Mobile alarm installer and dealer

Homeowners, landlords, renters with landlord approval, and small businesses such as offices, salons and shops.

Profit on equipment and a flat or hourly installation fee, plus optional monthly monitoring plans through a partner company, which can build repeat income over time.

• Basic low-voltage wiring and tool skills
• Explaining options clearly without pressure
• Reliable, tidy and trustworthy in people's homes

• Many states and some cities require an alarm contractor license and fingerprinting, check before you take any jobs
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire help
• Some cities require alarm permits and charge false alarm fines, so explain this to customers
• Monitoring contracts and customer data should be handled carefully, check your state's contract rules
• Installers hold access to people's homes, so expect customers to ask about background checks

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your tools, vehicle setup, starter stock and any dealer arrangement with a monitoring company. Get quotes for equipment and insurance before you take on jobs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many installs you book, the systems you sell and the hours you work. You can start part-time at about 15 hours a week.

Check whether your state or city requires an alarm contractor license and fingerprinting before taking any jobs. Also check general liability insurance, local alarm permits and false alarm fines, your state's contract rules for monitoring, and customer background check expectations.