Topic: Own HT business....crazy??

[scervin]

This past weekend I had family over for a pumpkin carving party.  All of my uncles are wealthy as they own a business.  They thought the HT was great and a few said I should realy think about doing this on the side.  I've located a couple distributors and may apply for an account once I have my wifes uncle (CPA/tax lawyer) draft me up a business plan and I go register a name.

While I'm still going forward with my MSE, I'm going to attempt to become a CEDIA certified designer and installer.  I've noticed there is only 1 in my area.  I will focus on design, but will offer gear as well seeing the local guys won't sell a system someone else put together.  In addition to system design, I plan to get a new latop with acoustic room modeling software and ETF (room measurement program).  I will sell my business as a COMPLETE theater design, not just sell some gear and hook it up.  I'm talking acoustic treatment, video calibration (thinking of becoming ISF certified as well, but the equipment cost is $$$$$).

What do you all think???   Any ideas for a name?

SC 

[leegeddy]

This past weekend I had family over for a pumpkin carving party.  All of my uncles are wealthy as they own a business.  They thought the HT was great and a few said I should realy think about doing this on the side.  I've located a couple distributors and may apply for an account once I have my wifes uncle (CPA/tax lawyer) draft me up a business plan and I go register a name.

While I'm still going forward with my MSE, I'm going to attempt to become a CEDIA certified designer and installer.  I've noticed there is only 1 in my area.  I will focus on design, but will offer gear as well seeing the local guys won't sell a system someone else put together.  In addition to system design, I plan to get a new latop with acoustic room modeling software and ETF (room measurement program).  I will sell my business as a COMPLETE theater design, not just sell some gear and hook it up.  I'm talking acoustic treatment, video calibration (thinking of becoming ISF certified as well, but the equipment cost is $$$$$).

What do you all think???   Any ideas for a name?

SC 

sounds exciting, indeed!!

>>Any ideas for a name?

"That's Entertainment"

i'll take my $.02 royalty now, thank you.

marc

[Brian Skalinder]

I'm always a fan of basic names that include your own:  Cervin Home Theater Services.  But I'm conservative and boring on these matters, so what do I know.   

[MattD]

"You Got Cerved"

Wow, that's terrible. I will go hide now.

[twoodruff]

I highly reccommend contacting nagra, I have a friend who went into a similar business and got a greatly reduced rate on a nagra v.

[Wiggler]

Go for it. Being self employed is the way to go.
As far as controls go look into Crestron they are on top of the game. Amx is second.
Adding Lutron lighting to the package is a good profit maker also.
It's important to get tied in with some good builders. My best friend has been into it for many years out in Avon, Colorado and he is never slow lots of work in home automation and integration.
Very cool stuff one system he showed me even monitors the weather forcast and when it's going to snow it turns on the heated driveway.
The Escient media servers have been selling like hotcakes.

http://www.crestron.com/default2.asp

[Govt Mule]

Look into Home automation as well.

HT is just the begining, and the hardest part. If you can get that right everything else will be easy.

[Jason B]

This is what I do for a living. I work with Audio Designs in Raleigh, NC. We do whole house audio, dedicated theater rooms, structured wiring, design, the whole 9 yards. The website is: www.audiodesignsonline.com We don't have that great of pictures to look at as we only have 6 employees (only two of which do install), and have been too busy lately do go back and snap pics of the rooms we've done. In the past two months, we've done about 10 dedicated theater rooms in the $40k to $80k range.

-Jason

[scervin]

This is what I do for a living. I work with Audio Designs in Raleigh, NC. We do whole house audio, dedicated theater rooms, structured wiring, design, the whole 9 yards. The website is: www.audiodesignsonline.com We don't have that great of pictures to look at as we only have 6 employees (only two of which do install), and have been too busy lately do go back and snap pics of the rooms we've done. In the past two months, we've done about 10 dedicated theater rooms in the $40k to $80k range.

-Jason

Those are some nice systems and seems like you carry nice equipment as well.  I noticed no CEDIA Designer I or Installer I and II certification logos at the site.  Do you have people either HAA/ISF/Cedia certified??  As I move forward and make some cash I will be getting certified.  I feel this may put me at an advantage over the boutique shops around. 

In the coming weks I plan to go to a couple distributors to see product lines an how that works.  If this looks good I will then think up a name and file for a DBA SP.  If things go well I will move to LLC status.  Right now I plan to ue my residence as my office, and my room as the demo room.  This means I will need to sell it all and purchase equipment I plan to move.  Hopefully I will find a distributor with some products not common to this area.

Does your company just do system design or room design as well?  Do they get plans and do simple room calculations mode calculations?  Any other types of measurements taken to aid in sound?  Frequency Response? RT60? Do any video calculations to get light output correct foot-lamberts??

I'll keep you all posted!

SC

[Jason B]

We will all be certified here in the coming months if things go as planned. Coming from the commercial side of the AV industry, I am CTS-I certified. As soon as we can get a break and start getting the classes done the design and install guys will hopefully all be certified.

We do system and room design. We basically do it all. We have a two excellent cabinet makers and three or four contractors we work with regularly to make the rooms come together.

Does your company just do system design or room design as well?  Do they get plans and do simple room calculations mode calculations?  Any other types of measurements taken to aid in sound?  Frequency Response? RT60? Do any video calculations to get light output correct foot-lamberts??

If you do end up getting into this business, you will see that not everyone wants to spend $10k to $100k on a theater for their house. To get into room EQ'ing, frequency response, and certain video calculations is moving to the high dollar range with many labor hours added on. We can perform any type of corrective tests and adjust accordingly, all depending on how much the customer is looking to spend. Most times in the end, it's not as much as would be needed.

You need to decide if you are going to be doing all new construsting, all retro, or both. You will find out quickly that doing any of these things solo will be extremely difficult. It would be wise to find someone to come work with you who is very familiar with new construction, retro-fitting houses, and general contractor work. We have seen some extreme conditions where it has taken all we've got to come up with a way to retro a house. Most people think home theater work is just hooking up a stereo system. When it comes to pre-wiring new construction, and *especially* retrofitting an exsiting structure for whole house audio, lighting control and a dedicated theater room, It becomes a whole other ballgame that causes many new companies to fall to the wayside. We have gotten into some situations where we have had to basically destroy the interior of an existing room to get everything installed correctly, recessed and flush mounted. Most times though, this is not an option. A simple mistake could turn into a huge headache, and really cost you a lot of money trying to fix it. Experienced employees who really know what they are doing will be the difference in the end.

This is an extremely fun, rewarding and satisfying line of work to be in. I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do than deal with $10k to $50k two-channel audio systems and HT systems where the sky's the limit everyday. Good luck with everything, I really hope it works out for you!

-Jason

***EDIT***

The wife of one of the guys at work does the website, so please don't judge us on the quality of the site. It's pretty weak, I know.   

[scervin]

Jason,

Thanks for the advice.  I have an electrcian and drywall guy I can use as well as HVAC if it comes to it.  Until I've done t for a while I don't plan to take on any huge jobs as it is just me and I'll be doing it on the weekends and after work.  I'm mainly looking to do system/room design and installation of A/V components only.  Constructing a room would require me to contract out the work and I've yet to look into what requirements are need to sub-contract out the work.  Hopefully in the beginning I won't be asked to do any $50K+ jobs.

I'll find out how it goes in the next few months as I'll be working with a builder that is building my uncles new home.

SC

[John R]

scott, if you plan on doing this line of work, it most likely will be integrated wiring that you'll be doing, hopefully in new construction.  i doubt that a company specialising in theater's will get just that, HT rooms.  the builder's will want you to do it all, so they only have to deal with fewer subs.  get alarm certified as well, i've lost jobs because i don't do it, yet.  check on your license and insurance requirements.  as jason mentioned, it's a very rewarding business to be in.  be careful not to spend too much capitol on high end software and measuring/modeling programs until you need them, your basic installer's tools will set you back a bit, truck, etc   cut your teeth on a bunch of prewires and learn how to trim a distro box well.  i've found that clients are way impressed if your box it tight, as mundane as it seems.  check out www.onqhome.com for your structured wiring product, and www.speakercraft.com for your in-walls.  pm me if you want to discuss more.

jr

[scervin]

hmmmm.... not sure you guys understand what it is I plan to do.  I will not take anything, but setting up HT until I see fit.  I get people coming over how the heck I managed to do what I did in my basement and want the same, but they have no knowledge of how to set it up.  I have a love for anything audio/video and am looking to break into the market. I will offer products such as speakers, projectors, screens etc.  but I don't plan on getting into total home automation yet.  An alarm company I will not be!  Too many of those places around town.  I'm talking about more or less pulling AV wires, mounting projector (that I would qualify them for), speaker setup, etc.  I have a well paying engr job I don't plan to give up anytime soon.  I still need them to pay for my MSE.  I'll start with system design/installation and move up from there.  If the customer would like more I'll send them to somebody else.

The truck isn't a problem as I've already got that    

[Tim]

my buddy, Mike Juday, works for Kontek Systems in Durham

www.kontek.com

he does installs, designs mostly commercial stuff I think, a lot of stuff for Duke. I miss having his tone generators and such around for setting up my stereo!

[Tim]

BUMP

JB, you heard of that company?