richyje7727

The business is scaleable... You can have a cheaper system that is not as fancy and doesnt have the bells and whistles. This is an emerging market. In the future all houses will have this technology. Did you think 15 years ago you would be watching TV through your internet connection ?

Jerseygirl

References/experience from the UK will mean nothing to US customers. Prices/brochures etc...the larger more established companies will beat you.

FWIW I wouldn’t use a small unknown company to install and maintain my security system. Sorry...but that’s what you are up against.

Noorah101

So now, on top of everything else, you're planning to get a general contractors license in the USA?

Your activities should match your business plan. Will your business plan include the home security AND general contacting work? And grass cutting?

Now you're just pulling our legs. Yes, Americans like a British accent but it's not going to be the reason they choose you over a well known provider.

Rene

richyje7727

Surely there are small companies that install security systems. So when you purchased your security system did you check who the owners of the company were ? how long they had been in business ? If you had never had a security system installed before surely the company was unknown to you. We all trade with companies we have never used before.

The company will be branded and will be specialists in there field.

richyje7727

Hey Rene,

I am just enquiring on the possibilities with an E2. As stated I am a Contractor/IT Specialist in the UK. I am wondering if I am locked down to a certain area, or if I can utilise the various skills I have to increase my scope for my business to succeed.

Thanks

Mercury39

Only a small data point, have couple of friends in Dallas area who are installing camera and av distribution systems into a new build, and starting to approach the higher end prices. Both took time to find good companies to do this, it was outside the scope of most electricians, too specialised, and not that many companies doing it. there is a lot of high end builds going on around Dallas, so could be a really good potential market. Good luck with it, lots to consider as others have pointed out.

Pulaski

No they won't, a third of the housing stock in the US is old, substandard, and rented, and I would guess that another 20% is old and substandard, but owner occupied. Then probably half the rest are cookie-cutter homes with cable TV and a programmable thermostat being as high tech as it gets, and people are, financially "barely hanging on", and wouldn't pay even $1,000 for a security system, because they can't afford to!

Then there are people, such as me, who are fascinated by a bit of technology, but see absolutely no need to be able to turn on the bedroom light when I am sitting on the sofa in the living room, or on the beach in Florida, and I certainly don't want door locks that are Internet enabled! I have an alarm system, that meets my needs, I installed it myself and it cost me $200.

The idea that "In the future all houses will have this technology" is nothing but pure marketing nonsense!

Jerseygirl

In the eyes of an American...you have no business background to check out. Maybe Joe Blogs who wants to pay bottom dollar for a basic system will go for such a company.

richyje7727

ok guys.... late here in the UK.... I am off to bed... thanks for the chat.... will look forward to the follow up messages.... good night !

Noorah101

I'm sorry, I don't know the exact answer, but all I can say is that the business activities should be consistent with your business plan, and be prepared to show all your records to USCIS if they ask. IOW, don't do anything shady or unethical.

Rene

Nutmegger

Have you ever written a business plan before, or created spreadsheets to demonstrate the projected development of a business over a five year period? Everything you write indicates that you are in dire need of professional assistance. This business can’t just support you and your family, it has to be a real going concern that hires local personnel. And you can only work in the business for which the visa is issued.

Mercury39

I'm still waiting on the jetpack I was promised.

Noorah101

I guess if he creates a business that does both, advertises both, and he's licensed, etc it might be ok....but then I probably wouldn't hire that company for either one. I'd hire 2 companies, each specializing in its own field. Home security and general contracting, in my opinion, aren't closely related enough to go under the same company.

I agree with Nutmegger. If you are relying only on the help of internet laymen, you're going about it all wrong. We are here to give you layman's opinions and maybe some personal experience. But if you want this to succeed, you need an attorney involved.

Rene

AdobePinon

I don’t know Austin at all, but I do occasional work in parts of Texas. Every second person in the hotel is always a contractor who’s driven across the whole state to do a job for someone because they were recommended by a buddy of a buddy. Or because someone remembered them from 30 years ago.

Regardless, you don’t seem to be planning on having much of a cash stash. I see a lot of businesses fail because they didn’t spend the cash to get ahead at opportune times.

Dorothy

Yes as a matter of fact when my ex and I had our system installed we did check out the company. He is an electronic engineer who specialises in high tech security (think banks and prisons, airports etc). We could have done it ourselves but went with a large well known company who have 24/7 monitoring stations and patrols who will check out alarms.

Like Pulaski, I have no need to turn on a light from another room or to lock my windows or doors remotely. I can look at my security cameras through my phone any time, from anywhere. All for way less than $60k.