4K-AV Ltd – Hertfordshire based Audio-visual Design and Installation Specialists with a National Footprint

4K-AV Ltd is an audio-visual (AV) and security company that designs and installs home cinema, smart homes, multiroom audio and video solutions, security systems and lighting for both residential and commercial clients. With over 20 years’ experience in AV consultancy, system design, equipment supply, installation services, project management and support the team at 4K-AV Ltd provide services to a wide range of corporate, public sector and domestic clients.  The founder, Kelvin Lee filled in Herts Review on the business and plans in the coming months.
 
4K-AV’s services are split into 2 main categories – residential and commercial. Residential services include home cinema, media room, surround sound and smart homes that control and integrate various products into one – security, CCTV, smart lighting, smart heating, blinds, TV, and music systems controlled from one button. Commercial services include audio and video systems for board rooms, meeting rooms, video walls (multiple screens) and media rooms. The team have also done some interesting audio and video installations for sports centres and across various floors in a building.
 
In partnership with the Dutch medical technology company Active Cues, 4K-AV Ltd also supplies and installs Tovertafel, a console that activates people with dementia or cognitive disabilities using interactive light projections to care homes in the UK.
 
Kelvin took an interest in AV at a relatively young age. “I had an interest in technology. I was fascinated with computers. I liked taking things apart and putting them back. I started by building computers and installing programmes that improved the speed of the computer. A close friend was already in the AV industry and invited me to try it out and I loved it and have never looked back. School was not really my thing. I rather be out there working on stuff, so it was natural that I followed this path.
 
After 10 years working with various AV companies learning and perfecting his craft, Kelvin started his own business. “The last AV company I worked for was based in Hemel Hempstead which unfortunately went bust. I had always had this idea that I wanted my own business as I wanted the freedom to do my own stuff. In August 2015, 4K-AV Ltd was born. We are a family run business. I work with my wife Gina and my brother Raymond. Gina handles the administrative side of the business while Raymond and I are involved in sales, supplies and installations”.
 
Although the business has doubled in the last 5 years, the transition from working for other AV companies to running an AV company was not entirely smooth. “There was a learning curve to be honest. Working for other AV companies, I was involved mainly in installations or fulfilling customer orders. My role then was to give the client the right product and make sure it works well. When you run your own business, you are involved in everything. I had to learn the business, learn how to source products, and make orders, scheduling and all the logistics around it. In hindsight, I should have had a mentor in this space to guide me through that phase. Luckily, we have come through that phase.
 
The covid-19 pandemic has been a mixed blessing for Kelvin and the company. “The early part of this year and last year was probably the best time for our business since we started trading. We were very busy on several projects. However, because of the lockdown from March to June, we did no installations as we were not allowed into homes or offices. In that time, Gina and I welcomed our first child, so it was an opportunity to spend some time together as a family unit and settle in the little one. Business gradually picked up from July and we have adjusted how we operate in line with the government regulations. We use PPE, we clean and sterilize all equipment and we always observe the social distancing measures.
 
There is however some opportunity in the commercial and residential sector because of pandemic. “We are seeing some changes as businesses adjust their ways of working. More office space is converted into meeting rooms and existing meeting rooms are being expanded because of social distancing. Old audio and visual equipment are being replaced as well. As more people work from home and have online meetings, home networking, Wi-Fi and structural cabling have become particularly important. Hopefully, this should help the sector recover”.
 
4K-AV’s unique customer service is setting it apart from the competition. “We really care about our customers. We listen to their needs, design, and recommend functional solutions that work for them. We are not in the habit of selling expensive products that people do not understand or need just to make money. In the long run, it creates more problems and does not reflect well on our brand. We supply and install quality products only and do not compromise on this. Our approach has won us a lot of business and recommendations”.
 
Looking ahead, Kelvin has ambitious plans for the company. “We are increasing our online marketing footprint to attract more customers and grow the business. A new website with details of all our services is set to launch in the next week. Early next year, we are launching a rentable garden cinema which is a gazebo with cinema which could be used for kids’ parties, football nights etc. A showroom on the high street that gives our customers some insight into what solutions they can get for their homes or offices and the quality of our work is also in the pipeline. We would not only rely on foot traffic, but the showroom would give a full extent of what we can do”

​Exciting times then. Kelvin is also looking to grow the team so that he can focus on new product development, strategy and bringing in new business while overseeing projects and installations. If you are looking for audio-visual solutions or consultancy for your home or office, then contact the team at 4K-AV Ltd here.