Apply for a business license to legally operate a transportation business. Contact your area county clerk's office or small business management office for more information on obtaining a business license. Contact the Internal Revenue Service to request an employer identification number. Use this number on business documents, state and federal tax forms, and to open a business bank account.
Purchase business insurance, such as general liability, property, workers' compensation, and auto insurance, to insure equipment in the event of damage or theft. Business insurance also helps protect your business from lawsuits or agreements. Buy equipment to remove garbage, heavy items, and other items. The necessary equipment may include shovels, rakes, garbage cans, and safety equipment, such as safety goggles, gloves, work boots, and dust masks.
Buy a truck to transport garbage to the landfill or to the recycling center and to transport employees from one job to another. Establishing a legal business entity, such as an LLC or a corporation, protects you from being held personally liable if your garbage removal company is sued. The possibilities are endless, so it's a good idea to check your personal and professional networks and get in touch with those who have potential links or are interested in garbage removal. The legal structure you choose for your garbage disposal business will determine your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.
Garbage disposal companies should consider requiring customers to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. Market your junk removal business through online presence, local advertising, online directories, and referral programs to reach potential customers and improve your reputation. Customers need to know your name and trust you; therefore, a quality brand and references are essential to promote a moving business. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has worked as a garbage collection operator for years and can offer you valuable information and connections to the industry.
Problem solvers, people, and people who like to work with their hands can succeed and find joy in running a moving business. By starting your own garbage collection business, you can take a piece of that market and make a good profit. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college now runs a garbage collection business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential customers. The garbage disposal industry is competitive but growing, and you can start from scratch or buy a franchise.
Keeping your company's finances separate from your personal account makes it easier to file taxes and track your company's revenues, so it's worth doing even if you run your garbage collection business as a sole proprietor. Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, in addition to personal loans, to finance a garbage removal business. Environmentally friendly garbage disposal has been in greater demand lately, as people want their garbage to be recycled or donated instead of going to a landfill. We run a garbage disposal training program designed to guide you through the process of setting up a garbage transportation company.