Small Business Manager

Lawn care is a great industry to get involved in because it is considered an evergreen industry, which means there will likely always be a need for this type of service. A lawn care business can generate good revenue that will grow as your client base grows.

There are relatively few barriers to entry for starting a lawn care business, but it does require some basic equipment to get started. In this article, we’ll review the basic steps for starting a lawn care business and talk about a few ways to start your business with very little money up front.

8 Steps To Start A Lawn Care Business

1. Research And Plan

• Identify your target market: Determine the area or neighborhood where you plan to offer your services.
• Analyze the competition: Research existing lawn care businesses in your area to understand their services, pricing, and customer base.
• Define your services: Decide on the range of services you will offer, such as lawn mowing, fertilization, landscaping, pest control, or irrigation system installation.

2. Develop A Business Plan

• Define your business structure: Choose whether you want to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or another legal entity.
• Set your pricing: Determine how you will price your services. Consider factors like overhead costs, labor, equipment maintenance, and profit margin.
• Establish your sales and marketing strategies: Outline how you will promote your services, attract customers, and generate leads. Consider online marketing, flyers, local advertisements, and referrals.

3. Register Your Business

• Choose a business name: Select a name that reflects your services and is memorable for potential customers.
• Register your business: Register your business with the appropriate government authorities. Obtain the necessary permits, licenses, and tax identification numbers.

4. Acquire the Necessary Equipment and Supplies

• Determine the equipment needed: Depending on your services, you may require lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers, edgers, and other specialized tools. Consider purchasing or leasing equipment based on your budget.
• Stock up on supplies: Purchase or arrange for the supplies required for your services, such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and landscaping materials.

5. Obtain Insurance

• Liability insurance: Protect yourself and your business from potential accidents or damage claims by obtaining liability insurance.
• Worker’s compensation insurance (if applicable): If you plan to hire employees, check your local regulations regarding worker’s compensation insurance.

6. Market Your Business

• Create a professional brand: Design a logo and develop a brand identity that represents your lawn care business.
• Build a website: Establish an online presence by creating a website that showcases your services, contact information, and testimonials from satisfied clients.
• Local advertising: Advertise your business in local newspapers, directories, or community bulletin boards. Distribute flyers or door hangers in targeted neighborhoods.

7. Establish A Customer Base

• Network and build relationships: Attend community events, join local business organizations, and network with real estate agents or property management companies. Word-of-mouth referrals can be valuable for growing your customer base.
• Offer promotions: Attract new customers by offering introductory discounts or referral incentives.

8. Provide Exceptional Customer Service

• Communicate clearly: Listen to your customers’ needs and expectations. Provide detailed estimates, contracts, and invoices.
• Deliver quality work: Perform your services with professionalism and attention to detail. Strive to exceed customer expectations and maintain consistent quality.

Remember to continuously evaluate and improve your business operations as you gain experience. By providing excellent service, building strong customer relationships, and delivering exceptional results, you can grow your lawn care business over time.

Start Up Costs Associated With Lawn Care Businesses

The costs to start a lawn care business can vary greatly depending on how you choose to run your business. If you want to start with a team of employees and a fleet of equipment, then the starting investment will be several thousand dollars at minimum.

If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in your lawn care start up business, there are several steps you can take to reduce the initial investment needed to get your business off the ground. These steps include:

• Don’t hire anyone else at the beginning: Start small and be the only employee of your business when you first start out. Only take on a handful of clients and make sure you have enough room in your schedule to complete the needed tasks. Once you have saved enough money from your earnings, you can start to grow your client base and hire additional help.
• Rent or borrow your equipment: Equipment is the highest cost when it comes to starting a lawn care business. Lawn mowers, trimmers, and other accessories can be very expensive. If you’re able to borrow or rent this type of equipment from a family member or friend, you can save significant money while you grow your business.
• Use free marketing options: There are many ways to market your new business to local customers without having to spend much money. Handmade posters along the road, social media posts, and word of mouth are all great ways to market your lawn care business for free!

Barriers To Entry In The Lawn Care Industry

There are relatively few barriers to entry for anyone wanting to start a lawn care business. As long as you are licensed, have the right equipment and the ability to use it, you can start your own lawn care business.

The Seasonality Of A Lawn Care Business

Depending on where you are located, your months of operation for a lawn care business may be limited to the spring and summer seasons. If you are doing this part time or are a student, this may be a great setup for your schedule.

If you are hoping to start a full time business, consider expanding your lawn care business into winter options as well, such as snow plowing or roof clearing. This way you’ll be able to transition from one season into the next, and can likely keep serving many of your clients for all seasons!