“I am considering obtaining HVAC licenses and opening up a business. I have been interested in this for years and I am seriously thinking of pulling the trigger. I am 51 and have rental income that covers my living expenses as they are all paid for. My thoughts are that it would be a handy sideline to the rental properties. I had owned a boat building business as a sideline but it proved to be more hobby than financial boon. It’s satisfying to see a boat come alive but hard to bill more than $25 an hour for handcrafted wood boats. My son is 24 and a maintenance tech for a large national retailer. He is interested in the possibilities of moving into HVAC, as well and taking over as I wind down. I could see myself working a few days a week after 65 and helping get my son out on his bigger projects. I am wondering how long, on average, it takes for a one-man shop to be viable. What would be the rough cost of overhead, such as insurances and advertising, and how much cash flow should I expect?”