Licensed smart lighting, heating and security installer

Homeowners doing renovations or new builds, builders, interior designers and landlords upgrading properties.

Quote per project or per installation, with extra for programming, equipment supply and ongoing maintenance or support agreements.

• Electrical trade qualification or a licensed partner
• Reading plans and designing system layouts
• Programming and configuring control systems
• Quoting and dealing with customers and builders

• Electrical work on mains wiring needs an appropriately licensed electrician in your state or territory; check with your state's licensing body
• Alarm and security system installation may need a separate security licence in some states, and data or telecom cabling may need registration, so check both
• Budget for a work vehicle, test equipment and tools, demo or starter stock, licences and training, and insurance; a second-hand van and a basic tool kit alone can use much of your start-up money
• Public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire and tools and equipment cover
• Warranty and compliance responsibilities, including certificates of compliance for electrical work where required
• Working at height and in roof spaces; plan for safety and site rules

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on your work vehicle, tools and test equipment, starter stock, licences, training and insurance. A second-hand van and basic tool kit alone can use much of the budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many installs you win, the size of each job and whether you work with builders and designers. Revenue is not profit, so allow for costs.

Check that mains wiring is done by an appropriately licensed electrician in your state or territory. Also check whether alarm or security installation needs a separate licence, whether data or telecom cabling needs registration, and any compliance certificates required for electrical work.