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Landscaping business is a very lucrative venture. Depending on your state, you should be able to get some considerable contracts in prime months. That’s because lawn care business is a seasonal venture that require aggressive marketing to leverage on every opportunity before its down time.
For example, you should be able to do aggressive marketing in the spring to have adequate customers in the summer season. It is very rare to stumble on a mowing contract in winter. The only remarkable opportunities during this season is snow blowing and leaves clearing.
With good marketing, you should be able to earn at least $5,000 up to $50, 000 on your first year. The earnings should escalate in subsequent years as you get a gist of the whole venture.
If you’re planning to start a landscaping business, you’ll need a perfect idea on the services that you want to supply. The following are the basic landscaping services:
- Lawn mowing
- Pest and disease control
- Weeding and fertilizer application
- Landscaping design ideas
- Lawn maintenance
- Snow blowing
- Leaf blowing
Once you’ve decided and identified the best business idea, it is now time to get the ball rolling. However, there are lots of steps that you need to follow before you get started. For your business to succeed you’ll need to have a well laid up business plan. Such a plan may entail:
Decide on Location
The number one step is to decide on a physical location where you’ll set up the business. You can lease a space or purchase your own piece of land. Sufficient space will be paramount for storage of the sophisticated equipment’s.
Business Name
When starting up, you’ll need a name that identifies your business. You’ll be marketing your services online, so it’s important to check availability of the name before registration. I’d recommend you register your business with a legal entity to safeguard your privacy and defend your business from complaints.
To legalize your business, make sure you have the necessary documents like license and permits. Otherwise, you’ll be at a risk of fines or forced business closure.
After that, open a business bank account for all your transactions and expenses. Have a detailed finance record to track and access your business performance.
Do not forget to register for federal taxes as well by applying for EIN. For this, you can use the IRS website at no fee. Insure your business as well against the potentially unforeseeable risks.
Landscaping Startup Capital
When starting out a landscaping, you’ll need adequate capital for power tools such as lawn mower as well as sufficient space for storage. You need to trained on how to learn them if you’re green prompting you to attend a training school. Other than that, you’ll need to register the business and acquire all the needed accessories such as computers for storing records; delivery and receiving of orders.
The best way to minimize the starting expenses is to invest on used equipment’s. however, make sure they’re in good condition since you don’t want a frustrating tool when you’re working on a contract. Maintaining tools should be easy if the returns are adequate.
Service Charge
The service charge will depend on the average current market pricing and size of order. It will also vary from state to state depending on competition. If there are tons of companies providing the same service, you may be forced to charge less to survive competition. Other factors like distance and price will influence the service fee.
Target Market
Typically, target markets will range from commercial and residential home owners. However, most of the earnings will be generated from commercial landscaping. Commercial customers are always looking for lasting service providers who will provide reliable quality services for an extended period.
Unless you offer unsatisfactory services, you should be able to maintain your first customers who are likely to refer your services and strengthen your reputation and customer base.
Promote the Business
Offering the best service is the best way to market your brand. If the customers are happy, they’ll refer your services to other customer. Also establish your online presence by coming up with a business website or social media channel where people will learn about your services. You can also look for successful landscapers and learn from them.
As you can see, starting a landscaping business may not be as easy as you had thought. But it is doable. Is landscaping business a great career move? Landscaping skills can be acquired, but Is it your passion?