Help for opening a second office?

August 3, 2007 7:29 AM

Our company is looking to open a second office out of the state. We're an engineering firm with about 50 people providing civil engineering, surveying, GIS, and traffic/transportation services. Several of our employees will be relocating to North Carolina (we're currently in Florida), so we're using this opportunity to expand our business to a new market. We've been discussing doing this for a long time now, but not quite this far away... Does anyone know of any resources to assist in opening a second office or a branch office? We've got so much to think about in so little time (we're trying to do this by years end), I'd really like to find some tips on getting this done smoothly. Thanks!
posted by colemanm to work & money (7 comments total)

A big issue is that your company is going to have to pay taxes in that other state. This is a huge expense.
posted by k8t at 7:53 AM on August 3, 2007

Which part of NC? I'm on the coast where things are booming. We have a big need for responsive civil engineering and land planning firms. The ones we have here are entrenched in the old boy's network and are frankly not terribly good. Asheville is also booming. RTP is getting to be somewhat built out, but they're still doing lots of development on the marginal properties...

Don't know what type of resources you need, but the Sec. of State has the forms you need: and of course the obvious small business admin, just google, and there's a bunch of those kind of resources.

Give us some more info if this isn't what you're needing. I'll be out of the office until Monday....
posted by mightshould at 8:32 AM on August 3, 2007

You didn't mention what city you're moving to, but here are some resources in Charlotte that will help you open an office:

Charlotte Regional Partnership
US gov't Small Business Administration, Charlotte Branch
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
The Small Business and Technology Development Center
posted by KokuRyu at 8:36 AM on August 3, 2007

We're planning on opening up in Charlotte. However, that's good news about things booming on the coast. I'll bring that up with our management and see what they think.

@mightshould - Are you in the architecture business? Much of our work currently is doing site development, land development, and drainage studies for architects (among other clients). What city are you in, exactly?
posted by colemanm at 9:33 AM on August 3, 2007

Is yours a general business corporation? A general business corporation may not perform (or offer to perform) engineering in North Carolina. You will have to form a professional corporation for that purpose. Contact the NC PE board, first -- BEFORE the secretary of state. If you also do architecture, you will have to form yet another PC for that. You may have to get approval from the appropriate board BEFORE you can form the company. The NC PE board does not mess around, so don't wait until the last minute. You need to have the company in place BEFORE you offer any services in the state.
posted by MrFongGoesToLunch at 10:24 AM on August 3, 2007

You might want to build up a client base before you officially set up an office there. I don't know if these two employees are licensed there or not but it would seem that that would be the necessary first step. Have them do the marketing first so that they can at least test the waters before making any jump.
posted by JJ86 at 11:05 AM on August 3, 2007

MFGTLunch makes an important comment, as does JJ86. Get the steps for firm registration in order, and do some ground work to test waters.

I'm in architecture and we take on a risk when we work with a new, unknown consultant on projects because all the s**t comes back onto us if something doesn't work...

Not sure what the Charlotte situation is, but follow those links supplied upthread for more info about that city's particulars.
posted by mightshould at 8:47 AM on August 6, 2007