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Est. 2022Tech Turtle

Business Operations · FREE TOOL

Free Contractor Business Startup Checklist

Start with the work you can deliver safely and legally, then organize costs, insurance, customer agreements and a way for people to contact you. Requirements depend on your trade and location.

YOUR WORKSPACE

Make it useful. Make it yours.

Start with the clearly labeled example values, then enter your own numbers. Your basic result is free.

Your result

[ ] Define the services you can deliver and the area you serve [ ] Check trade licenses, business registration and local permits with the relevant agencies [ ] Review insurance and safety requirements for the work [ ] Build an estimate that includes owner labor and overhead [ ] Prepare customer agreements and a written change approval process [ ] Set up bookkeeping, receipts and a separate business payment process [ ] Publish accurate contact details, service scope and a way to request an estimate [ ] Check Google Business Profile eligibility and keep information consistent [ ] Collect project photos with permission and request honest customer reviews [ ] Set a response and follow-up routine, then review actual job costs

The checklist is educational and does not establish legal compliance or replace advice about your particular trade and jurisdiction. Mark a step done only after checking your actual requirements.

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How to use this tool

  1. Choose your services and service area. Research applicable registration, license, permit and insurance requirements.
  2. Build an estimate, record costs and prepare a reviewed customer agreement.
  3. Set up contact details, a website, an eligible Google profile and a repeatable follow-up process.

A worked example

A painting startup might first define interior work, check local requirements and insurance, price one sample job, prepare a scope template and organize before-and-after photos with permission.

What the result includes

The checklist is educational and does not establish legal compliance or replace advice about your particular trade and jurisdiction. Mark a step done only after checking your actual requirements.

Common questions

Is this specific to Wisconsin?

The checklist is general. Wisconsin owners can follow the linked Wisconsin startup resources; owners elsewhere should check their own state and local agencies.

Do I need every marketing tool on day one?

No. Start with accurate contact information, a clear offer and a reliable response process. Add channels when you can serve and measure the demand.

Prepared by the Tech Turtle team. Formulas and assumptions are explained above so you can check the result against your own job records.

More free contractor tools →Contractor guides and templates →

Explore Wisconsin startup resources and verify current requirements with your state and local agencies.