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ACCESS CONTROL / LICENSING ISSUE OHIO
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Ken
    Thanks for what you do for the industry, I try to read your emails, we do mostly automatic gates with access controls, but are being asked to do more access controls to apartment buildings.
    What licensing requirements are there in the State of Ohio for low voltage [access, alarms, fire, video and such] contractors?
    What licensing requirements are there in the City of Columbus, Ohio for low voltage [access, alarms, fire, video and such] contractors?
    Thank You For Your Time and Cooperation
TC
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RESPONSE
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    Automatic gates and access control fall within the security services category and you would use our Standard Commercial All in One for those installations and related services.  As for licensing, I asked the head of licensing department to check into your inquiry.  Here is Nicoletta Lakatos' response:
    At this point in time, Ohio does not have a statewide licensing requirement for specialty contractors such as burglar alarm, access control or video installers. The city of Columbus does require both alarm dealers and users to be licensed and registered.  There may also be additional licenses for home improvement contractors.
    Regarding fire, applicants must be licensed by the Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Licensing and Certification, at the state level and then register with the  City of Columbus either as a Fire Certified Individual Installer or Fire Contractor Company.
    If you would like additional information, please contact me at your convenience.
    Nicoletta Lakatos, Esq
    516 747 6700 ext 311
    NLakatos@KirschenbaumEsq.com
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Structuring Your Business Entity 
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Ken
    Let me add MY voice to the hundreds of other alarm company owners who enjoy and learn from your excellent on-line forum; it's the first thing I read each day.  Five or six weeks ago, you put up a letter from someone who talked about the worst company structure (Sole Proprietorship, I believe).  It got me thinking that that's MY situation for more than fifty years now and what is the best structure and is it too late for me to get with it?  
Thanks, 
GZ
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RESPONSE
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    I think the expression "it's never too late" may apply here.  You're still in business and hopefully will have another 50 years or so to get your company straightened out.  
    Conducting your alarm business in your name, as a sole proprietorship or with a partner in a partnership or assumed name, is a very big mistake.  You risk your personal assets.  Why?  Because you haven't separated your personal assets from your business enterprise.  In order to do that you need to conduct business through a separate legal entity.  The most popular entity is a corporation, followed by a Limited Liability Company.  Whether you go Inc [and be sure to elect subchapter S]  or LLC your legal entity will be responsible, not you personally.  
    There isn't a single argument to be made for conducting business in your own name.  Our corporate department can assist you with incorporating.  Don't delay.
    As far as using proper contracts, that's another issue that I know we pound away at regularly.  Why?  It's vital that you protect your business by using the most up to date comprehensive Agreements containing all of the protective provisions, clearly written.  Unless you don't intent to contract with one more subscriber, new or update, you need to get the new Standard Form Agreements.  Proper contracts and an alarm E&O insurance policy are necessary to all alarm companies.  You can't have enough insurance but you can have the best contractual protection available.  Delay puts you at risk with every new subscriber to enter into a contract with using your old or non existent forms.