Hi everyone. I’m been wondering what type of business license do I need in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA to run a window cleaning business
It seems as if there is different business licenses…
California State License?
Which one will I be needing?
I will simply be cleaning:
windows
Gutters
Awnings
Solerpanels
Pressure washing
I want to be “FULLY LICENSED & INSURED”
Thank you…
I used to live in CA. From what I recall, there is no state license required to do any cleaning. You will need a business license through the City of Riverside and possibly the County of Riverside or and other city and county you work in. You will how ever have to register your business name through the county as well.
Most WCing companies in the US that say “licensed” are full of it. Usually just means they have a business license and a tax certificate.
If I have a business license I’m not really full of it if I say Licensed because thats really subjective. Its like saying I’m a football player if I play flag football every Wed night and I used to play semi-pro tackle. I’m not in the nfl and i’m not a pro but I’m a football player. I don’t have a certificate or professional license to clean windows but I do have a business license making it legal for me to clean windows. Therefore I’m licensed and insured.
In Utah you must register your business name with the state for $50 dollars and then you get your articles of Incorporation in which case you register with the IRS for your tax Id number then once you have a tax ID number your legit with most businesses as long as you have business insurance which you can buy at any insurance place. Then once you have a tax id number or EIN then you can apply for business license as long as you have a business license in the city which you do business in your legal along with insurance and a workers compensation waiver. Once you have your business license and EIN number you can open a business checking acct and start accumulating business credit. You must renew with the state once per year for a small fee and you never lose you EIN with the IRS. You also must renew your business license with the city once per year for another $50.00. Then you must pay for workers compensation waiver which is 50 bucks per year which you must renew once per year for $50 which means if you get hurt and can’t work your signing away your rights to sue anyone except for gross negligence also you can’t get any money from the govt. Or you can pay for workers compensation or aflac either way its 300-400+ per month but if you get hurt and cant work or have to go to the hospital while hurt on the job your covered and your employees are covered. If you have employees you must get an additional license to have employees and you MUST pay for workers comp for all employees. If you charge sales tax which varies state to state you must have a sales tax license. In Utah its illegal to charge sales tax for service but not if you sell a product such as material etc.
I don’t understand… so even though I have a business license, I’m not “licensed”?
I’ve also got a drivers license, am I not a “licensed driver”
what am I missing?
When many people hear ‘licensed’ in reference to a pro, they think of a contractor’s license, such as what an electrician would have. It implies that a certain amount of education has been completed, tests have been passed, and the contractor is fully qualified to perform the work. Anyone can get a business license- it doesn’t guarantee you know what you’re doing.
I think it is miss leading for a company to state that they are licensed window cleaners. Since the perception to the public would imply is that the employees of that company are trained to a regulatory standard like other trade like an electrician or a plumber where as a window cleaner has no such qualifications nor governed training.
Being a legit and legal business licenses should be assumed to be held, advertising you are a licensed business is more credible than stating you are licensed window cleaners, advertising your level of insurance is always good.
Its Illegal to conduct business without a business license just like the ‘massage’ parlor chicks in St George learned the hard way(I gained this info from the news not personal experience). They also didn’t have a license to practice massage which is a separate license both are misdemeanors crimes. You don’t need a window cleaning license to clean windows but you do need a business license to be in business. So saying your licensed says I’m legal to do work, I have a Business License. It says I’m not breaking the law like some.
Not every state requires a business license, so your comment is wrong.
John K Wyatt
All Washed Up Window Cleaning
awuwindowcleaning.com
Thats ignorant to say, If business insurance is required in even some states then its illegal in some states not to have it.
Its ignorant that your seeking to prove me to be wrong over one little technicality also take note of that.
I’ve never heard of any state that you don’t need to have a Business License (West Virginia and Hawaii come to mind as candidates). But if it pleases your highness I suppose I could have included, “In states where it is required by law to have a business license it lets your customers know that your not breaking the law.” But now since I added this seemingly irrelevant footnote to please you and prove that now I’m 100% correct by all technicalities, you can get a life.
Just so you know Arizona does not require a license for window cleaning or power washing. And you can DBA yourself without any type of company.
Not trying to pick on anyone but thought I would mention that. There are a lot states that don’t require licenses for these services.
Wow. Somebody is a little sensitive.
John K Wyatt
All Washed Up Window Cleaning
awuwindowcleaning.com
Well, I feel bad. He probably didn’t sleep well last night, and I slept like a baby.
John K Wyatt
All Washed Up Window Cleaning
awuwindowcleaning.com
Don’t feel bad I’m over it. I slept like an adult actually, and I just don’t like the attitude that seems to take over the men on this site always having to one-up each other or sound smarter than each other, or point out quickly when someone is wrong but when its over something technical its like ‘bro lighten up’. Rather than say “YOUR WRONG!”
FTE!
John K Wyatt
All Washed Up Window Cleaning
awuwindowcleaning.com
Im holding back the years
and my comments
FTE
[QUOTE=SqueegeeNinjaNJ;252605]Im holding back the years
and my comments
FTE[/QUOTE
If you don’t having something nice to say don’t say anything at all. If being professional all the time is something that is hard to achieve than I guess its better not to say anything at all. To me being professional all the time means that I would speak to others the way I would speak to them in person as a professional. I wouldn’t use this site as a punching bag or a means to get a dig in at everyone that makes mistakes the way they convey a message and then rub it in their face. The only time I get nasty is when I feel insulted just like in person.
[quote="“Jaran,post:18,topic:25802”]
Just so you know, that wasn’t pointed at you directly or indirectly…
“Holdin back the years” is an inside joke based on the Simply Red song.
Sorry to offend you, it was random, possibly poorly placed
While we are on the subject I know a guy who will sell you window cleaning certification now you’ll be big time
Licensed and certified!
