Home Equipment and Furniture Installations

Home equipment and furniture installations help create a comfortable environment. Personnel in the industry specialize in a number of areas; however, this career path isn't right for everyone. Following are some resources to help you decide if this career is right for you.

Is Home Equipment and Furniture Installations Right for Me?

The advancement of technology has produced remarkable, yet complicated, home equipment. Flat screen televisions, home automation devices and elaborate furniture may surpass the do-it-yourself homeowner's installation skills. In some situations, what appears to be a simple assembly process can overwhelm the untrained homeowner and may require the assistance of a professional installer. Home equipment and furniture installers use their knowledge and expertise to assist homeowners with upgrading, replacing, assembling and installing new or existing equipment and furniture.

Home equipment includes a range of products, such as sophisticated home entertainment or sprinkler components, exercise gear, appliances or in-home medical devices. Electronics installers fit, connect and mount various technologies, such as audio and visual equipment, satellite television mechanisms, alarms and home automation systems. You have the option of specializing in a particular field, such as medical equipment, custom furniture or electronic equipment installation.

The evolution of home furniture, such as kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, has produced products that resemble traditional standalone fittings. For example, trends in bathroom vanities approach the appearance, feel and functionality of bedroom dressers or chests with drawers and spacious openings that graciously offer obscure, yet practical, storage options. The preexisting structure of a kitchen or bathroom has a significant impact on the installation of furniture. This represents the intersection of carpentry and installation. Carpenters figure out new ways to utilize space, develop custom fittings and install their creations. Carpenters go beyond the design and construction of custom pieces, since they assist with the precise installation of their creations.

Electronic home equipment installers work with audio and visual equipment, such as televisions, security systems and home entertainment components. If you want to work in this area, employers expect solid customer service skills, updated knowledge of electronics and digital equipment, good vision and a keen sense of sound. You can also pursue opportunities in the digital electronics field.

In some situations, home equipment and furniture installers assist with the assembly process. Large furniture pieces, such as office furniture, and complex electronics may include intricate instructions. Assemblers and installers travel to customer homes, use their tools to assemble pieces and complete the installation process.

Approximately 32% of carpenters were self-employed in 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers could expect job growth of 11% through 2018. Carpenters reported median annual earnings of $43,890 as of May 2010, while electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers earned $32,940.

How Can I Work in Home Equipment and Furniture Installation?

The BLS reveals that people in the industry learn their jobs through a combination of vocational or technical education programs, hands-on experience and certification. Knowledge of cutting edge technology and electronics is essential for installers of electronic home equipment.

Technical schools and community colleges offer associate's degree programs in electronics technology, which would prepare you for opportunities in home electronics installation. In this program, you would learn valuable hands-on expertise in such areas as electronic communications, modern electronic devices, AC/DC circuitry and semiconductors. The curriculum for basic carpentry programs provides a foundation through coursework in plumbing, building codes, woodworking, construction and residential projects.