Ok... well, I need some advice...

I am leaving one of my jobs... working at a community college here in Upstate, NY. I am a part timer... so it isn't really a big deal in some sense of the word. The reason I am leaving is because of internal reasons, basically, I don't like the job no more because of certain people. So I told them on Friday, I was going to leave in March... so that should leave them with plenty of time to find another person, I'd hope.

I also work in a technical field at a large corporation as a part timer, but they want me full time asap. But I can't do full time because of college. However, I still need want the $$, but I don't want another tech job. I want to start a business of my own... in some regards. Not really pertaining to my field, just something to do as a side hobby, since what I want to do, isn't really going to cost me because I've already got the equipment and the know-how.

I want to start my own lawn cutting business. Simply just weed-whacking and cutting lawns, and minor landscaping. But nothing insane.

I want to be insured, so if I somehow send a rock flying through a customer's window, I can have them and myself covered. I don't plan on having anyone else but myself use the machinery or work.

The reason I want to do this, is because there has been a lot of people asking me to mow their lawns and such, because they don't like those idiots with those huge Ferris' and Dixie Choppers that wreck their lawns, fences, and other stuff. They like how a riding lawn tractor does it for some reason. So I'd like to specialize in that...

But, how do I get insured and how do I get a real business name... I was thinking of something like Chuck's Mowing Service. Would it be a lot to insure myself... I'm not insuring my truck or mowers through it... just the company itself. How the heck would I go about it!? It's like insuring a "service" I suppose.

Mind, you, I'd only have a few routine customers... not like a lot... equal to another part-time job, and nothing giagantic.

I really love mowing lawns... it is just relaxing for me to sit back on my tractor and be out in the sun.

I did a few last year... but I told them I wasn't insured and it really wasn't a business... so I didn't want to really get involved with it... plus I already had multiple things to do, so it was cutting into a lot of other stuff. :\

Heck, I might even switch what I'm doing at my other job too... I just like working with things and seeing the final result. It gives me a good, warm feeling inside. I dunno.

 

LOL.. How do the Ferris and Dixie Choppers wreck their yards?

Regardless you want liability insurance.

 

To just register a name it's probably as simple as filing at the county clerks office and paying a small fee. I would register it as a sole proprietorship. You should also find out whether or not you need a tax number and if you need to charge tax. My wife's small business didn't need a tax number until she made over 37000.00 per year. Keep in mind that was in Alberta and I'm sure it's different in NY. My wife said you may need to be bonded also.

I'm sure you'll get some sound info here from others but if you don't and can't find more on the www the best bet is just talk to someone at the county clerks office or talk to a lawyer that specializes in business. Another option is to find someone with a similar small business (doesn't have to be lawn care, just sole proprietorship) and pick their brain.

 

I forgot your in college. Do they teach business law there? You may have a wealth of information just down the hallway.

 

talk to your insurance agent about what you want, and they should be able to guide and assist you.

If you don't have a real agent (you use Geico, or something like that), then ask a few friends if any of them have an agent they would recommend. if not, then look int he yellow pages for independant insurance agents.

also check to see if there are any professional organizations for landscaping, etc. sometimes you can get liability insurance through one fo them.

 

I think that if your would hire some Buxom Chicks in Bikinis during the summer months to ride the tractors & weed whack your business would really rise well........

 

I dunno... one guy said they go too fast on them, and they drive them wrecklessly trying to do like as much work as they can in a day. He said they've knocked into their fence, shot lawn clippings in their pool, mulched up kids toys and electric wires because they are too much in a rush. They like how I do my work I guess... they want to pay a guy who takes his time and does the job well, which I do.


We have a regular Allstate Agent. He's helped us out a lot, especially when I got rear ended and some other stuff. Not to mention he saves us a lot of money.

I guess I'll talk to him... liability insurance cannot be much for a lawn mowing business. I also doubt I need a tax license either, but I guess it is a "luxury" to have someone cut your grass... so it might be taxable revenue. I still need to figure out how to register my business name though.

 

I guess it depeneds on if NY has a services tax. For example, do auto shops charge tax on labor.
I'm going to bet registering your business name will be as simple as going to the county courthouse/registry office, filling out a form and paying 35.00-50.00. Have you googled NY business laws or anything like that? Does your city have a government website? I'm sure the info can't be that hard to find with a little searching or a couple phone calls during business hours.

 

Here's a good place to start

http://www.nylovessmallbiz.com/home.asp

 

and here http://www.ocgov.net/oneidacty/gov/d...yclerk/dba.htm

found through this link http://www.oneidacounty.org/

that's all the leg work I'm doing. If I do anymore you may ask me to come cut the grass for you too

 

go to your bank and tell them about it, they will open you a business account and register it for free when you start an account with them and only $35 to start your account

 

You mean like Tiger Time Lawn Care and Property Management in Memphis Tennessee they offer the "Bikini Cut" service....

 

Why do I need a business account!? I already have everything I need... why do I need a business account?!

 

You said want a real business name and you want to insure your real business. So a real business account is the next logical step. Needed? Maybe not but if you're going to go to the trouble of registering a business name and insuring said business, why not?

 

Sure, I suppose so... it might be helpful... who knows, my business might actually be largly wanted... it can't hurt.

I really am looking forward to this...

Like I said, it is my "hobby" to mow lawns... I just like doing it. I'm not in a rush when I do it. I would treat their lawn like I'd treat my own. That is how the customers like it.

I just want to be legitimate, and I want to make sure if something does go wrong, like I remember someone on here this summer saying that a stone went through the back window of their F150, I want to make sure that person gets their money from insurance. I'd never leave someone with something broken... nor leave. Heck, if I broke something, I'd wait until they come back and tell them. Not just run off and leave it. I'm not that type of person. Not at all. Seriously.