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 Don and Tracy Hains, owners of Sure-Lock-Homes, custom-designed their Burnsville showroom to demonstrate how homeowners can successfully blend two seemingly opposing forces - cutting-edge technology and the comforts of home.
Exuding contemporary style and warmth, this must-see showroom offers clients a real-life experience of the audio-visual possibilities that are available with home theater systems today.
"It was always our goal to put the client into a home theater environment, inside a home theater seat, and show them their options when designing their home theater room," said Tracy.
These innovative home systems allow music or video played in any room, including stereo tuner, DVD, VCR, CD, internet audio or satellite, to be transmitted throughout the house.
"That means, if the family is watching a movie and someone leaves to make popcorn, they don't have to miss a second of the show - they can watch it on the kitchen TV," said Don.
As an expert in the latest home technology systems, Don said he has special focus on integrating systems for the home not only because it is the trend of the future, but also because there are so many options allowing clients to custom design a system for their lifestyle.
"There are many different levels of integrated home systems. Some people will put a whole sound system in just for music throughout the house for Christmas. Some people use it every day," he said.
Don added that Sure-Lock-Homes' showroom gives clients an incomparable edge in determining the right system for their home.
"There are no other showrooms like this south of the river that I know of," said Don, standing near the room's centerpiece - a full home theater, featuring a Toshiba D.L.P. front projector, companion dropdown screen and inviting leather theater-style seating.
While these systems can be installed in new or existing homes, most of their clients are building new homes, working with such high-quality builders as McDonald Construction, Centex Homes, Windwood Homes, Lecy Construction and Homes by Chase.
These builders have chosen Sure-Lock-Homes, because they know their clients can depend on Don and Tracy's extensive expertise regarding the numerous options available for creating the perfect home system.
And their reputation for superior customer service, which specializes in creating a system that fits the client's lifestyle, budget and any additional expectations, has made a strong impact.
"These builders expect their clients to be guided carefully through the process. We share a mutual commitment to a high level of service," said Don.
This service level starts from the client's first appointment with a Sure-Lock-Homes designer.
"We gather a great deal of information on the front-end before we design a plan for our clients," explained Tracy.
Among the topics covered: What the family would like to get out of the room, the purpose of the room and the desired sound quality.
The designer is dedicated to helping clients investigate the many component options and price points to ensure their clients invest in the best equipment for the most reasonable price.
They have even offered budget-conscious clients options that allow them to build an audio/video system over time.
Finally, compiling personal preferences with the home's blueprints, Sure-Lock-Homes designers create their individualized home theater system.
And once clients submit their final decisions, Sure-Lock-Homes not only provides each client with competent and complete installation, but at-home training regarding system operations.
"You're not going home with a box, and then getting home and saying, OK, now what do I do with it," said Tracy.
"We provide complete installation, train clients on how to use the system and provide service after the sale."
Home theater costs start at a modest $5,000, an investment Don and Tracy say is a smart move in today's market, where home theaters are fast becoming one of the hottest new trends in home design.
Experts believe that a home theater investment will likely impact the home's resale value in years to come, and possibly even its overall attractiveness in a competitive real estate market.
Other unique services offered by Sure-Lock-Homes include security systems, digital satellite, central vacuums, phone and computer network systems, antenna systems, home theater seating and home automation.
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