[jgiger2014]

Thanks for the in-depth answer, I appreciate it. While this is exactly what I am looking for, I want to know what is the minimum amount of equipment needed to get any jobs. For example the most important are the cameras, but to mount them you would need a ladder. To be able to bring a ladder to sites you need a long van. Then you need experience as an electrician if the house in question does not have the Ethernet cables installed. All these expenses add up to 100k plus 100k for a storefront at a minimum, correct?

[fencepost]

The ladder isn't really that big an issue, you can get a decent collapsible or telescoping ladder that will travel pretty easily in a hatchback, small wagon or minivan. Something that will work in most offices with 8-10' suspended ceilings will probably set you back ~$100, for higher ceilings you're going to pay more and probably need a minivan, as well as some muscles to wrangle it around (e.g. Werner MT-26 or Little Giant 12026 which collapsed are ~6ft and $300-500). Having 2 ladders will often make a huge difference in your productivity.

You don't really need that much electrical experience for running low-voltage Ethernet, but you will need some and you need common sense, some basic construction skills, more common sense, some planning skills, and a bit more common sense. Keep in mind that you're going to be putting holes in walls, putting up new faceplates, etc. and you don't want to put them in crooked or leave a mess. Keep in mind that it's one thing for your friends to wonder "What was he thinking?" and a completely different thing for your customers / referral sources to wonder the same.

You'll need a vehicle, but it probably doesn't need to be new. Ladders, call it $1k. Cable fishing equipment, drills, saws, etc. maybe another $1k. Consumable supplies (boxes of cable, jacks, patch cables, wall plates, low-voltage mounting brackets, patch panels, etc.) will easily take another few thousand (particularly using plenum cable). You'll want to keep some quantity of equipment (cameras, etc.) on hand to do immediate fixes/replacements for your customers unless you have a good local supplier, but you may be able to avoid keeping a large stock as long as your orders have enough lead time (and you have the ability to purchase as needed). Insurance, licensing, etc. will chew some, but even so I'd say you're still looking at well under $100k to start, and certainly not $200k unless you're in a very expensive market.

With questions like those, though, I'd recommend spending at least some time working for someone already in the business.