Home network consulting

Home networking around here usually means connecting more than one computer to a cable or DSL line.

1. This stuff is not that user friendly and most people end up spending time with tech support to get it to work.

2. You have to buy from a distributor which means getting a line of credit just like any other business. And yes since you are selling products (router, network boards, hubs, cables, etc) you do need a resale number for sales tax purposes and you will need to file and pay the sales taxes plus all the other federal, state, and local taxes that apply in your area. That means doing bookeeping and getting an accountant to help you.

You also have to have insurance! Why? Because if you go into someone's house and if something goes wrong and their computer does not work after you have taken it apart, they can sue you for damaging the computer.

Nothing like taking a computer apart to put a network board in and then have the computer not work again.

3. I have never heard of any company doing just this kind of business. Normally it is a local computer company supplying this service.

In short, any business venture requires more thought than I just want to be in business.

Look at the local colleges for courses on starting your own business.

Good Luck.

Thanks for the excellent comments. How hard it is to get a line of credit from a distributor? How hard is it to get a distributor's license? I think I can handle the taxes and things on my own by using Quickbooks. Thanks for the advice on taking business courses. I will have to do that. :)

We do "home" networking but as the above poster implies - that is not all we do and we didn't start out to do it. We do small business networks and then . . .well, word does get around.

We don't like doing it for some very simple reasons: The typical home network consumer needs a LOT of handholding and explanations. Not that we mind explaining what we are doing but they are not very willing to pay for the time that it takes.

Current network technology should be installed by a competent technician. Our experience is that most 'do-it-yourself' types end up calling us anyway. At that point it probably costs them double because they have blown a motherboard or messed up the OS so bad a wipe is the only thing that will fix it.

The only way to make money is to buy for less than you sell ;-) You will need to have relationships with probably several distributors. Most will not sell to you without a valid Incorporation or business license AND some credit cards or a pre-established line-of-credit.

Whew. All that being said - Have a blast! It's a great deal of fun.

Regards
Raffi_

Most home users need at least two networked computers, sharing one ot two printers an a DSL connection to internet.

There's nothing strange under this configuration, however you may find some hard clients that also want's a password home network with restriction to sex internet sites for the kids, and so on..

Inorder to accomplish this, find a partner (isp) who's already giving this service.

Other major key, at least for me, will be how expert are you to deal with cables, pathes, adaptors and how proffesional will your instalation Look.

Good luck

1) I would recommend that you ally yourself with some local ISPs as their preferred supplier of this service.

2) I do this sort of thing for family and friends and you should charge by the hour if they have tried to do it themselves :o)

3) Tryto provide an after hours service and provide support for standard MS applications, printers, monitors & general PC hardware as well. Learn linux as there is a growing market for linux techs.

4) If you are a registered reseller you are eligible to use NFR copies of software and hardware at cost price which will reduce the cost of setting up your own office considerably.

5) Learn how to train people to use the internet and email and create some training material; some ISPs here charge $90 just to show you how to send an email and click a hyperlink.

6) Good luck.

You have to buy from a distributor which means getting a line of credit just like any other business. And yes since you are selling products (router, network boards, hubs, cables, etc) you do need a resale number for sales tax purposes and you will need to file and pay the sales taxes plus all the other federal, state, and local taxes that apply in your area. That means doing bookeeping and getting an accountant to help you.

You also have to have insurance! Why? Because if you go into someone's house and if something goes wrong and their computer does not work after you have taken it apart, they can sue you for damaging the computer.

Nothing like taking a computer apart to put a network board in and then have the computer not work again.

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