Small installs = great extra income!

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K

knardini

DJ
Dec 3, 2006
1,618
6
49
Kansas City
Us DJ's are around sound and lighting all the time and no matter how much you still have to learn chances are you know more about it than most people alive. I've thrown myself into installing a couple small sound systems lately for a country club and gymnastics gym, a couple school jobs and now feel confident enought to expand a bit. I'm starting my first "big" install tomorrow in a local club and excited about how it may turn out. We'll be putting in 26 LED panels to "down-light" the walls...all will run to a controller in the DJ booth. We're doing some cool recessed LED fixtures directly over the bar, 4 red LED lights hidden above the non working fireplace to cast a red hue year round...a flat screen for drink specials and ambient video in the main entry, 10+ outdoor LED fixtures to light up the roof line and main entry and a complete sound system for the two dancefloors (JBL AE series, SRX 18's, JRX fillers) and the complete rack for the DJ booth (Crown Xti series, Driverack, Denon mixer, Shure mics...)

Anyway, I think I'm going to add a link to my site offering small install work to fill in the gaps when gigs are low. I'll limit myself to the scale of jobs I can handle and understand, but excited about another avenue of income especially in the summer.
 
Awesome! I am glad you are limiting yourself to jobs of a scale you are comfortable with. What program do you use to do your modeling (which should always be done on any sound install)? What program do you use for your drawings (electrical drawings for the lighting installs)? What types of units are you selling?

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
Awesome! I am glad you are limiting yourself to jobs of a scale you are comfortable with. What program do you use to do your modeling (which should always be done on any sound install)? What program do you use for your drawings (electrical drawings for the lighting installs)? What types of units are you selling?

Mike
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I knew it wouldn't take long for this post to turn into a peeing contest....:sqerr:

I'll be using my ears....place speakers where the sound and look the best. Not doing any of the electrical work. I'm not a pro installer, but my price is right.
 
Kris,
Does that mean you're a bottom feeder of the Lighting Installation profession?:sqwink: How hard can it be, you put up a few lights, wire in some sound and your done. I applaud your efforts. Thanks for sharing your new found source of revenue.
 
I think I am a bottom feeder:sqembarrassed:...but looking to make gobs (not quite truck loads)of money doing it on this one install!!!!
 
a bottom feeder guy can get the job done with praise by doing very little at times but its not how much you do,its the end results that count.
 
Yup, anyone who can plug in a light and hang up a speaker can do installs. Just like anyone with a couple of speakers and a HDD full of music can be a DJ. Next up? Craigs List installs. Of course those that know better will always go to a professional. The others get what they pay for.

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
Yup, anyone who can plug in a light and hang up a speaker can do installs. Just like anyone with a couple of speakers and a HDD full of music can be a DJ. Next up? Craigs List installs. Of course those that know better will always go to a professional. The others get what they pay for.

Mike
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Actually if you are handy and know your gear installing equipment has a smaller learning curve than DJ'ing. Thankfully KC is a long way from Texas so you don't need to worry about me stealing your business.....YET! Muahahahahahaha.
 
knardini said:
Actually if you are handy and know your gear installing equipment has a smaller learning curve than DJ'ing. Thankfully KC is a long way from Texas so you don't need to worry about me stealing your business.....YET! Muahahahahahaha.
Click to expand...

Hahahahaha!! Wow. If only that was true. What kind of rigging/engineering background do you have? You are suspending heavy things over people's heads. What is your electrical experience? If you are installing lights, no matter if they are LEDs or not, there is the possibility of killing someone or burning the place down. Do you know local building codes? Does your insurance cover this (you do need to ask because most if not all DJ insurance does not).

Man if they are looking for DJs to do their installs, I really don't want the business anyway. At least until I can come in and charge twice as much to clean up the mess (which I got through doing not too long ago at a club, don't know if the installer was a DJ, but they were not professional).

But, good luck and here is hoping you don't kill anyone.

Mike
 
Kris, I hope it works out for you.

For my part I see no peeing contest nor negativity in Mike's comments. Mike asked some basic questions. Questions that are pertinent to the topic of installs. :)

In the business of installation work there is an old saying: "A little knowlege is a dangerous thing." Many DJs and venue managers have horror stories of installs that were done on the cheap.

Are you aware of fly points and what they mean? Did you know there is an accepted suspension cable size and fastener requirements?

Please, go into this right. You don't want a job to come back to bite you in the arse. Any job worth doing is worth doing right.

Also, you could be ultimately responsible for the work you do. Some drunk yanks a speaker cab down on his head and his hotshot attorney will come looking for you. I would recommend getting a bond, business licence and insurance before starting any installs. :)
 
Esoteric said:
Hahahahaha!! Wow. If only that was true. What kind of rigging/engineering background do you have? You are suspending heavy things over people's heads. What is your electrical experience? If you are installing lights, no matter if they are LEDs or not, there is the possibility of killing someone or burning the place down. Do you know local building codes? Does your insurance cover this (you do need to ask because most if not all DJ insurance does not).

Man if they are looking for DJs to do their installs, I really don't want the business anyway. At least until I can come in and charge twice as much to clean up the mess (which I got through doing not too long ago at a club, don't know if the installer was a DJ, but they were not professional).

But, good luck and here is hoping you don't kill anyone.

Mike
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Woah...down boy! I see that you are big into your church install business and list your degrees and all that, just trying to expand my trade and grow my business along the way. I remember when I was new to DJ'ing and was competitive with things I heard and saw...now I just try and learn a bit from everyone. Hey, if the client is happy when I'm done then it's all good. I'll post some pics when I'm done just to make you super jealous of my superior craftsmanship :sqwink:
 
Fred Wright said:
Kris, I hope it works out for you.

For my part I see no peeing contest nor negativity in Mike's comments. Mike asked some basic questions. Questions that are pertinent to the topic of installs. :)

In the business of installation work there is an old saying: "A little knowlege is a dangerous thing." Many DJs and venue managers have horror stories of installs that were done on the cheap.

Are you aware of fly points and what they mean? Did you know there is an accepted suspension cable size and fastener requirements?

Please, go into this right. You don't want a job to come back to bite you in the arse. Any job worth doing is worth doing right.

Also, you could be ultimately responsible for the work you do. Some drunk yanks a speaker cab down on his head and his hotshot attorney will come looking for you. I would recommend getting a bond, business licence and insurance before starting any installs. :)
Click to expand...

I appreciate the words of advice and have covered all my bases...insured, instructed, ready to go. There is a lot to be learned through reading and asking the right people the right questions. I'm always amazed at what people won't try for the fear of failure or litigation :sqbiggrin:
 
knardini said:
Woah...down boy! I see that you are big into your church install business and list your degrees and all that, just trying to expand my trade and grow my business along the way. I remember when I was new to DJ'ing and was competitive with things I heard and saw...now I just try and learn a bit from everyone. Hey, if the client is happy when I'm done then it's all good. I'll post some pics when I'm done just to make you super jealous of my superior craftsmanship :sqwink:
Click to expand...

Man, it is that attitude that bothers me. You don't get into this business to "expand your trade and grow your business". This isn't putting speakers on stands and playing music. What is the worst that happens (unless you are completely incompetent) if you mess up now? You ruin the night. If you mess up a little bit on installs you can kill someone. Do you know to recommend to your clients that they have their rigging checked at least once a year? Doing installs is not a joking matter. Your client probably doesn't know a spanset from a truss lift. YOU have to know how to do the job and do it safely.

This is closer to construction than DJing. I do installs and have been a theater electrician for over 10 years, but I still subcontract to an electrical company for all my electrical work. I have seen installs does by professional riggers with more experience than me break.

By all means, learn. But do not risk people's lives because you want to make a few more dollars.

That is my point. Not that you can't do it. Not that you are inferior. Not that what you do is inferior. But that you might kill someone (death, end of all things, blackness, sleep, dead). Are you ready for that (mentally and financially)?

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
Man, it is that attitude that bothers me. You don't get into this business to "expand your trade and grow your business". This isn't putting speakers on stands and playing music. What is the worst that happens (unless you are completely incompetent) if you mess up now? You ruin the night. If you mess up a little bit on installs you can kill someone. Do you know to recommend to your clients that they have their rigging checked at least once a year? Doing installs is not a joking matter. Your client probably doesn't know a spanset from a truss lift. YOU have to know how to do the job and do it safely.

This is closer to construction than DJing. I do installs and have been a theater electrician for over 10 years, but I still subcontract to an electrical company for all my electrical work. I have seen installs does by professional riggers with more experience than me break.

By all means, learn. But do not risk people's lives because you want to make a few more dollars.

That is my point. Not that you can't do it. Not that you are inferior. Not that what you do is inferior. But that you might kill someone (death, end of all things, blackness, sleep, dead). Are you ready for that (mentally and financially)?

Mike
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My friend, first of all being a "lighting guy" on a DJ forum and saying that "we're not talking about sticking a speaker on a stick and playing music..." probably won't make you many friends around here. I can see you are SUPER passionate about your trade...that's cool, but I used to build houses...flip houses...and have an extensive "construction" background - I'm also not a REtard (hangover quote) and have done my homework...so not planning on killing anyone anytime soon...at least I hope not. I'll just add an extra drywall screw when I hang my JBL's:sqwink:
 
knardini said:
My friend, first of all being a "lighting guy" on a DJ forum and saying that "we're not talking about sticking a speaker on a stick and playing music..." probably won't make you many friends around here. I can see you are SUPER passionate about your trade...that's cool, but I used to build houses...flip houses...and have an extensive "construction" background - I'm also not a REtard (hangover quote) and have done my homework...so not planning on killing anyone anytime soon...at least I hope not. I'll just add an extra drywall screw when I hang my JBL's:sqwink:
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Guys around here know I respect them and I was using an exaggeration to make a point. We have been over and over that.

I don't see why you didn't just answer a few questions if you have a construction background (although I know several people who flip houses that I wouldn't allow to hang a mirror, much less a speaker, but I will assume you mean real construction). I wasn't trying to start a pissing contest or anything like that.

But to give 99.99999999% of DJs the idea that they could do installs is a BAD (like one of the worst in the long, sad history of bad ideas) idea.

Now if you happen to be a DJ who was in construction in a previous job (as more than a box hauler or "handyman" type), who has rigging and electrical experience in non-residential situations, and has the correct tools for the job (including sound modeling and CAD programs for your drawings), good insurance, and the ability to get dealer prices on your gear, then I take everything back and say, good luck and happy hunting!

If even one of those things is not true, then I still say I hope you don't kill anyone.

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
Guys around here know I respect them and I was using an exaggeration to make a point. We have been over and over that.

I don't see why you didn't just answer a few questions if you have a construction background (although I know several people who flip houses that I wouldn't allow to hang a mirror, much less a speaker, but I will assume you mean real construction). I wasn't trying to start a pissing contest or anything like that.

But to give 99.99999999% of DJs the idea that they could do installs is a BAD (like one of the worst in the long, sad history of bad ideas) idea.

Now if you happen to be a DJ who was in construction in a previous job (as more than a box hauler), who has rigging and electrical experience in non-residential situations, and has the correct tools for the job (including sound modeling and CAD programs for your drawings), good insurance, and the ability to get dealer prices on your gear, then I take everything back and say, good luck and happy hunting!

If even one of those things is not true, then I still say I hope you don't kill anyone.

Mike
Click to expand...

Wow, that was easy...you take everything back??? Cool. Yeah half of my profit for this one is on gear I have a couple good sources for audio and especially lighting. My post was actually to motivate others to learn. Believe it or not you don't have to have a degree to be sucessful in my business or yours (okay in my other business of teaching you DO need a degree...but let's not get confused). I think it's a natural progression to get into installations from the DJ world and can't wait to see where it takes me. Okay, gotta get to bed. I have a long day tomorrow and a lot of 100 lb test fishing line to tie to the rafters. Did you know people can hardly even see that stuff in the daylight yet it will hold a fixture suspended over the dance floor for years!!
 
knardini said:
Wow, that was easy...you take everything back??? Cool. Yeah half of my profit for this one is on gear I have a couple good sources for audio and especially lighting. My post was actually to motivate others to learn. Believe it or not you don't have to have a degree to be sucessful in my business or yours (okay in my other business of teaching you DO need a degree...but let's not get confused). I think it's a natural progression to get into installations from the DJ world and can't wait to see where it takes me. Okay, gotta get to bed. I have a long day tomorrow and a lot of 100 lb test fishing line to tie to the rafters. Did you know people can hardly even see that stuff in the daylight yet it will hold a fixture suspended over the dance floor for years!!
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. It takes years of experience and years or education (either through college or through work experience with production companies) to do my job. I won't speak for yours. But to do my job correctly takes a lot of education and a lot of experience. It is not a natural progression from being a DJ to being an installer any more than it is a natural progression to go from being a fry cook to a neurosurgeon (and no I am not comparing DJing to being a fry cook or installing to Neurosurgery but it is NOT a natural progression). But I hope it goes well for you.

Mike

PS I hope you are not installing Elation or Chauvet piece of junk LEDs and actually installing a product worth having.
 
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