How to Start a Homecare Business in 7 Simple Steps [2023 Update]

Caring for people can be one of the most rewarding experiences. The look on a customer’s face after you help them out is priceless.

In addition, as healthcare services improve, the average life expectancy increases. That means there are plenty of senior citizens looking for a bit of assistance.

Because of that, there are many caregiver positions available all over the country. So, if you’re wondering how to start a homecare business, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about health care agencies. We’ll also cover the most significant expenditures you’ll need to take into account.

How Profitable Is Owning a Homecare Business?

According to the BLS, home healthcare professionals make about $14.15 an hour. This translates to about $29,430 a year.

On average, the lowest earners made about $22,290, while the highest profit margin was $37,010.

The figure will depend on your location and the healthcare services you provide. Typically, if you offer medical assistance, you can charge much more than for normal aid.

Moving on, considering that there are few overhead costs, most of this income is profit. Plus, as your company grows, you’ll be able to hire more nurses and caregivers.

To help you figure out a ballpark for profit margins, you can take a look at competing businesses. For instance, you can check out Papa Pals income for a reference point.

What You’ll Need to Start a Homecare Business [& Associated Costs]

There are many details that go into starting your own homecare business. Let’s dive into some of the most important factors.

• Licensing: To legally operate any business, you’ll need to apply for licenses. The average permit for a homecare business can run up to $1,000. Other than that, you’ll also need a home care license to practice. This can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on your experience and location.
• Insurance: As a caregiver, you’ll have to interact with elderly or sick patients. Sadly, that means there’s little room for error. So, as an extra safety net, it’s always a good idea to set up an insurance plan. This shouldn’t cost more than $500.
• Equipment: When you start a home health care company, you’ll need a few tools. That includes medical instruments like stethoscopes. Besides that, you may also want a computer to help you keep track of your appointments. For equipment, you’ll need around $1,000 to $2,000.
• Business Setup: This is another important expense. You have to spend a few hundred dollars to register the business and create a company bank account. Thankfully, these charges shouldn’t exceed around $300.
• Marketing: As a new small business, you’ll be a little light on customers. To change that quickly, advertising is the key. You’ll need business cards, brochures, and maybe even a website. This can cost up to $1,000.

Do I Need a License or Certificates to Start a Homecare Business?

In order to operate a home care agency, most states require some form of licensing. This applies to both skilled nursing services and non medical home care.

Each area has its own business license process, with different criteria and regulations. So, it’s crucial that you research your state guidelines before choosing to start a company.

Other than that, you should have permits for any medical professionals. For example, nurses will need to be LPNs or CNAs.

Why You Should Consider Starting a Homecare Business as a Side Hustle

There are quite a few benefits of starting a home health agency as a side hustle. Here’s a quick look at some of the most notable advantages of running this type of company.

• Rapid Growth: As we mentioned, there’s no shortage of people that need a helping hand. That means you should be able to grow your potential client list pretty quickly.
• Low Start-Up Cost: If you’re a licensed medical professional, there’s almost no start-up cost. All you need is a few permits and you’re ready to start making money.
• Excellent Career Shift: As a medical professional, your training is incredibly specific. That means it’s difficult to make a career shift. Although, as a homecare giver, you’ll be able to make use of all the skills you spent years honing.
• Flexible Schedule: Homecare givers get to choose their clients and timetable. This makes it the ideal job for a side hustle.

How to Start a Homecare Business in 7 Simple Steps

Now that the basics are out of the way, it’s time to jump into how to launch a business. In this section, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of starting home care agencies.

Step 1: Consider the Homecare Market in Your Area

The first step in opening up a new business is taking a look at your competitors. Research companies like Care.com and inspect their services.

This should give you a better understanding of the homecare market. You’ll be able to see how much firms are charging for specific activities.

On top of that, it gives you a chance to choose what types of services you want to offer.

Finally, market research may be able to help you find a niche. As you’re examining your competition, make note of any gaps in their service catalogs.

This will help you stand out from the crowd once you open your doors.

Step 2: Write a Homecare Business Plan

When starting a new venture, there are countless details to keep track of. For example, your overhead costs and transportation budget.

Because of that, it’s best to group all the necessary data about your business together. We call this a business plan.

The document should encompass all the different aspects of running the business.

To top it all off, having a business plan will make finding investors in the future a breeze.

Step 3: Choose Your Homecare Services

Homecare agents can provide a wide variety of services. Ideally, you want your company to offer as many resources as possible.

However, as a new startup, this can be expensive and difficult to manage. So, to kick off, it’s best to choose a few services that you know you can deliver well.

Some of the most notable home care services include:

• Companionship
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Medical aid
• Pet care
• Transportation

Step 4: Apply for Licenses and Permits

As we mentioned, you can’t run a business without permits. So, with your business plan in hand, you’re ready to apply for licenses.

This part of the process is tedious and can be incredibly time-consuming. Depending on where you live, acquiring a home health care business permit can take 3-18 months.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to start the licensing process as soon as possible.

Step 5: Buy Basic Equipment

Once you get a license, you’re free to open up shop. At this point, you’ll need a few tools to help you out. An example of that is a first aid kit and a small medical bag.

You don’t need to invest any of your money in large appliances yet. To keep expenses low, buy large-ticket items when you need them.

Step 6: Establish Your Brand

Branding is a crucial part of running a successful home health care business. You’ll need a wow factor that helps you stand out from your competition.

That’s when your market research will come in handy. Figure out what special service you can offer customers.

This is also an excellent time to sit down and come up with a company logo.

Step 7: Market Your Homecare Business

Now that you have a logo, it’s time to begin advertising. At this stage, you’ll want to enter the homecare market with a bang.

That means giving out flyers, running online ads, and maybe even hiring a marketing agency.

Things to Consider When Building a Homecare Business

There are a few extra factors you should consider when starting a home health care agency. Here’s a quick look at a couple of the most notable aspects.

Can You Run a Homecare Business by Yourself?

When you decide to launch a business, you have to think about the workload. Aside from helping patients, there are many tasks you need to take on.

This can be an overwhelming amount of responsibility for one person. For that reason, you may want to consider hiring help.

You can employ another caregiver to handle patients.

Yet, hiring a secretary is also an option. If you’re not great with numbers and administrative tasks, that may be the way to go.

They’ll be able to help you with calculating profits and recurring revenue.

Type of Patients

There are many types of people that require a homecare specialist. Catering to every demographic may prove a bit challenging.

For that reason, it’s a good idea to pick a single type of patient. For example, some companies dedicate services to senior citizens like Papa elder care.

Inspiration: Homecare Business Ideas

As a homecare giver, there are a couple of business ideas you can implement.

• Virtual Caregiver Training: Instruct family members on proper patient care.
• CPR Classes: A CPR course can raise awareness of your brand and save lives.
• Nutrition Packages: You can offer pre-packed meals that suit specific dietary needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Similar Businesses to Consider Starting

If you’re still deciding on a venture, take a look at this list of similar businesses.

• How to Start a Babysitting Business: Babysitters and caregivers have a lot in common. Both businesses rely on strong interpersonal skills.
• How to Start a Daycare Business: If you enjoy working with kids, then daycare may be better than homecare.
• How to Start a Dog Walking Business: There’s much less risk involved with dog walking. Moreover, pets are typically easier to handle and take care of.

Wrapping Up

Figuring out how to start a homecare business can be a bit challenging. Luckily, this guide can help you work out a few kinks.

It’ll make the daunting task of launching a venture much more manageable.

Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to share the article with your friends.