Cabling subcontractor for builders and developers

Builders, property developers, electrical contractors and larger telecoms companies that subcontract cabling work.

Fixed price per site, per dwelling or per cable point, or day rates for crew time. Repeat contracts with a few reliable clients bring steadier work.

• Reading building plans and specifications
• Managing a small crew and site schedules
• Neat cabling and accurate testing and labelling

• Cabling work generally has to be done by a registered cabling provider, so check ACMA requirements
• Builders often ask for a white card, site inductions and safety paperwork, so check requirements in your state
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire, and check the contractor versus employee rules
• Late payment on larger jobs, so check payment terms and keep cash in reserve to cover wages and materials
• Work for the NBN network often runs through approved delivery partners, so check their entry requirements

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $45,000 to $130,000, depending on crew size, vehicles, tools, testing equipment and insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on the contracts you win and the work available.

Things to check: cabling work generally has to be done by a registered cabling provider, so look at ACMA requirements. Builders often ask for a white card, site inductions and safety paperwork. Check workers compensation once you hire, and NBN delivery partner entry requirements.

Estimates suggest at least around 35 hours a week, depending on the number of sites. You'll need to read building plans, manage a crew and schedules, and keep cabling neat and tested. Check payment terms on larger jobs and keep cash in reserve.