City business license

arborworks1

arborworks1

Treehouser
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
2,754
Location
hartsville, sc
My town is looking to improve the business license requirements for tree service. Mainly to increase revenue and to bring the standards up to speed for tree care. I see it as a step in the right direction.
How about some suggestions on the licensing requirements.
 
Start with insurance. Then certifications, either ISA or on the state level. Add in a B or better BBB score, maybe.
 
arborworks1 said:
My town is looking to improve the business license requirements for tree service. Mainly to increase revenue and to bring the standards up to speed for tree care. I see it as a step in the right direction.
How about some suggestions on the licensing requirements.
Click to expand...

lumberjack said:
Regulation sucks. It's a money grab.
Click to expand...
This.

And Erik, the BBB is yet another worthless scam.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6
I'm actually all for it, I'm tired of seeing trees hacked to shit. It's not going to stop it completely, but I can dream.
 
All the towns I've had business licenses for just want your money. That's all it's about. You walk in, tell them you want to buy a business license, throw the money on the counter, and walk out with your license. How is THAT improving anything?
 
A business license here is something completely different; you only need one if you're DBA. If you're running a business with your name in the name of the business, you're exempt. Same if you're Inc.'d.
 
arborworks1 said:
I'm actually all for it, I'm tired of seeing trees hacked to shit. It's not going to stop it completely, but I can dream.
Click to expand...

Still going to be hacks working, still can't get blood from a rock to cover fines.
You will be the one stuck bidding higher to cover your new costs/taxes.
 
MasterBlaster said:
So, the answer is "no regulation?"
Click to expand...
Why must you act like the exact opposite extreme is the only answer? That argument is unrealistic and leads to lots of stupid, unhelpful arguing. It's so stupid I refuse to answer it because that line has been beaten to death.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13
Maybe I should just join the hacks then, aye?? Insurance and certifications is a start. I understand your statements about fines being issused, there has to be a starting point. I'm working with the city Arborist on this, so right now it's not really the city trying to grab money.

Haha I guess I'm an ass too, Brian!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15
We were brainstorming on a way to improve the requirements to get a license to do business as a tree service. Maybe a signed statement that you have read and understand the a 300 pruning standards. And the safety requirements for tree workers. He went so far as saying each company have a certified Arborist on staff or on have the ability to have one on consult.

There is zero regulation right now.
 
Something needs to be done imo. It will help to stop the destruction possibly of some historic trees. People should be made aware somehow even if it's just some info on the city website about standards of treecare.

Some lousy things get done to beautiful trees because people are mis-informed or just plain stupid.

I'm not sure how it works down there. Here to be doing business legally in a city or surrounding city or area you need the appropriate license otherwise you could be fined on-site for doing treework. I've been questioned before in my own hometown by a bylaw officer. The problem is though anyone can get/have a license there is no requirement other than buying it. Lol.

Now besides that within the city there's a by-law for tree removal and there are mapped historical trees/sites. Still terrible and brutal hackings seem to be commonplace?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18
Public education is a key in this too. City arbor is going to do a column in the paper and have some outdoor learning classes for the general public. He is furthering my business, I'd be silly not to help. But its also helping further the standards of care.
 
The city can make information available to homeowners re: proper pruning, certifications, how to hire a tree service, examples of proper/ improper pruning.
 
arborworks1 said:
He is furthering my business, I'd be silly not to help.
Click to expand...

Unless the public sees this as regulation's being pushed down on them. Then you may see a loss in business while they/local folks find another company that wasn't involved in the new regulations.
Town politics can be a slippery slope when running a business.
 
I am friends with the City Forester, he's a great guy. The $51.50 I paid today to re-up my license isn't making anyone rich. The City maintains a list of licensed tree companies and I get loads and loads of business from that list. It is the most cost effective bit of advertising I do. The requirements are $500,000 in liability, certified arborist on staff and they want to see your work. All it allows me to do is prune city trees which I hardly ever do anyway. When folks want multiple bids I tell them to go to the city list as it is a great starting point.

Brian you overgeneralized and then jumped on Butch for much the same thing.
 
A little on this .In a couple of little towns Tom does work in they require a permit .Some it's good for year ,some every job gets a fee paid .

For example in Ada Ohio if he has 3 different job sites it requires 3 seperate permits .To me it just seems a way to collect revenue ,nothing more . They do however police the job site ,hard hards glasses etc ,safety issues .
 
Sure, it's only $51.50. Then it'll only be $100.50. Then only $301.50. Nothing ever gets cheaper.
 
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