How Typical Are 'Same Day Installs'?

'Same Day Install' is likely more common in the intrusion alarm industry, where the salesperson is often the installer too.  It does not seem to be common at all in video.

We do mostly surveillance while trying to break into intrusion and access control. So when I read this, I was like no way can we do same day install. The problem for us is the sales cycle is so long, I need to keep the pipeline full so I can keep the installers working.

As the end of the year came up, our client base ran out of money and had to wait for new budgets. I was about 5 days out on installs and I was ready to cry because I didn't know where our next project was coming from. Luckily we got through it, and are now about 5 weeks out, and on the fringe of hiring the 2nd crew.

Residential Intrusion may be the only place I see a same day/next day install realistic.

That integrator must have a lot of salespeople and be turning over a lot of projects to make that model work.

We don't do it often, but if the client is willing to pay accordingly we can work miracles.  

We have a couple of customers that we do same day installs but these are for large repeat customers.

Seems like if you had an unhappy (or unscrupulous) customer same-day installs could backfire if they try to invoke the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule.

I could not imagine doing this in surveillance or card access.  There are so many variables at play that keeping stock would be very costly.  Perhaps it is doable if you use a one size fits all approach.  Guardian alarm in our territory is infamous for the one size fits all approach with surveillance - everyone gets a 2 MP turret camera.  AFAIK they do not do same day installs.  Under their model it seems feasible though.

Manpower is another issue - we simply don’t have techs hanging about looking for work.  Usually they are booked solid at least two weeks out, frequently much more than that.

I have recieved calls in the past where they ask if the system can be installed the same day. Always thought the customers expectations were out of line but I guess there are some companys out there offering that service. 

No..but I love the idea

What are typical lead times on installs? Let's say a project that may take 2 guys, 10 days to install.

They're very useful if you sell the kinds of systems or to the kinds of customers who could change their minds quickly, which is why they're so common in residential intrusion. I've definitely run across the concept in video, but nobody I respect uses it. 

It's designed to make it less likely the customer is going to change their mind and invoke the cooling off rule, as Karas says. 

I'm not saying everybody who does a same day install is a trunk slammer, but I am saying that most trunk slammers will be happy to do a same day install.,

Many wireless residential sales are installed on the same day. You have to be careful with the 3 day right to cancel and make sure they understand, sign your paperwork and you give them hard copies. Be prepared to take on the risk of them canceling. You may have to go back and pull out the equipment.

Same day installs help to speed up the sales cycle and increase cash flow. They get sales reps paid faster. One of my friends puts in 20-30 systems a day with his team, sold on the same day it was sold, this includes hardwired camera systems. All of these guys work for high commissions so it's important for them to get the system installed and keep the customer happy.

How often do you see someone grab a candy bar at the register and buy it without thinking? Home security is the same way especially when they already have a system and are looking for an upgrade or to lower their rate or add cameras.

We do a lot of same-day installs for things like wireless sensors and even cameras or access control doors, we might be at a customers home or business and they ask for a few additional devices, we will do it right then. Going back is a waste of time especially if the tech is already on-site and has the parts with him. Even if he doesn't have the parts and he's not far away we will take them the parts to get it done quickly. This keeps customers happy. 

I can't even design out a system the same day, let alone install it the same day. We usually take a day or two designing our systems, then have to price it all out, then send a proposal, make edits, re-propose it again, then get approval. By the time a down payment is received and parts are ordered, this is at minimum a few weeks cycle. Give a week or more for parts to arrive, and you have a minimum of a month long sales cycle. We have quite a few accounts that take months to close deals. In fact, more that take months than take weeks. This is not accounting for existing clients that just want to add a camera or two to an existing system. I think we are all talking about new clients.

 Another downside of rushing jobs is diminished quality control.

:D