Some may think that starting a lawn care service is easy, and for the most part they’re correct. However, the one thing anyone should keep in mind when starting any kind of service is that it is a business, and starting a business takes planning. That said, starting a lawn service is probably one of the easiest and cheapest businesses to develop.
Before beginning your lawn care service, you must first determine what your personal goals are in doing so. Do you want to work part time or full time? Is this just a way to make a little extra money or is it something you plan to develop into a lucrative career? Do you understand the business side of this venture (record keeping, invoicing, tax issues, etc)?
These are just a few of the very important questions you need to ask yourself before starting any business, including a lawn service. Once answered, they will help you stay focused on your immediate and long term goals. Even if starting your own lawn care service is just a way to make a few extra bucks, you still need to keep adequate records of your income and expenses for tax purposes.
Okay, you’ve identified your goals, now what? Let’s look at some tips to get you started.
*Get the word out.
Once you’ve determined what your goals are, then you need to decide how you’re going to get the word out about your business. Advertising in area newspapers is one way, flyers are another, but the most effective means of advertising is a more personal approach. Order or make yourself some business cards, and start pounding the pavement. Contact friends, neighbors, business owners and churches and let them know about your services. Having an idea of what -or how much- lawn care you’re going to provide and at what price is always a plus. Remember, you want to beat out the competition without working for free!
*Look the Part.
The one thing that will end your lawn care service before it actually begins is not caring about your appearance. Some think that just because they’re cutting lawns, they don’t need to approach customers in anything other than work attire. Big mistake. I’m not saying you need to go out and buy uniforms, but contacting potential customers in your old cut-offs and sneakers is not making your best impression!
*Be Professional.
Business cards and flyers are just two examples of showing that you’re a serious lawn care professional. Another is invoices. You don’t have to spend a fortune on invoice books or forms from a printing company or office supply house. Simply type one up on your computer! Be sure to include a header (Business Name, Address and Contact Information), Customer Information (same as yours) list the services you provided and the price agreed upon. Make a copy for your client and keep one for your records. On your copy be sure to include any expenses you incurred in doing the job (gas mileage, special equipment, gas & oil to run your equipment that day, etc). Doing this will help you in tracking you income, expenses and profit and loss for tax purposes.
These are just a few tips on starting and operating a successful lawn service. For more tips and advice, check out resources such as “Unleash a Cash Cow by Starting an Explosive Lawn Care Business Now!” by Kevin Whiteside an E-book available through his website Grass to Cash http://www.grasstocash.com> or “How to Start Your Lawn Care Business” by William Feller, also available at his website http://www.lawncarebusinesshelp.com
