Can anybody recommend a good source to use for bidding on whole house audio and home automation projects?  I am a new installer and am interested in growing my business.  Any help would be appreciated.  Additionally, I am also looking for reference material that will help me market my services appropriately.  Any help with that would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all.  I really appreciate this site.  It has helped me tremendously.

Congratulations on your becomming an installer!

FIRST RECOMMENDATION:  One way and the surefire easy way is to simply ask for price quotes from other installers.  That way you can get a general feel on what you shoud be charging in your particular area.

While there are some who may feel that this tactic is kinda deceptive, it is the only way you can get real marketing information on your competition.  Having this information will determine whether you are charging too low or too high.

BEST RECOMMENDATION:  It won’t be a bad idea to perhaps approach an installer in person and simply be upfront and honest and to ask for help (this way helps and is better than using deceptive tactics).  I found out that most people generally love to share their knowledge and their expertise and you’ll find that they are more willing.  If you are willing to listen and not sound like you are better than the other guy, you’ll definately get even more information that what you asked.

Additionally, you can check the CE Pro’s Magazine Archive for any information that may be helpful and use the Search tab under it. 

Hopes this helps!

Seraphim

I do realize that this topic was posted quite some time ago but thought I would lend a suggestion.  Most manufacturers have some sort of means by which their dealers are found on a dealer locator.  Even though you may not be a seriopusly active dealer, having the initial listing on these sites may help tremendously.

As a manufacturer I know the value of our website to our dealers and even prospective dealers.  We get thousands of prospective clients using our dealer locator per month and we regularly hear how a simple request for one of our central vacuums turns into a sale of $50,000 worth of home electronics. We are so convinced at the value of this feature to our prospective dealers that we even put them on our site for a period of time even though they have not yet bought from us because we know the incoming leads will sell our products.

Of course we are in a very confined niche and our website does dominate the channel because of the vast amount of information available on it but I challenge you to pursue your manufacturers to see if they can be the ones providing you the leads that will sell THEIR products.