communications/entertainment requires space to accommodate the equipment and structured media centers needed to meet the customer's needs. It is best to do this early rather than fit it into an existing space later.

Contact NIC early to help in the planning phase whether you are working on a custom home, multi-unit development, condominiums, or apartments.

Architects and Designers:

Architects and designers are generally concerned about the visuals and the space. Lights, windows, form, function. All too often the audio, video, phones, and computers are neglected because they are electrical and electronic details. However, all communications and entertainment, and control systems are important to the client.

Good architects and designers include communications, entertainment, and control systems in their design plans.

Builders and Developers:

Build it and they will come? Right. But don't you want to leave the buyer with a home that you are proud to have created?

Whether it is a custom home, a multi-unit development, a condominium, or an apartment, the people that live in their new homes want to enjoy their lives.

•  A well-planned phone and computer access is the first step. This is a must.
•  Then there is the desire for a home entertainment/surround sound systems. This is best planned for up front to avoid the cost of retrofitting.
•  Why not distribute audio to more than one room. Again, prior planning and prior pre-wiring will increase the value of the property and cut costs later.
•  Why not video to more than one room. Home owners like flexibility.
•  For that matter, why not a central vacuum system at the same time? It can also be installed at the same time that the plumbing and low voltage wiring is being installed.
•  Then there are central lighting controls, remote control of blinds and shades, and remote systems. Discriminating customers want to consider these enhancements.
•  Besides being best planned and installed up front, the costs are lower for the customer and can be included in the mortgage for only pennies a day.

NIC can provide the expertise and manpower to make sure that these customer-important issues are taken care of successfully. From planning to installation to test and verification, NIC is available to help.

Contractors:

If you are a General Contractor or an Electrical Subcontractor, NIC can work with you to complete your home/ condominium/ apartment project. Our skills and abilities can be help you whether whether you are building a:

•  Custom home.
•  Multi-dwelling developments.
•  Condominiums.
•  Apartments.
•  Office buildings (the codes and standards are generally identical).