Legal Question in Business Law in California

You will need at least a general business license from your city (or county if the business is in an ununcorporated area). You may also need a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission; you should have a conversation with its staff to describe the proposed business and get an official answer as to CPUC permit requirements, if any.

I also advise forming a business entity such as a corporation or LLC to conduct this business. This will prevent (or lessen) certain personal liability issues that will arise if you fail to do so. Lacking a business entity, your business would automatically be considered a general partnership.

Finally, I advise making sure you have established working relationships with an insurance agent with some business insurance know-how, and a bookkeeper or accountant who can handle your books and records so you can file tax returns, prepare paychecks, do withholding, etc. on time and accurately.

There is quite a bit to setting up and running a business with employees. It goes well beyond just having a good idea, a customer and a truck. One or two of you maybe ought to buy one of those paperback books about how to start and run a small business and read it from cover to cover, so you'll know about things like worker's comp, filing Form 2553 to become an S corporation, when and how payroll taxes are deposited, and on and on.