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Clyde Said:

How much would it cost to start a lawn care business with the insurance and all?

We Answered:

depends on what equipment if any you already have -
for doing the landscape design portion - it won't cost much -
at all
for the lawn care - if you want to start with good equipment -
you'll need at least one walk behind mower, and a good tight radius mower - figure about $6000 - $8000
a trailer - $2000 ?
Pickup truck - used/new???
tools - rakes, shovels, etc..... $300- $400
chain saw - $300
trimmers- $250 ea

for the deck building - unless you want to dig footings by hand
figure on either renting a power auger for each job - or buying one - if you buy probably around $1200

then saws, hammers (manual - pneumatic??) levels , compressor, generator- etc...
$300 - $4000 depending on how much you buy

and you better have some operating cash as well -
at least $2000-$3000

for your lawn cutting business - you should get paid weekly - or try to set up contracts where they give you a downpayment at the begining of the year - and then pay you monthly

on your landscaping business - they should pay you something for the design - if they give you the landscaping job tell them you'll deduct the design fee off the cost of the landscaping job - for the landscaping you should get
1/3 up front - 1/3 after all the beds are prepped/top soil in and shrubs delivered - and then 1/3 when you complete

same holds true for your deck jobs - 1/3 up front - 1/3 when materials get delivered - 1/3 when complete

Robin Said:

Financing the expansion of a insurance agency. I own the equipment and book of business valued at 1.3 million?

We Answered:

If a local bank won't finance this for you, then either your valuation of the agency isn't accurate, or your credit is too rotten.

You could sell half interest in the company to another agent who wants to get into agency ownership, to raise the funds.

Olga Said:

What is a reasonable cost estimate of business insurance for a cafe?

We Answered:

It really depends, but to give you a ballpark figure, I pay $1,900 per year for an 1,100 sq foot bakery in the state of IL. The worker comp is the bulk of that cost - $1,100 annually for one full time and one part time employee. I am not covered by worker comp; as an owner you can opt out. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Jessica Said:

How do I record a payment from insurance on the business books? Is it revenue or what?

We Answered:

It offsets the account that you charged for the loss