Licensed and Insured ?

I

itswillist

New Member
Well, I haven’t had much luck with anyone replying to my questions on here.. But I'll give it a shot anyway ..

I'm new to the business, (and we also paint) but I was wondering if a license is required in this business and or insurance for commercial jobs ? I'm planning on getting some insurance but I don't know what the minimum I can get is (500,000 or 1 million) and still satisfy most contracts. Any advice would be appreciated ...

If so what is a reasonable price per year on this type of coverage?
 
R

R. E. Crouse

New Member
Commercial jobs will require a minimum of one million liability. Prices range widely depending on your area. Anywhere from $500-$1500 per year from what I have seen. I pay $900 in Maryland. Good luck!

P.S. Some states require a license, some don't. MD requires one. Also, insurance is an absolute must for all jobs, commercial and residential.
 
G

grizzley

New Member
R. E. Crouse said:
Commercial jobs will require a minimum of one million liability.
Click to expand...
Not all of them require $1MIL coverage. Some of the larger contracts we have require $4MIL. Most (90%) commercial won't even ask about your coverage.
Go with the amount you feel you need right now. You can always up the coverage at ANY time.
 
M

McMoo

New Member
Every State is different on lic. In Florida most Cities, or counties require an acc. lic. As far as the incurance it's going to be a company thing. What ever the majic nunber they want, most i have talked to want at least $1 mil.
Do a search on this board and others, there have been several Inc. companys names and #'s pitch out. Good luck
 
PressurePros

PressurePros

New Member
No licensing requirements in PA. As far as insurance, requested or not you should have it. Its pennies compared to the steps its puts you ahead of lowball competition. I have the opposite dealings with commercial work.. 90% ask to see current certificate.. most are good with the $1M
 
R

R. E. Crouse

New Member
grizzley said:
Not all of them require $1MIL coverage. Some of the larger contracts we have require $4MIL. Most (90%) commercial won't even ask about your coverage.
Go with the amount you feel you need right now. You can always up the coverage at ANY time.
Click to expand...


This may be true where you are from. Like Ken said, it is almost ALWAYS required where he is from (not far from me). If you are serious about doing business, why wouldn't you have it? A no-brainer to me. By the way, not ALL require $1M, but most will, so how much should he get? My point is that $1M is needed to go after commercial jobs, at least in my market.
 
Last edited:
G

grizzley

New Member
R. E. Crouse said:
I guess in Arkansas the rules are a bit looser.
Click to expand...

I am not sure about "looser"....
You say "almost ALWAYS required..." but WHO requires? The businesses you work for or MD; the state?

You say the "rules" are looser... but what are your states "rules" for insurance?
 
W

wetwash

Banned
R. E. Crouse said:
Commercial jobs will require a minimum of one million liability. Prices range widely depending on your area. Anywhere from $500-$1500 per year from what I have seen. I pay $900 in Maryland. Good luck!

P.S. Some states require a license, some don't. MD requires one. Also, insurance is an absolute must for all jobs, commercial and residential.
Click to expand...



If you are looking to save some money ask your agent to provide you with a company thats not back by your state . May save you some cash , but if they go belly up thats you $$$ . Also in Md you don't have to have a license it depends own the service you provide and how you answer the states question on chems .
 
Last edited:
I

itswillist

New Member
ok ..

This is all handy, but around here (Baton Rouge, LA) It seems as though none of the "Big Guys" want to risk insuring a new business, so I have to use a small town insurance company, and I'm not getting anything less that 1500 / year for the 1 mil minimum.. Is it possible to get an out of state company to insure me ? If so, what's the cheapest you guys know of ? Can you pass their names to me ?
 
Beth

Beth

New Member
wetwash said:
If you are looking to save some money ask your agent to provide you with a company thats not back by your state . May save you some cash , but if they go belly up thats you $$$ . Also in Md you don't have to have a license it depends own the service you provide and how you answer the states question on chems .

Terah
WetWash Home Improvement
WetWash Power washing Service
www.wet-wash.com
www.deckrestorer.com
Click to expand...

As I understand it, the laws are changing in MD to include washing with a power washer and no chems. It's powerful machinery. It does alot of damage in unskilled hands. I think that is a fair requirement. Sealing a deck you need to be licensed, or you are in MHIC violation. If you are cleaning gutters, you can remove the gunk in the gutter, but if you pick up a hammer to tighten a nail, you need a license as you have just performed an improvement.

Beth
 
W

wetwash

Banned
Beth said:
As I understand it, the laws are changing in MD to include washing with a power washer and no chems. It's powerful machinery. It does alot of damage in unskilled hands. I think that is a fair requirement. Sealing a deck you need to be licensed, or you are in MHIC violation. If you are cleaning gutters, you can remove the gunk in the gutter, but if you pick up a hammer to tighten a nail, you need a license as you have just performed an improvement.

Beth
Click to expand...

It may be changing however, changing the law not going to do much for the power washing industry in our area . I think compaines want the laws change because they don't know how to deal with the lowballers with out snitching. Customers choosing lowerballers is like corporation using unathorized workers .

Terah
WetWash home Improvement
WetWash Power Washing Service
www.wet-wash.com
www.deckrestorer.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Sponsors

Top