Starting a Home Theater Equipment Installation Business

How to open a home theater installation business and take advantage of the home-theater boom
By Rebecca Turley, Freelance Writer Recent advances in technology have fueled the demand for home theater equipment. Consumers now have access to the latest audio and visual equipment, such as flat panel televisions and surround sound systems, due to quickly evolving technologies and dropping price points.

Setting up and connecting this home theater equipment, however, poses many challenges for the average consumer. That’s where a knowledgeable, custom home theater installation business comes in.

Maximize your custom home theater business by offering the following services to your customers:

1. Surveying the home and determining a proper layout and design.
2. Preparing the installation area by pulling wires for power connection and video feed.
3. Setting up and installing the home theater equipment, including mounting speakers and flat panel televisions, and connecting the home theater equipment to existing audio/video equipment.
4. Hiding all wires and cables.
5. Cleaning up.

Get certified and compile a portfolio in home theater equipment installation

Assuring your customers competent design and installation requires more than just your word. Learn how to install home theater equipment, become certified, gather together your past work and be prepared to provide references.
Try:  Become CEDIA and HAA certified and use these credentials to your advantage when selling your services. Become certified as a Home Theater Specialist of America Certified Dealer and gain more exposure. 

Determine whether to offer additional home theater equipment services

Selling home theater equipment to your customers may be a logical progression in your home theater installation business and may provide an additional source of revenue for your business. Additional services may also include preconstruction wiring, zoned audio installation and technical support.
Try:  Buy home theater equipment from Foto Connection and Cambridge SoundWorks, which are distributors of wholesale home theater equipment and components. Many well-known home theater equipment brands, such as Sony, offer resources for reselling their equipment to your customers. Buy home theater equipment directly through these companies or use their sites when researching different options.

Consider a joint venture with an electronics retailer

Establishing a partnership with a business that sells home theater equipment may prove to be a lucrative venture. The retailer will have a home theater installation business to refer its customer to, and you will steady referral work to show for it.
Try:  Check your local yellow pages for audio/visual equipment retailers and begin introducing your company and its services. Register your home theater installation business on the Home Theater Blog to increase your exposure.

Stay up to date on home audio information and home theater equipment information

Understanding the technical aspects and the latest advances when researching home audio information and home theater equipment information will surely benefit your custom home theater business and provide the best service to your customers when recommending home theater equipment brands and when helping them to buy their home theater equipment.
Try:  Visit the Home Theater Forum and chat with other home theater installers about the latest in hardware and software, join in on forums and post questions and advice. Subscribe to Home Theater magazine for the latest trends in home theaters and related equipment.

• Take photographs of your work and compile a comprehensive portfolio to show potential customers.
• Offer your customers a written guarantee for labor on your home theater installation business.