Home renovation advisor for homeowners

Homeowners planning a remodel, addition or major repair, plus buyers of fixer-uppers and people managing a build from out of town.

Hourly consulting rate, a flat fee for a bid review or project plan, or a monthly fee while a renovation is underway.

• Hands-on construction or project management experience
• Reading plans and estimates
• Explaining technical things in plain language
• Organized, with good written reports

• Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance, since bad advice can lead to claims
• Check your state's rules on titles and work: terms like engineer or architect are often protected, and managing or performing construction may need a contractor license
• Check whether your city or county requires a general business license
• Use a written agreement that makes clear you advise and do not guarantee the contractor's work
• Avoid taking payments or referral fees from contractors you recommend, as this can create conflicts of interest

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on insurance, tools, software and how you set up your business. You advise homeowners rather than doing the building yourself.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many clients you take on and whether you charge by the hour or per project.

Check whether your state protects titles such as engineer or architect, and whether managing construction needs a contractor license. Also check professional liability insurance, any city or county business license and written agreements, and avoid contractor referral fees.