Setting up a television installation business requires the owner to wear different "hats." First and foremost, you must reduce liability. Installing televisions requires entering homes. If anything is damaged, you will be responsible for paying for those damages. You will also manage the business's finances and hopefully make a living after meeting your obligations. At the end of the year, you'll also be responsible for paying taxes.

Things You Will Need

  • Business bank account

  • Cordless electric drill and bit set.

  • Tape measure

  • Carpenter's level

  • Combination wire cutters and strippers

  • Screwdriver set (both standard and Phillips)

  • Socket set (both standard and metric)

  • Electronic multimeter

Purchase a business liability insurance plan that can shield you and your business if you or an employee cause damage inside of a customer's home. Television installers may have to drill holes in walls to hang television mounting brackets, work near expensive belongings, and in tight quarters. Insurance should be the first item purchased for any television installation business.

Advertise your business using as many avenues as possible. This should include flyers distributed locally, newspaper advertisements and, if you're able to afford it, radio and television advertisements. Advertising is absolutely necessary in getting the public to know that your television installation business exists.

Be sure every television installation is done completely and professionally. If mounting a flat-screen LCD or LED television on a wall with wall brackets, make precise measurements for where holes should be drilled. Use a long carpenter's level to make sure the holes are positioned so the television will be mounted evenly, and use the proper anchors to hold the television brackets to the wall; masonry anchors for cement walls, and metal anchors for use in walls with 2-by-4 lumber studs.

Take all necessary tools with you on every job so you don't have to leave the premises to make a "supply run." Customers may be taking time off from work, or other engagements, to be at home so you can complete the job.

Ask satisfied customers if you can take digital photographs of their new installations to use to promote your business. Provide a name and phone number release form for the customer to sign and date, as well as a photographic release form. Keep these documents handy should any legal issues arise.

Pay adequate attention to your operational needs. Keep all of your receipts for equipment purchases and expenditures. You will likely qualify for tax deductions.

Tip

Always review any installation and operational guides issued with a customer's equipment before installation.