Need Business Advice

[Canyon Angler]

Where we live, near the coast, hurricanes and tropical storms are fairly common, and we get a fair amount of trees knocked down/broken/etc., from the winds.

I was thinking of trying to get some work cutting up and hauling away those storm-flattened trees, but need advice from the business people here:

I suspect commercial enterprises will want to know that I have insurance and/or am bonded so that they're not liable if I get hurt or someone else gets hurt or property is damaged, right? If so, how hard is it to get that insurance/bond? (I would be working by myself, so would not need to worry so much about workmen's comp, OSHA, etc., I don't think).

In order for a commercial concern to write off, as a business expense, the money it pays me to haul away a tree, I would need to have a business in order to keep the tax stuff straight, right? And if I had a formal business, I suppose I would need to have all the OSHA-required chainsaw safety equipment like chaps, helmet, faceshield, etc., right? (I plan to buy that equipment anyway, seems like the best investment you could make when using a saw.)

I know these questions seem all over the place, but I'm not sure where to begin on all this. I just want to make a little $ on the side on weekends running the saw and getting firewood, but am not sure what I need to do to get there. Insurance? Bonded? ISA certification? Business license? Business shingle?

(For now, this would strictly be cutting up and hauling away fairly safe, simple, vanilla blowdowns. No climbing, no urban stuff, no pruning or arboriculture, no employees, and nothing that makes me nervous.)

So - where do I begin? Thanks for any advice.

Jeff

 

[woodchux]

Get a business license and some landscaper insurance.

 

[treeseer]

Where we live, near the coast, hurricanes and tropical storms are fairly common, and we get a fair amount of trees knocked down/broken/etc., from the winds.

How common? Every few years? I think your basic premise needs another look.

... I just want to make a little $ on the side on weekends running the saw and getting firewood,

You might contact local tree co's and tell them you'll cut and haul wood for a low price.

 

[Canyon Angler]

How common? Every few years?

Pretty much every year now for as long as I've lived here. Even if we don't get any hurricanes or trop storms one year, we get significant wind and/or ice "events" a few times a year, every year, guaranteed. Heck, there are enough downed trees from that stupid "Ernesto" trop storm a month ago to keep everybody in the area backed-up for another few months. Besides, I'm just looking for a little seasonal weekend trade, not 40-hour fulltime employment.

Thank you for the replies.

 

[OTG BOSTON]

You may want to contact companies outside of your area. I know a lot of guys from the north east who will send a crew or two down south to chase. Basically they hook up with a local general contractor and get paid by them (possibly you). I think this is a case where playing middle man could get you big bucks. ( if the companies in your area don't run you out on a rail)