Smart home setup for plug-in devices

Busy homeowners, renters, older people with family nearby, and anyone who bought smart gear and never got it working.

A fixed price per setup or an hourly rate, plus an optional markup or fee for sourcing devices, and paid follow-up visits or remote support.

• Comfortable with wifi, apps and troubleshooting
• Patient at explaining tech to non-experts
• Tidy, reliable and trusted in people's homes

• Anything that involves cutting into or connecting to mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician in Australia, so keep your services to plug-in devices and check your state's rules
• Public liability insurance, and consider professional indemnity cover for advice and configuration work
• Handling customer wifi passwords and camera access means you need clear privacy practices; check your obligations under Australian privacy law
• Check whether council approval is needed if you run the business from home

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools and test devices you buy, your insurance and how you promote the service. Because you work with plug-in devices only, costs can stay low.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many hours you work, how many customers you find and what you charge. The idea assumes at least about 6 hours a week to get started.

Check your state's rules. Anything involving mains wiring must be done by a licensed electrician, so keep to plug-in devices. Also check public liability and professional indemnity cover, privacy obligations for wifi passwords and camera access, and council rules for home-based businesses.