Personal Care Home Startup FAQs

Q: What does Bag Related do?

A: Bag Related helps aspiring entrepreneurs start and operate Private In-Home Care agencies, Personal Care Homes and other related businesses. We provide done-for-you startup tools, including business planning guidance, state-specific documents, branding packages, and expert consulting to help you launch with confidence.

Q: What’s the difference between a Private In-Home Care business and a Personal Care Home?

A: A Private In-Home Care business sends caregivers to clients’ homes hospitals or assisted living facilities, while a Personal Care Home provides housing and care for residents in a licensed facility, usually a converted residential home. Both require licensing, but regulations and setup differ by state.

Q: Do you help in all states?

A: Yes! We support entrepreneurs across most U.S. states. Our team stays up to date with state-specific regulations, including licensing, policies and procedures, zoning, and documentation requirements.

STARTUP PROCESS FAQs

Q: How do I find a good location for a Personal Care Home?

A: We recommend the following step-by-step research and planning process:

Identify high-demand areas — Start by listing the 10 most populous counties in your State, especially near your location.

Research county-specific PCH regulations — Search online for licensing, zoning, and land use rules for each target county.

Contact the local Planning & Zoning office — Call ahead to ensure you’re directed to the right department (in some cases, it may fall under city jurisdiction).

Compare locations — Based on your outreach, determine the most favorable county or city for establishing a PCH.

Find the right property — Look for single-story ranch homes with multiple bedrooms or easy conversion into rooms potential. A home with a basement for staff is a plus.

Avoid homes in subdivisions or HOA-controlled areas, which may oppose zoning exceptions (Special Land Use Permit applications).

Pre-screen your properties — Before purchasing, take your shortlisted properties to the local planning commission to verify suitability for a care home.

Secure the property — Once a site is confirmed as viable, place it under contract and request a letter of permission from the seller to begin the permit process.

Apply for a county use permit — If granted, proceed to complete the property purchase.

File your state PCH application — This is your final step after confirming zoning and securing ownership or control of the property.

Q: Can Bag Related help with site selection or zoning strategy?

A: Yes. While we don’t broker real estate, we guide you through the zoning and planning process, including what to ask, how to present your case, and how to evaluate properties based on feasibility for a licensed care home.

LICENSING & DOCUMENTATION

Q: What documents are included in your PCH startup package?

A: Our package includes:

State-specific policies and procedures

Customized licensing application guidance

Operational forms (admission, discharge, medication logs, care plans, etc.)

Business planning tools

Optional branding (logo, website, marketing materials)

Q: Do you provide inspection preparation support?

A: Yes. We provide a compliance checklist, help you prepare your property, and ensure your documentation is aligned with what state inspectors expect.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Q: How much does it cost to start a Personal Care Home?

A: Startup costs vary by location and property size. On average, expect to invest:

$15,000–$50,000+

This includes property acquisition, renovations, furniture, equipment, licensing fees, and startup consulting. We'll help you build a realistic, itemized budget.

Q: Who pays for the filing fees?

A: You, the client, are responsible for all state filing fees, business registration costs, and other government or third-party expenses. These are not included in Bag Related’s service fees, as they vary by state and license type.

Q: What does your fee include?

A: Our flat service fee includes:

Customized, state-specific policies and procedures

Step-by-step licensing application guidance

Business document templates (intake forms, client agreements, etc.)

Access to our startup checklist and onboarding support

Optional upgrades like branding (logo, website, marketing tools)

We handle the documentation and strategy — you handle the actual filings with your state agency.

Q: What are common costs beyond your fee?

Typical additional costs may include:

Property purchase or lease

Renovation or ADA upgrades

County zoning permits (use permits or Special Land Use Permits)

State licensing fees

Business registration

Fire inspection upgrades

Staff training & background checks

Insurance (Not required in every State)

We’ll provide a planning worksheet to help you budget.

OPERATIONS, STAFFING & COMPLIANCE

Q: Do I need to hire staff before getting licensed?

A: Yes. Most states require you to name a Qualified Administrator and list any initial staff in your application. You must also provide evidence of training, background checks, and in some states, CPR/First Aid certification.

Q: Do I need to live on-site?

A: No, but you must have a designated administrator who oversees day-to-day operations and ensures resident safety and compliance.

Q: Can I own multiple Personal Care Homes?

A: Yes. Many providers start with one home and expand. We offer ongoing consulting to help you scale your business while staying compliant.

Q: Do I need a medical background to open a care business?

A: No medical background is required to own the business. However, some states may require you to hire or contract a licensed nurse or administrator as part of your operational team.

Q: How long does it take to get licensed?

A: It varies by state, but most clients complete the setup and licensing process in 2 to 12 months, depending on readiness, state response times, and inspections.

DOCUMENTATION & COMPLIANCE FAQs

Q: Do you provide policies and procedures that meet state requirements?

A: Yes. We provide state-specific policy and procedure manuals that align with licensing regulations, including staffing, admission, care plans, medication management, and emergency preparedness.

Q: Can you help with inspection prep and compliance?

A: Absolutely. We guide you through what to expect during licensing inspections and help ensure your documentation, staffing, and operations are inspection ready.

MARKETING & OPERATIONS FAQs

Q: Do you help with getting clients or staffing?

A: We provide marketing tools (branding, website, social media setup) to help you attract clients. While we don’t directly hire staff, we guide you on recruitment strategies and required HR documents.

Q: Do you offer ongoing support after startup?

A: Yes. We offer optional consulting packages for operations, compliance, marketing, and scaling your business as you grow.

TIMELINES & TURNAROUND

Q: What is the turnaround time?

A: For document delivery, our standard turnaround is 7 to 14 business days, depending on the scope of services. Licensing timelines vary by state but typically take 2 to 12 months, including application submission, review, and inspections.

 PAYMENT, BILLING & CERTIFICATION

Q: Do I need to be Medicaid certified?

A: No, Medicaid certification is not required to start your care business. You can begin with private pay clients, which are often simpler to manage or you can subcontract with a Medicaid Provider Agency. If you plan to accept Medicaid in the future, we can guide you through the certification process.

Q: How does one get paid in Personal Care Home business?

A: Most providers begin with private pay clients, collecting payments via check, card, or online invoicing. You may also work with long-term care insurance or VA benefits. With Medicaid certification, you can bill state programs directly. We’ll help you understand your options and set up a payment system.

POLICIES & SUPPORT

Q: What is your refund policy?

A: We have a fair refund policy which is available in our service contract. We are committed to your satisfaction and will work with you to resolve any issues or adjust when necessary.

Q: What happens if an application is returned by the state?

A: If your application is returned due to documentation or formatting issues, we’ll help you revise and resubmit at no additional charge. Our goal is to support you through to approval, and we anticipate many of these issues in advance to reduce delays.