Pages: 1

 

2009-04-29 16:47:20
stryyker
bad touch
+1,682|7147|California

Details aside. I am looking to start my own side-project business. This business is only the modification of defensible space (those of you that live in California know of this): http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/c … 00feet.php

Basically, its me and a few friends, with an assortment of power tools, wanting to do this for people that don't feel like doing it themselves. And of course charging them a nominal fee.

Question being: Those of you in the business, or that know of the licensing procedures, or that would pay for this service: Is a license needed? We are all good kids, hard workers, and have a waiver drafted that prevents us from being held liable if the customers house burns down anyways.


I dont want to get a general contractor license, because it requires years of OTJ and money. Neither of which I have. Ideas?
2009-04-29 18:32:36
BVC
Member
+325|7122
I'm not familiar with CA's laws, but it sounds like getting rid of trees and bushes could be a large part of it.  Would you need a lisence or somesuch for that?  If you have to knock over any structures you may have to get special certs for that, and I imagine any utilities (water, electricity etc) which you could affect may need permits also.

If you find you can only perform certain tasks (eg. clearing plant matter) you could market yourself as doing that, and also subcontract your services out to other defensible space firms.

Make sure you read up on health & safety practises, and also safe procedures for whatever tasks you'll end up doing.
2009-04-29 18:39:59
ATG
Banned
+5,233|6956|Global Command
Get a million dollars liability policy.

/thread
2009-04-29 19:11:14
stryyker
bad touch
+1,682|7147|California

ATG wrote:

Get a million dollars liability policy.

/thread
loliability.

Thats part of the money thing I lack.
2009-04-29 19:32:19
ATG
Banned
+5,233|6956|Global Command
It really doesn't cost that much.

If you want to do business you will need a commercial auto policy ( AAA is cheap ) and a GL policy.
period.


That way if you trim a guys bushes and his house burns down anyway, when he sues you ( and he will ) you are protected.
2009-04-29 19:54:13
VspyVspy
Sniper
+183|7099|A sunburnt country
You will definitely need public liability insurance, especially if some one gets hurt when working with you or as mentioned you burn the house down.

Do you want to do it legitimately or is it just cash on the side?

If you want to do it properly, register a business name (doesn't cost much) and pick up a small business guide (Google will find some for you) which will be really helpful. 

If it is just cash jobs, be careful because you open yourself up for a lot of headaches if some thing goes wrong (such as tax, liability, workers compensation, pay roll and the list goes on).

GL
2009-04-29 20:31:40
stryyker
bad touch
+1,682|7147|California

VspyVspy wrote:

You will definitely need public liability insurance, especially if some one gets hurt when working with you or as mentioned you burn the house down.

Do you want to do it legitimately or is it just cash on the side?

If you want to do it properly, register a business name (doesn't cost much) and pick up a small business guide (Google will find some for you) which will be really helpful. 

If it is just cash jobs, be careful because you open yourself up for a lot of headaches if some thing goes wrong (such as tax, liability, workers compensation, pay roll and the list goes on).

GL
Proper would be cool. Right now, its just me and my cousin. And being so damn new to everything business is making it hard. It took me 2 weeks to figure out that I might need to be licensed. Damn spur of the moment business ideas I suppose. .

A couple of Liability Insurance forms ask for what type of business it is. I don't know business. It is my brainchild, but my cousin and I would run it co-op. 50-50 split on profit, minus money for tools and such.

 

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