How to Start a Bed and Breakfast

Starting a Bed and Breakfast can be as simple as buying new linens or as complicated as remodeling your home. Follow these steps to make your own Bed and Breakfast a reality.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Know The Local Area

1. Start by listing all the local attractions that guests will be coming to see. Unless your local area is famous for only one thing, you will need to make sure the local area has the tourist business to support your Bed and Breakfast.

2. Visit the local Chamber of Commerce to get information about the number of tourists that visit your town, the types of attractions tourists will visit, if tourism is seasonal and other businesses that will support your guests, such as restaurants and shopping. Find out what is required by the city, state and county to operate a Bed and Breakfast.

3. Compare the types of lodging already available in your town, compare prices and amenities offered to guests. For example, if you live in a popular wildlife area, and if there are cabins available at the State Forest for only $25.00 a day, that could take away some of your guest potential and income.

4. Investigate other local Bed and Breakfast homes in your area, drive past the homes to see how they are landscaped. Make a reservation and stay for a weekend to get a good idea of what is available to potential guests and house rules.

Do an Overview of Your Home and Property

5. Start with an unbiased eye and do a total overview. Begin at the street, where the guest will get a first impression. Take notes of what you see and what needs to be done. For example, you may need to landscape your yard, pave the driveway or install a new mailbox. You may need to paint the exterior of your home, add shutters or repair a chimney.

6. Inventory the bedrooms and bathrooms. Most guests want their own private bathroom so you may want to add bathrooms. Look at the bedrooms closely; determine if walls need painted, if carpeting needs replaced, if ceilings need repaired. Closely examine the bathroom for leaks around the faucet and handles; check the water pressure of the toilet and shower.

7. Look closely at the common rooms your guests will be using. Check the dining room where they will be having breakfast, check for clear windows, clean flooring and walls. Check the dining room table and chairs and serving tables to make sure they are sturdy. Check the area that guests will be lounging in before or after breakfast. Make sure there is adequate seating for the maximum number of guests and that it is clean and in excellent repair.

8. Determine the extras you will need to buy for the business. A Bed and Breakfast needs to have fresh, clean and new linens for each bedroom; you may also want to add draperies, lamps, dressers and new beds. Add flair and style to the common rooms and make sure there is adequate table space for everyone. Buy special dishes or china for guests only. Don't forget soap for bathrooms.

Get Ready

9. Apply for all licenses and requirements as soon as you've decided to make your Bed and Breakfast a go. Contact all local authorities about requirements, including the health department. Every state and county is different so ask the Chamber of Commerce what the requirements are for your area.

10. Repair, replace and restore what needs to be done from your overview.

11. Prepare your advertising, write newspaper ads for later placement, buy business cards and set up a website for your business while waiting for repairs to be done.

12. Buy furniture, linens and accessories after the repairs have been done. Wash the bed linens and towels before placing in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Open Your Bed and Breakfast to the Public

13. Hold an open house for members of the Chamber of Commerce, local guides and managers of attractions.

14. Advertise your business in newspapers and magazines, offer "grand opening" specials or "romantic getaways."

15. Offer a free nights stay to get your Bed and Breakfast off the ground.

Resources

• This is the official site for the Professional Association of Innkeepers.

[BBDreamer]

on 10/15/2008 Consider buying a property that is already being operated as a bed and breakfast.

You can find current bed and breakfast for sale listings at www.InnShopper.com

[bizlic]

on 12/27/2007 You need to file alot of paper work to start a B&B, however there is a easy and simple way to go about doing it i went to http://www.bizlegalfilings.com also you can check out my blog for more information http://bizlic.blogspot.com