how do i become licensed and insured to assemble small furniture?

Question

I work at an office supply store and I want to start assembling furniture for customers on the side--just small desks and bookcases--things you would find at a place like IKEA.

Answer 1

I don't know of ANY state that requires a license to assemble furniture kits... You can check with your state's Sectretary of State.

If you are going to do this as a 'business' then you may need a business license with the city where you live, or plan to work.

For insurance... all you really need is liability insurance...which is usually based on how much your 'business' labor totals are. I think you will find that you probably do not want this type of insurance, as it can cost more than you will earn, assembling this kind of furniture. Unless you are actually doing something in the home to alter the electrical or plumbing... I wouldnt bother with it.... If I damaged the piece of furniture, I'd just replace it with another... that would be cheaper, in the long run, than paying for liablity insurance.
Liability insurance for a handy-man type service, usually has a minimum amount of insurance you can buy... usually around $100,000.... Now, as I said, if you are doing something to the home's electrical, or structure... or using tools that could damage the home, like torches, welders, etc.... then it would make sense to carry that kind of insurance.

Taxes! You will probably want to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN)... you can actually handle this over the phone, if dealing with the IRS, in the US. Doesnt cost anything.
Keep track of your start-up and business costs.... anything purchased in the first year can go towards start-up costs, and as such are 100% deductible. After the first year, you have to 'depreciate' all major purchases.

Quicken (just the regular package) is an excellent accounting software that will help you keep track of all your expenses... I also use Turbo Tax... and it will import the info from Quicken automatically... saving me a LOT of time, when it comes time to do the business taxes, lol. Unless you are a Contractor, or some such, that needs to quote a lot of bits, or estimates... do not bother with QuickBooks. Just the normal Quicken package will work just fine.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Ready assembled

Answer 3

there is no such requirement! or else everyone who bought such a kit would need a license!! if they will pay you do it then it is just an agreement between the two of you,, but if you goof up you could end up having to buy them a new unit!!