I'll start the ball rolling with a question (and answer).
What is/was your biggest roadblock getting into the business?
In my case it's PAPERWORK! Licensing, insurance, zoning, etc. Every person/department I talked to gave me a different answer, usually contradictory. A (partial) list of items;
Business license
Contractors license
Low voltage installers license
Security installers license if a burg/fire alarm is part of the automation system (also supersedes the LV license)
In one jurisdiction they want an electricians license just to replace switches. (this one also would supercede the LV license)
Proof of insurance
Zoning variance to operate a business out of the home
Establishment of legal business name.
And I thought getting the customers would be the hardest part!
/RANT
The one that burns me the most is the substitution of the electricians license for the LV license. Knowing high voltage does NOT mean that the person knows how to install a structured wiring system. The worst installs I've seen have been done by electricians. I would say that less than 50% of the electrician installs I've seen are acceptable, and only 2-3 that would meet my own standards. If the electrician has taken the time to learn how to do a SW job correctly, then things are okay. However, a lot of them seem to figure a wire is a wire is a wire. /rant off
What is/was your biggest roadblock getting into the business?
In my case it's PAPERWORK! Licensing, insurance, zoning, etc. Every person/department I talked to gave me a different answer, usually contradictory. A (partial) list of items;
Business license
Contractors license
Low voltage installers license
Security installers license if a burg/fire alarm is part of the automation system (also supersedes the LV license)
In one jurisdiction they want an electricians license just to replace switches. (this one also would supercede the LV license)
Proof of insurance
Zoning variance to operate a business out of the home
Establishment of legal business name.
And I thought getting the customers would be the hardest part!
/RANT
The one that burns me the most is the substitution of the electricians license for the LV license. Knowing high voltage does NOT mean that the person knows how to install a structured wiring system. The worst installs I've seen have been done by electricians. I would say that less than 50% of the electrician installs I've seen are acceptable, and only 2-3 that would meet my own standards. If the electrician has taken the time to learn how to do a SW job correctly, then things are okay. However, a lot of them seem to figure a wire is a wire is a wire. /rant off