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Thinking about starting my own Audio/Visual Installation company...


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Hey everyone..

 

I'm sick of working for other people and two partners and I are considering getting into this business.

 

Mainly audio and video installs in church's, gyms, homes, bars, nightclubs, etc....

 

We're already a JBL, Crown, EV, Mackie, QSC, etc dealer. However, at this point we've just sold enough to be a dealer... we don't really want to to sell product unless we install it... For sure do NOT want to open a store or online store.

 

The head guy has experiance in big install work... He would work as "Audio/Video consultant" ... He knows about rigging points, safety issues etc. He also knows about proper coverage and what's appropriate for certain rooms and situations.

 

I've done a ton of "low voltage" work ... mainly some audio.. but ton's of CCTV, Security, etc. I'm also a live sound geek. Been on this forum forever and consider myself a decent soundman. So, I think i've got the ear..knowledge and understand the electronics.... and I LOVE pulling wire! ;)

 

Our third guy is a soundman by trade... so he also understands the world of live and pre-recorded music.

 

We plan to work regionally.. meaning if we have to travel to do a job.. no problem.

 

My questions are... is there any money in this?

What are our insurance requirments??

Where's the serious money?? Church installs... Home theatre... ?

Should we do CCTV and security as well?

 

Obviously, we've done a handful of jobs based on word of mouth. Our biggest was a new casino.. but we hired alot of work out... like all the wire pulls.. we basically put the over 300 JBL speakers in ... all 200 plus TV's ...20 projectors... etc... However, we're not even an official company right now. But I'm thinking about making the step. It's a big one! And I need professional advice from all your smart dudes!

 

Thanks!

 

-Jason

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Well... if I could tag along for the thread, I'm working on converting my SR and lighting services to AV/corporate event geared services... been working that direction for about the last 2 years... and could use some pointers. I'm sitting smack dab in the middle of a major developing destination resort area that's currently underserved (IMO) for these sorts of services.


I think I need fewer drum fills and more pipe and drape.

 

And projectors.....

 

up here they rent out projectors at 25%-30% of the cost!!!!

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  • 3 years later...
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Did two separate threads get combined?

 

To the OP.

 

First thing to do is draw up a 5 year business plan.

 

Second thing is consult with a tax attorney.

 

Third, visit a bank with your business plan and the information the tax attorney recommends. (you're going to need a hefty credit line.)

 

I'm in my 37th year of business and installations account for about half my annual income.

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  • 3 years later...
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I have ran the service department for a AV company for more than 5 years. The company i worked for started out with 3 partners. They started out doing service calls only. Since service provides the most profit. You charge a flat rate of about 125hr with 2 hour min. Half the time the problems are easly fixed. You should offer service agreements with ur installs. Ive been thinking about srating one too. The company i worked for ended up providing work to the top companys in nyc and in tri state area. I have alot of contacts. Where are u located? And are you looking for someone with my expertise

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May I humbly suggest you're read a book called " The E myth". There is a big difference between knowing how to do the work and knowing how to make a business out of it. Not saying you can't do both, but it might be good to understand the other side of things first.

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  • 6 years later...

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