The Playbook for
Starting Your
Trade Business.
Plain-English guides on licenses, insurance, LLCs, payroll, and the best tools for NJ and PA contractors. No fluff. Just the steps.
Pick Your Starting Point
Whether you're just starting out or trying to clean up the business side of a trade you've been running for years — start here.
Start Your Business
Everything you need to go from working in your truck to running a legit business — licenses, LLC formation, EIN, business bank account.
Protect Your Business
GL, workers comp, commercial auto, tools coverage — what you actually need, what it costs in NJ and PA, and how to get a COI fast.
Run & Grow
Payroll for your first hire, best scheduling apps, how to build business credit, and how to get on a GC's approved vendor list.
Start With These
How to Register as a Home Improvement Contractor in NJ (2025 Complete Guide)
Every NJ contractor doing residential work must register as an HICB. Here's exactly what you need, what it costs, and the new 2025 bond tiers.
Read guideHow Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost for Contractors in NJ? (2025)
GL costs range from $50/month for painters to $935/month for roofers. Here's the real NJ data broken down by trade — and how to pay less.
Read guideNJ Contractor Bond Requirements: How Much Do You Need and Where to Get One (2025)
Your HIC registration requires a surety bond — not insurance. Here's the 3-tier system, what it costs ($100–$750/yr), and how to get bonded fast.
Read guideLLC vs. Sole Proprietor for Contractors in NJ — Which Is Right for You?
NJ has an alternative minimum assessment on LLCs that most guides ignore. Here's how to actually decide based on your revenue and risk.
Coming soonFind Guides for Your Trade
Every trade has different license requirements, insurance minimums, and growth challenges. Start with yours.
Tools That Actually Move the Needle
These are the tools NJ and PA contractors use to run leaner, get paid faster, and stay compliant. We've vetted each one.
Written for Trades. Not Generic Small Businesses.
Most business guides are written for tech startups or retail shops. We write specifically for contractors and tradespeople in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
NJ & PA Specific
Every guide covers the exact state regulations, fees, and timelines for NJ and PA — not a generic national overview.
Fluff or Filler
We cut anything that doesn't help you take action. If a sentence doesn't give you a step, a number, or a decision — it's gone.
Always Free to Read
Every guide is free. We earn referral fees from the tools we recommend — only if you choose to use them.