Unfortunately, our industry doesn’t have a great reputation. Many times seeing “licensed and Insured” on a company’s website or paperwork will alleviate some of the customer’s concerns about their property and personal safety. At ShadowCat Services, we want to make sure you understand what Licensed and Insured means in our industry.
Many times potential customers will be getting multiple quotes for their project. The contractors on their shortlist will often being vetted, by checking their online reviews and many times checking their business on Sunbiz.org. Both of these checks are important. Sunbiz is a searchable database of Florida businesses that provides the legal standing of a business and any certifications. It will not show if a business is licensed. The only license a land-clearing business is required, is a County Business License. This license is issued in the county in which the business resides. For ShadowCat that is Volusia County and we pay Volusia County taxes as a result of this license. If a company does NOT have a business license, and be sure to ask about it, then they are not a legitimately operating licensed company!
Customers may ask if you are insured, and many contractors will say yes. However, most customers do not know that there is a formal process in place to verify that a contractor has General Liability insurance. By requesting a Certificate of Insurance (COI), normally done once you have decided on a contractor, the contactor’s insurance company will send the customer directly a COI, which will indicate the work the contractor is insured to provide. While many companies have General Liability insurance, but the key is they have the correct insurance rider in their policy. For instance, some of our competitors are landscape and irrigation companies. If they have General Liability insurance with riders for underground digging, but not land clearing, if they do something on your property regarding land clearing, they are NOT insured even though they have a General Liability policy. ShadowCat Services carries General Liability insurance with the proper rider for land clearing services, which is indicated in our COI paperwork.
ShadowCat is fully licensed and insured which means you can trust us with your project!
Land clearing is a big investment, and choosing the wrong company can cost you time, money, and frustration. By hiring ShadowCat Services, you’re partnering with a locally owned and highly rated land management company committed to your project’s success.