Home Entertainment Services

Transform your home with our premier home entertainment services, offering top-notch audio and visual solutions. We ensure seamless integration for an immersive experience.

A Laughlin Electric truck ready to provide electrical services in Santa Barbara, CA.

Premier Home Entertainment Services Audio & Visual Installation in Santa Barbara, CA

Laughlin Electric has 30 years of experience providing expert audio and video services. We invest in our employees and community with a company centered around employee growth and happy clients. It’s easy to do hard work when you care about going above and beyond with every job.

Your home has many audio and video components, from your TV to speakers, and you may be thinking about adding a home theater or outdoor system for even better entertaining. Our skilled electricians are prepared for any service you may need, offering top-notch audio visual installation in Santa Barbara, CA.

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Santa Barbara, CA Home Theater Sound System Installation

You’ll Love the Sound of This

We proudly offer premium brands such as Sonos, Lutron, Sony, and more, ensuring you experience the best in audio quality. Whether you’re looking to create a whole-home audio system, integrate sophisticated sound and lighting control, or enjoy cinematic soundscapes with home theater installation in Santa Barbara, CA, our expert technicians will provide a solution that fits your home and lifestyle.

Steps to Build Your Home Theater

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  1. Choose a space: Typically, your theater is in at least a 12×12 room, away from the main parts of the home. Perfect areas to watch a movie include your attic, basement, or spare bedroom. A room with minimal windows, closets, and doors is recommended for better soundproofing.
  2. Design the details: The rest of your home may have light-colored walls, but in your home theater, you should use dark shades that reduce light reflection from the screen. Also, consider using movie theater carpets or thick rugs for sound dampening. Use blackout curtains to cover any windows and use soft lighting like LED strips that are easy to dim when the movie starts.
  3. Screening options: You can use a projector and a screen for a traditional movie theater feel or a smart TV to easily switch between streaming services. Projectors and screens are often cheaper, creating a larger viewing area, but need to be connected to laptops or other devices that can make a mess of wires. Smart TVs offer a slightly smaller display, but switching between streaming services is easy and doesn’t require additional devices.
  4. Install surround sound & soundproofing: For the best sound during your movie, you want strong speakers throughout the room. You may also add acoustic panels on your walls to optimize audio quality and eliminate echoes. Also, consider how you will soundproof the room. You can use strong insulation behind the walls, soundproof drywall, or high-density vinyl lining to reduce the reverberations throughout your home.
  5. Add finishing touches: Your theater seating can make or break the movie experience in your home. You may look for traditional row seating, lounge chairs, large floor pillows, or couple seating such as two-person recliners. Then decorate the room with movie posters, a concession stand, or a bar to perfect your home movie experience.
Call a professional for Santa Barbara home audio installation today!

Additional Home Services

An image of a person enjoying their smart home devices - experience the best smart home automation services with Laughlin Electric.

Go Smart.
Get Comfortable.

In need of a home automation company in Santa Barbara, CA? With our smart home services, you can upgrade your home to enhance convenience, security, and energy savings. Our expert team installs advanced lighting, climate control, security, and entertainment systems.

Easily control your home’s lighting, adjust the temperature, monitor security cameras, and manage your entertainment system through your smartphone or voice commands. With everything seamlessly integrated, you can enjoy the comfort and peace of mind that comes with smart technology.

Laughlin Electric Santa Barbara icon checklist FAQs

TV mounting typically ranges from $150 to $600, depending on the complexity and specific details of the job.

Basic installations (~$150 to $300)*

Mounting a standard-size TV on drywall with a fixed or tilting mount generally falls within this range.

Complex Setups (~$300 to $600)*

Mounting over a fireplace, using a full-motion mount, working with brick or stone, or hiding wires inside the wall often lands in this range or higher.

*These are general estimates. Actual pricing can vary based on your home, added features, and a company’s specific rates. For an exact quote on your TV mounting, contact Laughlin Electric Santa Barbara. We’ll be happy to walk you through your options and provide clear, upfront answers and prices.

Yes, especially if safety is a concern. Mounting a TV might seem simple, but doing it incorrectly can lead to damaged walls, unstable mounting, or even injury. This is particularly important when the TV is being mounted high.

Professionals understand proper lifting techniques, secure anchoring, and weight distribution. That means your walls and TV are protected from damage, and everyone involved stays safe.

At Laughlin, we take safety and your investment seriously. We’ll always assess your setup before any work begins, use the proper tools and techniques, and leave your home just as clean as when we arrived.

Yes, you can, but it depends on the complexity of the setup and your confidence with electrical, audio, and structural work.

Simple, all-in-one soundbars or plug-and-play systems are generally DIY-friendly. But if you’re installing in-wall speakers, running wiring through ceilings, mounting equipment, or integrating smart controls, a professional is usually the safer and cleaner choice.

Home theaters are generally a higher-cost project. The total investment depends on the scope of the setup and the level of customization involved:

  • Room Size and Layout: Larger or uniquely shaped rooms may require more extensive wiring, outlet placement, or new circuits.
  • Equipment Quality and Features: The type of projector or TV, surround sound system, smart controls, and lighting setups can all increase the complexity and cost of the electrical work.
  • Additional Contractor Hiring: If your home theater plans include features such as cabinetry, riser seating, or acoustic treatments, these elements typically fall outside of electrical work and may require hiring other specialized contractors.

Yes, a home theater system can be a great investment if it fits your lifestyle and space.

For those who enjoy movies, sports, or gaming, having a dedicated space with high-quality sound, lighting, and visuals offers an immersive experience that’s hard to match with standard setups. It also adds everyday comfort and convenience, giving you a space to enjoy with family and friends.

While it does require a larger upfront investment, many homeowners find the experience, enjoyment, and long-term value well worth it.

The cost of professionally installing a surround sound system depends on the complexity of your setup. Factors like the number of speakers, type of wiring, room layout, equipment integration, and other custom features can all influence the overall cost.

If you’re interested in a surround sound system from Laughlin Electric, contact our team. We’ll take the time to understand your goals and provide a clear, upfront estimate tailored to your space and needs.

Most surround sound systems are fairly efficient and don’t use a significant amount of electricity during normal use. A basic home setup with a receiver and 5 to 7 speakers generally uses about the same amount of power as a small appliance when active, and even less when idle or turned off.

If energy efficiency is important to you, many modern systems come equipped with eco or standby modes that reduce power consumption when not in use. Laughlin can recommend energy-conscious options that suit your needs and install them safely and efficiently.

Home surround sound systems - experience the best audio and visual installation services in Santa Barbara, CA with Laughlin.

Santa Barbara Home Audio Installation Add Your Home Theater Today With Laughlin Electric

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Home theaters are becoming increasignly popular in our community. If you are wanting a theater in your home, Laughlin Electric is here for you with expert Santa Barbara home audio & visual installation. We focus on three significant aspects of your home theater: the projector, surround sound, and dimmable lights-ensuring that every detail is handled and customized to your specificaitons.

Laughlin Electric goes above and beyond for every one of our customers because it’s easy to work hard when you care.

Schedule your service today and have a theater experience without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Laughlin Home Services Powering Homes for 30+ Years

With over three decades of experience, we have built a reputation for providing outstanding service to homeowners, property managers, and general contractors.

Since our founding in 1992, we have worked to improve our company in every way. We handle various residential projects, promising that every client receives reliable and dedicated service.

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The Laughlin Standard of Excellence Glowing Reviews From People Like You

At Laughlin Electric Santa Barbara, your satisfaction is our priority. See for yourself what people have to say about working with us.

  • joseph mckenna
    08.07.25 - google
    Dakota,David and Dan did a great job installing our Generac generator We highly recommend the Laughlin team Joe and Debbie mckenna
  • Cynthia Yee
    07.24.25 - google
    Adam was extremely professional, knowledgable and completed the job very quickly. Most importantly he showed up when he said that he would be at our house! I would highly recommend and definitely use again if we have any electrical needs.
  • Max Schaps
    07.15.25 - google
    The Laughlin Electric team is excellent. They’re responsive, knowledgeable, diligent and professional. They have helped me with several electrical projects and the guys not only take pride in their work but deliver a superb customer service in the process.
  • Phil Engel
    07.11.25 - google
    Kai and team have been very helpful working though very detailed layout and execution. I would have them back on my next project. Thanks team Laughlin.
  • Brandon hunt
    07.10.25 - google
    Dave and Liam have been great. I have given them challenging requests and they find a way to say yes
  • Reyna Kaufman
    06.30.25 - google
    Your team upgraded off the lights in my office to LEDs and they are so beautiful! They are bright and crisp they just make the whole downstairs and upstairs are look so much more inviting! Thanks!!
  • Vicki Dodge
    06.26.25 - google
    Liam and Dan were both very knowledgeable and helpful. They took great care to ensure the integrity of the installation as well as the aesthetics. They were very thorough from answering all our questions to cleaning everything up. Would definitely use Laughlin again in the future.
  • Mike Cannon
    06.20.25 - google
    We called for some info on back up systems and the office gave us the owner Bob He came out and came up with a solution for us came back the next day completed it and we now have a barn that’s is backed up with a generator. Already working on the second project for our well system thank you
  • kim phillips
    06.18.25 - google
    Adam was on time, communicated well & finished the job quickly, excellent service
  • Tom Pinkson
    06.04.25 - google
    Cody is a great guy, on time, gracious. Knows his stuff, totally professional, a winner for sure.
  • taylor.s. 8
    05.19.25 - google
    Damn it was awesome!! He spent a lot of time explaining the issues on our hot tub!!
  • leslie brink-tarpening
    03.13.25 - google
    Everyone at Laughlin Electric went above and beyond the call of duty. I had an emergency electrical situation and they were there immediately and stayed until absolutely everything was completed., even an expedited permit from the city. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
  • Andy Rodriguez
    03.04.25 - google
    We recently had Bob’s team install some LED lights at my office. There must have been over 40 lights that required an update. Team Laughlin did an amazing job with the install. The whole office was happy with the work. Thank you!
  • Steve Winterhalter
    02.27.25 - google
    If you are like me, you place a very high value on great service. Like me, you might also feel customer service levels from all types of businesses have plummeted since the pandemic. Not so with Laughlin Electric who from first contact to job completion exhibited the highest levels of service, communication, expertise and professionalism. Dan and Cody came to my house to take on a few projects, including hanging my flat screen on the wall. This included disappearing all related wiring. I had no idea how this could be done, but the highly skilled duo quickly conceived of a plan and got to work. Nearing completion, a vexing internet connectivity problem arose. It seemed insurmountable, and I thought the fiber company would have to come the next day to repair. But with resourcefulness, resolve and genius troubling shooting the team got everything to work perfectly. The entire experience reassured me that there are still great companies with great employees who really take care of their customers. I couldn't be happier.
  • Lawrence Nicklin
    02.20.25 - google
    Gabby customer service girl was fanstic on the phone and was able to get a electrican within less than two hours. Lucas was able to localize the issue. He also consulted with the Bob the owner who also assisted to identify a major electrical problem and remained to provide additional contacts since the problem appeared to be generated from the source. I will be contacting PGE within a day to arrange repairs.
  • Franco Mercado
    01.08.25 - google
    Excellent electricians. Did exactly what I needed. Great guys. Will use again in the future. Thanks.
  • Diane Dunhill
    12.24.24 - google
    Lucas from Laughlin Electric was knowledgeable, on time, polite and fixed all my miscellaneous issues. He knows his trade and deserves a pay raise. As a past manager I would hire him in a heartbeat....
  • Nancy Howes
    12.23.24 - google
    Laughlin Electric is an incredibly professional and knowledgable operation. Lukas, the electrician sent to our job, was thorough and made sure the job was done to my satisfaction. We will definitely use this company again!!
  • Brian Quinette
    12.23.24 - google
    I recently had Laughlin work on my new house. Well, new to me… it’s a hundred years old. Cody and Dan spent a week replacing knob-and-tube wiring, modernizing all the outlets, replacing and adding light fixtures, expanding the breaker box, and making sure the system is safe and up to date. Cody even managed to get the original doorbell functioning. A great job and great guys, and I’m really happy with how well it went. Thanks!
  • Lindsey Louder
    07.19.22 - google
    The technician was super helpful, communicative and showed up on time to relocate and repair wiring and electrical switches. I definitely recommend and will use Laughlin electric again.