Any advice to an experienced Animal Damage Controler going out on his own?

I have been doing Animal Damage Control work full time for over 5 years and am finally going out on my own.


I am interested in any advice or help out there that is offered.

most of the people already know you .just let them know that you work for your self now and put a add in the paper.

how do you go about charging for services as an adc. i have alot of people here that ask about catching beaver but want me to do it for free. just curious. duckster

check us out at http://www.AAllAnimalControl.com and call me if you have any questions. i am a franchisee.

Joshua Jones
A All Animal Control of Tri-State

Call Matt at 800-714-8727 and give him your imfo.We treat our guys real well,I think you will agree.

thanks for the reply guys, you think they could tell me how to start my own company?

Dear Duckster,
With all due respect to CajunBill, putting ads in the paper seldom work and here is the reason why... when most people have an animal problem they need an answer and they need it NOW and I mean RIGHT NOW! They can't remember where that paper was that they saw an ad in because few will take the time to cut it out and place it where they can find it. Let me tell you what does WORK. #1- Yellow page ads. A catchy name, with a logo that people can identify with and remember (say it with me Duckster, R E M E M B E R). Also, important you want it to start with one of the first 3 letters of the alphabet, preferably A. Just as important, you want your name to say what you do. If you are a Critter Gitter, say it, if you're a mole buster, say it. If you do goose round up, specialize in bat removal, say that too! People looking for an answer to their problems will see your ad and call. Now the size of your ad is not as important as where it's placed and what it says. Big ads cost big money, but most produce substantial results. #2- Let's not forget word-of-mouth. Many of our calls are based on customer referral. We did a good job for someone and they referred us to a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker. #3- Business cards. 1000 business cards are cheap insurance! Don't be afraid to post them on every billboard, in every store, hardware store, etc... and let's not forget church billboards. A lot of people still go to church and they read their billboards religiously (excuse the pun). Don't be afraid to walk up and hand them out with a hand shake and a smile. Remember appearance is EVERYTHING! You NEVER get a second chance to make a first impression! Remember that! Get some work shirts with your name and company embroidered on them. It looks professional and people like to see that. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb, that's where the fruit is. Confidence is key. As far as franchise, don't be too quick to be sucked into that idea. If you have the ability assess the problem and the skill and confidence to catch the animal, you're half way there brother. Take the money you'd spend on a franchise and buy yourself some good quality traps in various sizes. Get some magnetic signs with your logo for your truck. Find out what other companies are charging for a service call, as well as, per animal removed. Then start out a little lower. Get yourself some business cards printed with your logo on them and get yourself in gear! Some people don't realize opportunity because it comes dressed up like work. Like I said, don't be afraid to go out on a limb, that's where the "fruit" is!!!!!

thanks vic, i don't perse advertise. we are or were on the dnr list for problem animals. i have had alot of people call about the beavers here in our area, so i was curious if there was really a need for that kind of business around here in south ga.. people here want you to catch the varmit for free and have to pay for services, so i was trying to get an idea of the price you adc specialist charge to do that type of work. i really do thank you for the input, opens my eyes to alot of avenue's. thanks duckster

Great post Victoria thank you.

Dear Barkstone,
I realized my error in sending the response to duckster34 probably should have been directed to you. My apologies. But, I see you read my response, so I guess you got the message as well. I didn't tell you about a friend of mine that was in your position, got laid off, (from a major A.D.C. company), on July 31st and started his company one day later on August 1st. He grossed over $12,000 in the next 4 months and over $30,000 the following year. All without a yellow page ad... so it can be done with hard work and perseverance. As for duckster34, our set up fee is $75.00 for a service call which includes inspection and setting traps, if needed and $40.00 per animal removed. If repairs are needed it's $25.00 per man hour plus material. (If it only takes 15 minutes it's still billed $25.00). On coyotes and beaver they are $100.00 each removed. The set up fee on those animals varies with each job. We catch and remove any animal but most of our jobs are squirrel or raccoon related. Best of luck.
Victoria

if they dont want to pay then move on, otherwise word gets out that you helped so and so free of charge and you should do the same for me.

Dave hit it on the nose IMO. My truck don't run on gas for free, and my childs education is not free either.

dont forget when you are self employed Y-O-U are responsible for your health care and retirement etc. Ya dont have a boss contributing to your 401 and such

Good point! You find out what you're made of real quick whenyou are out here on your own.

Well, I am starting to find out... It is a scary, and very exciting time. Kinda like having your first child I guess. Its is hard to articulate the range of emotion. So far so good, I am ahead of the game ($$) 3 weeks into it. Long ways to go before there is time to rest. Going to hit it hard next week getting the name, and getting it out there.

Good news is right now there is fur to be had and that keeps everything afloat until the spring rush hits.

good luck and best wishes! Always think of your safety first, this business is good at putting you in harms way

duckster34 what part of s.ga. ya from

a small town called newton. about 25 miles south of albany. how bout urself. we used to live in old town,fl.years ago. my dad is from down that way.

All good posts:
Here are some of my suggestions.
Contact your local DNR for permits etc
Contact your couty auditor for sales taxes, business licenses etc
Contact your insurance agent, commercial insurance for you company and vehicles, private insurance wont cover
See an attorney
Contact your state dept of agriculture. they may have regulations too
Sorry about this on!!! IRS you'll need a # from them
Also state auditor for state income tax
State unimployment tax bureau
Workmens comp if you are going to hire someone to help-even part-time
Can't think of any more right off hand
Hope this helps

Will
Hopkins Pest Control since 1984

PS Just thought of one more. If your not up to doing tax work you'll need a good CPA too.

34 Live Oak might be up that way for the winter classic.