Are you experiencing increased competition in recent times and subsequently lower margins from your electrical and alarm install business?
If so, how about checking out the bubbling smart home, expected to reach $35.5 billion by 2020!
There are various claims of easy-installations in the growing smart home market, the reality is many consumers will want and need help installing next generation smart home products and devices.
If you are ready to make start installing connected smart home devices into your client houses; then here are some essential steps.
STEP 1 – DECIDE WHAT SMART HOME INSTALL SERVICES YOU WILL SELL
One of the first questions you need to answer before entering the smart home installation world is what smart home products are you planning on installing? The range is extensive and might include:
- Multi-room music systems
- Smart fire & smoke detectors
- Smart flood detectors
- WiFi networks
- Smart window dressings control
- Smart thermostats
- Smart lighting control
- Smart security alarm systems
- And so on………
After you have decided what to sell; you’ll also need a unique selling proposition (USP) and should be specific to a particular target base of customers.
For instance; some electrical contractors and alarm companies are marketing their services to people over 65, who require smart home products to improve their quality of life.
STEP 2 – SOURCE HIGH QUALITY & RELIABLE SMART HOME PRODUCTS
Now that you have decided on the types of products you plan on installing; it’s important that you do some research and identify some suitable smart home branded products.
Your clients do not want buggy and unstable products installed in their homes; so make sure to identify where you can buy some stylish, reliable, and dependable smart home devices.
STEP 3 – SET GOALS FOR YOUR NEW SMART HOME INSTALL BUSINESS
No one starts a successful smart home installation business on a whim!
To succeed in this space, you’re going to identify goals. Common goals for aspiring smart home installers include:
- Sales Figures Goals
- Business Expansion Goals
- Product install goals – “I will install one new type of smart home product to my portfolio of services every month.”
STEP 4 – WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN
Now that you have thought out the concept of growing your business by expanding into smart home install services; you’re now ready to start making some real business decisions.
First up is the compilation of a solid business plan.
Normally, I recommend my students who are participating in the Make a Living as a Smart Home Installer Course to include the following sections in their smart home install services business plan:
- Executive Summary
- Marketing & Sales
- Financial Projections
- Install Services & Products
- Market Analysis
STEP 5 – CREATE A BRAND FOR YOUR NEW SMART HOME INSTALL BUSINESS
Now that you have a solid plan and associated goals in place; it’s now time to create a good first impression for future customers.
Creating a good brand is a great way of cultivating an identity that potential customers will take notice of.
There are a number of questions that you need to consider before finalizing your brand.
STEP 6 – DESIGN AND BUILD A WEBSITE
In the last step, we talked about establishing a successful brand.
One of the key platforms for growing your brand is the creation of an enticing Web-site.
A well-designed website takes will take your installation business to the next level.
It is here on your web-site that most people will learn about the types of smart home products you install.
STEP 7 – IDENTIFY SUITABLE INSTALL TOOLS & STOCK PRODUCTS
You’re getting so close to launching your smart home install business!
By this point you’ve already established your brand, a credible presence on the Internet, and the business plan stuff is out of the way.
However, you do have lots more work ahead!
In this step, I need you to decide on the install tools that are required.
This can vary in range from standard power tools that are already in the van to more specialized crimper and testers.
You’re also going to need a stock of smart home products in your van. This will obviously relate to the types of install services on offer.
So if you are marketing lighting control; then make sure you’re truck (van) is stocked with smart plug and bulbs.
STEP 8 START YOUR PRE-LAUNCH ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
As we get the final stages of launching your new range of smart home install services; its important that officially lock down a launch date so that people will know when they can purchase your new installation services.
Once you’ve chosen a date, you’ll now need to create some type of ‘buzz’ and spreading the word about your new smart home install business.
Congratulations! At the end of this step, you should be at opening day and announcing the launch of your new Smart Home Install Business!
You’ve come a long way, but we know there’s still more for you to do and more for you to learn.
Smart Home School is here to support you in generating revenue from this emerging industry over the coming years.
Great website, you seem very knowledgable about this emerging sector I would love to start my own home automation install business.
I want to know if this course can be learned by someone with no experience in construction or electrical work.
These are great steps to help others start up their own smart installation businesses. We used a few of these to start ours, it works!
Great, hope your smart home install biz is going well. Gerard