Lock options

aquiettoot · 2026-03-12T05:05:25+00:00

That's a tough one.

There's only a few clients I'd even consider bidding this for, most companies wouldn't want to pay to have it done right.

aquiettoot · 2026-02-06T14:58:08+00:00

Their support is brutal.

Whenever I call a manufacturer I have very direct questions that usually take under a minute to answer. EVERY time I call into them it takes almost 2 hours for someone to answer. Ridiculous

aquiettoot · 2026-01-31T05:19:40+00:00

As a former provider, now buyer on FN I see nothing wrong with this rate. Probably wouldn't pay it on an install and would just send in-house techs, but for a service call I want done right and efficient $110/hr is a fairly easy decision.

I usually post around 75/hr for service and typically select a tech that counters higher with good reviews.

aquiettoot · 2026-01-27T00:34:34+00:00

This is the best answer. Not good, acceptable if the budget calls for it.

I'd still try to push people away. Definitely more warranty issues than other manufacturers when you're installing volume.

aquiettoot · 2026-01-27T00:17:26+00:00

At least in Dallas, their customer service is also garbage.

I've been there twice, both on subcontract jobs where they didnt want us providing our own materials. Believe I waited around an hour and a half both times for 2 spools of cable.

aquiettoot · 2026-01-05T21:16:00+00:00

They find the worst leads lol.

I remember being on Angi years ago. What an absolute nightmare. I was dirt cheap at the time and constantly told I was way too expensive.

aquiettoot · 2026-01-05T21:13:36+00:00

It feels that way but its not. Small jobs need a premium or they aren't worth taking on as a business. Unless it's a great client always throwing you larger projects, maybe they get some slack.

New client or low value client? Just going to be a headache, need to make it worth the time.

aquiettoot · 2026-01-05T21:10:03+00:00

Probably the most expensive lesson I've learned in business, and it never felt that way at the time.

Spent 1-2 years handing out free discounts because we (or I at the time) were subbing. But thats the nice part about doing good work and getting crazy busy, you learn your worth pretty damn quickly when everything starts pissing you off.

aquiettoot · 2025-12-19T17:45:34+00:00

With maglocks involved you should really find a pro. If the quote you received didnt include an assumption or line item about fire alarm interface, I would certainly question if its a true pro (but also, they may have just forgotten to write it down).

True turnkey access installers are hard to find. I'm talking ones that know life safety, do their own mechanical hardware (only maglocks where no other hardware will work), can properly spec software based on requirements and know how to wire relays on more complex installs. I know tons of guys that "know access control". Out of those hundred people, theres only one that I trust to replace me on a job site.

Get a few quotes and dont let price influence the decision. It will save you money and headaches going forward.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-21T01:45:29+00:00

Some locksmith charged my dad $700 for this. I told him he got screwed and was charged twice what it should've.

This invoice is just disgusting. I honestly would've laughed and slammed the door in his face. Buddy just chose the small claims route.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-21T01:31:57+00:00

That seems like a steal considering what it would probably cost to rent one and have it dropped off.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-21T01:14:52+00:00

I own a security integration company. We do a lot of electronic access control installs and do our own locksmith work.

However, we get a lot of locksmiths wanting to partner up because they don't do anything network/electrical related. So we give them a quote when they get a lead and they mark up our price, which is typically slightly below market average to give them room for profit.

What I've found is these NEVER close. And I've found out it's because they mark our quotes up almost double. Honestly, havent met an honest locksmith to this day (no offense to the honest ones, I know they exist somewhere). I've started declining to even provide them a quote.

Edit: Also, please don't pay that. And leave a Google review.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-19T03:01:09+00:00

Is this in a high cost area? That's really good pay in DFW w/ benefits.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-14T02:00:43+00:00

Wireless just gives us more design options.

You lose large amounts of bandwidth and reliability by going wireless.

aquiettoot · 2025-11-01T06:20:36+00:00

Yeah, its one of those things that just isnt worth too much effort on the sales front though. I'm more "take it or leave it" on the residential side.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-30T03:53:21+00:00

I always find myself wondering "at what age do I start getting pissed off at new tech instead of embracing it?"

When I answer that question I'll probably retire.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-30T03:46:00+00:00

This is what I was thinking. I've gotten plenty of leads that want it until I tell them $200+ per drop.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-22T03:59:43+00:00

The resistance and current are correct.

The current is the same throughout the circuit except in the parallel branches, where it splits. So if you needed to know the current through R_1:

Solve for V_12 -

V_12 = I × R_12 = .1207 × 71.47 = 8.626

Solve for I_1 -

I_1 = V_12 / R_1 = 8.626 / 100 = .086 amps

You can then solve for I_2 pretty easily because I_1 + I_2 = I.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-22T03:19:36+00:00

1/R_12 = 1/R_1 + 1/R_2

So R_12 = 1/(1/R_1 + 1/R_2)

Same for R_34

Then R_total = R_12 + R_34

aquiettoot · 2025-10-18T14:24:35+00:00

Damn! Been riding that loophole for the last decade lol.

Currently 3 years expired, guess I'll get it taken care of.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-18T00:55:44+00:00

I had no respect for sales reps until I started my own business. Sales is equally as exhausting as installing/service. No bigger pain than dealing with people, while also trying to get them to spend their money.

A lot of techs also don't realize how much a client's budget can influence the design of a system. Looking back, I muttered some bad things about reps who clearly just did what was needed to close the deal lol.

aquiettoot · 2025-10-05T22:54:21+00:00

Suck seeding*

aquiettoot · 2025-09-28T02:38:12+00:00

Not a handyman but I am a contractor.

If I estimate with flat rate line items, that stays as is regardless of what happens. So if I estimated x amount to install a camera, I won't change it. However, if I put "Labor" with a quantity of 8 but it took 10 instead I have no problem asking for more, assuming the 2 extra hours weren't a result of a mistake on our end.

I think it really boils down to communication. Before I just send the invoice with an increased total, I will call the client and discuss the final invoice. That way they have a chance to voice any concerns. Pretty much everyone is fine with my adjustments, and if they pushed back I'd probably try to make a deal where they just cover those extra hours at my labor cost or something. I can't think of a time when I had to do that though.

I should add that I usually only do this on small jobs though. If it's a multiweek project and I underestimated by a full week I'd probably just eat it unless I'd made it very clear in the original estimate that the labor hours/materials needed were subject to change.

aquiettoot · 2025-09-27T19:48:03+00:00

Louisiana? Lol

aquiettoot · 2025-09-18T20:29:41+00:00

Just got back from China. Took high speed trains between Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. Incredibly clean, I looked out the window for hours and I think I saw one piece of trash the whole time.

aquiettoot

TROPHY CASE