Starting an Errand Service Business
in 6 Easy Steps
As people get older they're less capable of managing daily
tasks, such as grocery shopping, picking up prescription medicine, and more.
Senior citizens often hire errand runners to do the tasks they no longer can,
or want to, do. Errand businesses
typically charge between $18 and $35 an hour, a national average of about $25
an hour. As an errand runner you stand to make a nice profit. So what are the
steps to getting started?
1. Legal
Structure
First you need to decide on the legal structure of your
business. Is it a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability
corporation? Whichever you choose will affect what taxes you pay and what your
liability will be. Also, while you're doing this, make sure you license your
business based on whatever your state's procedures are. You'll also need to get
a federal tax identification number.
2. Name
Your Business
Now you're ready to name your errand
service business rush for me. Think of something catchy and
memorable. Consider putting your city name in it, or even your own name. Make
sure no one else is using your name and that it hasn't been trademarked
already.
3.
Insurance
You must have insurance. It can protect you in the case of a
lawsuit or claim. Check with your state about auto insurance. Some require it
if you are using your car for commercial purposes. There are other insurances
you might need, such as if you'll be transporting seniors, driving one of your
customer's cars, or house and pet sitting. It's best to check with your
insurance company to learn what is required.
4.
Gather Supplies
An errand business is great,
because you won't need a lot of supplies. In fact, most you probably have
already. You'll need a reliable car to get you to and from your customers and
wherever the errands take you. You should also have a cell phone and computer
as a way to be contacted. After this you should consider purchasing business
cards as a great way to get your name and contact information to prospective
customers. And don't forget a day planner or other way to stay organized. You
need some way to keep track of all your appointments and customers.
5.
Choose Services
It's a good idea to make a list of what services you offer.
You should also put something that says, "If you don't see the service you need - just call and ask if
we offer it!" There are many errands you could consider offering: bank and
car errands, dog walking, dry cleaning, grocery shopping, and many, many more.
6. Set
Your Prices
Most errand runners charge by the hour, not the task. If the
task involves a lot of driving, you might want to charge for mileage. You
should also charge differently if you're being asked to work outside your
normal business hours or on a holiday. Consider offering package deals as a way
to get customers. If they're only using your services for grocery shopping,
pick a special rate for that. Experiment and find out what works best for you.
Starting an errand service business is quite easy. In just
six easy steps you could be up and running errands before you know it!
To
learn more about starting your own senior errand service, visit http://www.rushforme.com/
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