Response from William David Design Group
I never met with (Member name removed) nor have I spoken with him on the phone. All my contact was with (member name removed) first over the phone and then with the initial consultation. The initial consultation was scheduled promptly after (member name removed) phone call. I was on time for my appointment and thorough with the initial consultation with(member name removed). I was familiar with the coupon they purchased as I handle all initial consultations with my clients. I explained the coupon was good for two hours labor OR one basic TV installation on their wall which includes running cables in the wall if it is a simple installation. In their case, the TV needed to be mounted over a fireplace and the wife requested having the power cord hidden and the cables run to the bookshelf on the left. Since the fireplace was cantilevered out the side of the house, there was no way to hide wires without cutting drywall or down through the basement ceiling back into the bookshelf. Since the ceiling in the basement was finished this was going to take much more time than a basic installation. Moreover, since there was no electric outlet above the mantel, the power cord would have to be concealed in the wall along with the two HDMI cables for the Satellite box and DVD player. The NEC (National Electric Code) does not allow extension cords run inside the wall as a source for electric power to TV's, etc. Instead, an electric outlet needed to be installed to supply power or an exposed power cord needed to be run to the TV (this can be concealed in paintable plastic channel). When I explained this to (member name removed), she wanted all the wires hidden and installed per code. Finally, the (member name removed) needed a bracket to hang the TV in the wall to complete their installation. (Member name removed) was great to deal with during our initial conversation and she said she would relay the information to her husband when he came home from work and would call me if he had any additional questions. If you added the cost of the basic mount, HDMI cables, TV bracket, electric outlet and the additional labor to fish the cables behind the wall and down to the basement and up through the bookshelf, my price is at least $200.00 lower than most of my competitors. Had (member name removed) called me to clarify the details if my quote, I would have gladly gone over everything over the phone or come back out to meet with him in person.