One afternoon, three phone calls, done. Before we start: this is general information, not legal or tax advice — requirements vary by state, county, and city, so confirm your local rules with official sources (your state’s business registration site, SBA.gov, and your city or county licensing office).
Many operators form an LLC from day one; some start as a sole proprietor and convert later. Both are normal — the LLC buys separation between business and personal liability. Register through your state’s official site (search “[your state] register LLC” and use the .gov result, not the ad above it).
General liability insurance is the trade standard, and it earns its premium twice: once as protection, and once as a sales tool — gated communities, HOAs, and commercial accounts typically require a certificate of insurance before you can touch the property. Get two or three quotes; ask specifically about pet waste removal or lawn-care-adjacent classifications.
Open a separate bank account before your first customer pays — even before you have an accountant. Every deposit and expense in one clean place makes tax time an afternoon instead of a forensic investigation, and it’s the habit that makes the business sellable someday: buyers pay for books they can verify.
Reminder: general information, not legal or tax advice — requirements vary by state. When in doubt, one hour with a local accountant answers everything specific to you.
Generally no professional license — for most people it means registering a local business and carrying insurance. Requirements vary by state, county, and city, so confirm your local rules on your state’s official business registration site. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
General liability insurance is the norm in this trade — and it’s not just protection, it’s a door-opener: gated communities, HOAs, and commercial accounts often require proof of insurance before you can service them.
Less than people expect: a rake or spade and a bin, bags, a sealed bucket or cooler for transport, gloves, and a kennel-grade disinfectant for tools between yards — plus the vehicle you already have.