Costs of a opening a assisted living business?

This is a broad question, but the answer is "how much do you want to spend?" For a small facility, 3 to 8 residents, you need to buy or lease a house. You would need enough bedrooms and baths to accommodate the number of residents you plan to care for and get licensed for. Your State regulations will tell you how many square feet of floor space per person per room is allowed. It will also tell you how many toilet and bathing facilities are required for the number of residents you plan to care for. The next step will be to get a sprinkler system installed throughout the whole house. This could cost as much at $15,000+ depending on how large the facility is. Fire Extinguishers would need to be purchased. You would need one for each exit, but be sure to check your State's Fire Code for the requirements. These are generally $40-$50 each. The next purchase would be furniture. Each bedroom would need a bed, chest, mirror, chair with arms, bedside table, etc. for each occupant of the room. Other furniture required would be for the public areas and dining room. Again, you need to accommodate the number of residents you plan to care for and read your State's Rules in order to comply with these requirements. Generally, your licensing fees would be nominal. You would probably need to purchase a Policies and Procedures Manual and a Fire and Disaster Preparedness Manual. Each of these manuals would need to include everything the State Licensing Rules require. You would need to study and know all of your State's Rules and Regulations for Licensing so that you will be in compliance with all requirements. Read all the Rules for your State's requirements, and you can determine what would be needed for the size of your facility. Generally, the overhead fire suppression system requirement for the stove is for facilities larger than 25. Again, read all the rules and determine if this is a requirement according to the licensing number you are requesting. This suppression system could cost as much as $10,000 depending upon the size of the stove top. Next, you need to think about staffing and your State's requirements. The number of staff required would be determined upon the type of residents you are caring for. Those residents who are very frail would be too much for one staff person to care for, so you might need an additional staff to assist with bathing and housekeeping. Also, you need to read the rules to determine your State's requirements for staffing at night. Does staff need to be awake? Or...can staff sleep. This all depends on what the State requires. Staffing can be your largest expense. With any business, you do have some expense getting started. With assisted living, it all depends on the type and how many residents you want to be licensed for and how extravagant you want the facility to be. Good Luck, BPascoe www.azalea-manor.com