Starting a clean out service. need help with the legal stuff

I am starting a clean out/ Junk Removal company here is a little bit about me, I'm 21 I used to scrap with my moms b/f ended up stopping that to do landscaping. Now I am still doing landscaping part time to help out in the start of of my own company.

I just bought a 04 regular cab chevy colorado , I been using that to pick some scrap from garbage and some small jobs on the side. I know it's a small truck and I am saving for another one to be my designated work truck. I can always use the bigger truck I used to use with my moms b/f but cant always count on that due to the fact that he uses it himself also. So I plan on buying a used rack body pick up of some sort.

I always in visioned my self having my own company, so I plan to give it a try and make it happen.

My main questions are ones I could not not seem to find on here .

1. Insurance- for company and automobiles what is the best way to go when starting out (general liability/commercial) I am starting out so I do not have a clue what these would cost me? (I never had it when I scrapped with my mom's bf but I plan on being a legit service now)

and what is a estimate cost for registering a truck with commercial plates?

2. I want to have advertising for my company on the vehicle and my friends father has a building with a lot that I can park in, which is located by a very busy intersection I plan on keeping the truck parked as like a billboard.. Do you need commercial plates for having advertising on it? ... I will only be working in new jersey in the beginning.

3. Here is my website http://www.JunkRight.com I didnt add pricing yet I am working on that. I did the whole design I am a part time web designer so no cost for the site except the hosting and domain fees.

4. My main source of advertising I have planned is the truck itself, I want it similar to like a Junk Luggers or 1800 got Junk but a little less fancy but not ugly. I like that approach but I also want help in other ways. like a flyer, business cards etc. any ideas?

Any advice or tips will be greatly appreciated

Welcome fellow scrapper. Sounds like your questions need to be asked at Jersey DMV and Gov. center.

You may get advice here but for legal advice like this I would go to the source!

Thanks for the reply, I look forward to hearing from a lot of you guys any advice or help is much appreciated.

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and what is a estimate cost for registering a truck with commercial plates?

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I don't think you have to have commercial plates just to throw some advertising on the doors, or to haul some scrap.

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I like that approach but I also want help in other ways. like a flyer, business cards etc. any ideas?

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You can design the flyers on M*soft Word and print them on your computer, or take a master to Staples and print them there for about .10 a copy. You can start out cheap (yea, I know you other guys have heard it all before) with your business cards by going to W*lmart and in the office section buy the blank Avery business cards for about $3.69 for a 100 pack. Go to Avery.com and download their wizard to help you with your designing your new cards. You lay them out on Word, and can even design something for the back also. It's a cheap way to get started, and like someone else said, you can alter your cards as you go or add more info. If you want an example, see mine here, and welcome; http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...ko-County-Area

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3. Here is my website

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I just looked at it and it looks nice BUT you might want to slow the timing down on the rotating wording, it was moving so fast from one to another that I could not read half of it before it moved. Either that or I read, reeaaallly sslllooowwww!

nice looking web site

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1. Insurance- for company and automobiles what is the best way to go when starting out (general liability/commercial) I am starting out so I do not have a clue what these would cost me? (I never had it when I scrapped with my mom's bf but I plan on being a legit service now)

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Get a small insurance plan that gives you a buffer for when you screw up. You can get a small business insurance plan rate that will vary between 500-1500 bucks per year. Variables like number of employees, occupational hazard, indoor and outdoor activities, office setting.. they all make a difference. However for a guy in a truck, I don't imagine it to be too steep.

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and what is a estimate cost for registering a truck with commercial plates?

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You're under 25. Your insurance premium for driving already blows. Don't make it worse. Stick with the basics. The only people who look at your license plates are cops and those who want to tell the cops about you.

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2. I want to have advertising for my company on the vehicle and my friends father has a building with a lot that I can park in, which is located by a very busy intersection I plan on keeping the truck parked as like a billboard.. Do you need commercial plates for having advertising on it? ... I will only be working in new jersey in the beginning.

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You kinda need to use the truck to run your business right? I mean theoretically, most of the time on this intersection it will just be commuter traffic. Most of the time people have a preconceived route they travel in town to avoid traffic and to stick to routine. We're creatures of habit. You might get 3 weeks of decent advertising if you don't have to use the truck much. Kind of pointless. A yellow pages ad or backpages/craigslist.org would work better. Throw on some magnetic decals and hit the road.

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3. Here is my website http://www.JunkRight.com I didnt add pricing yet I am working on that. I did the whole design I am a part time web designer so no cost for the site except the hosting and domain fees.

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Your website is terrific. It's easy access, easily explained, and even more simple to navigate. I like the layout. I like the tangible feel of the pictures and how they don't look photoshopped. The flash on the main page is a little much. People hate animation when they're looking for pricing and trying to concentrate on spending money. I learned this in college, still sort of true. Everything else though is spot on. Right down to the color scheme and the link layout. You got skills.

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4. My main source of advertising I have planned is the truck itself, I want it similar to like a Junk Luggers or 1800 got Junk but a little less fancy but not ugly. I like that approach but I also want help in other ways. like a flyer, business cards etc. any ideas?

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If you can design a website as well as you do, the rest is cake and ice cream. I wouldn't use vistaprint or cafepress or any other third party pic uploading site to get stuff printed and made. Just get yourself some MS Word and design some flyers. You can get free flyer templates on Microsoft's site or do a quick google search. Print your own business cards as well, seriously, you'll be glad you did. I've seen some rather crappy quality cards people have overpaid for. I mean my card is a basic MS Word template with my logo, but it still gets looks and people actually ask me to design their business cards. Use the perforated paper you can buy in the store. You can get like 500 cards for 17 bucks at Staples and Office Depot. They are the kind made for Avery templates which you can download from Avery.com. I mean honestly man, if your work ethic is as good as your web design, you'll do just fine.

In NJ you MUST have commercial plates to have permanent advertisements that include a phone number or web address. Your name can be permanent, but the contact info must be removable (magnets).

On the opposite end, if you have commercial plates, a contact number or website MUST be permanently displayed on the vehicle

These are the actual laws, but every area in NJ enforces it differently. I only know because I do vinyl decals full time and I also had a buddy go to court for his van (he's a pro surfer and his sponsors gave him a van with a promotional wrap)

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Originally Posted by scrap lap

In NJ you MUST have commercial plates to have permanent advertisements that include a phone number or web address. Your name can be permanent, but the contact info must be removable (magnets).

On the opposite end, if you have commercial plates, a contact number or website MUST be permanently displayed on the vehicle

These are the actual laws, but every area in NJ enforces it differently. I only know because I do vinyl decals full time and I also had a buddy go to court for his van (he's a pro surfer and his sponsors gave him a van with a promotional wrap)

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That proves my point! Every state has different laws and regulations. Opinions are good but when it comes down to it, it's you that has to pay any tickets and fines.

Here in FL if you put a sign on your truck it gives the DOT the right to inspect, search,weigh, and otherwise screw with you. I have seen a roofing caravan of three trucks pulled over. Three hours later I drove by and they were still searching trucks. They had two lines of guys, I guess the ones with warrants and one line of guys that at some point was going to work.

Depending on ewaste volumes, you may need special permitting for E waste processing. DEfinitely look into this.

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Originally Posted by Scrappy22

1. Insurance- for company and automobiles what is the best way to go when starting out (general liability/commercial) I am starting out so I do not have a clue what these would cost me? (I never had it when I scrapped with my mom's bf but I plan on being a legit service now)

and what is a estimate cost for registering a truck with commercial plates?

2. I want to have advertising for my company on the vehicle and my friends father has a building with a lot that I can park in, which is located by a very busy intersection I plan on keeping the truck parked as like a billboard.. Do you need commercial plates for having advertising on it? ... I will only be working in new jersey in the beginning.

3. Here is my website http://www.JunkRight.com I didnt add pricing yet I am working on that. I did the whole design I am a part time web designer so no cost for the site except the hosting and domain fees.

4. My main source of advertising I have planned is the truck itself, I want it similar to like a Junk Luggers or 1800 got Junk but a little less fancy but not ugly. I like that approach but I also want help in other ways. like a flyer, business cards etc. any ideas?

Any advice or tips will be greatly appreciated

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1. Depending on what type of truck you will be using, will depend on what the insurance companies will let you get by with. If it is a regular pickup, no need for commercial insurance. If it is more geared towards trucks like box trucks, or 1800Junk trucks, then they will probably force you to get commercial insurance. I am speaking from experience with my own insurance company, which yours might be different.

2. You don't need no special tags for advertising being put on any vehicle. When you drive around towns/cities, you are always seeing cars and truck with window decals, or door magnets advertising businesses of all kinds. Look at their tags. They are the same as anyone else.

3. Nice looking, professional website. I checked out the company you used to built it, but couldn't see no prices. None the less, looks very good.

4. Flyers for businesses like grocery stores, libraries, laundry mats, mom and pop stores, and anywhere else that allows this, is a good idea. Business cards are good for passing out to anyone, especially clients that you are picking up from. Some other ideas could be shirts, hats, etc. I know Unifirst.com has a BIG selection of business apparel ranging from all the different industries. You get 11 shirts, and 11 pants for $25/week, which for me, is a lot less costier, then buying new clothes all the time, but that is just me.

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Originally Posted by GeorgeB

1. Depending on what type of truck you will be using, will depend on what the insurance companies will let you get by with. If it is a regular pickup, no need for commercial insurance. If it is more geared towards trucks like box trucks, or 1800Junk trucks, then they will probably force you to get commercial insurance. I am speaking from experience with my own insurance company, which yours might be different.

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Again I say check with the proper offices and local laws.

Here is an example showing how Geo's opinion is wrong and it would be you getting the fine not him!

Commercial classification

In the United States a vehicle is designated “commercial” when it is titled or registered to a company. This is a broad definition, as commercial vehicles may be fleet vehicles, company cars, or other vehicles used for business. Vehicles that are designed to carry more than 16 passengers are considered a commercial vehicle.

A vehicle may be considered a commercial vehicle if:

the title was placed in the name of a company or corporation.
The vehicle is used for business but is in an individual's name such as a sole proprietor.
the vehicle is a leased vehicle and in the name of the financial institution that owns it.
the vehicle exceeds a certain weight or class and therefore is "classified" as commercial even though it may not be commercially used or commercially owned. A weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more is always consider commercial.[2]
the vehicle is used to haul any hazardous material.

A vehicles can be used for a business, if not exclusively, and remain private licensed, depending on the amount of time used for business.
[edit] Examples of commercial vehicles

Truck
Semi truck (articulated lorry)
Van
Coach
Bus
Taxicab
Trailers
Box truck (also known as a straight truck)

[edit] Commercial truck classification

Commercial trucks are classified according to the Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The United States Department of Transportation classifies commercial trucks with eight classes[3]:

Class 1- GVWR ranges from 0 to 6,000 pounds (0 to 2,722 kg)
Class 2- GVWR ranges from 6,001 to 10,000 pounds (2,722 to 4,536 kg)
Class 3- GVWR ranges from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds (4,536 to 6,350 kg)
Class 4- GVWR ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds (6,351 to 7,257 kg)
Class 5- GVWR ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds (7,258 to 8,845 kg).
Class 6- GVWR ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds (8,846 to 11,793 kg)
Class 7- GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds (11,794 to 14,969 kg)
Class 8- GVWR is anything above 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg)

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Originally Posted by injunjoe

Again I say check with the proper offices and local laws.

Here is an example showing how Geo's opinion is wrong and it would be you getting the fine not him!

Commercial classification

In the United States a vehicle is designated “commercial” when it is titled or registered to a company. This is a broad definition, as commercial vehicles may be fleet vehicles, company cars, or other vehicles used for business. Vehicles that are designed to carry more than 16 passengers are considered a commercial vehicle.

A vehicle may be considered a commercial vehicle if:

the title was placed in the name of a company or corporation.
The vehicle is used for business but is in an individual's name such as a sole proprietor.
the vehicle is a leased vehicle and in the name of the financial institution that owns it.
the vehicle exceeds a certain weight or class and therefore is "classified" as commercial even though it may not be commercially used or commercially owned. A weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more is always consider commercial.[2]
the vehicle is used to haul any hazardous material.

A vehicles can be used for a business, if not exclusively, and remain private licensed, depending on the amount of time used for business.
[edit] Examples of commercial vehicles

Truck
Semi truck (articulated lorry)
Van
Coach
Bus
Taxicab
Trailers
Box truck (also known as a straight truck)

[edit] Commercial truck classification

Commercial trucks are classified according to the Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The United States Department of Transportation classifies commercial trucks with eight classes[3]:

Class 1- GVWR ranges from 0 to 6,000 pounds (0 to 2,722 kg)
Class 2- GVWR ranges from 6,001 to 10,000 pounds (2,722 to 4,536 kg)
Class 3- GVWR ranges from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds (4,536 to 6,350 kg)
Class 4- GVWR ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds (6,351 to 7,257 kg)
Class 5- GVWR ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds (7,258 to 8,845 kg).
Class 6- GVWR ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds (8,846 to 11,793 kg)
Class 7- GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds (11,794 to 14,969 kg)
Class 8- GVWR is anything above 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg)

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Joe, I was referring to insurance companies, alone. Not anything at all to do with the DMV.

Insurance companies care about what kind of vehicle it is, how many miles per year or week roughly that you will be driving it, if it will be used for business or pleasure, etc.

DMV, yes, we all know they have much more requirements, and it can get costly, just like with insurance companies.

Also, with insurance companies, if you drive xx amount of miles, they will automatically classify you as commercial. At least all the ones I ever spoke to will.

TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER: Best bet for you is this, plain and simple. Contact a insurance company you wish to go with (cheapest for me, but with awesome customer service was Alfa Insurance. Yours might be GEICO, Nationwide, All State, Etc.). Explain to them what it would be used for, and how many miles per you plan to use, and they will tell you what they recommend or require.

Same thing with DMV. Contact them, explain to them, and they will tell you all the permits, classifications, fees, tags, etc that you will need.

Really, that is the best advice you will get, as they truly will be the only ones to know.

Thanks for the help guys, at least now I have some what of a direction to go in.

I am gonna call a few insurance company's sometime this week.

George, I work for Cyber Publishers its my uncles company. Rates go by the complexity of a project we have clients fill out a creative brief and we usually base it on what they are looking for and try and work it into their budget.

Yea shirts are something I am looking into I have an account with a distributor but I have to order 36... I might just go to a local printer and get each shirt for like 6 bucks with my design included.

Best of luck to you, Scrappy 22. I saw the guy that started 1-800-got-junk on tv. He and his buddy started out with a truck and just went around knocking on people's doors when they saw stuff piled up in their yards. He's very well off now and still quite young.

Contact your local SCORE chapter: http://www.score.org/

It's an organization of small business mentors, most retired businessmen from your community looking to help out entrepreneurs. Other than that, I recommended you talk with a lawyer. I would personally be very wary of advice received online, as well intentioned as it maybe, from people residing across the country, subject to very different state and local laws than you.

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Originally Posted by Scrappy22

Thanks for the help guys, at least now I have some what of a direction to go in.

I am gonna call a few insurance company's sometime this week.

George, I work for Cyber Publishers its my uncles company. Rates go by the complexity of a project we have clients fill out a creative brief and we usually base it on what they are looking for and try and work it into their budget.

Yea shirts are something I am looking into I have an account with a distributor but I have to order 36... I might just go to a local printer and get each shirt for like 6 bucks with my design included.

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well with unifirst, you get 11sl shirts, 11 pants, logo on your clothes. they clean and repair them or replace them if needed. they have clothes regardless of your industry. to me all of that for $25 a week is well worth it. just an idea

You can buy a lot of clothes for $1,300 a year.

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Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

You can buy a lot of clothes for $1,300 a year.

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If I were to buy my clothes that I do scrapping with from walmart, kmart, or any other store that sells the shirts and pants, I would be paying double or even triple that $1,300. Especially considering d i c k i e pants run between $13 and $16 a pair, and some shirts run almost the same. So for one shirt, and one pair of pants, I would have spent the same, as I would the $25 for 11 shirts, and 11 pants.

Unifirst, does provide business other things, than just uniforms, but that is all I need from them myself. Check them out http://unifirst.com