London has a lot of AV companies. Searching online returns pages of results, most with similar websites and similar claims about being reliable, experienced, and good value.
The reality is that quality varies enormously. Some companies run professional kit with trained crew and genuinely show up prepared. Others subcontract equipment at the last minute, send whoever is available on the day, and leave you to manage any problems yourself.
The difference is not always obvious from a website. But there are reliable signals if you know what to look for.
What a good AV company actually looks like
They ask questions before they quote
A professional AV company cannot give you a meaningful quote without understanding the event. If you email a company with a venue name and a guest count and get a price back within minutes, that price is not based on your event. It is a number designed to get you to respond.
Good companies ask about the programme. What is happening on stage? Is there video playback? How many speakers? Is there a Q and A? Do you need the room for dinner and a ceremony, or just a conference? These questions are how a competent company designs the right setup. Skip that process and you get a generic quote for a generic setup.
They own their equipment
This matters more than people realise. A company that owns its kit knows exactly what condition it is in, has tested it recently, and can get a specific replacement if something fails. A company that hires from elsewhere is dependent on another business to come through. If that business has a problem, it becomes your problem.
Ask directly whether the equipment you are being quoted is owned by the company or sourced from a third party. A company that owns its kit will say so clearly. One that does not will often be vague or change the subject.
They are fully insured and PAT tested
Public liability insurance is not optional for professional event suppliers. Neither is PAT testing of electrical equipment. If a company cannot confirm both, do not book them for a professional event. This is a minimum standard, not a differentiator.
They offer or suggest a site visit
For any event of significant complexity, a good AV company will want to see the venue before the day. They need to understand the room acoustics, check the power supply, identify rigging points, and plan the setup properly. A company that quotes without any site visit and then sends crew on the day to figure it out is taking shortcuts that come at your expense.
They are honest about what you need
A supplier who recommends the same setup regardless of event type is either not listening to your brief or selling to a standard package. A good AV company will tell you when you do not need something as readily as they tell you when you do. That kind of advice costs them margin but builds trust. It is also how you end up with the right setup rather than an oversized one.
Good signs when speaking to an AV company
- They ask about the programme and the running order before quoting
- They confirm who will be on site on the day and for how long
- They mention PAT testing and public liability insurance without being asked
- They suggest a site visit for anything complex
- They push back on something in your brief if it does not make sense
- They give you a clear breakdown of what is in the quote
Warning signs to watch out for
- A quote arrives within minutes of a vague enquiry
- They cannot tell you specifically which equipment will be used
- They are unclear about who is on site and whether a technician is included
- They cannot confirm insurance or PAT testing documentation
- They agree with everything you say rather than advising you
- No mention of a site visit for a complex event
Questions to ask when comparing companies
When you are getting quotes from two or three companies, these questions help you compare like for like rather than just comparing numbers.
Ask every company you are considering
- Do you own the equipment in this quote or is any of it being sourced from elsewhere?
- Who will be on site on the day, and will they be there for the full event or just setup?
- Can you confirm your public liability insurance and PAT testing certificates?
- Have you worked at this venue before, and if not, are you able to do a site visit?
- What is your contingency if a piece of equipment fails on the day?
- What is included in this quote in terms of crew hours and breakdown?
- Are you familiar with the programme format for this type of event?
On price
Price matters. But comparing three AV quotes on the total number without understanding what each one includes is not a useful comparison.
One quote might include a full-day technician. Another might include setup only and charge separately for crew time during the event. One might be quoting professional broadcast-quality wireless microphones. Another might be quoting consumer-grade systems that look the same on a line item but perform very differently in a room of 300 people.
Ask for a line-by-line breakdown from every company you are considering. Then compare the specifics, not just the totals. If you are not sure what a specific item is or whether you need it, ask. A good company will explain it clearly. One that gets defensive about the quote is telling you something.
The cheapest AV quote for your event is the most expensive one if it fails on the day. Think about what a technical failure at your specific event actually costs before you decide how much the AV is worth.
Experience in your event type
Running sound for a conference is different from running an awards ceremony. Both involve microphones and screens, but the skills and planning are different. A company with a lot of conference experience is not automatically a good choice for a product launch or a live music event.
Ask specifically whether the company has experience with your type of event. Ask if they can share examples. The answer does not have to be an identical event, but you want to hear that they understand the format and have handled similar challenges before.
The PLASA professional body sets standards for the live event production industry in the UK. Membership and compliance with those standards is a useful indicator of professional commitment. The EVCOM industry body is also relevant for corporate event production standards.
You can read more about how we work and what we cover on our services page, including the event types we handle across London.
Common questions
Should I always go with the cheapest AV quote?
No. The cheapest quote usually means a cheaper setup, less experienced crew, or older equipment. At a significant event, those differences show. Compare quotes on what is included, not just the total number.
How do I know if an AV company owns its equipment or is subbying it out?
Ask directly. A company that owns its equipment will talk about it specifically. One that hires from elsewhere may be vague about kit specifics or lead times. It is a reasonable question and a good company will answer it clearly.
Is it a problem if the AV company has not worked at my venue before?
Not necessarily, but they should do a site visit before the event. An experienced AV company can work at a new venue provided they understand the room, the power supply, and any restrictions in advance.
