Starting and Operating a Bed and Breakfast
This entry was posted on 10/13/2007 7:01 AM and is filed under Starting a Business.
Question: My husband and I have both recently retired and we are interested in opening and operating a Bed and Breakfast business. We are shopping for a house in upstate New York where we will live and conduct our B&B business. We would appreciate any advice you can offer in this regard.
Answer: You should first spend time traveling and staying at other inns, so you'll have an understanding of what guests want. Participate in a quality seminar for aspiring innkeepers, and try to work at a bed and breakfast for at least a weekend.
Make sure to check zoning and license restrictions on the house before considering the house's potential as a B&B. When looking for a property in New York, you will learn that many properties are marketed as being "perfect for a B&B" with no regard for the fact that it would be nearly impossible to open one at that location (legally of course). Before buying a home and turning it into a B&B, you should predicate your choice on the ability to obtain a license and comply with the health codes, safety codes, and zoning requirements. To determine what the license requirements are in New York State go to www.nys-permits.org Look for the link to bed and breakfast requirements and complete their questionnaire. You will then get the needed information for licensing a B&B. For the other requirements you would be best served by consulting with a local attorney in the county or town where your house will be located. This information also will enable you to determine what renovations you must make to the premises. Contact an insurance specialist to learn what special coverage will be required.
You need to be very much a "people" and a "morning" person, and have income other than what you would expect to receive from your B&B. Also, you need to devote as much energy on marketing as you will on service and amenities.
To attract repeat business, show that you both enjoy being B&B hosts, which will encourage repeat business. Try to cook good things, using good ingredients, and decorate well to please them.
Also, to be competitive and make money with a bed and breakfast, you’ll need to supply the room with everything a couple or traveler will need. This means that you should have a television and phone in each room as well as ample space for a comfortable bed and area for clothes to be stored. A wireless Internet connection would be a big plus. It’s the small touches that can really add to the ambience of a bed and breakfast.
This must be a joint effort by both of you to succeed. Make certain that you both can work together and have the same enthusiasm for running this type of business. You should visit with a SCORE counselor, thus enabling you to receive valuable mentoring and good advice in this endeavor.
