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How To Start Your Own Lawn Care Business

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How To Get Your First Lawn Care Clients

21 Year Old Starts a Lawn Care Business from Scratch | EP. 1

People you know and already trust you are your best bet for getting your first lawn care clients.

Lawn care businesses pop up every day, and clients want proof that youre not going to vanish into the wind next week.

No one wants to switch lawn care businesses, only to have to go crawling back to their old provider when the new business folds.

Family and friends know that youre not fly-by-night. This is a big decision youve made, many of them have probably been part of that decision. Youll be surprised how many of them want to see you succeed and will put their money down to see it happen.

Once youve worked with family and friends for a while, ask them for referrals, distribute lawn care flyers to the houses around them. Leverage your customer base that loves you and your work to find new clients. Do the same great work for those new clients, and theyll love you as well.

Create Your Own Lawn Care Business Website With Zyro

On top of building a local presence in your area, you shouldnt underestimate the power of having a website for your lawn care company.

Having a website for your brand will bring your business to another level: itll make you look professional, and most importantly, a website will help you reach new clients.

Not only can you keep all relevant information about your lawn care business in one place when you have a website, but you can also leverage online marketing strategies that can save you considerable time, effort, and money compared to traditional advertising avenues.

And thankfully, in this day and age, its possible to build a website from scratch without having to know a single line of code. With a website builder like Zyro, all you need to do is pick a designer-made website template that suits your business, customize the layout and content to reflect your company, and youre done.

For a lawn care business, Zyro boasts plenty of templates that are all about the service industry. But thanks to the intuitive drag-and-drop builder, its really easy to change anything and everything in a ready-made template from fonts and colors to page elements, sections, and the rest.

Okay, but what about money? Surely youre required to part with a lot of money upfront, right?

How Do I Start My Own Lawn Care Business

I think part of the attraction is that most people see lawn maintenance as being a pretty uncomplicated job. Turn up, mow the grass, cut edges, done. Well, unfortunately for the new lawn care entrepreneur, theres a whole lot more to it than that.

Ive been working in grass care for over 35 years and Im still learning about grass its a living organism, and as such, grass is a complicated beast to care for. At one end, mowing a lawn isnt too complicated, and the right techniques can be mastered pretty quickly. But, going beyond that, you need to become an expert in grass management.

  • You need to be able to diagnose a grass problem whether pest, disease or weed and know how to fix it quick, through supplements or otherwise.
  • You need to know exactly what type of grass youre looking at, and match it to its soil environment. Only then can you apply the right supplements to enhance growth.
  • You need to know what to do if you have to start over. Sometimes its easier to remove the existing lawn and create a new one are you good with seed and establishment?

And thats just the tip of the iceberg.

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Step : Set Up Your Business Phone System

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. Thats not the only benefit it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. Weve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2022 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Choose A Business Structure And Register Your Company Name

How To Start Your Own Lawn Care Business

Youll need to choose a business structure before you register your business. The structure you pick affects how your business gets registered.

Heres a quick guide to choosing the right structure:

  • Sole proprietorship Youre automatically registered as this type of business if you run your operations alone and want complete control over your business.
  • Partnership Choose this structure if you run your business with two or more people, who are still legally considered self-employed.
  • Limited liability company Medium- to high-risk businesses typically choose LLCs, as they mostly protect you from personal liability.

If you have employees or operate your business as a partnership, youll need to apply for an employer identification number . This is a unique ID for your business thats used for reporting taxes.

Pro Tip: If youre starting a lawn mowing business in Canada, we recommend using Ownr to make business registration easier.

Then, youll need to register your lawn care business name with your regional government. This process looks different depending on where you live:

Pro Tip:Type YOUR CITY NAME + business laws into Google to find your local regulations for lawn care businesses.

READ MORE:How to start a landscaping business

Also Check: What Lawn Fertilizer To Use In June

What Should Be In A Lawn Mowing Business Plan

Every business needs a business plan, but many lawn mowing businesses dont create one until later in their business growth. Whether youre seeking finance for a new lawn care service, or youre taking an existing business to the next level, putting together a business plan is essential.

You may also need more documentation to get commercial lawn mowing contracts, or to attract investors to your business. But every business is a little different. So what do you really need to put into a lawn mowing business plan?

In your lawn mowing business plan, its important to include your business description, your financial information, the business revenue model, an analysis of your competition and any official business documentation you have. All of this information is vital to your plan and the success of your pitch.

But each section of your business plan will be pretty comprehensive. How much are you supposed to put in each section, and how are you supposed to structure it? Dont worry! In this article, we have the answers to all of those questions, and more, on how to write a lawn mowing business plan.

Structural And Legal Expenses

Business License You dont need any type of permit specifically for a lawn care business, but you do need to get a business license for your company and a name. An LLC typically costs around $100. In some states, you can file a fictitious name fee, also known as a DBA, which costs around $50. Other expenses might include legal fees for setting up a corporation.

Taxes You also have to register with the federal government and IRS to get a number for withholding taxes.

In addition, most states require you to collect and pay sales tax on services completed. Check with your states department of taxation for the requirements of your state.

Insurance You also have to get insurance if you plan to hire staff. Workers compensation insurance is mandatory. Workers’ compensation rates range from $0.50 – $2.00 per $100 of covered payroll.

You also have to pay any company or employee insurance premiums, which are usually based on estimated income. Youll also have to open a business bank account for your company to process checks and make cash deposits so that you can pay your bills with business checks. The alternative is accepting cash only, which will severely limit your customers and make it impossible to offer expensive services.

It may sound complex, but it is possible to complete these procedures in as little as one day. With all of the resources available online, its easier than ever to get started.

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How Much Does It Cost To Start A Landscaping Business In Florida

It costs between $25,000 to $40,000 to start a landscaping business in Florida. Here is where your money will go during the startup period:

  • Equipment such as mowers, trimmers, edgers, leaf blowers, etc.
  • Smaller handheld tools such as shovels, rakes, pruners, lawn sprayers, buckets, bags,
  • Personal protective equipment like work gloves, earplugs, and eye protection.
  • Company vehicles such as trucks or vans to transport the crew, equipment, and tools from job site to job site.
  • Equipment trailer to haul larger equipment that wont fit in the vehicles.
  • Cost of a business license, business insurance, auto insurance, vehicle tracking and driver management software, etc.

Costs will vary depending on the size of the company youre starting with, how many jobs you have lined up, the size of your crew, and some internal policies such as providing your team with uniforms or not.

Since start-up costs are quite minimal for a landscaping business in Florida, it doesnt take a lot of capital to get started. With such low entrance fees, starting a landscaping business in Florida is a lucrative and viable option for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset.

Getting Started Checklist For A Lawn Care Business

Starting a lawn care business | beginners tips for your success!

7 min read

If you are stuck in a boring desk job that no longer brings you joy and happiness, then what better time to start your own business? If you love being outdoors, making your own schedule, and have a green thumb, why not start a lawn care business?

Its not super complicated to start and if done right, a lawn care business has the potential to earn you upwards of $100K a year. If you hit it big, you can run multiple crews and continue to expand your earnings.

What do I need to start a lawn care business?

Below is a handy, printable checklist for you to make sure youre not missing any of the critical steps to starting your lawn care business.

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After Starting A Lawn Care Business: Dos And Donts

After starting a lawn care business, DO:

  • Maintain amazing customer service: The only way a customer will refer your lawn care business or write a review is if you provide amazing customer service. It isnt just that you did a good job its that YOU and your team went above and beyond. You were kind, patient, and attentive. You didnt leave a giant mess behind you were on time and responsive. Its all about presentation.
  • Look to up-sell: If you offer additional services, then look for any opportunity to up-sell. Sometimes your clients arent aware that they need additional work. For instance, a client of yours runs a day camp, so they probably need kid-friendly fertilizer and weed treatment, or maybe they could use a fun garden that the kids can enjoy.

After starting a lawn care business, DONT:

How To Start A Landscaping Business In 5 Steps

Considering the range and depth of landscaping from residential to commercial, maintenance to removal and designing to tree care the economics of starting your own landscaping business are remarkably simple. It can be as easy as renting a lawnmower and knocking on doors.

My previous company was a lawn care business that I grew from myself and a push mower to over 125 employees, says Bryan Clayton, the founder of GreenPal, an online lawn care ordering service that is a bit like the Uber of landscaping.

Most customers have to deal with shoddy and unprofessional competitors, says Clayton. Creating a successful landscaping business is almost easy if you simply answer the phone when your customer calls, return their voicemails promptly, and do the work that you agree to with your clientele.

Sounds simple enough, right? But what else can a landscaping business owner do to move beyond the basics? Here are some tricks of the trade as you start your landscaping business.

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Benefits Of Owning A Lawn Mowing Business

Why should you consider starting a lawn mowing business? This work brings a number of benefits, but here are six of the best.

Low barrier to entry: Compared with most other hands-on businesses, lawn mowing requires minimal equipment, little training, and fewer licences and permits, and you dont need to find a shopfront or warehouse. The upfront investment is relatively affordable.

Regular work: Grass grows all year round, so most clients will require your services every few weeks. Once youve built up a solid customer base youre guaranteed regular work.

Greater autonomy: Owning a lawn mowing business means you can set your own schedule and make your own money. Take on as much work as youre comfortable with and take breaks whenever you need to.

Variety in your day: You wont be stuck in the same office cubicle. You get to travel around, spending time in the sun, meeting new people and making their gardens look beautiful.

No limits: Do you have enough work to bring someone else on board? Then do it! You could grow your venture into a large business or franchise its up to you how large your business becomes.

A sense of accomplishment: As a business owner theres a real sense of accomplishment in watching your business grow.

Get The Required Business Insurance Licenses And Ein

How Do You Start Your Own Lawn Care Business

There are a few necessary forms of business insurance you need to obtain to conduct business at all. The most important is general liability insurance, which covers everything from the cost of repairs to legal fees to damages that need to be paid out if you or an employee accidentally causes damage. Accidents like running over a sprinkler head with the mower, for example happen, and you want to be covered when they do.

You might also need workers’ compensation insurance, depending on what state youre operating in, though as Clayton puts it, Many states require both insurances to operate a legitimate business regardless of whether you have employees or not. Workers’ comp covers you in the event an employee is injured on the job, from medical expenses to court costs.

Other forms of insurance that arent required, but may come in handy, include inland marine insurance , commercial auto insurance and commercial umbrella insurance .

Additionally, if youre looking to apply pesticides as part of your services, most states have a pesticide charter that needs to be acquired. Clayton calls this a very involved process and doesnt recommend it until youre well-established in your field.

Before you start operating your business, make sure you also have any business licenses you need for the state you’re operating in and that you’ve registered to pay taxes and received your employer identification number, also called a business tax ID number.

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Manage Operations & Finances With A Dedicated App

When learning how to start your own lawn care business, knowledge about how to manage finances is crucial. The right tool can make a big difference whether youre scheduling or dispatching, or sending invoices. Field Complete is a must-have tool that makes managing finances very efficient and less stressful.

Using this tool is one of the secret ingredients of how to run a lawn care business today. You may enjoy it for free before switching to the paid version.

Get Business Licenses And Certifications

Its essential to do things by the book and ensure your lawn maintenance business doesnt violate any local laws. There are lawn care licenses and certifications, but they vary from state to state.

Most states dont require licenses or certifications if youre looking to start a basic lawn care service. Check your states lawn care licensing requirements before launching your business.

There are also specific licenses and certifications needed if you want to expand your business and offer additional services. For instance, each state has different requirements regarding the use of fertilizers and pesticides. You can check with the Department of Agriculture to find out your states specific requirements.

Read Also: What Do Lawn Services Use To Kill Weeds

The Best Lawn Care Vehicles

Look in your driveway. See that truck out there? Or that SUV? Or that Camry? Thats your new lawn care vehicle.

Here’s the thing, you dont need to buy a truck if you already have a vehicle. Get started with what you have, and worry about whether you need to upgrade later.

Options for people without a vehicle:

  • Buy a used truck off of Craigslist or a similar site
  • Finance a new truck
  • Borrow a friend or family members truck while you save to buy your own

And if you have the budget for it, and youre interested in buying the best lawn care truck for your business, check out our quick, free, and complete guide.

And if youre not interested in buying a truck for your lawn care business, then maybe you dont need one right now.

Depending on your area, you may be able to pull your equipment in a bike trailer, which will save you on gas. Some large companies, particularly in Canada, do this on dense urban routes because its cheaper than driving a truck around. Plus, they can hire lawn care employees who dont have a license.

Admittedly, this is an outlying case. I wouldnt expect bike trailers to become a common occurrence, especially in places like Texas where things are very spread out.

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