Costs and fees for registering in NJ

[Clear-Cut]

im going legit next year

i will be operating in nj.

i hav found what i need to register but i cannot find how much any of this is going to cost.

can anyone help with out with maybe a link or even off the top of their head how much it will cost to start a LLC business

maybe if you could tell me exactly what i have to register for and get certified for

just for the state

thanks
justin

[DC Lawn Care]

LLC companies range from $250 to $550, it depends were you go or who you use. The first thing they'll do is see if your name is available to use. If JM Landscaping is you company name you'll most likely be ok because it's your initials. Once thats done they will take care of the LLC stuff which includes; your share holders book, (they may call it something else but it makes no difference you'll never need it) you get a raised seal, and all you LLC legal paperwork. They do not do anything for your state requirements. The state requires that you register under the home improvement category. This cost is $90. The local towns require you to have a permit to operate in there town, they are around $25 per town. Now if if you plan to apply chemicals its another story. I hope this helps you.

[Clear-Cut]

so for everything i am looking at (at most) $665? or do you mean most lawyers will charge $250-$550 to do the LLC paperwork for me? because i have heard that it isnt too difficult to do it yourself

also. when i register with the state i will be good with the taxes right? i dont hav to file any additional paperwork for that do i? lol i dont want the IRS coming after me!

two more questions. i probably have to register with the state b4 i do the LLC stuff right? or does it matter

and do i have to renew this stuff every year?

im going to take the training course to put down fertilizer and certified and registered hopefully by next year

[JJLandscapes]

For NY as an idea

to make the corp or LLC was $350 for me
licensing was $400-450 for 2 years

insurance 900 a year

[Clear-Cut]

thanks for the info JJ

i want to be able to legally put down fertilizer

i was looking at this website:
http://www.pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/PAT/index.htm

im guessing pesticide and fertilizing use the same certifications am i right or am i looking at the wrong thing...

[stripes]

i would pay a lawyer to file the LLC papers for you, it's worth the money. We spent about $400. when you file the papers and register with the state that will form the LLC, and you should get your tax ID # with that. After you do that you should talk to an accountant they will tell you everything you need to know about the taxes. As for the pesticide license it costs $75 for the applicator license, and $150 for the business license. hope this helps :clapping:

[ProImage]

JMLandscaping, I filed myself through the New Jersey State website. You can search for free to see if anyone has your name (New Jersey Business Gateway). You will have to choose wether you are going to be an LLC, sole Prop., Corp. etc. It can all be done online. As for the IRS you can request a FEIN # for taxes or use you SS# depending on how you file your biz. Also the state will require you to register you biz as a contractor if you do anything more than cut grass. There are also legal wording that must be incorparated in your contracts. Go to the Attorny General's website, look under consumer affairs and it will tell you what to do.

[Allure]

JMLandscaping, I filed myself through the New Jersey State website. You can search for free to see if anyone has your name (New Jersey Business Gateway). You will have to choose wether you are going to be an LLC, sole Prop., Corp. etc. It can all be done online. As for the IRS you can request a FEIN # for taxes or use you SS# depending on how you file your biz. Also the state will require you to register you biz as a contractor if you do anything more than cut grass. There are also legal wording that must be incorparated in your contracts. Go to the Attorny General's website, look under consumer affairs and it will tell you what to do.

JM
I agree with ProImage. You can do it all through the state web site or over the phone. $75 to register my LLC through the state & $90 to register as a contractor which you will not need if you are only doing lawns.
(not a capital improvement)
The $90 contractor fee is yearly.

If you use this web site http://www.nj.gov/njbusiness/start/ there is a step by step wizard on the right side. after you register your llc you should be instructed to register for taxes etc.
you can also start here http://www.state.nj.us/njbgs/ as ProImage said.

after i did all that i found an accountant & reviewed everything with him.
I did everything correctly except i did not know at the time that i had to register as a contractor. he clued me in on that.
Why drag a lawyer into it.
If you are uncomfortable with all of it you can request the package be mailed to you so you can look it over. Maybe even show it to an accountant if you have one.

[ProImage]

To add one more thing. If you register as a contractor the state requires you to have min. of 500k general liability insurance.

[ACutAbovesiny]

i was able to to all that paperwork through my accountant.

I was under the impression that you needed to have something published or something like that to be an LLC. I was told by my accountant that unless I was going to have others invest and be "silent partners" that an LLC (Limited Liability Company) is not needed. I have an S Corperation, which seperates myself from the corperation. That means if I run over some customers foot with my mower they cannot sue me personaly....just the business.

I might be wrong though.

[Clear-Cut]

awsome stuff guys.

just one more question.

am i going to have to register for contracting if i want to do mulch? im not going to be doing any hardscaping or stuff like that

[ProImage]

I don't think so. I think the purpose to register is to protect the consumer from unscrupulus contractors (if that is the correct way to spell it) Your prices aren't going to be that high where the consumer would lose a lot of money. It gives the state a way to monitor and track contractors and the complaints they get and for a way for consumers to recover their money.

[Allure]

awsome stuff guys.

just one more question.

am i going to have to register for contracting if i want to do mulch? im not going to be doing any hardscaping or stuff like that

JM see attached document that explains who needs to register as a contractor

[Clear-Cut]

thanks again..looks like i have to register for that as well

ok so here is my checklist to going legit:

Register with the state and taxes (free?)
get tax ID # (free)
register as an LLC ($75 if i do it myself)
register for contracting ($90)
Pesticide/Fertilize license ($75)
insurance (havnt gotten any quotes yet, but min 500k liability)

this is probably the dumbest question..but do i need to write a busniess plan? i thought those were only if you wanted to take out a loan

so is this list right?




sorry to be a pain in the ass but i just want to make sure i do everything right this way i dont screw myself

[Allure]

registering for taxes is free.
I opted for $1 million liability ins. per incident. that seemed to be the norm for the companies i contacted. I think it cost around $650 for the year. Since you are doing lawns you may want to insure your equip. For some reason they called it a 'marine' package but it covers you against theft. If you don't i wouldn't leave your equipmnet unatended or your trailer open here in NJ.
I have read a number of articles where people stole things like large excavators so stealing a mower or blower is no biggie LOL.

You are right about the business plan & financing. I didn't need financing yet but i am going to try & write a plan over the winter to better define what my goals are & how i plan on reaching them. I think it will give me greater focus.
I am learning so much in these forums. Thanks to all!

[colestat]

I think your pesticide license fee is too low. I am considering getting licensed this winter. I have determined the following costs are involved:

Commercial Pesticide Applicator license $75/year
Pesticide Applicator Business license $150/year
Basic Pesticide Training course for Core Certification $95
Training Class in lieu of 40 hours on the job training $115
Exam fee $10 each part (I am probably going for 2-3 parts)
Commercial Applicator Core Training Manual $30
Commercial Landscape Category Training Manual $30

At a minimum, if I pass the exams the first time, it will cost $515.

Can anyone who has a pesticide license in NJ confirm?

[Clear-Cut]

i found this link:
http://www.pestmanagement.rutgers.edu/PAT/index.htm

it says on there that u can get ur certification and then u hav 5 years to complete all of the training...after those 5 years if you havnt completed everything needed then the certification expires and you have to do everything over again

now im not sure if u have to pass the tests to get certified or not

someone above said that the fertilizer license is $75 thats why i put it up there..i havent fully looked into it yet

[JoeFireman]

If your small go as a Sole proprioter with your own name. I was incorparated for several years and found it to be a problem. As long as you get Insurance and a Home Improvement License and Pesticide License you should be OK. Keeping your own name will save you money in bank fees that are charged to business accounts and should simplifie things.

[Clear-Cut]

what do you mean keep my name as the business name

instead of using "J.M. Lawn & Landscape" i should use "Justin McElroy" as the name?

[JoeFireman]

Yes thats what I mean!

[Clear-Cut]

if i did that would it be like this?

the legal name for the business would be "Justin McElroy"

but on my truck and advertising i can still use "J.M. Lawn & Landscape"

or would i have to file for a trade name to do that?

[ACutAbovesiny]

You register a name and then a DBA (doing business as.)

[Clear-Cut]

i think im just going to go with the LLC

thanks for the option though...if i decide otherwise ill go this path