A Fascinating Behind-the-Scenes Look at why you should never let a Building Contractor install your Computer Network!

So your business is doing well, and you need to expand or reconfigure an existing building to help create space. In some cases, this could involve the hiring of a building contractor, to build a new area or extend your current location. 

To seal the deal, the building contractor may offer to install your computer network during construction. Logically it seems like a good idea to have them install cables during the works. However, it would be best if you declined the offer. 

Who would you prefer:

• You're in court and need representation; a lawyer or a builder?

• Broken car; A mechanic or a builder?

• Network Installation; Network engineer or a builder?

The answers are obvious - but for some reason, many business owners will still pick the builder! A stable and reliable internet connection and office network are vital for any business to function. So why do many business owners put such little importance on having an excellently installed network that allows them to work more efficiently?

Often when new clients start with Kimbley IT, we find a lot of their issues are caused by a sub-standard network that has not been professionally installed. Often the network was set up by a family member “who knows computers”, an employee, electrician, office design company or a building contractor.

The problem with using a Building Contractor

In this article, we are going to focus on why letting a building contractor or architect install your company’s computer network is a bad idea.  Allowing anyone but a network professional to set up your system is never going to end well.

It is not uncommon for a building contractor or office architect to offer to install your computer network for a very low price, (sometimes even free) to seal the deal on your building or design project. But to provide an installation so cheaply, they will need to cut corners. 

The first corner cut is experience. They may well be great builders and designers - but do they really know the complexities of a computer network? Do they have any idea how you are going to be using the network? The speeds you require? The amount of data you're going to be transferring? The security you will need? No, their installation will be a ‘best guess’ with no strategic planning or consideration about what you actually need. 

They will also cut corners on the quality of the installation. When they promise to install the cables, you better believe it - that is all they will do. They won't install the network ports or terminate the lines, they won't even mark up which cable goes where. You'll be left with a bunch of cable spaghetti hanging out of the wall in the room where you told them the router will be located. 

The cables they do install will be the cheapest possible, with no thought given to what they are actually intended to do. Network cables have grading categories that determine how far a signal can travel, the speed at which it can travel, the amount of data a line can hold, and some other factors. Also, cables can be certified, a certified cable has been tested in the factory and is guaranteed to perform to a specific standard. You won’t be getting these correctly graded, certified cables, you’ll end up with the cheapest cables the contractor could buy. And, don’t forget if these cables are being installed into the fabric of the building, they will be a pain in the arse to replace at a later time.

The benefits of using a profession network contractor

At Kimbley IT, we have a healthy, long-established relationship with a professional network contractor. They have installed superb networks for many of our clients over the last decade. From simple network extensions to full-blown network deployments - they have also corrected many dodgy networks installed by building contractors. 

When your IT support company has a network contractor, that they work closely together. You should always take up their quote on installing your network. It will be more expensive than the contractor but the quality and value you get from the network over the years will pay for itself many times over.

Unlike a builder or architect, your IT provider has insider knowledge. They know precisely why you need a new network, how you use your network and how it will grow over the coming years. They can work with their networking professional to install a network that will suit your business needs now and into the future.

A professional installer will use the correct categories of cabling needed to support your entire system, using certified cables. Security will be built in, such as using shielded cables where necessary, not only to protect the cable but also to prevent interference in particular medical and industrial environments. They can build a network tailored to your specific needs because they have knowledge of your business and the equipment you use, which no building contractor or architect will know.

The cables will be marked up and correctly terminated into a comms-cabinet and double-checked and tested to make sure all the new lines work correctly before the installation project completes. And the best part... as they are your IT support provider, they will plugin and configure all your equipment so it is ready for immediate use on the new network. There is no chance a builder will do that, they'll leave it to you!

If you are planning to have a new network installed, make sure you get it done professionally! Ask your IT support company and their networking contractor to run the project for you. It will cost more initially - but it will be optimised for your business. And it will be much cheaper than having to correct the mistakes made by your building contractor. 

If you’re currently considering some new building work, now is the time to start planning your network. Book a video call below and we’ll talk you through the options and how best to achieve your goals for the future.