Set-Up Contractor License Bond: Fill & Download for Free

My background: I have worked as a travel agent for 10+ years in leisure, entertainment, business, and university travel. I have loved working in Travel, but as others have mentioned, commissions are almost extinct and the only way that most agencies are surviving is by charging service fees to customers--often ranging $20 to $50 per airline ticket or hotel booking.In order to have an IATAN card and earn commission, you would have to work for a licensed agency which has been issued an IATA number. You would be better off working for already existing agency since setting up as your own individual agent can be very expensive. The agents who I know who work as independent agents have only done so after working for years at established agencies and after acquiring a devoted--and big spending clientele over the years. They usually do not operate as their own "agency"--they usually work as an independent contractor with an established host agency--which means less set up costs for you, but it also means you'll be expected to work with more clients than just your relatives.If you are just starting out, working for an established agency would be your best bet--even if it's as an independent agent working from home--as long as you have an established agency already set up for ticketing with IATA. Home based agent jobs are very competitive and harder and harder to come by. You might have to relocate to another city in order to find work--even if you plan to work from home.1. There are various licensing fees payable to IATA as you have to register to get an IATAN number for your "agency"--even if it's just you (again, unless you are working as an independent contractor agent or as a work at home agent employee).2. The fees paid to have a working GDS program to book flights and hotels (SABRE, Apollo, Amadeus). Every keystroke you enter into an airline reservations program to view a flight schedule or issue a ticket costs something. (It might be just a few cents, but when you start booking flights and hotels, it adds up quickly.)3. and bond money: you would have to put up thousands of dollars in bond money to issue airline tickets--even though e-tickets have replaced the old school paper tickets. When you issue airline tickets, you are accountable for those.4. Sometimes the customer's credit card is directly charged by the airline for the ticket, but in other cases, the airline might bill you and you in turn have to charge the customer's credit card. (Which means you also lose money--usually 3 to 5 percent--on credit card fees.) Issuing tickets costs agents money--even e-tickets.5. Plus on the local government end, expect additional permits and licensing fees just to be considered a legal operating business. You will have to file as a business in your state as an LLC or Corporation. There are fees to do that, too--at least a few hundred dollars per year for most states.6. Having an IATAN card and being a travel agent--the agency discounts have dwindled over the years. A few airlines will offer some decent agent rates (like Alaska Airlines and Icelandair), but the airlines have become more stingy over the years. If they do offer an agent rate, it's normally what they call an AD/75 which means the agent gets a 75% discount on the airfare. "Great!" you think... but the discount is off a full-fare Y category ticket--which is the most expensive Economy fare level and usually $2000-$3000. So, that agent discount you get on a ticket from LAX to JFK round-trip might mean that you are offered an agent rate of $500 or $600 on a still Economy ticket... so, you'd do better just getting a 14 day advance purchase sale fare for $350-400.Hotels might be slightly more generous with agent discounts. Fairmont Hotels and Hilton are a couple who offer the best agent discounts--but you might encounter issues with black out dates or room availability. Other hotel chains will just offer you the option to waive your commission of 10%, thus giving you a 10% discount on your hotel stay.7. Commissions: practically extinct with the airlines unless you are ticketing people flying First Class or Business--and usually that only applies to International destinations. Otherwise, commission on Economy fare tickets is a thing of the past with agencies charging customers service fees to stay afloat. Hotels usually only pay 10% in commissions, so booking volume would be the only thing that helps you there. If you are booking tours or cruises, then you can make some decent commission, but again, it's about volume. You won't make that much off a dozen or less people traveling per year.So, I am glad to hear of your interest in the Travel Industry. Do not pay for any "how to" guides or seminars. They are going to be a waste of time and money. If you want to work in Travel, it's best to dive in and reach out to established agencies in your area--or be open to relocating to major cities where you can work for one. There are still ways to be a part of it and make a living. Expect to hustle, though! It's definitely a Sales game and volume of business is key.

Thanks for the A2A.Not sure about India but in general, requirements for a construction company have at least these characteristics:Licensing for your City, State or juristiction where you will operate.In some cases, certification or license for certain types of works.InsuranceWorkman’s Compensation-in the event your employees are injured on the job.Health Insurance package for your workers.Sometimes you may need Bonding.Thats just your paperwork.On the “getting the job done” side:Manpower-workersToolsEquipmentVehicleMaterial Supplier accountsRelationships with other specialty contractorsA steady source of clientsAs you can see there is a high barrier to entry for a construction company which means the profitability is high.I suggest you start small, fix a window, than redo a bathroom, than an apartment, than a whole building. This is how my family started. Hope this helps.Aythompson.com

Whether hiring a general contractor or sub-contractor there are some basic things to always consider:1. Plan Out Your ProjectStart by detailing what work you want to be done and who you will need to complete the work.If you want a straightforward house demolition (and there isn’t any asbestos), this is likely a one-bullet list. However, if you are planning a kitchen remodel, your outline might look something like this…Strip kitchen’s interior — Interior Demolition ContractorRe-design — Interior Designer / Kitchen Remodel SpecialistRe-paint kitchen — DIYInstall new cabinets — General ContractorInstall new appliances — Appliance Installation Professional (like Home Depot or Best Buy)Keep in mind that no two projects are the same, and you may or may not need to hire a specially licensed contractor for your project.Next, gather up all the project information and details that your contractor will need to know.Let's look at a few specific project types to get a better idea of what information a contractor will need to know.House DemolitionHouse square footage — How big is the home you want to be demolished?Materials used to build the house — What material is your home made of?Foundation — Will you be keeping your foundation? If not, how thick is it?Access — How close are your neighbors? Are there nearby trees or landscaping you want to be kept intact?Interior DemolitionSquare footage — What area of your house do you want to be demolished, and how big is it?Utilities — Are utilities shut off? Will any plumbing or electrical need to be relocated?Access — How easy is it to access the area? Is it upstairs, downstairs, basement, etc.?Concrete RemovalConcrete square footage — Roughly how much area does the concrete cover?Concrete thickness — How thick is the sidewalk or driveway you want to be removed?Access — Is the concrete easy-to-access, or are there any nearby obstacles?Pool RemovalSize — How big and how deep is your pool?Type of pool — Is it an inground or above ground pool?Material — What is your pool made of (e.g. vinyl, gunite, fiberglass, etc.)?Water level — Does your pool still need to be drained?Access — Is the pool easy to get to with equipment?2. Get a Minimum of 2 - 3 EstimatesThe best thing you can do to make sure you get the fairest price is: Get multiple quotes for the job.Don’t just compare the bottom line cost though. You also want to look into each contractor’s experience, what other customers have to say about them, how long it will take them to complete the project, payment schedule expectations, and anything else that might affect your decision.3. Verify the Contractor’s LicenseWhat’s the worst thing you could do? Hire an unlicensed contractor.In some states, you only need a license if the total project cost is greater than a certain dollar amount. And other states simply require contractors be registered.Our state-by-state contractor license guide is an excellent tool. You can learn your state’s licensing laws and make sure a specific contractor's license is up-to-date.If your state requires a license, always make sure the contractor you hire has the proper licensing.If a contractor's license number is not listed on their website or social media, quote sheets or contracts should show the contractor’s license number on the first page. If you don’t see it, this is a red flag. (Find out the other red flags!) Never be afraid to ask a contractor for their license number, and make sure you understand the importance of having a bonded and insured contractor, too.4. Require a Written ContractAlways get a written contract from contractors you hire. This ensures there will be no surprises.The contract should outline…What work will be doneThe material & equipment that will be usedA payment scheduleA timetable for completionBefore signing it, make sure you completely understand what it’s saying. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification from your contractor.5. Monitor the Job as it ProgressesCheck in on the progress of your project regularly. Ensure the work is being completed on schedule, and check that all permits are displayed on-site until the work is completed.6. Make Payments as Work Gets CompletedSet up a payment schedule that coordinates with the amount of work being completed, and don’t pay for anything unless it is completed and you are satisfied with it. Ideally, all of this will be written in your contract.You should be wary of a contractor who requires a large payment upfront. They may argue that they need the money to purchase the materials for your project, but this is a red flag. An experienced professional who regularly performs a service should already have what they need (for the most part).When it comes to paying a contractor, there are 2 main rules of thumb:Never pay for work that hasn’t been done.Whenever possible, avoid paying in cash.7. Keep Track of EverythingIt’s always advised that you keep a file of all papers and documents related to your project. Not only that, but we also recommend taking photos of the site before work begins, throughout the progress, and when the work is completed.All of the following should be documented and kept safe:Contract & any written changesInvoices, bills & payment receiptsPhotos of the work as it progressesAny correspondence between you and your contractor7 Keys to Successfully Hiring a Demolition Contractor