Home Care Agency Blueprint
How to choose a home care startup consultant
Choose the consultant who puts the most in writing: what they will deliver, what it costs in total, what happens if you stop, and what they cannot promise. Compare every option on the same criteria, including doing it yourself and including us.
Written under the direction of founder Scott McKenzie. Updated .
Free tools
Consultant comparison scorecard
Rate up to three consultants on ten criteria, weight what matters to you, and see must-have gaps before you pay anyone.
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Open the scorecard →Interview checklist
Keep it open during a call: tick each question you ask, whether the answer was clear, and any red flags you notice.
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Open the checklist →What to look for, in order
Look first for real experience running an agency, then for a written scope, fees you can add up, state information you can check yourself, and fair exit terms. Those five things predict most of what goes right or wrong with paid startup help.
Experience running a home care agency
Has personally operated an agency, and can describe what went wrong as well as what went right.
Written scope of work
Deliverables are listed in writing, including what is not included.
Clear fees
Total fee, payment schedule, and possible extra charges are written down before you sign.
State knowledge you can verify
Points you to your state agency’s published rules instead of asserting them from memory.
References you can call
Gives you former clients to speak with, including some who did not end up opening.
Contract terms
You can leave, any refund terms are written, and you own the documents made for you.
All ten criteria are on the scorecard. The deliverables guide explains what a fair scope looks like, and the fees and contracts guide covers how to read the paperwork.
Do you need a consultant at all?
Not always. Many founders research their state’s requirements from free official sources and pay for help only with a narrow job, such as a contract review. Others pay for guidance to save time. Decide what you need before you compare who could provide it.
The DIY versus hired help guide lays out both sides, and the red flags guide lists the warning signs to watch for on any call.
Guides
12 questions to ask
Why each one matters and what a clear answer sounds like.
Red flags
Warning signs, and exactly what to do when you see one.
DIY vs hiring help
When doing it yourself works, and when help may be worth it.
What to expect in writing
Deliverables, exclusions, timelines and ownership.
Fees and contracts
Fee structures, payment schedules and exit terms. No price list.
FAQ
Straight answers, including about our own conflict of interest.
A disclosure you should read
Home Care Agency Blueprint publishes this site and also sells consulting. That is a conflict of interest, so we say it on every page, give you tools that work for any consultant, and invite you to score us with exactly the same criteria as everyone else.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a home care consultant first?
Ask whether they have personally run an agency, what exactly you will receive in writing, and the total fee including anything that could be added later.
Is a consultant required to start a home care agency?
No. Requirements come from your state agency, and a consultant is optional. Check your own state’s published rules for what applies to you.
Can I use these tools for any consultant?
Yes. The scorecard and checklist are not tied to any company, including ours. Your entries stay in your browser.
Do you offer consulting yourselves?
Yes. Home Care Agency Blueprint does, so we are one of the options you may be comparing. We say so on every page.
Want to talk with an advisor?
A free 15-minute clarity call with a Certified Home Care Entrepreneur advisor from Home Care Agency Blueprint. You do not need to finish a worksheet first.
Book a free 15-minute clarity call