CE Pro June 2023 - 34

CE PROFILE
Acoustic Design Systems
" Before we
ever sold one,
we got a Parasol
account for the
office for a system
we have upstairs.
We wanted to fully
understand what
our salespeople,
technicians and
customers were
going to expect. "
-Amanda Crigar,
Acoustic Design
Systems
" We just got their newest community
about a year ago. It's 104 homes starting
about $3 million each, but they mostly sell
between $5 million and $6 million each.
We're doing $100,000 to $250,000 in AV
in every single one of the houses, including
panelized lighting, shading solutions, audio,
video, surveillance cameras, acoustical panels
and network infrastructure, " explains Sterle.
Acoustical panels have been a surprisingly
strong area for ADS and nice byproduct of
specializing in new residential and commercial
construction.
" Some of the larger homes and commercial
projects can be like echo chambers, " says
Crigar. " I looked into it and there is actually
a license in the state of Nevada for acoustic
treatment. There are only three companies in
the entire state licensed to install them. Our
company name is Acoustic Design Systems,
so it makes sense for us. We are going down
the path to get that license. "
In the meantime, ADS is also working
with Blue Heron and three or four other top
homebuilders that construct bespoke homes
either one at a time or in small communities.
" We are just chugging along perfectly.
We are busy 100% of the time. There has
been no slowdown in the high-end luxury
market, " says Sterle, noting that a recently
launched Toll Brothers community with $2
million production homes sold out faster
than more affordable communities.
" We have not seen in this town a slump
in high end, " he adds. Even with the normal
construction cycle for luxury homes in the
area at 16 months, Sterle says there have
been very few contract cancellations due to
rising interest rates.
He notes that by far the most important
element to successfully working with builders
is the stay on schedule. Because of that,
ADS has a four-person dedicated service
department to handle legacy systems so
their installation crews can focus on staying
on schedule with builders.
" I think where a lot of integrators run into
trouble is their lack of long-term [support].
Customers get so frustrated with you not
being able to show up and help them, " he
says. ADS, which is a member of the Home
Technology Specialists of America (HTSA)
buying group, has about 80% of its client
base on service agreements using Snap
One's Parasol as its remote managed service
provider. Its service agreements are billed
monthly, quarterly or annually, and generated
about $600,000 in revenue last year.
Crigar was instrumental in rolling out the
service plan offering to clients, as well as to
ADS technicians and salespeople.
" Before we ever sold one, we got a Parasol
account for the office for a system we have
upstairs. We wanted to fully understand what
our salespeople, technicians and customers
were going to expect. Not only do we make
money on service, we make our customers
happy. We are the hero, " she quips.
ADS' fun image is pervasive,
whether it is Sterle
grilling for the staff (top),
the team is sponsoring a
builder event (above), or
everyone celebrating the
company's 20th anniversary
(right).
34 | CE Pro June 2023
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CE Pro June 2023

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