Need advice fast wind has blown money everywhere

[jpak3030]

Today in St.louis we just had a pretty strong storm blow through the town, a few of my customers have trees that have fallen on or around their houses and they are calling me, telling me they have called their insurance companies to get them removed and they are wondering if I can do the job. My questions are do I have to be licensed and insured to deal with the insurance co ( the trees are no more than 4 or 5 ft around and maybe 10 t 15ft long already on ground or leaning on the houses),will the customers just get a check from my esimate, or do I have to deal with the insurance co. after the job is done?

[picframer]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by jpak3030 Today in St.louis we just had a pretty strong storm blow through the town, a few of my customers have trees that have fallen on or around their houses and they are calling me, telling me they have called their insurance companies to get them removed and they are wondering if I can do the job. My questions are do I have to be licensed and insured to deal with the insurance co ( the trees are no more than 4 or 5 ft around and maybe 10 t 15ft long already on ground or leaning on the houses),will the customers just get a check from my esimate, or do I have to deal with the insurance co. after the job is done? Here, you have to be licensed, insured and registered. The way it works is you invoice the customer, they pay you, insurance pays them based on your receipt. We do around 60 jobs like this a year, mainly trees.

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Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by jpak3030

Today in St.louis we just had a pretty strong storm blow through the town, a few of my customers have trees that have fallen on or around their houses and they are calling me, telling me they have called their insurance companies to get them removed and they are wondering if I can do the job. My questions are do I have to be licensed and insured to deal with the insurance co ( the trees are no more than 4 or 5 ft around and maybe 10 t 15ft long already on ground or leaning on the houses),will the customers just get a check from my esimate, or do I have to deal with the insurance co. after the job is done?

My dad is an electrician and he's doing the same with a burnt house we got. He went through the insurance and then you give them a price. If they like it then they take you.

[jpak3030]

Thanks for the help guys, looks like im out of luck, I don't have insurance yet It is hard to find here. Every place I have called refuses to insure lawncare.

[kdexpd]

Hey
I'm up in northeast Missouri and we do this all the time. You don't have to be insured unless the insurance company directly tells you that you have to be. The way I do things is I go and do the work for the customer, they pay me, and their insurance company pays them back. I run through American Family Insurance here and they have no problem insuring lawn care. I have a half million dollar coverage and do just fine, even with my commercial accounts. I would say if you have good experience running a saw and cutting in tight quarters, go for it. Be sure and charge enough for you labor to cut it, the labor to load it, the labor to haul it, and the labor to unload it. Most people screw themselves (me included) on getting paid for what you're worth. When we cut trees after storms, we usually bid quite a bit higher because of the expertise it take to fell the trees and limbs away from the customer's and neighbor's houses. Not to mention the fact that there are other dangerous obstacles like power lines to sometimes deal with and cut around. Point is, don't screw people, but charge what you and your help is worth. This is good money and is what can give you the opportunity to put back into your business' nest egg. If you need any advice, pm me and I'll do my best.

[jpak3030]

Originally Posted by kdexpd

Hey
I'm up in northeast Missouri and we do this all the time. You don't have to be insured unless the insurance company directly tells you that you have to be. The way I do things is I go and do the work for the customer, they pay me, and their insurance company pays them back. I run through American Family Insurance here and they have no problem insuring lawn care. I have a half million dollar coverage and do just fine, even with my commercial accounts. I would say if you have good experience running a saw and cutting in tight quarters, go for it. Be sure and charge enough for you labor to cut it, the labor to load it, the labor to haul it, and the labor to unload it. Most people screw themselves (me included) on getting paid for what you're worth. When we cut trees after storms, we usually bid quite a bit higher because of the expertise it take to fell the trees and limbs away from the customer's and neighbor's houses. Not to mention the fact that there are other dangerous obstacles like power lines to sometimes deal with and cut around. Point is, don't screw people, but charge what you and your help is worth. This is good money and is what can give you the opportunity to put back into your business' nest egg. If you need any advice, pm me and I'll do my best.

Thank you very much for your information, I think I will follow your advice and take the jobs I could sure use the nest egg booster. I will contact American family monday. Is the insurance expensive for that amount, and what does it cover?

[kdexpd]

I think I pay like $60/month. Now this doesn't cover tree work, only lawn care and I also have my snow blading on there too. It covers accidental property damage and personal injury to others. I'd have to dig out my bill to tell you the specifics. I'll see if I can get back with you on that one.

[jpak3030]

Originally Posted by kdexpd

I think I pay like $60/month. Now this doesn't cover tree work, only lawn care and I also have my snow blading on there too. It covers accidental property damage and personal injury to others. I'd have to dig out my bill to tell you the specifics. I'll see if I can get back with you on that one.

Thanks Kdexpd that amount per month looks like something I could handle, can't wait till monday. Finaly aquiring insurance will be just what I need to help me move to a new level. I guess next will be getting licensed and bonded?

[kdexpd]

I paid $25 for my business license and that is per year. I am not bonded, however you probably should check your local ordinances to see if you are required. My best advice is to go to City Hall where you purchase your business license and ask them what your requirements are. This is one of the largest misconceptions to starting your own business...The amount of money it takes. It's not as expensive as most people think. Sounds like you're off to a great start! Keep us posted bro and best of luck!!