start up questions

[GOPHER]

I am attempting to start a lawn service business. I settled on Hughes Landscape Mangement for the name. Does this name imply that I need some sort of license?

Exactly what does licensed mean? I plan on going to city hall and get a license to do business.

I have an accounting degree and am the business manager for a school district. This is something I was wanting to do on the side by hiring a foreman to basically run the thing. I feel like I can get the business and will hopefully have the business sense to run it right.

Any advise from the people who know will be greatly appreciated.

[Phil Nilsson]

To run a green biz on the "side" you'll need plenty of controls in place for a manager to follow as goals. Most will be labor hours oriented because this will be biggest expense. The person you hire to do this will be only one step away from running his own biz, so lock him in with incentives to keep him around long term. I'd stay with repeat maint, and hire a person who can fix equip and do simple job bids. There are probably many other biz where this is easier done because of the many hats one must wear. The success of this setup is highly dependent on the level of motivation of the manager. But if financial incentives are too high, well there goes the profit. Most of these outfits are "hands on" to one extent or another ... watchful eye on cost and quality control and "who" the customers will identify with.

Phil

[GOPHER]

Thanks for the advise...any clear answers on the license issue?

[Seascape]

you need to register the name you plan to use w/ the state secretaries office. you need a vendors license w/ the same office. than you need a fed. ID number from the irs. than if you want wholesale buying power you need a plant permit from your dept. of agriculture. Thats how its done here in ohio anyway.
mike

[NCSULandscaper]

In NC you do not have to have a license to be in business. I would get your name registered and get your Fed ID number and get started on a estimated quarterly payment plan for taxes. I would also go ahead and get your pesticide license as well.

[Alpine Naturescapes]

I think most states require a contractors license if you are going to do landscaping jobs or irrigation installs for over x dollars.