startinghomebiz.com

What will I be doing ?
Major appliances include washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens and many other products that we all rely on. Your business may simply install new appliances, picking them up at the appliance store, delivering them to the customer’s homes, setting them up and training the customer on use. Or you may also be able to offer a repair service for major appliances.

What will I need to start ?
To install major appliances you’ll need knowledge of how the appliances work, some tools and vehicle large enough to carry such appliances. To repair appliances, you’ll need more knowledge and more tools. You’ll also make more money. Consider starting an installation business until you’ve learned more about repairs.

Who will my customers be ?

Customers for your appliance installation and/or repair service include both retail stores and customers. One successful installer works through a discount appliance store, offering the store $5 per retail customer sent to him. The store doesn’t install the appliances they sell so the service benefits every one. Another successful aplliance repair service offers annual contracts that include a semi-annual inspection of all major appliances and a discount on repairs.

How much should I charge ?
Much of your work as an appliance installer or repair person will be priced on an hourly rate of $30 to $50.

Once your business is tested you’ll be able to easily estimate the time needed to install a specific appliance or to make a common repair. You will then establish a flat fee for this service based on your hourly rate. Why ? Because customers are sometimes reluctant to hire someone at $40 an hour but will pay $40 for a service (that you know will take you just an hour).

How much will I make ?

Your home-based appliance installation and repair service can be very profitable if you can keep expences down. Many do so by using tools and test equipment they already have as well as using an older car or pickup

truck for service calls. (Of course, make sure you have your business name and telephone number on the vehicle for low-cost advertising.) An appliance installation and repair service will typically spend 25 to 35 percent of sales on overhead expences. That means a full-time business that bills 30 hours a week at $40 an hour will have an income of $1,200 a week and be able to keep $600 to $900 after overhead expences are paid.

How can I get started ?

Your appliance installation and repair business may change focus a few times before you find the right combination of customers and services to make your home business profitable. Start by learning as much as you can about your trade. Also check regional telephone books for appliance parts houses and major appliance stores. Gather tools as needed. Select your vehicle if you don’t already have one. (If you don’t want to buy a truck just yet, find another home business that hauls for hire and get prices for hauling appliances !)

Contact local appliance stores who may hire you to do contract work for 75 to 90 percent of your standard hourly rate.
The SIC code for appliance stores is 5722-02.

From the book of Dan Ramsey, Title : 101 Best Home Businesses, CAREER PRESS, 3 Tice Road, P.O. Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417, 1-800-CAREER-1, 201-848-0310 (NJ and outside U.S.), FAX : 201-848-1727

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