Regardless of that, it’s easier to do a great job if you have the right tools. Custom installation can be a dirty job, with lots of little details.

So if you’re just starting out, what essentials do you need to acquire?

I tapped the brains of my two favorite installers, Edmonton, AB-based Systems Inc’s Senior Installer Mike Pisarchuk and Junior Operations Manager Derek Pierce.

They’ve got a lot of loud opinions about tools, and didn’t hesitate to share them with me. (I’m a former Systems Inc employee and co-worker of them, too.)

“The first thing I can not stress enough is always use the right tool for the job,” says Pisarchuk, who takes this philosophy to the extreme. “I have 4 different pairs of wire cutters; I use each one for different kinds of cable. “

Not to be outdone, Pierce gave me a list he described as critical. “Everything we’ve selected is either a time saver or the cost/performance ratio is good (i.e. Ryobi … cheap to replace but reliable) and ... will solve 90 percent of all hardware/retro related issues.”

In addition to the tools, Pisarchuk advised investing in a really good carry-all. “Don’t forget a good tool box or tool bag with pockets for holding every tool in a specific location so before leaving a jobsite, you can glance at all your tools to make sure you never leave any tools behind.”

Click here to view 46 tools and equipment you shouldn’t leave the office without.

Lee Distad is a freelance CEDIA Certified Professional Designer who offers design and process consultation to firms in the Custom Installation industry, as well as copy writing and other professional writing services. Lee’s business and industry blog can be read at http://www.leedistad.com