Home care agency with a small office and team

Private-pay families, plus in some provinces regional health authorities or care networks that contract with approved providers, and insurers or veterans' programs.

Billable care hours at a rate above caregiver wages. Funded contracts may bring steady volume but often at set rates and with reporting requirements.

• Managing and scheduling staff
• Knowledge of care standards and privacy
• Business planning and budgeting
• Building relationships with referrers

• Provincial licensing, accreditation or contract requirements, which vary widely and may take months
• Staff qualifications such as PSW or health care aide credentials, and what clients may expect
• Commercial general liability, professional liability, bonding and WCB/WSIB coverage
• Cash flow, since you pay wages weekly while funded contracts may pay later
• Privacy law for health information in your province
• Staff turnover and scheduling gaps, which can damage trust with clients
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on your office, staffing, insurance and how quickly you bring on clients. Build a budget that also covers weekly wages while you wait for payments.

Check your province's licensing, accreditation or contract requirements, which vary widely and may take months. Also check staff qualifications such as PSW or health care aide credentials, insurance and WCB/WSIB coverage, health privacy law, and Quebec's French-language rules.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on how many clients and caregiver hours you can staff. Wages are paid weekly while funded contracts may pay later, so plan your cash flow carefully.