How to Start a Roofing Business In Pennsylvania
Here is some information on how to register and start an HVAC business in the state of Pennsylvania. HVAC services can include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and more. You may want to start here: How To Start An HVAC Company . Make sure you do your own thorough research, as laws change regularly. Here are some steps you may have to take (not necessarily in order) to start your own HVAC company, along with links to more information.
Getting started– The state of Pennsylvania has a resource about starting a business in Pennsylvania here: Start a Business In Pennsylvania Guide (PDF Download)
-Register your business name.
Find out more about registering a fictitious name for your HVAC business here: Pennsylvania Fictitious Names
If you need help selecting a name for your roofing business:
If you need help selecting a name for your HVAC business: HVAC Business Name Ideas
-Select your business structure.
Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.
-Register your business.
You can register your HVAC company with the state of Pennsylvania here: Pennsylvania Business Registration
-Open a Business Checking Account.
You will need to open a separate bank account for your HVAC business with your new business name.
-Find out about taxes and hire an accountant.
You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work. More info about taxes here:
-Get Liability Insurance.
According to Pennsylvania law, you will need liability insurance for your HVAC company.
-Register as a Contractor.
There is a fee to register. The registration lasts two years. You can apply for your registration here: Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration . You will receive a certificate in the mail along with your official Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor number. According the the law, “The registration number must be included in any advertisements, contracts, estimates and proposals that you use in Pennsylvania.”
-Worker’s Compensation.
You will need Worker’s Compensation if you have any employees.
-Get Health Insurance.
Since you will be self-employed, you will need your own health insurance. If you have employees, you will need a plan that will include their health needs also.
-City License.
You may be required to obtain a license to do business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not.
-Permits.
Depending on the locale, you may need to apply for permits before commencing certain types of HVAC jobs.
-Building Code and Inspections.
You must be aware of building codes for your particular job, and may be subject to inspections.
-OSHA.
Depending on how many employees you have, you may need to follow OSHA regulations.
-Financing.
Depending on your startup budget, you may need to apply for financing to help pay for equipment.
-Marketing.
To get your HVAC business going, you will need to either do your own marketing, or hire a marketing agency.