What license's, forms, etc need to be completed to start biz??

H

HiPSI

New member
Hello,

I was curious what forms/licenses and fees and papers need to be filed and paid to start a small pressure washing business along with a partner. How long would it take to register the business name? I realize most of everyone here is from a different state, just looking for some direction, I have been told to go down to my local courthouse and ask for the right paperwork.


Thank you.

-Rob
 
Hey Rob,

First off I'd suggest "not" having a partner unless it's your wife. As far as the legal stuff goes it all depends on where your going to work. Check your states website for details and also check out the EPA website too so you can make sure your compliant with those laws also.
 
Henry Bockman said:
Hey Rob,

First off I'd suggest "not" having a partner unless it's your wife. As far as the legal stuff goes it all depends on where your going to work. Check your states website for details and also check out the EPA website too so you can make sure your compliant with those laws also.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply Henry...My partner is actually my best friend, he already has most all the equipment which great. We are both relatively new to the industry, I have a summers experiance and he has little expericance but a quick learner. I appreciate the information, thank you.
 
HiPSI. I know this may sound onorthodox but I suggest not applying for your licenses or anything of that nature yet. I know it drives some people nuts on here but unless you are doing it full time I wouldn't suggest it. I would run it as a side business until you get slammed with work as to where you can't keep up. Then you can take the leap to full time and register.

As for the partner. I would not go with it. Especially friends. And definitley not a wife. That is where things can really get ugly. Most of my friends are business owners. 2 of them own a Billiard service company. Infact those 2 use to be partners until they got into each others throats. Broke up their friendship. Almost lost everything they had. The one I worked for until my injury won't hire another friend after me. He's ruined 5 friendships because of that. And he is a Super easy guy to work with. Very forgiving. (Though I must admit most of the friend's he hired were kind of losers). Work and Friends don't mix. The only reason he hired me now is because he wants to help me jump start my business. That way I have a way to bankroll it while I try to build up my customer base. But I hope to quit sometime next year hoping my business will be doing much better.

I'd tell your friend that you want to go into it by yourself. Not because you are greedy but because you value your friendship and don't want to ruin it. Tell him you will work together to help further both your businesses. You can work out some kind of system so you are seperate but almost like your the same company. Those 2 billiard guys I mentioned before. Well they have gotten back together and the one I worked for will give the other guy work when he is too busy. Or just wants a day off.

But for a Couple Grand and some Used equipment you can get into it by yourself. Just have a full time job to bankroll it. Now if you want to jump into it full blast like I'm sure many have done then go for it. I wish you the best of luck. I know people have done it. But that is just my 2cents. Which is all I got about now anyways
 
Smittie,

That's not only unorthodox it's outright crazy! What happens if there's an accident and property is damaged?? With out insurance and licensing (if required) your left hanging in the wind and could lose everything you own. There are some things you can shortcut like using home made chems if you want but always have insurance!
 
Henry is right. Unlicensed/uninsured is the equivalent to UNPROFESSIONAL. Black eye on the industry waiting to happen.

Celeste
 
Well I would love to jump in the Deep end and get Licensed and Insured. But I have neither the Time nor the Money to do either. Which is why I have to pressure wash very carefully. But I'm kind of stuck between a Rock and a Hard place.

Time:
First off I don't have the Time. Before my injury I could barely find time to squeeze in a Pressure Washing job. And I have very few jobs. I don't know how to run a business. I wanted to concentrate on doing good work before I learned how to file papers. I also need to get my own computer. This is my parents and I don't have a way to keep track of records on here. So I have to get money for a decent computer. I'm hoping to enroll back into school and get my Paramedics so I can become a firefighter. That way I can run my business and have a steady pay with health benefits. But I'm going to have to do night school because I'll have to work in the daytime to pay for the school. I would like to just forget it for now and concentrate on that but I've already done work. It's made me some money and I know it can take years to build up a customer base so the sooner I start the better.

Money:
I don't have good advertisement because I don't have the money to pay for it. I would love to advertise in the Yellow pages but I don't have $1000 a month to spend. And those little iddy biddy listings aren't worth a thing when you got AAAAAAAA_Donald Trump Pressure Washing as the First Listing and with his 3 page full color add offering to do your subdivision for $30 becaue he has a team of illegals doing it for nothing. Also I am having to spend money to keep my equipment running and also adding equipment to make my operation run smoother. And suppose I registered. I would have to pay Taxes on it and all that would do is take away the money I needed for the 2nd driveway cleaner I have been wanting for sometime. Also I don't have the knowledge nor the time to write it off. And they are still taking money from me that I could be using to further my business. And since it is a business I'll have to file a 10-99 which means I have to save money for the end of the year. But suppose I need to buy a new pressure washing equipment and I do but right after I do business slows to a hault and then Taxes are due. So now I am in debt, have the government mad at me, and won't stand a chance to get a loan for the Hotwater system I want. Or the Full Size truck I'll need to pull it.

I would love to be licensed and Insured. Infact the day I do I will be rushing back to where I had my business cards made to have "Licensed and Insured" written in Big Bright Bold Letters. Then I'd hit every builder I could find and Hustle my way to the top. But there is no way I'm going to be able to pay the money a month for proper insurance that is actually worth something. Besides. I'm 20 years old. Who would dare insure me??? I promise you the person who would would charge me Triple what anyone here probably pays for the same coverage.

I was just recommending an option for HiPSI. I don't know his situation. Does he have a full time job? Does he plan to keep it? If so it would be best for him to stay unregistered until he can't keep up with his work. Is he getting a loan or business credit card? How many customers does he expect to recieve and what kind of obligations does he have? Kids, House, Wife, Dog. Those cost money too.

I'd love to run my business exactly how the government wants me too. But I know very few businesses who do who are... Well still a Business. Usually the last investment they make is a sign that says "Going Out of Business". Another thing. When I first started I was wanting to go get a business license and get insured. I said "It will be fine." I was so excited I could barely sleep. But all my other friends who own businesses said "Don't do it. You will regret it." So I took their advice and they were right.

Also for those of you who went completely legit from the start please tell me how you did it.
 
You complain that you don't have the business then in the next breath you say you don't know how to run a business. If you do it RIGHT it will come. Until you do it properly, you won't get any business. There is a boatload of experience and knowledge on this board. Maybe you should read and research some more before you make a mistake while trying to be careful and cost yourself everything you own. This may sound harsh but you should think about what you've posted.......you're kinda scary there, Dude.

Celeste
 
Just think. You screw up a clients home, heavy machinery or what have you. They want you to fix it. You said you have no money, so you cant. What are you going to do? If you had insurance they would cover it. And all those not to expensive quaterly payments seem worth it, right.
You say you have no money but you are saving up for a 2nd surfacer, so you must have work and money coming in for that 2nd surfacer right? Hold off on buying it and get the proper paper work in order and insurance. Then you can rush down and get your new business cards made with your line on them and compete with the Donald Trumps.
You asked=
Also for those of you who went completely legit from the start please tell me how you did it.

UH, I made some phone calls to the city and county talked to people got info sent to me. Wrote a $15 check got licensed. Called Joe Walters sent check got insurance, It is not hard to do. You should try it, you'll see how easy it is.
Richard
 
Smittie1984,
While I appreciate your honesty you should keep some of those idea's to yourself. What your advising someone to do is to violate the Law to make a few bucks. Its like telling a guy he can drive a car and when he gets some money together down the road than at that time get your license/insurance...BAD BAD advice. Anything can go wrong in between and the consequences could be extremely high such as bankrupting one's self.

I know your trying to do good by reading your post and you mean well but here's a piece of valuable advice that will go along way..DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!!!

You know whats right so do it. You'll be that much better off and you'll feel the better for it.

Good luck
 
Alright. Suppose I go and get the proper paper work and do it just like the Government wants me to do it. I get my license. Yay, I'm registered. I know how to do that. But now I am Licensed so I go out and get my Insurance since I am licensed. Supposing someone will insure a 20 year old with used equipment and absolutely no Collateral and no Credit history. (Which I am scared to even know how much that is going to cost me) But say I get the insurance. Now how has that increased my business? Seriously. I'm not trying to be rude. But I have never been asked by any potential and serviced residential clients if I was Licensed or Insured. Not once. The only time I was ever asked was by 1 of the 2 builder's I tried getting work from. The other builder hired me. He was the one where I got the late check right when I got out of the hospital.

When I heal in 2 months I am going to pick up my Billiard job (Which I am paying taxes on anyways) and save enough money so that next spring I can throw out the $1,000 yellow page add and other forms of Advertisement. Then see if I can bring in enough business to pay Insurance, Taxes, and other stuff and to be comfortable with it then I will make the leap to Legal Status and I'll run my business and pay my taxes. If not. I'll find a new business until I find one that works.

Now when I say I wish I knew how people went into it Legit from the start what I mean is how did they know for sure they will have enough clients to pay for the 10s of thousands of dollars it will take to run your business legit before they had a single customer.

I'm not trying to sound rude. And I'm sure I am ruffling some feathers here. But this is a serious matter to me which I would like addressed. I have seen way too many businesses go under by doing it by the book. It seems like I'm taking a Big Risk either way. But if I could ever start averaging 3-5 jobs a week I probably will register becuase I would be more confident. And have money to pay for better return advertising. Which will give me more work. And I'll be able to make enough money to run my business.

Like I said. I'm not trying to be rude but we all can't get into the business the same way. We all have different circumstances and we have to make do with what we have.
 
Being able say you are licensed and insured will get you jobs. Throw it out there in the beginning of a conversation and get the homeowner thinking this guy is legit. The license truly means nothing, but it sounds good. Not being insured is just being asinine. I have seen your posts about being broke and such in the past. How are you going to pay for even any minor damage? I had no experience at all and got insured through Joe Walters for 900 or so a year. Very small when broken into quarterly payments. What if you do 3,000 worth of damage and cannot pay for the repair? You get a lawsuit that puts you into bankruptcy!! Now you are screwed for several years, because lack of insurance. What if you approach an upscale neighborhood and someone hires you to do a 600-1,000 dollar job because you ARE licensed and insured? I have gotten into some high dollar communities lately, and get asked often. Just one job can easily pay for the insurance. They could give a crap that you are $200 higher than the next guy. The higher class neighborhoods are the ones that pay big bucks for cleaning and the ones most likely to care that you ARE insured. You probably will get NO commercial work without insurance.

What part of ATL are you in? I am in Duluth. I hope your injuries are healing up.

Jeff Robison
Titan Exterior
678-360-2518
 
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