patch panel costs

[oddyager]

Hey alll,

Im curious how much cost do you typically see per run end to end for patch panelling? I received a quote for 35k for a total of 192 cable runs between 2 sets of 4x 48-port panels that i thought was kind of high. There are existing ladders on the top of each row and the panels would link two rows without having to run directly from server on one side to a switch on the other.

 

[seepy83]

You're at about $183 per drop. From my experience, that's a reasonable price for drops from a network closet out to office jacks (obviously, how reasonable that price is will vary in different parts of the country). And I've also paid much more than that (time and materials) to get a drop in an awkward location.

But, it sounds like you're running patch panel to patch panel across an existing ladder/cable tray? I would think you could get a lower quote from an installer that really wants the work...but I guess that depends on how long the run is because that will have an impact on materials cost. They can pull a lot of cables at once across the same ladder. I'd get at least 2 other quotes to see what the competition is charging.

 

[6string]

Its surprising what it costs to run patch cables. We spend enough each year on this stuff that we could just hire our own tech to do it.

 

[ScottMac]

In that price, you are (hopefully) also paying for documented certification to whatever Cat level, and a (long-term) warranty contract.

What's an average distance, panel to panel?
Whose panels are they using?
What cable manufacturer are they quoting?
Are they using a single vendor's components, or panels from one, cable from another ... etc.?
Will it be swept, certified, labeled, and documented (hard & soft copy)?
Are the installers (or at least the designer(s)) BICSI RCDD certified?

The quoting organization should be able to break down their quote and be able to explain the costs. You should be able to spot check (with a certification-class tester) a couple dozen runs of your choosing at the end of the installation to verify quality (doesn't replace full documented qualification). They're asking premium pricing, they should expect to deliver premium service (IMO).

 

[imagoon]

Its surprising what it costs to run patch cables. We spend enough each year on this stuff that we could just hire our own tech to do it.

This is in wall installs. 192 drops @ 35k doesn't surprise me. I haven't seen the location or know the cost delta.

Typically drop ceiling -> drywall is the cheapest. If you have open ceiling that require a lot of dress work it pushes the cost up.

OP are you in Chicago by chance?

 

[spidey07]

That sounds right in line for a "proper" installation. You should get the services and documentation ScottMac outlined. You should also demand this kind of service from ANY installer if you want it done "right".

-edit-
Seems like this is data center install, they could be using very high quality cable and jacks. I know I would.

 

[imagoon]

Oh yeah... if this is a DC then you get to pay more for bonding and insurance also.

 

[oddyager]

Thanks all. Yes this is at our colo site (@imagoon Newark) and the quote was from them. Our current cage is basically 2 rows of 8 racks.

 

[skyking]

what distance?

 

[oddyager]

The runs range from 15 to 25 feet.

 

[spidey07]

10 gig rated cat6a I presume?

 

[oddyager]

Yep, cat6.

 

[JoJoDawg]

You could run some quicknet patchs from Pandiut to each side and if using a ladder run you could hang the patch panel off the ladder. Should be a lot cheaper.

We are in the middle of a fiber switch replacement for EOL and rerunning fiber with the quicknet overhead on ladder. Actually just got the fiber cables and kits in yesterday. We basically have 2 rows of 6 with overhead ladder one run between, but expanding to 3 ladder runs over for the fiber and future runs of cat 6. The people that wired the dc up before me and this other guy were complete monkeys. *oh i need 6 feet run to core but I only have a 25ft cable works great... ugggh and that was nearly for everything

http://www.panduit.com/Products/Pro..._coppersolutions&N=5000001 1849 3007175&No=20
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/Pa...ble-Assembly-network-cable-25-ft/1731035.aspx

 

[oddyager]

It makes me wonder whether to look into TOR switches because at least I can take those with me when we leave for somewhere else and fewer runs back to the core switches. Decisions. Decisions.

 

[spidey07]

If it were me I'd do cisco 2000s TOR with a 7k or 5k core.

 

[skyking]

That's a serious chunk of change for 192 short drops in open conditions.