Mobile Install Business?

i work in australia so my market may be different to yours but let me tell you since going mobile 2 years ago i have never looked back.

even on weeks when i only have one or two jobs booked all of a sudden the phone will ring and bookings will just come flooding in.

i charge for the convenience($75.00 aus dollar per deck) and people are more than happy to pay. as long as you are proffesional and have insurance you can't go wrong. 

Marty,

What type of products do you install?  Do you just do mobile electronics or a variety of different things(Car and truck accessories??)?  What type of pay scale do you go on for this business?  Do you sell the products also or just install products customers purchased elsewhere?  Do you install used and new products or just new?  I got a lot of questions I would like to get answered as you can probably see, if you could reply back to this post or PM me with the information that would be great.  Thanks,

Jason

That's basically what I do. I install stuff for people as well as regular repairs/maintenance for a little less than local shops.

With audio, it's impossible to compete because of the free install wars, but people know good work when they see it.

Most of my customers have already purchased something from the net or have stuff lying around. It's good to have lots of cable and accessories on hand, don't ever believe someone who says "I have everything already" we've all heard that one before!

MECP can be taken at a local library and possibly at a shop. You can also go to CEA in Northern Virginia (DC area) if you are nearby.

ASE exams take place at trade schools and some shops will point you in the right direction, you do need 2 years verifyable experience in a professional shop.

It sounds like a good idea, good luck!

Hey Jason

In answer to your questions i install all types of products car audio ,car security,mobile phone kits (it is illegal to drive in western Australia without hands free!) ,electric windows,reversing aids and i do small accessories like spotlights etc i do not do gps or tacho's etc. I do restrict the size of  a job though for example i won't do custom work or a full alarm system on the road it simply takes up to much time. by doing 4 or 5 smaller jobs a day i make more money.  i have a set fee per item for pricing. this is not allways the best way to do things as it relies on your memory to gauge how much time each job will take you but by pricing a little higher it usually evens out at the end.i install new and second hand equipment (thus my business name ''INSTALL ALL AUDIO'' ) generally i don't supply but when a customer asks i will get what they need and usually at a better price but i make my money on the install. i am not sure what your labour rates are like over there but i charge $75.00aus to fit a deck by itself $65.00aus if it is fitted with other equipment and this doesn't include face plates or fitting accessories.i think the trick to mobile installs is in your setup, ihave one of the best setups in Perth including an on board compressor, full rolls cable a work bench with a vice etc.The better your setup the less likely you will be without somthing on the  road that you need urgently.I do have a workshop that i use for bigger jobs which is also well setup but you don't make as much money spending a day on one job as you would doing 4 or 5 jobs a day @ say $75.00 per job thats $300.00 to $375.00aus per day you can't justify that for one day in a workshop.

if you have more questions please reply with a list and i will do my best to answer them or if you want to let me know and maybe we can exchange phone numbers i am more than happy to share whatever info i can with you.

Regards

Martyman

Don't work on anything you can't afford to fix.

Worst case scenerio, find acceptable used parts or hit up the dealer.

Don't use a test light.....and don't blow up a battery!

Thanks for all the replys guys, this is really helping out.  It' s always best to learn from people who have done or do this type of work.  Thanks a lot,

Jason

One thing we just started at my shop is we are in an area that is HEAVILY traveled by 18 wheelers...We have started installing CB Radios...Basically all you need is a good understanding of wavelength and how to cut the antanaes to size and how to make the cable...On a normal install it may take from 20-40 mins start to finish cuz you have plenty of room to work in its not hard at all...We are considering hiring a guy to work on the radios and to tweek and tune them but thats gonna require alot of room for his work area...

This is a very easy area to get into after you learn the basics or hire someone with experiance to do  it for you and teach you then the both of you can go at it....

Only issue to consider is customer basis..We are in a perfect place lotsa truckers stop at the Truck stop down the road and they all come by our shop....Consider that b4 looking into this...