Are you ready to rip out the old audio and video system in your car and put in a new one? There are plenty of stereos that you can find easily nowadays and they can certainly be a great addition to your car. Of course, they are a hefty investment and one you will make after careful consideration and evaluation. But, what will you do after you have bought a new car stereo? You may think that it is an easy project and want to go with the DIY (do-it-yourself) option.
However, unless you work as a mechanic on the side or have experience in doing car audio and video installation, you should think twice before taking it up. There is a strong possibility that if you don’t know what you are doing, you could end up ruining your entire sound system, wasting your hard-earned money that you saved by opting to install it yourself and end up having no stereo at the end of the day. It is a given that you would want to avoid such a scenario and this can be accomplished by understanding the problems of DIY.
Why Avoid the DIY Approach?
- Technical knowledge may be required
One of the most difficult parts of installing your car audio and video system is to get it to fit correctly. You may believe that all car stereo systems are of the same size, or that you know the size you need, but you will probably encounter mounting and size problems when you decide to do it yourself. If you have an older car, you may also face difficulty in finding the exact shape and size required. If the new unit turns out to be too big, you may end up dislodging other wires that you may not be able to see or crack the dashboard while trying to squeeze the system in.
If the system is too small, it will not be able to fit correctly and this can not only affect the sound quality, but also cause some features to not work at all. Wiring could also be a problem, particularly if you have a newer car model. A number of car manufacturers run other wires through the sound system, such as alarm triggers, backup cameras, and even interior lighting. Add the complexity of the computer system of the car and you could end up burning the car or losing the lights if you connect the wrong wires or make any other mistake.
- It is not that simple
You may believe that you just need a few tools and some muscle to disconnect your car’s old stereo and put in the new sound system. However, the fact is that special tools might be needed for some cars to get rid of the existing stereo without inflicting any damage to the dashboard. In fact, some cars may require removal of part of the dashboard, even before the stereo is removed. Likewise, there are also security screws in newer model cars for preventing unwanted removal and you may not know about them until you are halfway through the work. You will be stuck because you don’t have the special tools required to remove them.
- The cost can be high
Doing it yourself may save you money initially, but insurance policies don’t usually cover any damage caused due to improperly installed equipment. If you end up damaging the car’s interior while disconnecting the old stereo, you will need to face the additional cost of replacing it and fixing problems like rips, scratches and chipped paint. If there is a wiring problem, your car may not be running by the time the system is installed. Eventually, you will end up spending money by taking it for repairs, so there will be no savings in the long run.
Why Go for a Professional Option?
Services from a well-respected car audio and video installer may cost you a bit of money upfront, but the benefits end up far outweighing it. What are the benefits? Let’s take a look:
- Expertise and knowledge
As they are professionals, they will be able to offer you advice regarding the correct choice of system for your car. They have thorough experience and knowledge of the installation process, which means they know exactly what they are doing and when things are not what they seem. They also have access to all the tools that will be required for the installation.
- Less chances of mistakes
Since they are experienced and have done it lots of times before, professional audio and video installers will do a good job. They are aware of what steps to take and they are less likely to make mistakes. They will not jam the stereo with unnecessary force into the slot, or install it upside down accidentally. The job will be done professionally because that’s exactly who they are; professionals.
- Save you time
Opting for professional services can also help you save time because you don’t have to spend hours learning how to install a new stereo in your vehicle. You obviously don’t want to waste your time for a one-off job, so it is better to leave this to the experts, who will be able to do it quickly and return your car to you in running condition in no time at all.
- They offer guarantees
If anything goes wrong, you don’t have to worry at all because professional services usually offer guarantees and warranties with their work. You can hold them accountable for any mistakes they make and if they damage your system or anything else, they will be required to fix it or compensate you. Likewise, they are also willing to make any adjustments, should they be required, and they also take your instructions into account when doing the work.
You can save yourself from a great deal of stress and prevent wastage of your time and money when you skip the DIY approach and hire professionals for installing your car’s audio and video system.