Do you think this is a good idea for some extra cash on the side?

I've been thinking about buying an old full size truck and using it to haul junk, basically. I could clean out garages and storage sheds and dispose of the trash and junk. It could be used for small landscaping jobs. It could be used to haul anything away that people don't want anymore. I might even come across some stuff that isn't junk that people are giving away just to have it gone. What do you think?

Also, if you know anything about insurance, would an umbrella policy be enough to cover my ass for such a business?

I did a little looking around and it looks like I'd have to have business liability insurance and commercial auto insurance. Now I just need to find out how much that stuff costs.

He's out of work right now so he's all for it. He would be a business partner.

GodDAMN do we have a lot of shit.

If the insurance is reasonable, and the rates you can charge in your neck of the woods cover the expenses, I'd say that would be a great idea.

Yeah, the insurance is the main thing right now. I can get an old work truck pretty cheap.

We'll feed you, too. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. There's a landfill about two miles away.

I think it's a good idea, Tobin. I hope it works out for you. :) :hug:

That could bring added money as well and save on the dump/landfill fees.

The jobless friend of mine that I wrote about above used to work in a scrap yard, so we're good on that angle.

Sounds like a great idea!

:hi:

That's more of an issue on how to set prices, but it does figure into whether this would be a profitable side venture.

But it's not terrible either, and after you've been in business a few years with no trouble the cost will fall sharply because more companies will be willing to write you a policy.

If your buddy's working for you you'll also need workman's comp. Or whatever the Ohio equivalent is, in case he gets hurt on the job. Check into dump fees too and compare them to what local haulers make, make sure you'll have a profit margin doing everything legally. I was at the dump this weekend getting rid of some ancient crap out of my dad's garage (why he felt the need to save the fugly print we had over the couch in the 80's, I have no idea) and I found myself wondering how anybody could make a living charging over and beyond what they pay to unload stuff, until I realized a lot of the companies illegal dump on abandoned land or whatever and pocket the savings.

But if you're reliable and not sketchy you'll get good word of mouth. I'd totally hire you if you were going into business out here.

Why didn't you donate something like that to a charity shop instead of sending it to the landfill?

And we're talking about something that was bought for $10 in the Gemco parking lot in 1984, not something of any particular attractiveness or value.

I took two carloads of usable but unwanted stuff to Goodwill. The print wasn't worth the trouble.

so workman's comp shouldn't be an issue...
BUT- shouldn't the truck probably be bought/registered in the name of the company, or both partners...?

As far as the truck goes, I'm not sure. I don't know how commercial auto insurance works and I'm still waiting on that call from my insurance agent. He may have to be listed in the policy as one of the people who will be driving it. I don't think I'd have to co-register the truck (I don't even know if you can do that in Ohio) but I do believe that I would have to have a commerical plate which are costlier than a regular plate.

they haul junk, and they prowl the alleys looking for things in people's trash that can be sold for scrap...they also clean out/haul stuff. when we sold our two-flat a few years ago, we had a couple guys clean out the basement and the garage...they worked for cash, and had regular plates on their pick-up. i doubt they had any type of business insurance, and in that respect, we may have been taking a chance, had one of them been hurt on our property.

Can't remember how much he said the franchise fee was, but they had protected territories and good marketing support. Said he was making good money with it.

He also said that a lot of the stuff they picked up they could resell or donate to charity.

PM me if you want the franchise name (as I recall, can't post that here).

Whatever you choose to do, good luck and hope it makes you a ton of $$$!

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

It's amazing what people will buy on eBay.

and anyone else you can think would need you. Always a market for junk removal and hauling.

One word of advice, though I'm sure you've thought of it. Learn your laws. Things like tires and batteries and even computer monitors require licenses and permits to dump in some places. Here in Texas we have to have a tire manifest to show who hauled our tires away, and they have to have proof of what they did with them. Fines are stiff.

similar to the one that you are proposing when I moved. My house sold very quickly, and I bought a new place 30 miles away, so I hired a "haul away" service. The guy was awesome and even helped me take apart some items that wouldn't fit up the basement steps.

I knew that he got many "good" items, but I didn't have time nor energy to dispose of them any other way.

Good luck on your new adventure!