Business Startup

[scarey8]

Hey there,

I've been doing HVAC for close to 25 years now, commercial refrigeration for the last 6 years.  Can't see myself working for someone else for the rest of my career, so I am looking to branch out and be an owner operation. 

Looking for business related costs for startup and operation. 

What does the TSSA charge for registration and inspection?
Business insurance cost? Most customer of mine require 5 million liability.
Likely would be running a Ford Transit hightop, anyone running one of those?  what is your insurance premium?
Billing and invoicing app, looking at suggestions.  Jobber keeps coming up as a recommendation, any reviews or suggestions? 

Thanks everyone.

[G.P.]

Better late than never?  Hopefully you have most of these figured out but in case there is someone else looking for this info, here is my experience:
TSSA charges approximately $1000 for setup, pre-inspection and $475 annually
Service van - Hard to say with these insane prices.  I guess the question is lease, finance or COD and I would factor about $8 - $10K for vinyl, shelving and some tools you may want to add to your existing collection
Business insurance for $5M - $3- $4K annually
Vehicle insurance - $3600 anually
I use Quick Books - I think it is the middle tier - $75 per month plus $25 for payroll and $4 per additional employee. (I used to have the desktop version which was a flat purchase fee of $650 and you could use it for 4-5 years but they are pushing the online version with a monthly subscription which is quite pricey. I'm open to suggestions for other apps as I am not thrilled with the cost benefit.
Sorry this was a little late but hope it helps. . .
Hope your business has taken off and well on your way to success,
Cheers

[scarey8]

Thanks for following up,

Yes I got everything figured out while I hit the ground running. 

The TSSA initial business startup audit was a phone interview, the inspector made me aware of recent code changes, what the TSSA's expectations were of me and my business with respect to work orders and documentation as well as vehicle lettering.  They are big on check lists on your work order versus verbiage and documentation apparently. 

business insurance was $1500 annually w/ 5 million liability.
vehicle insurance for 2023 ford transit high roof $2400 annually,

I skipped lettering and decals as I had a established customer base,

Quickbooks basic is what I ended up with as I'm a single owner operator, no payroll for employees on my end.  $48 a month after 6 months.  Its a decent program, has limitations with respect to what detail can be provided on invoices for customers.  I end up having to use a pdf form to my work orders and attach to the quickbooks invoice. 

But yes, the other trade base software I'm not thrilled with the pricing at all, Jobber is about $150 a month entry level, it does not give you equipment database options to permanently store models and serial information on their platform.  Its essentially a marketing integration system for leads and customer communication.  But I'm open to suggestion of what other people are using for software.

Business is up and running and I should have done this 5 years ago,

Cheers

Scarey

[Porcupinepuffer]

I skipped lettering and decals as I had a established customer base,

I believe it's a mandatory requirement to have the TSSA number and the Company name near it, as a minimum.

[scarey8]

I skipped lettering and decals as I had a established customer base,

I believe it's a mandatory requirement to have the TSSA number and the Company name near it, as a minimum.

yes this is a minimum requirement, 1.5 inch letters for the TSSA number I believe was what I read.