If you live near a state line, you inspection market could be whittled down by half. At least if you’re only licensed to work in your home state. Branching out improves your odds of a more thriving business. But crossing the state line isn’t as simple as making the drive.
It’s certainly possible to grow your business beyond the boundaries of your state. If that’s the direction you’d like to go, here’s what you’ll need to do.
Research Minimum Licensing Requirements by State
Only some states issue a home inspector license for people working in the industry. There are still several states with no licensing or regulation. One of the first steps in expanding to another state is researching that state’s licensing requirements.
If you’re already licensed, chances are your education plus field experience meets or exceeds the neighboring state’s minimum standards. However, if your state doesn’t issue licenses, the volume of your work experience might be the deciding factor in whether or not you need more education.
At this link, you’ll find access to licensing requirements for every state.
Fulfill Additional Education Requirements (if Any)
If your research turns up bad news, you’ll need more education or experience before you can grow. It might be in the form of continuing education credits or learning units, classroom education, online education or a combination of all three.
An online home inspection education provider, such as ICA School, meets the requirements for every state that allows online learning. Some states, such as West Virginia, require classroom learning, a certain number of field inspections in a neighboring state, or a combination of the two.
If you work in an unlicensed state and have experience, you might qualify for an education waiver. If not, it’s time to sign up for courses and get certified. Then you can approach the licensing board about any additional requirements, such as the level of liability insurance they require home inspectors to carry.
Rely on professionals to help you with the legalities of a multi-state business.
Talk With an Accountant or Attorney About Different Tax Liabilities
The least fun part of expanding into a neighboring state is the business side. Taxes may be especially complicated, so schedule an appointment with a reputable business tax attorney or an accountant. You might need to talk with one in each state where you plan to work. But many professionals have associates who can brief them on laws in other states.
The IRS is another important source for tax questions. And so is the Small Business Association or SBA. They have a wealth of resources that help small businesses learn the complicated ins and outs of working across state lines. Bob Markey Fedorovich accounting consultants break down other common issues that business owners face when working in two or more states.
With a team of professionals on your side, you can set up your multi-state business the right way the first time. That will save you headaches and perhaps even state and local penalties in the long run.
Home inspectors often look for inventive ways to grow their business. Sometimes, it’s by adding employees. And sometimes, it’s by expanding territory. Working near a state line creates a built-in hurdle because rules and regulations can vary a great deal. But you can jump them as long as you plan well in advance.
One thing that doesn’t have to cause headaches is your home inspection reporting app. Report Form Pro works just as effectively in one state as another. As long as you have a mobile signal, you can send a report to any customer anywhere.
Download our home inspection app for Android, get it on Google Play, or find it at the Apple App Store.