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

i to would like to do this and have had the same problems with beaver trapping.

Just trapped them for free and skined or sold the animals to a local fur buyer.

Was'nt sure of what to charge or evn dare to ask a charge price.

i think a lot of the beaver that the land owners wanted to get rid of just went out and shot them and not even gave any thought of what they were doing.

they probly didn't want to wait till th trapper came around.

just wanted to get rid of them when they could.

i relize that you half to get out there and be firm, but not to firm, and do your thing.

But what about when the land owner dosn't want to pay much or anything?...

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.

Those are great Ideas Hoppytrapsfur, Thank you and thank everyone else as well, great ideas from everyone.

Dave Scott was on target about paying your own health care and retirement. But your bigger and more immediate concern is making your payroll tax payments on time. If you get behind with payroll taxes then you will sooner or later find out how unforgiving the IRS realy is. The penalties and interest can be killers.

Mike Dwyer, President
Critter Control, Inc.
"Protecting People, Property & Wildlife"

Discover 'Animal Facts,' have fun with 'Animal Trivia,' and send 'Critter Cards' FREE at http://www.crittercontrol.com

Thanks Mike those are great things to keep in mind...

having read these posts, there are several great replies.
one area you are missing is an internet ad? webb advertising with the right company puts your name in front of people that can AFFORD your services.
bob

Starting late summer 07, I will be offering a week long training program, live in person, ride w/ me, live with me. Won't be cheap, but will show you the short cuts. Watch the trapping rags for my ad late summer/early fall 2007.

vv i tried to send a pm to you i don't know if it went through oor not cxould you please reply if not

And so in the long saga of daily life, Genesis Wildlife Control Inc. is born...

Wish me luck or plan my demise but here I go.

Darn, I was going to move to St Louis!!!

LOL. good luck man!

The best to you Paul!

Best of Luck to you, Barkstone....If I can be of any help you can always PM me with any questions....but I'm sure you'll do fine! Break a leg......vv

What would be considered a good rate on merchant credit card processing?

I am most likely going to have an imprint machine in my truck and a terminal at home so I will not be swiping at first. (with time and when there is less of a crunch on cashflow I will have a swiper.)

I have been quoted
1.64% plus $.19 per transaction swiped.
1.98% plus $.26 per transaction keyed in.

I have the equipment so there will be no additional charges other then a minimum monthly processing charge of $19.00

Any advice or suggestions would certainly be welcome. Comparitivly this seemed like a pretty good plan.

I would think unless your doing alot of transactions, propay or paypal would be alot better choices. $19 A MONTH? Holy Frioalas!

Paul,

What other fees are included in this? Is that the debit card rate or credit card?

We can get your rates down to as low as .65% with the proper equipment in the field.

The thing you have to be careful of is that they say one rate and when you get your statement it says something different. Ask them about Non-Qual and Mid-Qual transactions and the rates for them as a lot of your transactions will fall into this category if you are not swiping and the various cards out there.

These are the only transactions listed or discussed. the lower rate was if swiped the higher rate was for just keying in the numbers at home after writing them on the contract.

I just can not justify spending $1200.00 for some equipment that will only save me $2 per transaction when I will not have much over 500 transactions this year maybe.....

I brought this post out of the depths to put perspective on Lt Greys drive for post hood.

It may never have made it to a second page (YET) but it sure got the looks!

The most of any post here.

Well then , lets go for round two! This is a great question, for the simple fact that, it's the first thing a guy wants to know if he' s serious about getting in this business!!! Just what do I do? This should be one of the top asked and answered questions in my book! I can literally make or break you. Why is it so many trappers fail when they get into this business? I mean, they're good trappers, right? Someone answer this for all of us and lets get this question rollin' again!

It would be good to know what you thought the mistake was of a company that failed in your area, if that has happened.( Here, I see them come and go).

An unskilled trapper won't last long at all. But a mediocre to average trapper with a good operating system and business management skills will still be in business long after a great trapper who lacks either a good operating system or business management skills has closed his doors.

Even being the very best at catching animals is not enough. In my opinion most companies/individuals who fail at wildlife damage control do so because they lack the skills or tools to succesfully run their business.


Mike Dwyer, President
Critter Control, Inc.
"Protecting People, Property & Wildlife"

Discover 'Animal Facts,' have fun with 'Animal Trivia,' and send 'Critter Cards' FREE at http://www.crittercontrol.com

Well put Mike. Anyone else?

I think the biggest thing for me, if I was to give any advice would be to understand that the trapping and business skills have to be in place, as well as equipment, insurance, licences and all of that but that in the begining its not about taking calls and solving customers problems. Its about spending every living moment advertising, getting your info out there and finding ways to market yourself.

In short, what I am trying top say is to be successful you have to have skills to do ADC, but just as important is that you have to be a marketing guru as well.

....and with that gentlemen, Barkstone has a 2 page post!
( As it should be!)

It would be interesting to know how the big name companies did it. I mean every body starts with a dream...

Yea, and they keep on dramin too.Even when the seasion is slow, the truck is running on fumes, and hes so hungry he has to eat his own bait! The others just QUIT! LOL

Two things that I see others doing wrong. Taking on to much work. I know of a company that has trouble keeping techs as each tech may have 75-100 jobs open at a time (or at least this was reported as so to me by one of their former techs). This can happen to anyone, it really helps to realize that are limits to how much one can handle. Someone is going to get shartchanged when one over extends. Definitely bad for business.
The second is the one I absolutely despise. Down right dishonesty. I know of companies that will sell anything and everything whether the customer needs it or not. Some even cut their own throats by stealing customers from their lead sources (ie pest control) Even worse are the folks who sell it then fail to follow through. I won't even get into the ones that do so called bat work.
Personally I have no problem if these folks want to put themselves out of business or get invited to see a judge for fraud what burns me is how it reflects on the rest of us trying to do right.

Real good point! I worked one time for a guy who went by Critter Bill, out of Cincy. Biggest crook you ever seen. I still got over $3,000. worth of rubber checks he wrote me. First day I worked for him , I worked 17 hrs. straight , went home and got up in 6 hrs. and did it again. But he got what was coming to him! Oh yeah, did he ever!