13 Steps How To Starting A Radon Testing Business

(doylc.com) How to Start a Radon Testing Business - You can't see or smell radon, but it is present in hundreds of thousands of buildings and is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States alone. There is one way to tell if gas levels in a building are too high: do a radon test. Starting a radon testing business can provide a viable source of income while helping others improve their lives. However, this requires a good understanding of testing methodology, how to reach customers and where to refer them for radon mitigation if needed. Follow the steps below to start a radon testing business.

• Be qualified

1. Learn more about radon at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. Before you can start a radon testing company, you need to know a lot more about its practice. This information can be found by searching for radon online or by viewing the EPA's adoption guide at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-05/documents/hmbuygud.pdf. For links to additional articles and additional resources, see https://www.epa.gov/radon. Focus on learning important facts, such as:

According to the EPA, all homes and schools below the third floor are at high risk of radon.

Buildings in certain areas of the country are more prone to high levels of radon.

EPA guidelines state that any result above 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) is an unsafe radon level.

2. Learn about the types and proper use of radon test kits. There are two types of radon test kits: short-term and long-term test kits. Short-term kits test radon levels in a home for a period of between 2 and 90 days, depending on the type of kit. Long-term kits stay in a home for over 90 days and provide a more accurate measurement of year-round radon levels in a home.

All radon kits should be placed in the lowest occupied area of ​​a home or building. Place them at least 50 cm off the ground and away from outside walls, drafts and high humidity or heat.

There are many different types of radon test kits, each with different specific advantages and disadvantages. Check out the different types at http://www.nrsb.org/devices.asp.

3. Check state licensing requirements. Some states regulate radon professionals independently or EPA guidelines. These states may require those who measure or reduce radon levels, or both, to obtain and maintain an appropriate license. Others may only require registration. In any case, you must inquire with the responsible supervisory authority in your federal state which requirements apply.

State requirements can be found by visiting https://certi.us/cms/radon-training/state-training-requirements and selecting your state.

4. Determine what professional certification you need. Even if your state doesn't require a license, you should still seek professional certification to gain credibility with your clients. The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certifies radon professionals under the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). Certified radon testers and mitigators are also listed on the NRPP's website, making you more visible to potential customers.

To become certified, you must attend a qualifying educational course and then pass a certification exam. At this point you can apply for NRPP certification.

There are two different certifications for measurement (testing): Standard Services and Standard and Analysis Services. The second includes a device performance test and the ability to analyze radon test results yourself instead of sending your device to a lab.

5. Study and pass certification exams. Certification courses can be found at http://aarst-nrpp.com/wp/entry-level-courses/. There are options that take place in real classrooms and some that are done entirely online. Anyone wishing to start a radon testing business should attend and pass one of the radon testing courses. The exam is offered at the end of the face-to-face course or can be registered at http://www.psiexams.com/.

The courses last 16 hours in total and cover everything from the science behind how radon is produced to choosing a testing device and analyzing the results.

Exams usually consist of 100 multiple-choice questions that you have 2 hours to answer.

The exam fee is $110.00.

Certifications last two years, after which they can be extended through appropriate further training.

• Planning your business

6. Conduct market research. Find out if a radon testing company is required in your area. Look online and in the phone book for similar existing businesses. If there are already a number of well-established radon testing companies, add another area to your potential customer base. Or, if possible, identify an underserved market for radon testing.

For example, there are a variety of potential customers for a radon testing company, from landlords and homeowners to large corporations and local governments.

Try speaking to real estate agents to assess the home testing market in your area. Building relationships with them can also come in handy later on as they can give you recommendations.

7. Write a business plan. Before you can start your business, you need an operations plan. This includes addresses of how much it will cost to get started. Expenses to consider include the cost of your incorporation, test kits, transportation, marketing and taxes. Describe how you find customers, what testing options you offer and how high your planned income is for the first 2 years. Also include a list of radon mitigation companies that you can refer customers to if their tests show high radon levels.

You should also consider where you will be working from. It is possible to run this type of business from home, so this should be your first option as cost is an issue.

Describe the planned structure of your company. Most radon testing companies are sole proprietorships, but you can also consider other structures such as B. a GmbH or partnership.

8. Investigate where to buy wholesale radon kits. Find professional radon test kits by searching for suppliers online. Make sure you check each provider's reputation by reading consumer reviews and asking for references. Also, inquire how long it takes to deliver each order of radon tests and how much they cost. Make sure you get professional radon testing kits instead of consumer kits. Otherwise, customers have no reason to hire you.

Radon Testing Corporation of America, PRO-LAB and AccuStar are all reputable test equipment providers.

For the full list of NRPP approved devices, visit the website at http://aarst-nrpp.com/wp/approved-devices/.

9. Raise the capital you need to start a radon testing business. You don't need a lot of money to get started, but you'll need to find that money somehow if you don't already have it. Your options include a small business loan, a personal loan from a friend or family member, or selling your own assets. If you do decide to take out a loan, look for a Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed business loan, as it may be easier for the average borrower to qualify. Your formation costs include the following:

Test kits and a method to have them analyzed. Many kits include free lab tests. The cost of this varies depending on what type of kits you choose and how many you buy to start.

Certification fees if you have not yet been certified.

transportation costs.

Advertising Materials. This amount can vary widely and depends on how actively you want to advertise.

Insurance. Radon measurement professionals need error and omission or general liability insurance to protect themselves from legal action. Specific radon professional insurance plans are available through the North American Professional Liability Insurance Agency (NAPLIA).

• Start of operation

10. Register your business with your city. Check with your city or county office for specific licensing requirements. In most cases, you will need to register a "doing business as" (DBA) name. This name distinguishes your company from you and must be unique (not already used by another company). Contact the appropriate local office to register your DBA name.

11. Buy your test materials. Place your order for your radon testing supplies based on how many homes or businesses you will serve during your first few surgeries. You can always buy more later if you need them. For most locations, consumables are listed by the number of locations they can be tested at.

Divide the price of the test materials by the number of tests offered to get the test cost per measurement. You can look around to reduce these costs and thereby increase your profit margin.

12. Market your business . Print business cards, flyers and price lists to give to potential customers. Also promote your business on the internet through a website and social networks. Consider buying radio or newspaper advertising if you have the money. You can also engage in free marketing by networking with local contractors, inspectors, real estate agents, and builders who may use your radon testing services.

Your radon testing training should have given you the tools you need to explain radon risks to clients. Use this information as part of your marketing strategy to explain to them why they need to have their home tested and the risks involved.

13. Build a relationship with a radon abatement company. Once your business is up and running, you may have certain customers with unsafe levels of radon in their home or business. In this situation, you want to learn about a reputable radon control company that you can recommend to your customers. You can even negotiate a "finder's commission," where you get a portion of the mitigator's earnings from clients you refer them to. Check the NRPP's website for radon control specialists in your area.

They may also offer to perform the necessary post-mitigation testing to ensure mitigation efforts have been effective.