Question for the self-employed

[Local Talent]

Over the years I've accumulated pointers on everything related to our field, but do you guys know of any good and detailed sources on the following:
- how to draw up service agreements and NDAs
- how to do invoicing and billing

Is there a book of reference that covers the above, with templates maybe? The ESI bible?

I'm a little fuzzy on the details...

[SCBA Admin]

Service agreements really should be specialize and tailored to each client... but a general template would sure be nice...

I heard about one several years ago, but I dont remember if it was specific to your request. You might try Paladin Press, they have a lot of books related to our field, if anyone would have it, it'd be them.

[Local Talent]

Thanks for your prompt response, socalbodyguard!

I agree with tailoring of course: just like security surveys, threat assessments, or... resumes, everything is unique to any particular situation. Since I don't have any type of business training, I'm looking for general guidelines.
I did find a contract template online a few years back, but didn't save it and the site went down. :rolleyes:

Otherwise, I do have books from Paladin on private investigations, bounty hunting and polygraph testing, among other things. The good thing about them is that they publish books on very obscure or taboo topics that nobody else touches, while the bad is that some of their authors are less than reputable (too many "by anonymous" for my taste!). I will look into them, thanks again.

Basically, besides common sense and industry knowledge, I've been relying on all documents I've come across for inspiration (sometimes, you're lucky and can keep a copy of a NDA you signed, for ex.). But we all know that what I'm talking about is usually for the eyes of client and company only, so it's rare to get a glimpse unless you're already at management level.

I know that some will probably say that an attorney should draw up most of that stuff, but prior knowledge is power. Plus, I'd like to eventually be my own boss, but don't envision myself running a big operation with attorney on retainer.

[Dykhofft]

Try this website and see if it is what you are looking for:

http://contracts.onecle.com/

[Local Talent]

Hmm, lots of stuff to go through, but not bad, Dykhofft. I'm bookmarking that one, thanks!

I've also been advised to join Pre-Paid Legal Services, but I'm still on the fence on that one. I'd rather draw up contracts myself (esp. given the confidential and specific nature of each case) then have them looked over by a pro than trust a service.

Please keep it comin' guys... :thumbs:

[Dykhofft]

You are looking for a contract between Your Company and the Principle correct? I can thumb through that stuff and find one quick if you tell me exactly what you are looking for. Also, the good thing about all the contract on that page were written by lawyers and big corporations.

[Dykhofft]

I researched some more online material and came up with this website:

http://www.startasecuritycompany.com/

You can download a lot of content on how to start your security company. This might not be geared exactly to Executive Protection but I think that the concept is the same. There is a lot of documentation and templates for you to download. The only bad thing is you need to pay a fee to download the material.

[Local Talent]

You are looking for a contract between Your Company and the Principle correct?
Among other things (there's also non disclosure agreement, security survey/threat assessment checklist, and I may forget some). But don't worry, man, I'm not ready to get started yet! Just doing some research while I'm not too busy. I'll sift through that red tape myself, but I spotted NDAs and services agreements in there already, so that's good stuff.

When I have time and am closer to making my move, I'll see what I can assemble from that to apply it more specifically to a security company - you don't have to do the work!

ETA: just caught your last post, and you might have just found what I was looking for, man. In CA, a bodyguard is a security officer and I'm sure that most stuff easily apllies with a few terminology changes. Thanks again!

[Dykhofft]

No problem, I have also dabbled in the idea of creating my own business for Traffic Crash Reconstruction. There are a lot of resources on the internet that can help you out in the long run and I am pretty good at finding them. If you need any assistance with anything feel free to ask. I am also well versed so if you need someone to write in the legal lingo I will be able to assist you with that also.

[Local Talent]

Awesome, that's always good to know. :cool:

Hey, if you don't mind my asking, what's "Traffic Crash Reconstruction"? Is it something contracted out by insurance companies or LEAs?

[Dykhofft]

A private consult Traffic Crash Reconstructionist is hired by a lawyer or family member that has been directly effected by a Traffic Crash involving serious personal injury or death. A Traffic Crash Reconstructionist is a expert witness in a court room that know all aspects of Traffic Crash Investigation and can Reconstruct an accident using math and physics. All main law enforcement agencies have Traffic Crash Reconstruction Units and it is a private consultants job to obtain that paperwork and see if the Police Agencies work is correct. Traffic Crash Reconstructionist can get payed anywhere from $100-$500 an hour.

For a little more information on Traffic Crash Reconstruction go to:

Vehicular accident reconstruction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png
Fatal Accident Reconstruction Team - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Nuvola_apps_agent.svg" class="image"><img alt="Stub icon" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Nuvola_apps_agent.svg/30px-Nuvola_apps_agent.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/5/5e/Nuvola_apps_agent.svg/30px-Nuvola_apps_agent.svg.png

[Local Talent]

Huh, I was completely unaware of that job - I just assumed that it was handled by LE forensic teams. Makes sense that private experts would be hired to dig deeper, just like PIs do.

[Hawk]

I found its good and bad in everything, but the paper work is normaly not the biggest problem it can be made for each subject, and accountants help out with billing, invoices, tax issues etc..I found that the most problem for me is to find new contracts or new security projects. The training programs I had and cp in the middle east etc was all by reputation or references from someone that trained with me, and thats how I got it from the first place, but the projects are few and the problem is to find out where tenders, contracts is shown or how to find the right guy in the company that actually buys training or services.
Even with great experiences and knowledge working with own projects in Saudi etc..and done high risk projects as instructor in Iraq, to convoys in Afghanistan Im not closer to find the right contacts. Still my CV is so god today so i can always find employment within another company but thats not the wish I have..
Again paper work is the least of my worries

Hope it works out for you
hawk

[Local Talent]

Thanks, Hawk. I know what you mean as I'm not a good salesman myself, so marketing will always be my weak spot.
I'm not taking the plunge just yet, however, I was trying to get the red tape aspects out of the way while in the preparation phase. I've seen too many companies operate with disregard of labor laws (mainly OT & breaks issues, or the "independent contractor" scam), BSIS rules (uniforms or licensing violations), or business practices (no written contract, overbilling)... and I'd rather do things right. :)
I've been known for overthinking things, but it can be good in some respects and all I have is time right now...

Good luck to you too, brother. :thumbs:

[black knife]

Awesome, that's always good to know. :cool:

Hey, if you don't mind my asking, what's "Traffic Crash Reconstruction"? Is it something contracted out by insurance companies or LEAs?

I think it is related to Insurance companies. Shit I tell my brother, who is a CHP officer, to get as much traffic collision and reconstruction training as he can so when he retires he can become a P.I. and do accident recontruction work for insurance companies. Shit I regret not doing that when I was working for the S.O.