How to Start a Lawn Care Business

If you enjoy the outdoors and don't mind taking care of your own garden, you may be suited to start a lawn care business. Besides keeping the grass in good shape, a lawn care business owner is also in charge of dealing with weeds, keeping the flower beds in top condition and taking care of trees and ground fertilization.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Equipment (everything from mowers and trimmers to small tractors and trailers)

1. Come up with a catchy slogan. This is more important than you may think. From funny and cute to more serious, a slogan can show potential clients what your business is all about and make it easier for them to remember your name.

2. Choose your equipment. Blowers, trimmers and edgers can be moved with a large van, but if you have larger pieces of equipment, you may need a trailer. You also need to find out about service and repairs early in your business, so you're never caught with a full agenda and faulty equipment.

3. Decide your limits. This depends more on what equipment you have available than on anything else. If you only have a hand mower available, you shouldn't take large spaces that need a small tractor to be covered. If you're working completely by hand, you may be limited to gardens and backyards.

4. Decide in advance when and how much you will work. One of the advantages of having a lawn care business is the fact that you can do it after regular work hours, in the early mornings or over the weekend.

5. Choose a base price for your services. Most businesses charge a moderate flat fee and increase their fees according to yard size and complexity (stairs, corners or different levels).

Tips & Warnings

• Commercial accounts may be the best source of income if you learn how to bid on them. You will need insurance and a business license to work with commercial spaces, so make sure you get a head start on the paperwork.

• Before you start, find business owners in your area of interest so you can size up the competition, learn how soon you can expect profits and the surprises of the business. Sometimes things are not what they look like.

• Keep in mind that many things used in lawn care may have an impact on your body: the use of chemicals and the constant bending and picking up of heavy objects can lead to problems.