Office Cabling and Network Installer

Small offices, clinics, retailers, property managers and IT support firms that need cabling done but have no in-house installer.

Fixed price per job or per cable run for installs, hourly rates for fault-finding and repairs, and a call-out fee for urgent visits. Repeat work from IT firms and property managers helps keep you busy.

• Terminating and testing copper cable
• Neat, careful work in ceilings and tight spaces
• Reading simple floor plans and quoting jobs
• Clear communication with non-technical clients

• Check whether your province or municipality requires a licence, trade certification or electrical contractor registration for low-voltage and communications cabling (Quebec has its own contractor rules)
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check what clients or building managers ask for as proof
• Fire-stopping, building code and electrical code rules when running cable through walls and ceilings, check with your local authority
• Older buildings may contain asbestos, so ask before drilling or opening ceilings
• Working at heights safety training, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire help (rules vary by province)

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on your tools, equipment and vehicle. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many jobs and clients you take on.

Check whether your province or municipality requires a licence, trade certification or electrical contractor registration for low-voltage and communications cabling. Quebec has its own contractor rules. Also check building and electrical code rules and the insurance clients ask for.

Useful skills include terminating and testing copper cable, neat work in ceilings and tight spaces, reading simple floor plans, quoting jobs and communicating clearly with non-technical clients. Estimates suggest at least about 15 hours a week.