“FROM A SCEPTIC TO 100% BELIEVER.”
"I must say thank you for your input and advice in relation to the audio- lighting and all other aspects of the Control4 system. From a sceptic to a 100% believer in Control4 is how I would describe myself. I could not imagine why anyone would consider building a home without building in some sort of system, particularly if the home is in the higher price bracket."
— John Rae
“HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL.”
Derek’s punctuality, workmanship and after sales follow up have been exceptional. As a qualified electrician myself, (and a pedantic Virgo), I took particular note of how the installation was carried out and at no time was there a need to raise questions. The pride of professional workmanship was clearly evident.
— Stuart and Julie Hellyer
MY CLIENT IS DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT.”
"This is just a quick note to say thank you for your recent work on the Master bedroom redesign project with me.
It was a pleasure to work with you and your team and to have your expertise and support throughout the project. It was also very productive to be able to bring my client to the showroom; having you go through options and show actual examples helped to clarify what can sometimes be ‘techno-bafflement’. It made the selection and decision process so much easier.
My client is delighted with the result as I am too and I look forward to working with you again in the future."
— Jennifer Ward
“WORKMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL.”
"Derek delivered the goods, with a comprehensive solution covering 8 different zones, built around Control4 at the heart of it all and using high quality equipment to deliver sound and video, all connected to a central rack.
We especially love the totally invisible Stealth Research speakers in the living room and lounge. These make for a fun party game – can you find where all the speakers are in the room?
Derek’s workmanship and attention to detail have been exceptional, from the basics of running over 2 km of wiring neatly through the house into the central rack, assembling everything in the rack so all equipment looks like it was designed to be there, through to the programming required to integrate all equipment and services to Control4.
We have continued to call on Derek when we have added to the brief and have another project about to commence to install rack mounted Media PC and NAS storage upgrades."
— Steve and Debbie Sims
“I AM THRILLED WITH THE END RESULT.”
"I would like to extend my thanks to Derek and his team for their efforts and support with my Home Theatre project. Derek was very professional, knowledgeable and accommodating throughout the entire process. I had a number of ideas concerning the layout and operation of the system, and Derek was able to provide sound advice on the pros and cons of each.
Unfortunately it is becoming the norm these days for businesses not to care about the services they are providing to their customers – I am pleased to say that Derek is the exception to what is fast becoming a rule. He genuinely takes pride in the quality of his workmanship and this is probably the key difference that sets out his company from the rest.
I am thrilled with the end result and have no hesitation in recommending Derek and the team. In fact I have done so on a number of occasions and each time Derek has lived up to expectations."
— Marc Killeen
“THIS COMPANY COMES VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.”
When we came to build our new home there was only one company from past experience we wanted to work with and entrust our automation requirements too, and that was Designer AV owned and operated by Derek Crane. We involved the company right from the start. The company worked alongside our architect, engineers, project manager, and supporting sub trades taking their automation system design into the build, with a seamless installation through to the final commissioning in early 2016.
The automation involved a central hub and patch panel interfacing our audio and video system requirements throughout the home including the security cameras, security gate, external monitors, and interrelated electrical functions.
Our brief was that the system was to operate internally or externally using iPhones, iPads, Internal VDU screens, remote controls and desktop computer. Derek’s expertise and patience created this for us and along with his workmanship, dedication to the job and follow-up service, this company comes very highly recommended.
— Christopher Paul
“DEREK DESIGNED A SYSTEM THAT MATCHED OUR REQUIREMENTS AND BUDGET PERFECTLY.”
Derek Crane of DesignerAV was commissioned to supply and install a Control4 home automation system into our new build residential house at Beachlands, Auckland. The brief comprised designing and installing a system to control the lighting, security, audio/visual, wi fi and comfort system which controls the fireplace and heated towel rails. On site he worked in and coordinated with other contractors to get the job done on time and on budget.
Right from the outset Derek was very approachable and easy to deal with, patiently explaining the operation and benefits of various components. As you would expect he is technically very competent and is able to explain, what could otherwise be complex issues, in terms the layman can understand.
Derek designed a system that matched our requirements and budget perfectly and now that it has been commissioned for a few months I can say he got the trade off between these two spot on and we have a system that does all we need it to do while maintaining the ability to upgrade it in the future if required.
The aspect to Derek’s work we have appreciated the most is the time he has put into making sure the system is working correctly and ironing out the inevitable bugs here and there once the initial installation was completed. We feel very secure in the fact that he has ‘got our backs’ and he has proven that he stands behind his work unconditionally.
If you are considering any level of automation in your house or business I would recommend Derek Crane of DesignerAV unreservedly and are thankful we made the decision to engage him on our contract.
— Lance Berriman
“NO HESITATION IN RECOMMENDING!”
Derek from Designer AV has a real ability to listen carefully to the client’s wish list and to concisely explain what can be achieved, and to implement it without fuss in a cost effective manner. The Control 4 system that he installed has proven to be reliable, flexible and capable. I have no hesitation in recommending both Derek Crane and the Control 4 system to anyone considering an intelligent home automated system.
— David Houghton
“VERY PROFESSIONAL”
We are extremely happy with Derek and his work. He communicated well with us. He was very professional and his work was finished to a very high standard. Would highly recommend.
— Dr Scott Ariki Waghorn
“WORKMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL”
Derek from DesignerAV really delivered the goods for us, installing a comprehensive home automation solution covering 8 different zones. Naturally it’s built with Control4 at the heart of it all and uses high quality equipment to deliver sound, video, lighting, security and more.
Derek’s workmanship and attention to detail have been exceptional, starting with the basics of running over 2 km of wiring neatly through the house into the central rack during our ground up renovation, then assembling everything in the rack so all equipment looks like it was designed to be there, through to the programming required to integrate all equipment and services to Control4. We especially love the totally invisible Stealth Research speakers recommended by Derek in the living room and lounge. These make for a fun party game – can you find where all the speakers are in the room?
Derek’s knowledge is extensive and we have continued to call on him as we’ve added to the brief with additional projects including:
- Integrated control of our drive and pedestrian gates including the Control4 Door station.
- An 8TB NAS upgrade for media and network storage.
- A new pool and patio build that added a new zone with speakers, control of all lighting, a Wi-Fi access point and Control4 integration to the pool/spa pumps and heaters.
- Control4 integration with our garden reticulation controller.
- Guidance on setting up Amazon Alexa for voice control of many Control4 tasks like turning on the pool area lighting or playing a favourite playlist.
Derek is about to deliver on our next project, to install security cameras and record the video content to our NAS storage.
We thoroughly recommend Derek from DesignerAV for any home automation or technology requirement."
— Steve and Debbie Sims
“Derek lived up to his excellent reputation.”
Derek Retro-Installed for us a complete home entertainment and security system within our two-level home. His process from initial visit, quotation through to completion was expert and seamless. When tricky problems relating to our existing connections and cabling arose, his solutions and options were on point. Reliable, knowledgeable, and always forthcoming with information, Derek lived up to his excellent reputation.
— Cushla and John Bloomfield