Looks like things are just a wee bit simpler in your neck of the woods, Walrus.
I'd have to go through nearly every one of these same hoops even is I simply 'took over' the existing business. In fact, that's pretty much what I'm doing ... but, absent any advantage, I might as well give it my own name. Since the existing business is now "John Smith dba Electrical," with me at the helm it would become "Reno dba Electrical," so even the county filing would still be necessary.
I'm not completely clear as to the sales tax issue; I think it's similar to your arrangement, but I need to make sure.
The real shocker for me was the nearly $1500 in fees to the Contractors' board alone .... with about $600 repeating every year.
This is about double what I had expected - AFTER talking with the board a few times. I almost feel like I'm dealing with a GC
