Subcontract air conditioning installer

Established air conditioning companies, builders, retailers and property developers who subcontract installation work.

A set price per installation or a day rate, invoiced to the company each week or fortnight. Your income depends on how many jobs you complete.

• Refrigeration and air conditioning trade qualification
• Neat, fast installation work
• Reliable and good at managing your own time
• Building relationships with contractors

• Check whether you are genuinely a contractor or may be treated as an employee. Get advice if you work mainly for one company
• Licence rules for contractors differ by state, so check yours
• Public liability insurance, and check what the company's own cover includes
• Slow payment. Agree terms in writing and chase late invoices
• Rates can be squeezed. Work out your costs before accepting a price per job
• Check GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your tools, vehicle and insurance. Because the jobs come from other companies, you don't need to find your own customers, but you should still price your own costs first.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on how many installs you complete and the rate per job. Work out your own costs before accepting a price, as rates can be squeezed. Hours are typically around 30 a week or more.

Things to check: licence rules for contractors differ by state, so check yours. Also check whether you are genuinely a contractor or may be treated as an employee, especially if you work mainly for one company, and what that company's own insurance covers.