voice/data

**BiGWiLL** · 07-20-2008 12:52 PM

HI. I was looking into starting a voice and data business. But I can't find much information on it. So Im wanting to know if anyone knows anything about this business. Or has a business like it that could put me in the right directon.

Thanks.

**Gaulkin** · 07-20-2008 01:23 PM

The new blackberry bold looks sick.

**texaspreneur** · 07-20-2008 08:25 PM

I know a bit about it...what are your questions? My neighbor has been in the business for 20+ years, so I can bounce ideas/questions off him too...

Wade

**BiGWiLL** · 07-20-2008 09:40 PM

Well texaspreneur Im kinda lost with this. Things I was wanting to know are just basic stuff. Like start up cost. How much experience is needed. Kinds of equipment also. I talked to a guy for a brief second and he owned his own voice and data business. And he said he is a subcontractor and he does installation and works on the cash registers and the phones and he connects them from store to store. So that is what I was intrested in. Is that what your neighbor does to or does he do something else?
He didnt give me much info on what else he does. I don't know if I will be seeing him again though.

**texaspreneur** · 07-21-2008 07:27 AM

My neighbor runs the technology for a small company in Texas that does hosted PBX solutions for small - medium businesses. They are primarily self-funded, CEO & His dad chipped in most of the cash to start, but it was a significant investment.

They also contract with a local Internet provider to provide data comm.

Wade

**ScottRobertson** · 07-21-2008 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by BiGWiLL

Well texaspreneur Im kinda lost with this. Things I was wanting to know are just basic stuff. Like start up cost. How much experience is needed. Kinds of equipment also. I talked to a guy for a brief second and he owned his own voice and data business. And he said he is a subcontractor and he does installation and works on the cash registers and the phones and he connects them from store to store. So that is what I was intrested in. Is that what your neighbor does to or does he do something else?
He didnt give me much info on what else he does. I don't know if I will be seeing him again though.

I can't give you a ballpark figure on start-up costs because I'm not sure exactly what you want to do (installation of data/voice lines, service of them, work with fiber, etc) but if you are planning on servicing them then it won't be too cheap. The tools are expensive and you need a decent amount of them. Also, because you (seemingly) have no experience in the industry you will need to hire someone to do every job (bidding on jobs, skilled labour to do the jobs, purchasing agent, etc). Some of the jobs can be grouped to one person or taken care of by you, but you will need someone with knowledge working with you in order to do that.

More on experience needed: If you start as a company that only installs the cables, you can get away with hiring a semi-skilled labourer and an unskilled labourer to do it. But once you get into servicing it you need a trained professional.

Also, if you start as an installer only, the tools are very minimal and cheap (basically side cutters, 110 punch tool (for terminating the data cables), bix punch tool (terminating voice cables), screw driver, level, and other basic tools like that). I'm not sure about where you live and how the industry is there, but typically data comm companies will charge between $100-$150 per drop (depending on # of drops, lengths, difficulty of drops, etc). Cat 5e and Cat 6 cable is very cheap relative to what installers are charging.

I've got to take off for the morning, but if you come up with some questions shoot them my way. I may be able to help.

PS, sorry my thoughts are pretty scattered in this reply - its early for me and I'm not a morning person, hah.

**BiGWiLL** · 07-21-2008 08:05 PM

Hey Scott thanks for the info. It helped alot. But Yeah I was looking into becoming an installer only. Since the Start Up Cost is a little lower to begin with. I would be more successful with installing then servicing them. As far as the industry goes in my area. All I know is there is one other company around here that does this. And also the area I live in is a growing city. More businesses are flocking here along with building of new houses. Even though know one is buying the houses.

Thanks for the info. If you have any more information that you are willing to share that would be great.