Starting a business in the Dominican Republic

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Member since 13 July 2021

kimkturnerddsMember13 July 2021 03:29:43

Hello All,

New to the forum. Currently living in the US. Seeking thoughts and advice here. Want to relocate to the Dominican Republic and open our current company over there. We currently have a bath tub repair business. Specializing in jetted or whirlpool tub repairs. Mechanical as well as cosmetic repairs. Acrylic, fiberglass/ gel coat repairs.

Is this type of service even needed there? If we did this, are we required to hire employees, as here I do the office work, he does the service work. Would like to keep it that way. This is just a budding idea as we are thinking of retiring there so why not do it sooner. Why wait.

Thanks for any and all information and advice.

Kim

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert13 July 2021 12:50:27

1736

Welcome to the forums!

I don't know all the specifics of operating a business here, but Lishali Baez is a great attorney who could help you with the requirements for residency and owning/operating a business here. You can reach her on WhatsApp/phone at 809.860.1231. She speaks English and Spanish.

Bathtubs are not very common here, so I would say the areas around Punta Cana and other higher-end, expat-heavy areas would be the only place it would be viable. If you also work with hot tubs and spas, those are much more abundant, but many are built from concrete rather than the drop in type often seen in the US.

Guest2022 Guest

Guest2022Guest13 July 2021 13:01:06

214245

To add, if anything needs reparing here in DR you will find someone and very cheap.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert13 July 2021 13:38:30

17114

Welcome to the forums. I work with a lot of expat business owners here. Opening a company is the easy part. At some point you will need residency that is a bit more challenging for some. I second the recommendation to Lishali!

Running a business here is challenging. A quick market analysis will go a long way to determining feasibility. As stated not many have bathtubs let along jacuzzi tubs. I would like one!

There are companies that do bathtub repairs and making them look brand new. I had a deep tub redone at a previous residence. Took about 4 hours and the entire cost including all supplies was equivalent to US 62,.00 Not sure if that is going to be a worthwhile endeavor.

As lennox pointed out there will be local competition and they are very inexpensive in comparison to expat wages.

Your services would be more appropriate in the higher end areas of the country, Punta Cana, Casa de Campo and some neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, Santiago etc. However you will need to be near those areas and that is not cheap either!

If you are looking to supplement your income, this could work. IF you are looking to fund a modified expat lifestyle its going to be challenging!

Conifer Active member

Member since 27 May 2021

ConiferActive member16 July 2021 18:42:27

May I add...
It is EXTREMELY difficult to get people in DR to pay top dollar for top service when there is so much availability of cheap labor.
They will drill you down to cheapen your cost and still want the top service.
Consider your endeavor a hobby, not what might fund your retirement.

I could be wrong... but probably not!

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