Need tips on starting small install "business"

[DruzeTito]

Hey everyone!

Lately I've been planning to maybe start promoting FTA and installing dishes for anyone who is interested here around my college. Just want to see if I can practice my hobby along with making a little cash on the side.

The problem is I don't know much about the install business. If someone could answer a few questions here it would be cool:

1) Should I tell my client to buy his/her own equipment then I install it?

2) Should I buy the equipment and Install it?

3) Should I get paid before or after I do an installation?

what other things should I look out for?

[Admin]

1) Should I tell my client to buy his/her own equipment then I install it?

You could, I don't see a problem with that. Make sure you tell them to buy it from here :mozilla_laughing:

2) Should I buy the equipment and Install it?

That could be better if you want to make extra money.

3) Should I get paid before or after I do an installation?

You will have to do the installation 1st and then get paid.

what other things should I look out for?

Get some training on doing a professional install job with proper mounting of the dish, proper grounding, and proper paperwork.

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by DruzeTito

1) Should I tell my client to buy his/her own equipment then I install it?

Yes, this is the best way to go when you are starting out and not making it a full time job.

2) Should I buy the equipment and Install it?

No because you don't want to inventory a whole bunch of hardware; what if nobody buys it? Its OK for guys like Sadoun and myself because we are in the business.

3) Should I get paid before or after I do an installation?

After, this is the standard protocol.

4) What other things should I look out for?

Well, here's a couple of things I've learned over the years:

a) always tell the customer where you intend to put the dish BEFORE you install it

b) always make sure the cx knows that he/she can only run 1 TV from each receiver; so many people think satellite is like cable TV and they can hook up 4 or 5 TVs

c) if you use diplexers and share the inhouse coax with the cable TV make sure you tell the cx you have done so; this way they can tell the CATV service guy if they have any CATV work done after you have finished; having said that, most cable guys haven't got a clue what a diplexer is, but at least you cleared yourself with the cx

d) always get the cx to sign off on every job that "they are satisfied with the installation"; make up some little clause and print it on your receipts; this way they can't try to get you to come back for free to fix stuff that they are too stupid to do themselves; example - put TV on channel 3

Good Luck

kat

[bobkat]

Hey Sadoun: How do you do multiple quotes? I can't figure it out... :mozilla_undecided:

kat

[vj9999]

Originally Posted by bobkat

Hey Sadoun:

How do you do multiple quotes?

Originally Posted by bobkat

I can't figure it out... :mozilla_undecided:

kat

You can manually add {quote}....{/quote} around any part of the post you want quoted. Replace { with [ and } with ] .

[DruzeTito]

Thanks everyone for their input.

Originally Posted by Admin

You could, I don't see a problem with that. Make sure you tell them to buy it from here :mozilla_laughing:

OF COURSE!! Where else? Honestly I can't find another place that sells the fortec 90 cm dish.

Get some training on doing a professional install job with proper mounting of the dish, proper grounding, and proper paperwork.

This is what I am worried about. Paperwork. I don't know how to write any paperwork/reciepts/etc.

And grounding?? never done that. Don't really see a need.

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by vj9999

You can manually add {quote}....{/quote} around any part of the post you want quoted. Replace { with [ and } with ] .

Thanks vj... :mozilla_cool:

kat

[Fllinton]

i would probally be a customer if you can get over to the orlando area
i gave up on mine i tried for a month and a half and about pulled all my hair out

[bobkat]

Originally Posted by Fllinton

i gave up on mine i tried for a month and a half and about pulled all my hair out

LOL !!! So that's why you wear that red hat... =D>

kat

[Fllinton]

LOL yep thats the reason