How much does a sound, paging, and mass notification system cost?

Standard masking and paging systems are not meant for music played in professional sound quality. If you want to jam, we’re ready, but , you need to let us know so we can design the right system. Don’t let this be a buzz kill, but it will affect cost.

A great way to get the word out in a time of emergency is to use the built in SMS or email functionality found in mass notification systems.

There are numerous manufacturers that offer budget conscious solutions all that way up to extremely robust solutions designed for mission critical environment that take Life Safety into account.

Some systems allow you to change your sound masking noise levels throughout the day or increase them over a period of time. For instance, in order not to overpower the space, you may want to have the sound masking turned down in the early morning and gear up during the day and wind down as people leave.

Drop tile ceilings are more accessible and do not require restoration efforts. Fixed, or sheet rock ceilings, may require access holes to be cut and then restored, driving the costs higher than drop tile ceiling installations.

In noisy areas, it's helpful to have visual notifications. in manufacturing facilities, we often specify digital signage. Some systems also can take advantage of RSS feeds that display critical information, like weather emergencies.

How high is the work being performed? Is it ladder work, or do we need to bring in a lift? A lift will elevate the overall costs but may be safer and more efficient.

Where is the project located? Some parts of the country are more expensive than others. Some rural areas may require travel due to availability of the field resources which could increase cost.

Type of environment will impact price. Class A Office, Distribution Center, Manufacturing, Retail, Indoor vs. Outdoor could all impact overall cost.

Projects being installed with a Union Labor requirement will be more expensive than projects without the requirement. Some projects require a prevailing wage to be paid to a technician which can also increase costs.

Permitting varies from state to state and city to city. One city may not require anything more than an application form to receive a permit, while others may want full engineered drawings that go through a plan review process. The full set of engineered drawings carries a substantial price tag that elevates the overall system cost. Another consideration is the time required if the review process is a requirement.

New construction will typically be less expensive than renovation.

Local codes can drive cost as they vary in requirement. For instance, in some locations across the U.S. all overhead cable must run in conduit while others can be supported with J-Hooks in the ceiling.

Pathways can contribute greatly to overall system costs. Costs of core holes sizing and cutting slab for conduits needs to be considered in your budgeting process.

What type of structure is being built? A system in a manufacturing plant is developed completely different than a high rise office building. An apartment complex can reuse the same templates for each building; this saves design time and costs.

Normal working hours will be less expensive than after hours or weekends.