Are you thinking of starting a lawn care business? It’s a great way to be your own boss and make some extra money. Plus, it’s a service that is always in demand!
Before you get started, there are a few things you need to do. Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to do to get your business up and running.
Find a niche
Before you start your lawn care business, you need to evaluate the competition in your area. Doing some market research will help you identify potential competitors and how they listed their services and pricing.
It’s important to find a differentiating factor that’ll set your business apart from other landscaping services nearby. Maybe all the other services in your area are big chains, and you offer more personalized service, for example. On the other hand, you might specialize in smaller yards or offer extra services like shrub trimming and weeding.
Some other niche ideas for lawn care business include:
- Organic, chemical-free lawn care
- Affordable, no-frills weekly mowing service
- Lawn and garden care (including watering and weeding)
- Year-round outdoor services (Lawn care in spring and summer, snow and ice removal in winter, leaf removal in fall
- Top-notch lawn care for people who want the greenest lawns in town
Create a business plan
When starting a lawn care business, it’s important to have a plan in place. Creating a business plan will ensure that each step is outlined and thought out.
Include details like how many customers you want to serve, how much they’ll pay, how you’ll market your services, what supplies and equipment are needed, and how much staff or additional help may be required.
Make a list of your expenses, including gas, blade sharpening, clipping bags, bookkeeping, and marketing expenses. Then, calculate how much revenue you can earn at first and how much you think you’ll have coming in once you have plenty of customers. This will give you a good sense of what goals are achievable for your business.
Be sure to think about how you’ll earn money during the off-season as well.
Your business plan doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should help you understand how much money you need to get started, how much you can realistically earn, and how long it might take you to become profitable.
Get the necessary equipment
You will need some basic equipment and supplies. These include items such as a quality lawn mower, an edger, and a trimmer. You’ll also need a truck for hauling them around — although if you’re starting very small, you might save startup costs by renting a truck on days you have jobs lined up at first.
Investing in quality equipment is important as it will make your job easier in the long run.
Market your business
Launching a successful lawn care business requires more than just the right skills and tools. You’ll also need to invest some time, energy, and resources into marketing yourself and your services.
Start by reaching out to family and friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Print fliers to distribute in local businesses such as hardware stores, nursery centers, supermarkets, and even fitness centers.
For online marketing, create listings on websites people might use to find lawn care — like Thumbtack, Taskrabbit, and Yelp. You might also want to have a Facebook page, Instagram account, or website to showcase your services, reviews, and contact information.
Sign up for ServiceWorks software
Starting your own lawn care business can seem daunting and overwhelming, but with the right tools it doesn’t have to be.
ServiceWorks is a software solution specifically designed for small businesses that want to streamline their processes and manage their operations more efficiently; perfect for those starting out in the lawn care industry. ServiceWorks lets customers schedule their own services on your website, then optimizes your routes and schedule for you. The app even has built-in credit card processing at very low rates.
It’s like having an office manager who takes care of business while you’re out taking care of lawns.
ServiceWorks is affordable enough for a one-person shop that’s just starting out, even as a side hustle. As your business grows, ServiceWorks will grow with you, helping you manage your future fleet of lawncare service vehicles and staff.
You can sign up for a free trial to try ServiceWorks for two weeks – no credit card needed!
Your own business
If you’re looking to start your own business, lawn care is a great option. With some research, a solid business plan, and the right equipment, you can be on your way to success.
And when you’re ready to scale up, ServiceWorks software will be there to help you manage your growing business efficiently. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get started!
