Starting a lawn care business means more than cutting front and back lawns; an entrepreneur can develop a professional lawn care business that educates homeowners and businesses about lawns, landscaping, and plants.
Planning before starting a lawn care business is essential.
Research
Read industry association materials. A good place to start is PLANET (Professional Land Care Network) which takes an environmental approach to lawn care:
“As a respected leader and voice of the green industry, our mission is to cultivate and safeguard opportunities for our members – the dedicated professionals and companies who create and enhance the world’s landscapes.”
There are also state industry associations such as the Lawn Care Association of Pennsylvania and the Ohio Lawn Care Association.
Read both Web sites, or similar sites for other states, to gain the knowledge it will take to offer a full range of lawn care services to customers.
Differentiate
The Pennsylvania lawn care association site addresses homeowners. Reading this information helps a lawn care entrepreneur know what homeowners might need in addition to cutting grass.
Knowing who to use for helping homeowners get soil samples helps differentiate from other people who may hand out fliers for only cutting grass. This also helps raise the business to a professional level.
Utilize land grant universities in each state as sources of knowledge, too. This will make it easier to answer questions prospective customers might ask. It’s not necessary to know all the answers – but it’s important to know where to find the answers when the questions are asked.
Equipment
In urban areas, a push mower is the only type of mower needed unless there’s a chance of contracting with golf courses or local municipalities. In suburban and rural areas a riding mower is a necessary investment. Weed trimmers along with hoes and small shovels and trowels may needed as well.
Have a resource to maintain the equipment such as changing the spark plug and sharpening the blade on a regular basis.
Seasonal
In the northeast, a lawn care business may operate fully from late April to early October. However, offer additional services like planting winter bulbs, snow and ice removal, and build a simple Web site using a template to sell flowers from nationally recognized brands. This way, cutting grass may occupy six to seven months a year but other services can be available in November through early April.
Budget
A lawn care business is relatively easy to enter. However, there are expenses associated with its operation just like any business. Here is a sample budget:
1 Equipment – a new Honda HRX series lawn mower can cost up to $800 while a Lawn Boy 10645 is $ 275. The Honda HRX may be worth the price if starting a serious lawn care business.
2 Promotion – Find a friend who knows Photoshop to design a nice flyer. Otherwise, a local graphic artist may be willing to do the flyer and business cards for $ 125 to $200 depending on quantities. Make sure the flyer can be easily quick-copied at a photocopy store.
Plan to purchase low cost incentives like gift cards for customers who give referrals. Keep the price around $ 10.
3 Fuel – fuel costs for the mower itself won’t be much; it’s the cost of driving to different jobs that will add up. Try to schedule jobs on the same day in the same areas to reduce driving costs.
4 Pricing – know what to charge for cutting lawns in specific neighborhoods. Ask friends or call up companies in the phone book and ask.
Add up the initial investment. If a new mower does not need to be purchased then the current mower needs servicing. Add in that expense. Then total up how many lawns can be serviced in a month to get an idea of an initial income.
Even if starting a lawn care business has appeal but it’s already late summer, then network ahead of time to have business that will start the following spring. It’s a good idea to work ahead.
Get Started
Ask friends and family members to refer prospective lawn care customers. Create a flyer and distribute in a certain neighborhood. Place them at golf courses as one place where people may be who are customers.
Write on the flyer a fact about lawn care from one of the industry association sites or university sites. State why hiring a lawn care professional saves time and is a good use of money and offer to meet the homeowner to make a quote. Do not try to give quotes over the phone. Always ask to see them in person.
Reasons: there may be obstacles in the lawn that they did not mention; the lawn may be larger or smaller than they stated; it’s easier to have a customer commit in person than over the phone.
PLANET . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.landcarenetwork.org
Lawn Care Association of Pennsylvania . . . http://www.lawncareofpa.org
Ohio Lawn Care Association . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.ohiolawncare.org
