CCTV & Smart Home Installation
Install consumer CCTV, video doorbells and smart-home kit for homeowners and small shops.
Video doorbells and home cameras have gone mainstream, and many buyers want them fitted properly. Typical offers: fixed-price packages (doorbell, two-camera, four-camera) plus hourly smart-home setup. Materials are brackets, cable and fixings; the customer usually buys the headline kit, keeping your costs low. Small shops and landlords add repeat commercial work. Gross margin figures are planning estimates of revenue minus direct costs (materials, travel and per-job expenses); they exclude the owner's own labour time.
- Starting capital: 800–2000 GBP
- Total starting capital: 1400 GBP
- Setup: 2-4 weeks
- Gross margin: 65-80%
- Business model: Fixed-price install packages for cameras, doorbells and smart devices
- Category: Home Security
Steps
- Register and insure: Week 1. Register as a sole trader and arrange public liability and tools cover.
- Practise installs: Weeks 1-2. Fit demo kit at home and build a simple package price list.
- Launch locally: Weeks 2-4. Google Business Profile, van signage and local group posts.
- Add commercial clients: Month 2. Approach small shops and landlords for multi-camera work.
Risks
- Working at height: Ladder work on most camera jobs.
- Tech support tail: Customers call when apps update or wifi drops.
- Big-brand competition: National alarm firms bundle installation into subscriptions.
Costs
- Tools & test kit — SDS drill, cable testers, crimping tools and a ladders contribution — 600 GBP
- Demo & consumable stock — Mounts, cable, clips and a demonstration doorbell — 300 GBP
- Insurance — Public liability plus tools cover — 250 GBP
- Marketing — Van signwriting, Google Business Profile and local ads — 250 GBP