The first-year checklist for a new trade business

Year one is when habits form. Get these in place early and the business runs on rails; leave them and they cost you later.

The paperwork

1. **Business registered** - an LLC or other entity, filed with your state. 2. **EIN** from the IRS, used on invoices and with your bank. 3. **Business bank account**, kept separate from personal money. 4. **State and local licences** for your trade, with renewal dates in your calendar. 5. **Insurance in force** - at least general liability, plus workers' comp once you hire, and commercial auto for work vehicles. 6. **Any bond your state requires** for your licence.

Getting work

7. **A Google Business Profile** with photos of real jobs, your service area and hours. 8. **A simple website** with your services, area and a way to request a quote. 9. **A way to ask for reviews** after every good job.

Running jobs

10. **A quote template** that sets out scope, price, timing and terms - and a way for customers to accept it quickly. 11. **One calendar** for every booking, visible to anyone who works with you. 12. **Same-day invoicing** and card payments, so cash comes in while the job is fresh.

Money habits

Put money aside for tax with every payment. Track every expense with a receipt. Review your numbers monthly: which jobs made money, which did not, and why.

Look after yourself

Block time for admin each week instead of doing it at midnight. Take a day off. The business needs you rested more than it needs you working every hour.

Service Boss checks what your state and trade require and keeps quotes, bookings, invoices and payments in one account - so this list mostly ticks itself off.