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What you need to know about quality of installations and contractors

  
 

Is my system properly installed?
Will the system which I purchased last?
How do I know that my contractor is doing at good job?
Why are the quotes submitted by the various contractors so different from one another?
Am I cheated by the contractor? How do I know what is the right price to pay for the system?

The Answer is that "You don't really know" and there are NO straight forward answers to any of the questions above

    

FAQ's

Q: Is my system properly installed?
A: To the majority of the end users, a system that works is a system that is properly installed and it is an universally accepted logic. Few have given consideration as to the way which the system has been installed. Does the installation take into consideration of future mantainence work, fire hazard, expansion and upgrade should the Company's future operations require?

Q: Will the system which I purchase last?
A: You will never know unless you take the trouble to find out. Most of the end users will ask for a few quotations and subsequently choose the cheapest and ask for a 1 year warranty period. In most cases the 1 year warranty is the reliability is all you can expect from the installers. Subsequent to that any further work to mantain or repair of the system will be expensive or done with indifference even if you could find the original contractors.

Q: How do I know that my contractor is doing a good job?
A: You will not know unless you take the trouble to visit the work site yourself and make it known to the contractor of your intention to do so. Another option is to work with contractors which you have worked with and have a proven record of reliability. You do not get services from a reliable contractor at a cheap price because it cost a lot more to engage reliable installers as well as to purchase higher quality equipment. On the other hand, it does not mean that reliable contractors charge very high prices for their services as well; the end user need to balance the price with a acceptable level of reliability and quality of work.

Q: Why are quotes submitted by the various contractors so different fron one another?
A: The most common preception is that some are trying to make more money from the end users than others. Others may think contractors are not worthwhile trusting. There are many instances that the end users were right because it is true; but in others "You get what you are paying for!!"
In arriving at a quotation, the following items are considered:-
- The quality of the equipment to be supplied.
- The labour cost to install the equipment.
- The environment and location to install the equipment.
- The margin which the contractor expects to earn.
Every end user wants to buy the system at the lowest cost and every contractor wants to make as much margin as possible.
For a contractor to lower his cost, he has to compromise on the equipment, labour cost and finally the margin. He has no incentive to do the job professionally if he has no margin, it is as compared to those professionals who are asked to work at a far reduced renumeration as what he thinks his services are worth. Lack of quality of equipment, slip shod installation and lack of supervision and support will be the end result if price is all that matters. When the warranty period is over, the contractor washes his hand from the project.
"Are you experiencing this problem with your contractors?" If it is so, then you have chosen the wrong team to do your work. There is always a balance between the quality of service and the price the end user is willing to pay. Choose carefully and offer a reasonable price for your project and chances you will find the right contractor to do a proper job for your project.

Q: How do I know what is the right price to pay for the system?
A: Perpectual problem facing end users and an upward task for contractors to convince them. There is no such thing as the right price because most of the systems are not installed in the same location under the same circumstances. It is dependant on the end users' budget and expectations out of the system. Here are some guidelines:-
- The end user is expected to know what type of system they are looking for and what are their expectations.
- Compare the specifications of the equipment supplied.
- Check the contractors' references and his suppliers' references.
- Compare the labour cost of the project.
- Determine the adequacy of the support given by the contractors.
- Get information from your contacts on similar projects undertaken and the cost involved as well as the backup given.

  
A picture tells a thousand words
    
Use of protective eyeware prevents accidents and proper covering of work surfaces reduce scratches on the frame is consistent with high quality workmanship
Use of proper type of wires with proper shielding and proper termination onto the equipment with all the additional wires properly wound up to prevent accidental wire shorting incidences. This is an example of installation done by trained personnel and with proper supervision as well
   
The wiring is not mounted on conduits and the power supply is not properly sealed to ensure that it is waterproof. Expected premature failure of the outdoor CCTV system. This is an example of having proper equipment rendered ineffective due to bad workmanship in installation.
Using a cardboad box to hold the power supply panel instead of mounting it onto the box may lead to a fire hazard should heat builds up. An example of bad workmanship associated with low cost jobs.
 
To ensure that an installation is properly done the end user has to :
- Familiarize with the system and its' features to ensure that it meets their requirements.
-Choose a experience and reliable contractor and be willing to pay market price for the system.
- Make site visits while the installation is in progress to ensure that the project is properly supervised and installed.

It is not only the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that your project is properly completed. The end user has their own responsibility to ensure that the project is properly completed. THE END USER HAS TO PUT THE RIGHT PERSON TO CO-ORDINATE THE JOB TO ENSURE IT TO BE DONE IN ACCORDING TO THEIR SPECIFICATIONS. It is easier to make changes during the installation stages than to redo the job after it has been completed; even if it is solely at the contractor's cost to rectify certain problems or deficiency.

Do not think that all these discussions were collated in order for contractors to vent out their frustrations on the end users. During the course of the many visits we have made to a wide range of installations from homes, condominiums, commercial and industrial installations the following observations were made:

  • Many of the installations cannot get backup service from their original installers after the warranty period.
  • Many of the end users do not have proper documentation to operate the systems which they have purchased efficiently.
  • Many of the end users do not even know what type of system or equipment that has been installed.

You don't have to go through all these aggravations!!

Get involved!! Don't leave everything to others to make it a success!!

Choose your contractors wisely!! Reliable contractors may not be cheap; they are not necessary very expensive as well!!
     
 
For information and sales please contact: Kenny 97523165 or email sales@securerus.com
  
         
  secureRus reg no: 53041089M Tel no: 65 63451282 / Fax no: 65 62343769
111, North Bridge Road, #07-03, Peninsula Plaza, S179098
             
           
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