Start a fire safety plan and compliance report writing business

Property managers, condo corporations, small landlords and business owners who need an up-to-date plan for fire inspectors, insurers or their own safety programs.

Fixed price per plan or report, with repeat income from yearly updates and revisions when a building's layout or use changes.

• Detailed, accurate writing
• Reading floor plans
• Understanding the fire code requirements for plans in your province
• Organising documents and deadlines

• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance
• Plans may need approval by the local fire department, so check requirements before quoting
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Keep within advisory work and avoid anything that requires a professional engineer's seal
• Rules differ by province and Quebec has French-language requirements

Estimated startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $4,000, depending on your software, equipment and insurance. Errors and omissions insurance is one item to budget for, since clients rely on your documents.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many plans and reports you complete. Hours start at around 8 per week, so the business can begin part-time from home.

Check whether plans need approval by the local fire department before you quote, and whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence. Keep to advisory work that doesn't need a professional engineer's seal, and check provincial rules, including Quebec's French-language requirements.