Hey all!
Im back again, after quite a long hiatus! I’ve been working for a window cleaning company for the last 3 years. I no longer work for them as heading into doing Graphic Design more & more. As work for this comes in patches, I’m going to start my own Window Cleaning company finally and do my design work at night times 
I’ve got all the gear, experienced enough and have a logo/name etc… Just wondering if any other New Zealand window cleaners can point me in the right direction as to what legal actions (if any) do I have to do before I can start advertising and working. As far as I’ve seen their is no legal action needed to become a “Sole Trader”, does this mean I can just launch and get stuck in? Bit confused, heard different things from different people, none of which are window cleaners 
I found this, but still unsure…
Hi Coastal,
Not sure there are many legal requirements! Health and safety has become more stringent for sure.
I do a bit of commercial work and as such have a separate limited company which is GST registered, Site Safe membership with at-heights endorsement and CAA for work at the airport. But if I was doing just residential, probably wouldn’t bother with any of that.
Whereabouts are you?
Declan
Humm, don’t you need a ring and go on a quest? Pretty sure I saw that in a movie once.
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Hi Coastal,
No legal requirements on start up as a sole trader. Bear in mind though that if you are going to be building a residential clientele you’ll want to take out Public Liability Insurance (I have $1M) Another insurance to consider is your vehicle. If you trash it full of window cleaning gear with ladders on top and its not registered as a business vehicle the claim will probably be tossed. Are you a kiwi? If so you’ll know the requirements for registering for GST. I’ve also found good policy is to put yourself through the online Security and credit checks and keep a record of them (can be asked for if you sub contract to another company). Most homeowners over here want in and out done so the more trustworthy you can make yourself on first meeting the easier it will be and after doing the job well referrals will flow. If you’re into graphic design, a nice clean business card is a must. I always hand over a couple with printed invoice to the client for ‘passing on’. The one other thing you may find if you do work for companies is that they may take 20% withholding tax off your invoice, especially if you’re not GST registered. I actually went to the trouble of applying and getting a “Withholding Tax Exemption” certificate in the early days and have been asked for a copy of it several times. The other issue with businesses now is the tightening up of H&S so be prepared to supply…1. Health & Safety Policy and a Hazard Register …but…only if asked. Don’t sweat that at the moment just be aware this may be asked if you bid for commercial contracts. Familiarise yourself with what you can, and can’t do with ladders…i.e. step, extension and A Frames. So in summary: No real legal requirements 2. GST Registration and Public Liability Insurance 3. Security and Credit check records recommended…Where are you going to base yourself Coastal?
Hi Eric,
What’s business like down in Dunedin?
[MENTION=9773]deccymc[/MENTION]
All good down here. I stay away from storefronts. Have a few commercial but focus on domestic. Cold Andrew? That’s why I also have Commercial Cleaning contracts. I look at the guys in the UK rigging up and doing windows in all weather and I think…why? 
Be kind to yourself…
Excellent. Love Dunedin, might move down and do some storefront work 
I’m going to send you a message.
