Q: here is the scoop- 1--I have an odd business but in a nutshell the only service i offer is "full service laundry" pick dirty clothes up wash dry fold then drop it back it off to home,work,or college-99% of my work comes from local single family residence-Another point to make is i take the clothes to a laundromat for an 8doller profit every load. 2-- a "company" heard about me through the grape vine they need 60 lab coats cleaned daily going rate $5.00-6 a piece when i told them i would do it for 3.50 a piece they asked me to put it in writing so i am assuming like a bid type thing.? My questions- remember i do not have a store front i go to other laundry mats 1- do i need a business license if i would only do what i am doing currently- everything you read in #1 2- do i need a business lic for #2 if i wash for business 3- is what i am doing considered a b siness do i need a lic? 4- if i do can i get one if the city knows i take clothes to other laundrymats? 5-is this legal?
A: Providing a service is a legal business, and you will need a business license for each city in which you provide that service. So if you're only servicing residences in San Diego, that would be a San Diego business license, available downtown in the Civic Center complex. If you are also servicing residences in the City of Del Mar, you would need a Del Mar business license. Note - not all communities are incorporated cities - you would not need a business license, for, say, Point Loma or La Jolla. 2- If you told a business you would do their coats for $3.50a piece and they asked you to put it in writing it is probably a request for a contract. You would make the offer: "I'll do your coats for $3.50" and they would accept "O.K.!" - and a contract is made! My suggestion: hire an attorney for a one-time consult on starting your own business, or hire a business coach. Alternatively, pick up a book from Borders or Barnes and Noble on starting a California business. Good luck!