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how to start my business
#1
bolensst140
bolensst140
i have no neigbors that need a person to cut their grass but i need some money to start it and a truck advice guys?
#2
bolensst140
bolensst140
i am working on a deal for a 97 chevy 1500 w/t and have 2 lawn tractors do you guys think a 97 v6 is a good choice
#3
StarTech
StarTech
Depends on the PU condition. My 2000 S-1500 has only 343,000 miles on it and it getting a rebuilt trans due massive internal failure. Body wise it is still in good shape s o I was will to put $2000 for a rebuilt plus $300 for a jack, ramps, and jack stands.
Highly recommend checking into the licensing requirements. Also do you know bookkeepping or will you have to some else to keep the books and ensure all your expenses are paid including all the taxes?
Highly recommend checking into the licensing requirements. Also do you know bookkeepping or will you have to some else to keep the books and ensure all your expenses are paid including all the taxes?
#4
bolensst140
bolensst140
i do have a couple botbooks on finances,trucks,mowers the chevy has 150.857 miles on it but the beds pretty gone the motor ticks, the beds really rusty, the cabs great though and has a rebuilt transDepends on the PU condition. My 2000 S-1500 has only 343,000 miles on it and it getting a rebuilt trans due massive internal failure. Body wise it is still in good shape s o I was will to put $2000 for a rebuilt plus $300 for a jack, ramps, and jack stands.
Highly recommend checking into the licensing requirements. Also do you know bookkeepping or will you have to some else to keep the books and ensure all your expenses are paid including all the taxes?
#5
bolensst140
bolensst140
1,000 bucks hes asking for it
#6
bolensst140
bolensst140
ive got a small trailer and a john deere 420 for it to haul
#7
R
RolandW
R
RolandW
I like to encourage entrepreneurship, but in our area at least, grass-cutting seems to be very competitive. Companies come and go, and a lot of them are flakey and unreliable. Most customers probably will want more than cutting, so you can't do much with just a mower and a truck. You'll also have to trim, fertilize, aerate, seed, apply herbicides, blow leaves, etc., to attract business, especially from desirable high-end property owners. Do you have the knowledge to do all of that, and are you prepared to buy the equipment that it will take and jump through all of the regulatory hoops? Since you don't seem to have any clients lined up, my advice is to get a job working for somebody else first (or keep your current job if you have one). The company owner takes all the risk. When something breaks, he pays to fix or replace it. All you have to do is show up reliably, smile, and do your best to make the business successful. When you have some savings and a clear plan for your own business, part ways with your employer and go for it. But do everything you can to leave on good terms. Bridge-burning is one of the worst things you can do. I wish somebody had beat this into my head when I was young.i have no neigbors that need a person to cut their grass but i need some money to start it and a truck advice guys?
#8
G
Gord Baker
G
Gord Baker
Get a customer base First before you buy a mower and truck.i have no neigbors that need a person to cut their grass but i need some money to start it and a truck advice guys?
#9
Hammermechanicman
Hammermechanicman
Just some thoughts.....
Will this be a real business? Living wage profits?
There is a reason pros use zero turns, standers or walk behind and not tractor mowers.
Will you pursue commercial or residential clients?
If you show up with a 25 year old rustomatic truck and 20 year old tractor mower you won't have many residential clients.
Liability insurance? Hit an A/C unit or car and see what it will cost.
Residential clients will want to pay with credit card and commercial clients may want net30.
Do you have a blower and string trimmer? Backup equipment?
Will this be a real business? Living wage profits?
There is a reason pros use zero turns, standers or walk behind and not tractor mowers.
Will you pursue commercial or residential clients?
If you show up with a 25 year old rustomatic truck and 20 year old tractor mower you won't have many residential clients.
Liability insurance? Hit an A/C unit or car and see what it will cost.
Residential clients will want to pay with credit card and commercial clients may want net30.
Do you have a blower and string trimmer? Backup equipment?
#10
P
PGB1
Form A Real Business-
I suggest forming a legitimate business for many reasons. It can be easy. Many types are "no lawyer needed" and some are "no paperwork needed".
The main reason to form a business is so that you can buy liability insurance for that unfortunate day when your mower leaks oil on the client's brick paver driveway or the mower throws a rock & it hits someone in the head. (Ours is sadly a very litigious society.)
Liability insurance is inexpensive. Zero-deductible, 18 million dollar coverage for my high-voltage electrical contracting business is under $300.00 per year- with $60,000.00 equipment theft or damage coverage. Lawn care coverage is far, far lower cost than high voltage electrical contracting coverage. You also won't need 18 million of liability coverage.
The next reason to form a business is that, with a business, you can deduct the cost of materials, gasoline, oil, special clothing, advertising and about anything business related from your income at tax time.
Truck insurance, repairs and mileage are deductible, as are phone costs for business use- and so many, many more items. The costs of equipment, computers, vehicles and similar are also deductible, but the rules for each type of item vary. (Some get deducted now, some are amortized.)
Bonus! With a legitimate business, you can open a checking account in the business name and deduct the fees. You can more easily get equipment and vehicle loans & open credit cards in the business name. Credit issuers are very willing to risk on new businesses and offer incentives galore.
Register For A Sales & Use Tax License-
Next, register with the state for a Sales and Use Tax license. In many states, you can stop paying sales tax on things you buy that are for sale to clients. You can stop paying Use Tax on gasoline. Note that all states have different rules.
What Kind Of Business To Open?
Opening your business as a Sole Proprietorship is very appropriate for a small enterprise, such as lawn maintenance.
Some Sole Proprietorship Advantages Include:
A) Opening one is a simple Do-It-Yourself project. Check the rules for your state. Some don't even need you to register or
file any paperwork.
B) Income tax returns are quite a bit easier than any other form of business. Simply fill out Schedule C with your 1040.
Most states do not require any business tax forms because the Schedule C profit/loss carries over to the state return.
C) You will not have the huge paperwork and income tax return burden of an S-Corporation or partnership or C-Corp, etc.
Record keeping can be as simple as saving receipts and tracking income. (Company bank account & credit cards make
this very easy to do.)
D) All profit flows directly to you without any legal "hoop jumping". You get it as fast as you earn it.
LLC Status Is Also Suggested
LLC status protects your personal money should your company go into debt that it can not pay. Example: You owe $20,000 for a bank loan and the business can not pay. Without LLC status, your personal money, home, etc. may be used to pay the debt.
LLC may, or may not, protect you in a civil judgement. That is a case-by-case basis. Example: You get sued & the judgement is for 2 million. Your liability insurance is only 1 million. In some instances, the LLC status will protect your personal money, home, etc. If you were willfully negligent, the LLC status won't help at all. (So get sufficient liability insurance!)
In most states, it's easy and free to register as an LLC. My state charges $25.00 per year flat rate.
When Your Business Starts Making Huge Income-
When your business starts making large income, you may wish to investigate the tax advantages of forming an S-Corporation. My company is a S-Corp. The on-going paperwork is large, tax returns are time consuming, but there are some very good tax advantages.
I know this is a whole lot of words, but hopefully they will make your start-up process easy and- most critically- help your business protect your assets.
Best Of Luck With Your New Adventure! You'll Do Well!
Paul
P
PGB1
Some Thoughts, Bolensst140:i have no neigbors that need a person to cut their grass but i need some money to start it and a truck advice guys?
Form A Real Business-
I suggest forming a legitimate business for many reasons. It can be easy. Many types are "no lawyer needed" and some are "no paperwork needed".
The main reason to form a business is so that you can buy liability insurance for that unfortunate day when your mower leaks oil on the client's brick paver driveway or the mower throws a rock & it hits someone in the head. (Ours is sadly a very litigious society.)
Liability insurance is inexpensive. Zero-deductible, 18 million dollar coverage for my high-voltage electrical contracting business is under $300.00 per year- with $60,000.00 equipment theft or damage coverage. Lawn care coverage is far, far lower cost than high voltage electrical contracting coverage. You also won't need 18 million of liability coverage.
The next reason to form a business is that, with a business, you can deduct the cost of materials, gasoline, oil, special clothing, advertising and about anything business related from your income at tax time.
Truck insurance, repairs and mileage are deductible, as are phone costs for business use- and so many, many more items. The costs of equipment, computers, vehicles and similar are also deductible, but the rules for each type of item vary. (Some get deducted now, some are amortized.)
Bonus! With a legitimate business, you can open a checking account in the business name and deduct the fees. You can more easily get equipment and vehicle loans & open credit cards in the business name. Credit issuers are very willing to risk on new businesses and offer incentives galore.
Register For A Sales & Use Tax License-
Next, register with the state for a Sales and Use Tax license. In many states, you can stop paying sales tax on things you buy that are for sale to clients. You can stop paying Use Tax on gasoline. Note that all states have different rules.
What Kind Of Business To Open?
Opening your business as a Sole Proprietorship is very appropriate for a small enterprise, such as lawn maintenance.
Some Sole Proprietorship Advantages Include:
A) Opening one is a simple Do-It-Yourself project. Check the rules for your state. Some don't even need you to register or
file any paperwork.
B) Income tax returns are quite a bit easier than any other form of business. Simply fill out Schedule C with your 1040.
Most states do not require any business tax forms because the Schedule C profit/loss carries over to the state return.
C) You will not have the huge paperwork and income tax return burden of an S-Corporation or partnership or C-Corp, etc.
Record keeping can be as simple as saving receipts and tracking income. (Company bank account & credit cards make
this very easy to do.)
D) All profit flows directly to you without any legal "hoop jumping". You get it as fast as you earn it.
LLC Status Is Also Suggested
LLC status protects your personal money should your company go into debt that it can not pay. Example: You owe $20,000 for a bank loan and the business can not pay. Without LLC status, your personal money, home, etc. may be used to pay the debt.
LLC may, or may not, protect you in a civil judgement. That is a case-by-case basis. Example: You get sued & the judgement is for 2 million. Your liability insurance is only 1 million. In some instances, the LLC status will protect your personal money, home, etc. If you were willfully negligent, the LLC status won't help at all. (So get sufficient liability insurance!)
In most states, it's easy and free to register as an LLC. My state charges $25.00 per year flat rate.
When Your Business Starts Making Huge Income-
When your business starts making large income, you may wish to investigate the tax advantages of forming an S-Corporation. My company is a S-Corp. The on-going paperwork is large, tax returns are time consuming, but there are some very good tax advantages.
I know this is a whole lot of words, but hopefully they will make your start-up process easy and- most critically- help your business protect your assets.
Best Of Luck With Your New Adventure! You'll Do Well!
Paul
#11
G
Gord Baker
G
Gord Baker
You might want to have a Limited or Incorporated Company which prevents people from suing you and taking your home.
#12
R
RolandW
R
RolandW
"The next reason to form a business is that, with a business, you can deduct the cost of materials, gasoline, oil, special clothing, advertising and about anything business related from your income at tax time."
Well of course you can. Who would be crazy enough to start a business if you were taxed on gross revenue instead of profit? I've never understood why people act as though "writing off" something means you don't have to pay for it.
Aside from that, great summary for the aspiring entrepreneur. We've all heard the truism "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." But if that's all you teach the guy, he's still doomed to a miserable hand-to-mouth existence, a few bad fishing days away from starvation. If you really care about the man, teach him to think like a capitalist. Show him how to forego consumption so he can save and invest to expand his structure of production. Such is the path to prosperity.
Well of course you can. Who would be crazy enough to start a business if you were taxed on gross revenue instead of profit? I've never understood why people act as though "writing off" something means you don't have to pay for it.
Aside from that, great summary for the aspiring entrepreneur. We've all heard the truism "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." But if that's all you teach the guy, he's still doomed to a miserable hand-to-mouth existence, a few bad fishing days away from starvation. If you really care about the man, teach him to think like a capitalist. Show him how to forego consumption so he can save and invest to expand his structure of production. Such is the path to prosperity.
#13
P
PGB1
LLC is great protection if the company has debts that it can not pay. Your own home, bank accounts, spouse's job pay can not be touched to pay the debt. (Example: Company buys a truck on credit for $20.000.00. Company can't pay. All the loan company can go after is the company's money and assets- not yours.)
Negligence gets complicated.
1) If one of your employees is negligent, your personal assets almost always are protected.
2) Usually, but not always, if you cause damage or injury without negligence, your personal assets are safe. Example: The mower explodes and hurts a bystander, but the mower was properly maintained. You're usually safe. The company will have to pay the judgement, but not your personal money.
But... If you the owner are negligent, the rules change- Drastically.
Here's an article that addresses when the owner of the LLC is negligent: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/limited-liability-protection-llcs-a-50-state-guide.html
Look at the paragraph titled "Personal Liability For Your Own Actions".
Below is an excerpt from the article. Note how all of the exceptions concern your own negligence or wrongdoing:
"There is one extremely significant exception to the limited liability provided by LLCs. This exception exists in all states. If you form an LLC, you will remain personally liable for any wrongdoing you commit during the course of your LLC business. For example, LLC owners can be held personally liable if they:
P
PGB1
It's great that in most states (if not all) you can have the advantages of Sole Proprietorship and LLC in the same business. In Michigan, you can even have an LLC S-Corporation.You might want to have a Limited or Incorporated Company which prevents people from suing you and taking your home.
LLC is great protection if the company has debts that it can not pay. Your own home, bank accounts, spouse's job pay can not be touched to pay the debt. (Example: Company buys a truck on credit for $20.000.00. Company can't pay. All the loan company can go after is the company's money and assets- not yours.)
Negligence gets complicated.
1) If one of your employees is negligent, your personal assets almost always are protected.
2) Usually, but not always, if you cause damage or injury without negligence, your personal assets are safe. Example: The mower explodes and hurts a bystander, but the mower was properly maintained. You're usually safe. The company will have to pay the judgement, but not your personal money.
But... If you the owner are negligent, the rules change- Drastically.
Here's an article that addresses when the owner of the LLC is negligent: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/limited-liability-protection-llcs-a-50-state-guide.html
Look at the paragraph titled "Personal Liability For Your Own Actions".
Below is an excerpt from the article. Note how all of the exceptions concern your own negligence or wrongdoing:
"There is one extremely significant exception to the limited liability provided by LLCs. This exception exists in all states. If you form an LLC, you will remain personally liable for any wrongdoing you commit during the course of your LLC business. For example, LLC owners can be held personally liable if they:
- personally and directly injure someone during the course of business due to their negligence
- fail to deposit taxes withheld from employees' wages
- intentionally do something fraudulent, illegal, or reckless during the course of business that causes harm to the company or to someone else, or
- treat the LLC as an extension of their personal affairs, rather than as a separate legal entity."
#14
G
Gord Baker
G
Gord Baker
Above all else, get Public Liability Insurance and Incorporate. My advice is from experience running a business in Ontario Canada.
#15
P
PGB1
Here's a great example of why having a real business and deducting is to your benefit:
In 2021 the vehicle costs (repairs, fuel, insurance, maintenance) for my business were $18,623.00.
I deducted them instead of taking the standard mileage deduction. At the 12% federal income tax bracket, that was $2,234.76 less federal tax that I had to pay. Adding the savings on Michigan income tax, I pocketed another 792.00.
My pocket was fatter by 3,026.76 from the vehicle deduction alone.
Allegedly "Smart" people who operate on cash-in-the-pocket are going to get caught sooner or later. The IRS or your state will eventually see a pattern of money going into the bank or bills being paid with not enough income to cover it. If you deposit 10,000.00 or more cash in the bank, it will be reported by federal law.
I've known more than one who was caught. The fines and interest are robust!
P
PGB1
Thanks RolandW for posting this."The next reason to form a business is that, with a business, you can deduct the cost of materials, gasoline, oil, special clothing, advertising and about anything business related from your income at tax time."
Well of course you can. Who would be crazy enough to start a business if you were taxed on gross revenue instead of profit? I've never understood why people act as though "writing off" something means you don't have to pay for it.
Aside from that, great summary for the aspiring entrepreneur. We've all heard the truism "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." But if that's all you teach the guy, he's still doomed to a miserable hand-to-mouth existence, a few bad fishing days away from starvation. If you really care about the man, teach him to think like a capitalist. Show him how to forego consumption so he can save and invest to expand his structure of production. Such is the path to prosperity.
Here's a great example of why having a real business and deducting is to your benefit:
In 2021 the vehicle costs (repairs, fuel, insurance, maintenance) for my business were $18,623.00.
I deducted them instead of taking the standard mileage deduction. At the 12% federal income tax bracket, that was $2,234.76 less federal tax that I had to pay. Adding the savings on Michigan income tax, I pocketed another 792.00.
My pocket was fatter by 3,026.76 from the vehicle deduction alone.
Allegedly "Smart" people who operate on cash-in-the-pocket are going to get caught sooner or later. The IRS or your state will eventually see a pattern of money going into the bank or bills being paid with not enough income to cover it. If you deposit 10,000.00 or more cash in the bank, it will be reported by federal law.
I've known more than one who was caught. The fines and interest are robust!
#16
P
PGB1
Amen x ten to Liability Insurance!!!
Paul
Disclaimer: My company is a Subchapter S Corporation with LLC protection. The only advantage to me is the Distribution rule allowance. Some years, that saving is not worth the time of the extra recordkeeping paperwork and outrageously complex S-Corp tax return & Schedule K-1 reporting.
P
PGB1
In the U.S. we get the benefit of being able to have a Sole Proprietorship which saves the start-up (and ongoing) paperwork of incorporation. (Plus the IRS' deep scrutiny of S-Corps lately)Above all else, get Public Liability Insurance and Incorporate. My advice is from experience running a business in Ontario Canada.
Amen x ten to Liability Insurance!!!
Paul
Disclaimer: My company is a Subchapter S Corporation with LLC protection. The only advantage to me is the Distribution rule allowance. Some years, that saving is not worth the time of the extra recordkeeping paperwork and outrageously complex S-Corp tax return & Schedule K-1 reporting.
#17
Hammermechanicman
Hammermechanicman
I am an LLC sole proprietorship. My $1M liability insurance is about $500 a year.
1 in 5 new businesses fail in their first year. Knowing how to run a lawn mowing business is more important than knowing how to mow grass. A good accountant is your best friend too
1 in 5 new businesses fail in their first year. Knowing how to run a lawn mowing business is more important than knowing how to mow grass. A good accountant is your best friend too
#18
Tiger Small Engine
Starting a mowing business with a beat up $1000 truck and an old riding mower is not going to get you far. Lawn care is very competitive and showing up with old equipment that will not be reliable will not be a selling point or work when you are trying to grind it out every day.
You will need cash reserves and have to live on very little the first few years before the profits improve.
If you think you can find a million dollar liability insurance for $300-$500 per year, I wish you luck. Sounds awfully cheap to me.
I mowed for 10 years on my own commercially. It is a relentless business and ain’t easy. Happy New Year!
Tiger Small Engine
Go to “Lawnsite”, and read the hundreds of threads on starting a lawn care business. Good source for many questions you have.I am an LLC sole proprietorship. My $1M liability insurance is about $500 a year.
1 in 5 new businesses fail in their first year. Knowing how to run a lawn mowing business is more important than knowing how to mow grass. A good accountant is your best friend too
Starting a mowing business with a beat up $1000 truck and an old riding mower is not going to get you far. Lawn care is very competitive and showing up with old equipment that will not be reliable will not be a selling point or work when you are trying to grind it out every day.
You will need cash reserves and have to live on very little the first few years before the profits improve.
If you think you can find a million dollar liability insurance for $300-$500 per year, I wish you luck. Sounds awfully cheap to me.
I mowed for 10 years on my own commercially. It is a relentless business and ain’t easy. Happy New Year!
#19
P
PGB1
Hartford has fairly reasonable rates if you are over 50 years old and go through AARP. (TheHartford.com and AARP.org)
I have $18,000.000.00 liability coverage with zero deductible for $300.00 per year. This is with a high voltage electrical contracting business. I assume lawn care will be less expensive because the potential for damage and injury is less. Note, however, that we do not do any residential work. (No 13,200 volt houses) Perhaps my premiums are lower because of that.
Our coverage does not exclude working in Detroit or any of Wayne County, Michigan. Wayne County is the county with the highest tort case liability judgement dollar amounts in the Unites States. Insurance elsewhere, or with a Wayne County exclusion clause, should certainly be less expensive. (Health insurance, too. By quite a bit)
My Inland Marine coverage from Selective is also very inexpensive- even with working in Detroit.
P
PGB1
Maybe try Selective Insurance Company. (selective.com) They insure in many states & were hundreds of dollars less expensive than the others for my business.If you think you can find a million dollar liability insurance for $300-$500 per year, I wish you luck. Sounds awfully cheap to me.
Hartford has fairly reasonable rates if you are over 50 years old and go through AARP. (TheHartford.com and AARP.org)
I have $18,000.000.00 liability coverage with zero deductible for $300.00 per year. This is with a high voltage electrical contracting business. I assume lawn care will be less expensive because the potential for damage and injury is less. Note, however, that we do not do any residential work. (No 13,200 volt houses) Perhaps my premiums are lower because of that.
Our coverage does not exclude working in Detroit or any of Wayne County, Michigan. Wayne County is the county with the highest tort case liability judgement dollar amounts in the Unites States. Insurance elsewhere, or with a Wayne County exclusion clause, should certainly be less expensive. (Health insurance, too. By quite a bit)
My Inland Marine coverage from Selective is also very inexpensive- even with working in Detroit.
#20
Hammermechanicman
Hammermechanicman
My policy is through Hartford. Since my shop is on my property I have a rider on the homeowner policy to cover building, tools and equipment. The Hartford is a liability policy. I think a lot of people start a business without knowing how to really run a business. The small business administration website is a good place to start. A side hustle is one thing but a real business is something else. A couple of people I know used their retirement savings to start businesses that failed. A sandwich shop and a bike shop.
#21
Tiger Small Engine
A person can burn through money quickly starting a small business. My small engine repair shop is on my property also. I have a two million dollar liability policy to protect my assets. We live in a litigious society so it is necessary although I really don’t like or believe in insurance of any kind.
Next year will be my sixth year in business and have made it over the hump. The first couple of years I made very little and now simply make a living. I love what I do most days.
Tiger Small Engine
My policy is through Hartford. Since my shop is on my property I have a rider on the homeowner policy to cover building, tools and equipment. The Hartford is a liability policy. I think a lot of people start a business without knowing how to really run a business. The small business administration website is a good place to start. A side hustle is one thing but a real business is something else. A couple of people I know used their retirement savings to start businesses that failed. A sandwich shop and a bike shop.
A person can burn through money quickly starting a small business. My small engine repair shop is on my property also. I have a two million dollar liability policy to protect my assets. We live in a litigious society so it is necessary although I really don’t like or believe in insurance of any kind.
Next year will be my sixth year in business and have made it over the hump. The first couple of years I made very little and now simply make a living. I love what I do most days.
#22
Hammermechanicman
Hammermechanicman
For about 20 years I ran 2 businesses as a side hustle besides working 40 to 50 hours of overtime each month. I invested all the profits of the businesses and the OT. Debt free at 50 and retired at 61. Took the mower shop pretty much full time so now I fix mowers and buy tools and toys.