Freelance AV consultant for offices and venues

Small and medium businesses, schools and colleges, community venues, hotels, churches and charities fitting out or upgrading rooms.

Day rate or fixed fee for surveys, system designs and project oversight, sometimes with a commission or margin on equipment (agree this openly with clients).

• Good technical knowledge of AV and networking
• Clear writing and explaining things simply
• Project management and budgeting

• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what cover clients expect
• Be clear in contracts about who is responsible if equipment you specified does not work
• Disclose any commission you earn from suppliers
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC or set up a limited company

Startup costs are typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on the tools, software and insurance you choose. These are estimates, so check quotes for professional indemnity and public liability cover before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £5,000, depending on how many projects you take on and their size. These are estimates, not guarantees. Hours per week can start small, at around eight, and grow as you win clients.

Check what professional indemnity and public liability cover clients expect. Be clear in contracts about who is responsible if specified equipment does not work, disclose any supplier commission you earn, and register as a sole trader with HMRC or set up a limited company.