AV supply and setup for venues and offices
Supply and install screens, sound and meeting room kit for small venues, offices and schools.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,604 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46520 “Wholesale of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Selling and fitting audio visual equipment such as display screens, speakers, projectors and meeting room systems, with an option to hire kit for one-off needs.
Your first three steps
- Open trade accounts with a few AV wholesalers and compare their prices and delivery terms
- Pick a niche, such as pubs and function rooms or small meeting rooms, and build a simple price list
- Visit local venues and offices to offer a free site survey and quote
Who pays
Pubs, function rooms, village halls, gyms, schools, churches and small offices.
How it makes money
Margin on equipment sold, installation fees, and ongoing support or hire contracts.
Skills that help
- Knowledge of AV products and cabling
- Quoting and sourcing from suppliers
- Sales and relationship building
- Problem solving on site
Watch out for
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, as faulty installs can cause costly problems
- Electrical work: check what qualifications are needed for any fixed wiring, and keep to safe working at height
- Music venues may need PPL PRS licences, but this is the venue's responsibility, so check how you word your advice
- Cash flow, as you may pay suppliers before customers pay you
- Warranty and returns terms with suppliers and with your customers
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: aV supply and setup for venues and offices
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an AV supply and installation business?
Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the stock or demo kit you buy, your tools and insurance. Cash flow matters, as you may pay suppliers before customers pay you.
How much can an AV supply and install business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many installations and kit hires you win. The estimate starts from about 15 hours a week of work.
What should I check before installing AV equipment for customers?
Check public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and what qualifications are needed for any fixed wiring and safe working at height. Check warranty and returns terms, and how you word advice on music licences, which are the venue's responsibility.
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