The long-awaited Final Rule addressing changes to the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé program is being published in the Federal Register today. The Mentor-Protégé program that was limited to 8(a) Small Business Concerns has now been expanded and, effective August 24, 2016, will be available to Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZones Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Businesses, as well as non-disadvantaged Small Business Concerns. The program is “designed to enhance the capabilities of protégé firms by requiring approved mentors to provide business development assistance to protégé firms and to improve the protégé firms’ ability to successfully compete for federal contracts.”

Whether or not you need insurance for your handyman work is going to depend on several factors.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it is probably a good idea to go ahead and buy insurance.

* Does your state require it? Clearly if your state requires that you have insurance it is not a good idea to go without.

* Does your target market include apartment complexes? If so eventually, you may get an apartment deal.  If you are just starting out, this is unlikely unless you are strongly targeting them.

* Are you planning to do any work on bank owned properties?

* Are you planning on getting licensed as a contractor or handyman?  Some states do not required you to have a license but then you can be restricted on the cost of the job you are doing

* Are you well established and can easily justify the expense?

* Do you where a helmet everywhere you go?

If you answer no to all of the following questions, you may consider holding off.

The Handyman Pharmacy Discount Program,   provides discounts for its members at certain participating pharmacies for drugs and other healthcare supplies. You can also save on smoking cessation aids and diabetes supplies. These savings are based on the fact that we have over 56,000 pharmacies processing millions of prescriptions annually.

This card will provide you with Rx health care savings of up to 55% at pharmacies across the country including Target, Cub Pharmacy, Kmart Pharmacy, CVS/pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Pamida, Shopko, Walgreens, Thrifty White, Walmart, and many more. This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately!

Insurance might not be the first thing someone thinks about when running a business, but it should be an important consideration. Handyman insurance is another requirement if you are thinking about starting a handyman business.  On HandymanInsurance.com we provide important insurance information to get a contractors insurance quote and to help you save on your next business decision.

There are a many of factors that play into premium cost and it will vary greatly.  The best way to make sure you are not paying too much is to shop out your options.  On HandymanInsurance.com you can get your free quotes today just by clicking on our Start Quote link.

Depending on what state you are in it can very however, in most states the standard is $1,000,000 of liability coverage for each occurrence with an aggregate of $2,000,000.  This means that the max payout for a year is two million.

There is also the option to insure your vehicle on the same plan. Talk to your insurance agent and if they think this makes sense in your unique situation.

SBA Implements Significant Rules Changes to Federal Small Business Procurement Regulations

The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) recently rolled out some major changes to the federal small business procurement regulations. The first was a May 31, 2016 final rule, which finalized the agency’s earlier December 2015 proposed rule, and implemented numerous mandates by the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”) of 2015. This rule, which went into effect June 30, 2016, made (among others) the following changes to the SBA regulations:

• Expansion of JV Exception to Affiliation Where Each Individual JV Partner is Small (13 C.F.R. § 121.103(h));
• Changes to Subcontracting Limitations and “Similarly Situated Entity” Rules (13 C.F.R. § 125.6);
• Clarification regarding what types of familial relationships will result in a rebuttable presumption of “identify of interest” affiliation pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 121.103(f) (for more information see our previous blog);
• Addition of a rebuttable presumption of “identify of interest” affiliation pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 121.103(f) based on 70% economic dependence between companies (for more information see our previous blog).

In addition to this rule, the SBA recently issued a “Statement Of General Policy” relating to the interaffiliate sales exclusion.

As a business owner, you are facing many difficult dental insurance plan decisions. One of the decisions is buying a business dental plan. Business dental insurance plans have become essential to businesses due to the increasing benefit needs of the employees, especially when they visit the dentist.

Group business dental insurance coverage is more affordable since all the participants of the plan are under one policy normally paid by the employer. Offering dental insurance to employees can aid in the employer recruitment and retention.

Studies indicate that supplemental employee benefits such as dental insurance can help retain high quality employees. The cost for business dental insurance will very, depending on the number of employees, the plan specifications, employee contributions, and the cost limitations you specify with your dental insurance agent.

Government agencies have the ability to terminate their contracts for convenience (“T for C”), or for default (“T for D”).  While a T for C does not imply that there was any fault on the part of the contractor, T for D means the government believes that the contractor failed to perform in accordance with the provisions of the contract. This distinction has other important implications as well. If terminated for convenience, a contractor can seek payment for the work done, and for any preparations made for the terminated portion of the contract. In contrast, if defaulted, it is possible that a contractor will actually owe the government money in connection with reprocurement. Getting terminated for default can also negatively impact a contractor’s ability to get future contracts. This webinar will cover the ins and outs of terminations. Learn all about T for Cs, the response process and seeking compensation. Learn also about T for Ds, how to challenge them, how to convert them to T for Cs, and how to deal with reprocurement claims.

If you are an independent handyman then it is up to you to make sure you have all the proper insurance to cover you and or your family.  Did you know that 164 Million hours of work lost in US due to dental disease.  As an independent/self employed handyman you can not afford not to work due to dental issues.  That is why having dental insurance for you and or your family is so important.

Free Instant Individual – Family Dental Insurance Plan Quotes

If you are a self-employed person and have had the misfortune of visiting a dentist, you will immediately realize the importance of buying individual dental insurance coverage

Our last tip would be to advertise your services.  Ask local home improvement stores, paint stores and general contractor supply stores to display brochures or advertisements for your services. Visit local garden and home improvement trade shows and pass out business cards. Take out an ad in your community newspaper. Think about making a website for your business.  Also do not forget about Social media such as Facebook. Which is a good way to make contacts and generate business

In most states you will need to obtain necessary licenses as well as business insurance. Check with your local and state agencies to obtain necessary licenses. Register your business with your state’s Secretary of State office and check with your county, city and state concerning licensing requirements for general contractors, electricians and plumbers. Request an Employee Identification Number, or EIN, from the Internal Revenue Service. Contact your insurance agent to purchase business insurance to protect against damage, injuries and accidents on the job and on the road. You can also get free insurance quotes for your business online with HandymanInsurance.com

The next step in starting up your Handyman Business is to locate all the necessary equipment you will be needing for your general handyman duties. Consider tools of various trades, such as plumbing materials, electrical tools and general contractor items. Think beyond the basic, such as wrenches, screwdrivers and hammers, and consider the type of services you will offer when purchasing new tools and equipment.

After constructing a business plan you will want to secure a vehicle. Use your current vehicle to help defray initial start-up costs. Ensure your vehicle will hold all of your equipment, including ladders. Take into account the need to transport large or long items, such as wood planks and plastic pipes. Purchase a new or used vehicle, such as a cargo van or work truck, if your current vehicle does not meet your needs.

Note it is important to understand that your personal auto insurance will not cover claims made while using your vehicle for your handyman job.  Therefore either add business use to your auto policy if you can or buy a business auto policy.  You can receive free quotes from our website for business auto insurance.

First you will want to construct a business plan. The US Small Business Administration website can help with developing a basic business plan and provide examples. State your company mission and goals. You will need to decide on the types of handyman services you will offer, such as plumbing, electrical and exterior services. Provide details related to identifying your target market, such as elderly homeowners and businesses. Include a forecast detailing expected profits, a list of equipment requirements and details regarding financing needs.

In most states the standard is $1,000,000 of liability coverage for each occurrence with an aggregate of $2,000,000.  This means that the max payout for a year is two million.  There is also the option to insure your vehicle on the same plan.

The answer to this question is going to depend on several factors.  If you answer yes to any of the following questions, it is probably a good idea to go ahead and buy it.

* Does your state require it?

* Does your target market include apartment complexes?  Eventually, you may get an apartment deal. If you are just starting out, this is unlikely unless you are strongly targeting them.

* Are you planning to do any work on bank owned properties?

* Are you planning on getting licensed as a contractor or handyman?  I’m not currently licensed because my state doesn’t require me to be.  I just can’t do jobs over $1,000.

* Are you well established and can easily justify the expense?
* Do you where a helmet everywhere you go?

If you answer no to all of the following questions, you may to consider holding off.  However it may be better safe than sorry.  Shop out insurance for your handyman business and compare rates against coverages.

Insurance might not be the first thing someone thinks about when running a business, but it should be an important consideration. Handyman insurance is another requirement if you are thinking about starting a handyman business.  This website provides important insurance information to get a contractors insurance quote and to help you save on your next business decision.

The Handyman Pharmacy Discount Program provides discounts for its members at certain participating pharmacies for drugs and other healthcare supplies. You can also save on smoking cessation aids and diabetes supplies. These savings are based on the fact that we have over 56,000 pharmacies processing millions of prescriptions annually.

This card will provide you with Rx health care savings of up to 55% at pharmacies across the country including Target, Cub Pharmacy, Kmart Pharmacy, CVS/pharmacy, Hy-Vee, Pamida, Shopko, Walgreens, Thrifty White, Walmart, and many more. This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately!

Workers’ compensation insurance is not only required in most cases, but it can help cover the medical costs and a portion of lost wages for an employee who becomes ill or injured during work. Discover if you are eligible to include workers’ compensation coverage to your handyman insurance package

Business Dental Plans

As a business owner, you are facing many difficult dental insurance plan decisions. One of the decisions is buying a business dental plan. Business dental insurance plans have become essential to businesses due to the increasing benefit needs of the employees, especially when they visit the dentist.

Group business dental insurance coverage is more affordable since all the participants of the plan are under one policy normally paid by the employer. Offering dental insurance to employees can aid in the employer recruitment and retention.

Studies indicate that supplemental employee benefits such as dental insurance can help retain high quality employees. The cost for business dental insurance will very, depending on the number of employees, the plan specifications, employee contributions, and the cost limitations you specify with your dental insurance agent.

Buying handyman insurance is fast, easy and secure

Review our handyman insurance quotes/options. Determine which liability coverage is best for you. You will be ask you a few questions about your type of work, you will then be able to click on get my quote.

As a handyman, securing a General Liability Insurance policy is essential in covering the unforeseen incidents that can occur on the job. This handyman liability insurance protects you while performing work on your customer’s property for liabilities that may arise as a result of your finished work.

What is an Insurance Premium?

The insurance premium is the amount an insurer charges to provide policy coverage. Often paid as a monthly premium payment, but may also be paid at one time as an annual premium payment.

What is an Insurance Quote?

An insurance quote is an estimate for the premium (amount) of insurance coverage based on the policy you select and information you provide when you request your handyman insurance quote.