Want to become an installer, don't know how, help please!

[air88]

Hi, all:

I am thinking to become an satellite system installer. I may first to install FTA system, later other systems.

I am in Portland, Oregon.

I have read a lot online about the installer, I have called the state about the license issues. Basicly I got the follow information:

1. In Oregon, I need a LEB (limit energy technitian) license to install satellite system. Do I have to have it?

2. There is NSTP cert exist, can NSTP cert to replace LEB?

Anyone can clear my confusion? any other requirement?

Thanks in advance for any answers

Michael

 

[busdriver72]

I'm afraid I can't answer about your area. You may try lookng for an installation company that Disnet or Direct TV uses. I work for Southern Star Inc. who is a regional installer for Disnet. I simply applied, took a drug test, and entered training. I rode three weeks with a tech, and then I was on my own.

 

[PSB]

Here is a good place to start learning..........

www.dbsinstallsupport.com Tell them Pete sent you : )

 

[korsjs]

best of luck with what ou deceide.

 

[cdru]

There have been numerous threads both here and the other forum on people who wanted to become installers. If you are going to be an independent contractor, from what I read you'll be lucky to make ends meat. Both Dish and DirecTV continue to pay less and less while wanting more and more from you. You'll be providing your own equipment, tools, vehicle, insurance, etc. All that stuff adds up and at the end of the day, there isn't a whole lot left. You probably would be better off working for a installation company if you can find one hiring.

You probably would find little business in the FTA crowd. There isn't exactly a huge supply of FTA customers like there is with the DBS crowd. Plus I bet most people who go with FTA know what they are doing...hence do their own installs. It's like offering mechanic skills to a shade tree mechanic or tax services to an accountant.

 

[haotinc]

Yes, it can be spendy to start up. Best bet is to get with a retailer, do sales and installs. If you are really thinking about getting started and want to know what kind of tools to get, give me a call. I can help you out. 800-525-1668. Ask to speak to Matt.

 

[air88]

Thanks for your suggestion and advice. I really appreciate!

Here is the reason that I want to be an installer:

I am a senior electrical and computer engineer and I am now creating an online store to sell the FTA stuffs. It is almost done.

A month ago, I installed a FTA system for myself and one for my friend. I learned a lot and now I am very familiar with the system and satellite knowledge. And most important I really like FTA.

When I decided to have an online store to sell FTA stuffs, I have the same thought as cdru:

Plus I bet most people who go with FTA know what they are doing...hence do their own installs. It's like offering mechanic skills to a shade tree mechanic or tax services to an accountant.

I sent emails to a group of people to ask them if they know about free to air satellite programs, surprise me that I got the following information:

1. no one knows about FTA exist! ( free? wow!)
2. they are very interested in to get it.
3. they don't have basic knowledge about satellites.

Then two days later, one guy sent me email say that he bought a system about 6 months ago, he tried many times and all failed. The system is in his garage now.

After further search, I found that there are two groups of people who are interested in FTA stuffs:

1. hobbists, they have the system for hobby, cdru is right about these people. They know what they are doing and, even they don't know, they want to learn and try. I am not going to install for these people.

2. foreign language speakers, they can not get their language channels at all or very expensive. For example, on dish network, there are about 17 Chinese channels for $31/month, but FTA can get more 10 Chinese channels for free.
For this part of people, most of them don't know how to install FTA system. I am going to target on this market. This is not a small group at all.

If I only sell equipment, they may not want to buy as they don't know how to install at all. I have to install for them.

Basicly this is the reason I want to become an installer, I will install the systems I sold. So far I only find one people in my neighborhood who really understand and know how to install FTA system. Others just pretend knowing, I can tell they don't know anything about FTA after I talked to them.

I am in Oregon. I want to know what license or certs I have to have to install the system. Some people told me that I need CCB license, but some told me that I need LEB (limit energy technitian). It seems no one sure about it and I don't know where to ask.

Please provide me as much information possible.

Thanks in advance!

Michael

 

[haotinc]

Check out your state's statutes

Michael -

you need to do some searching for yourself if you are totally serious about this. You have asked people, but have you really gone and looked up your state's requirements. If you are going to be in business for yourself, you need to take care of yourself and proctect yourself. Best to start learning now

Here are a couple of links for you:

this one gives a brief snyopsis on your state's requirements and a phone number to call: http://www.contractors-license.org/or/Oregon.html#or2

the second one here is your state's law. looks like they're pretty specific and you will need something. read all about it: http://www.leg.state.or.us/01orlaws/sess0700.dir/0728ses.html

 

[air88]

Thanks for your information, it is very useful and I am reading them now!

Michael

 

[Wild Tech]

Expect to spend a lot of your own cash at first - they don't clue you in at the front end, but you are going to be doing a lot of driving, and at first your workload will be too skinny to make anything back. You will also be paying for a lot of specialised equipment, and that is deducted from what you make. Not to mention the "Escrow Account" that has to be built up over time.

The price of fuel has DOUBLED, I note, and that is killing profits for all sorts of industries. You'd better have a high mileage vehicle to carry your equipment in.

If you go with DTV, there is also a school to be attended (costs $100.oo for the certificate) and it may be that you'll have to support yourself for a week while you are there - even though they provide a "Crash Pad" to stay at. The bottom line is that you will have expenses coming in the door, if I had it to do over, i would not have done it with less than five thousands in the bank at the time.

Current news is that they are going to move away from the "Sub-Contractor" (self employed) paradigm for installers, and go with an "Employee" basis for installers. This means you won't have to manage your own tax situation, but what else is involved is still a matter of conjecture.

The reasoning is addressed in the IRS definition of "Self Employment", to wit:
"The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if (the person for whom the services are performed) has the right to control or direct only the result of the work, and not what will be done and how it will be done or method of accomplishing the result."
(Source: IRS website)

Since DTV directs every facet of how installs are done, when, where, and the overall quality of how the work is accomplished- the above indicates that "self employed" (sub-contractor) status does NOT apply.

And yet - this has been the model under which installations have been done so far. You buy your own materials through the company, and file your own taxes quarterly. It is currently under review.


~WT