An AV integrator is the company that designs, installs, programs, and maintains a space’s audio, video, and control systems as a single system. To choose one, it’s worth checking five things: current certifications, comparable projects, how they document the design, who programs the control, and what support they offer after handover.
At Integración AV we’ve done this work since 2006; you can see the full scope in our audiovisual integration services. This guide summarizes what’s worth checking before hiring any integrator, including us.
In short
- An integrator is accountable for the whole system, not just the equipment they sell.
- Ask for current certifications and confirm who on the team holds them.
- Require drawings and diagrams of the design before installation.
- Put support and response times in writing after handover.
What an AV integrator does
Their work goes beyond selling and installing equipment. An integrator understands how the space will be used, chooses the right technology, and connects it so it works as a system anyone can operate.
- Design
- Assesses the space and documents the system in floor plans, single-line diagrams, and schematics before construction.
- Installation
- Mounts, wires, and connects the equipment, coordinating with construction and other contractors.
- Programming
- Programs the control system so the room turns on and runs with one touch.
- Handover and training
- Tests every function and teaches users how to operate the space.
- Maintenance and support
- Supports the operation with scheduled checks and failure response.
Integrator or equipment vendor: the difference
| Aspect | Equipment vendor | AV integrator |
|---|---|---|
| What they deliver | Equipment with factory warranty | A working, documented, tested system |
| Design | Recommends products from their catalog | Designs based on the space’s actual use |
| Programming | Not included, or left to the client | Programs the control and usage scenes |
| When something fails | Accountable for the equipment they sold | Accountable for the whole system |
| After handover | Manufacturer warranty | Contracted maintenance and support |
The difference shows when the system combines different brands, as is common in boardrooms, auditoriums, and monitoring centers. Someone has to make the camera, audio, screen, and control work together.
Certifications worth asking for
Certifications don’t guarantee a good project, but they do show the team studies the technology it installs. The most useful ones for verifying technical rigor are AVIXA’s CTS certification, from the international AV industry association, and the control system manufacturer’s programming certifications, such as Crestron’s programmer levels.
Add to that authorized-provider status for the brands being installed.
What to check
Ask who holds the certification: it should be someone on the team who will actually work on your project, with a current certificate.
Four questions before you hire
These questions quickly separate an integrator from an equipment salesperson. Answers should be specific and, where possible, in writing.
What projects like mine have you done?
Ask for cases of the same space type and, if possible, a visit or a client reference.
How do you document the design?
They should deliver floor plans, single-line diagrams, and schematics another technician can read and audit.
Who programs the control system?
Programming determines whether the room runs with one touch or nobody knows how to operate it. Ask who does it.
What happens after handover?
Ask for the maintenance scope, failure response times, and how issues are reported.
Warning signs
Be wary of an equipment quote with no site visit, a project with no drawings or diagrams, and a proposal that replaces everything without assessing what already works.
It’s also not a good sign if after-sales support is only a verbal promise. Response times and maintenance scope should be agreed by contract.
Key idea
If the integrator can’t explain how the system will work before installing it, they won’t be able to support it afterward either.
How we work at Integración AV
We design, program, install, and maintain with the same team. We hold Crestron Master Gold programming status, we are a Crestron Service Provider (CSP), and we hold AVIXA’s CTS certification.
Pontificia Universidad Javeriana’s Simulation Center, which we integrated, won Project of the Year in Learning Environments at the AV Awards Americas 2025 and was recognized at the CALA Awards 2024. Before proposing new equipment, we assess what can be reused, in line with the AVIXA Sustainability program.
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Frequently asked questions about choosing an integrator
What is an AV integrator?
It’s the company that designs, installs, programs, and maintains a space’s audio, video, control, and automation systems as a single system, and is accountable for how it performs after handover.
What certifications should an AV integrator have?
The most useful ones for verifying technical rigor are AVIXA’s CTS certification, the control system manufacturer’s programming certifications (Crestron, for example), and authorized service provider status for the brands being installed. Ask for the certificates and confirm they’re current and held by someone on the team who will work on your project.
Can an integrator work with the equipment I already have?
Yes, and it’s recommended. A good integrator first assesses your existing equipment and tells you what can be kept, upgraded, or integrated before proposing new purchases.
How much does it cost to hire an AV integrator?
It depends on the size and complexity of the space, the technology being integrated, and the support contracted after handover. Be wary of a fixed quote with no technical site visit: without seeing the space, the system can’t be properly sized.
Evaluating Integrators for Your Project?
We review the space, the equipment you already have, and what needs to be integrated. From there we send a proposal with the scope, design deliverables, and support model in writing.
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