Licenses needed to start business

[Ryanp]

Hi all,

Me and my friend are planning on starting a partnership (unlimited) next year.

we both work in the horticultural sector but as employees only, no managerial experience. We are planning on working for both private home owners and the local authorities, purely grounds maintenance. can anyone tell us what licenses and/or qualifications we will need to work for these clients.

eg waste carrier license ect

 

Sorry if we sound stupid on here, we know what the work entails as we do it on a daily basis but we do not know the legal/ paper work side of it.

thankyou for you time any help/advice is appreciated.

 

based in oxfordshire

[leswold]

Not sure about licences but you'll probably need an agent (accountant) to deal with HMRC. For chainsaw use & the felling of trees, the relevant CS tickets, altho' not strictly needed, I wouldn't advertise or take payment for work without having them & similarly for operation of chipper/stumpgrinder. Public liability (PL) insurance & maybe Employers Liability too. Theres some debate re whether EL is needed but its fairly cheap so IMO not worth the risk of being without. There may be more but thats all I can think of now altho' if you plan to work for the council there might be more hoops to jump re HSE/1st aid.

Edited December 2, 2014 by leswold

[Mountain man]

You'll probably just begin with private clients.

An accountant is essential to avoid catastrophe.

Apart from that you don't need any licenses or qualifications. Especially for maintenance.

Just start simple.

[Ryanp]

OK thank you, people have been saying look after your own accounts, but by the looks of it, and what your advising, they can save you so much money and give you brilliant advice.

 

cheers guys

[penfold]

You can do your own income and outgoings but best to leave the end of year stuff to the accountant, lots less heartache and stress.

[Paul Jenks]

Welcome to Russell Whitlock Accountancy

 

Speak to Russell. I've known him for a number of years and would readily use him for my business, though I have been with my current accountant since I started up and have no plans to change him.

[Billy68]

Get your partnership sorted first make sure this is leagal this is the most important thing

[skyhuck]

The "partnership" is often the poorest vessel to ever set sail, they often end in tears.

 

Is it possible to split the business in some way? You each contributing equipment and skills, while each retaining separate owner ship of said equipment?

 

I'm not saying you will have problems, but its very, very common.

[leswold]

Yes, I can understand that but the partners in our firm are my sons so hopefully we'll continue to rub along.

[Hodge]

Public liability insurance, NI contributions.