How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Starting a Small Business Lawn Care Service
A lawn care service is an ideal business venture for someone who enjoys working outdoors and cultivating relationships with a vast array of customers. It can be as large or small as you desire, and there is a great deal of scheduling flexibility with this business type. However, like other small businesses, there are pitfalls that can stand in the way of success for your budding lawn care business.
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Instructions
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Generate a sound business plan. You may think that because yours is a small business or a casual outdoor venture that you don't need it. However, a business plan not only helps to lay out your goals for your lawn care service for five to 10 years out, but it is also a point of reference to which you can refer if your business begins to suffer.
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Price your services fairly. This is one of the major pitfalls of this business type, as some people get greedy and charge too much and some are much too nice and charge too little. Charge what you think is fair for your services. Set prices according to what you think each hour of your time is worth or according to the tasks that need to be done. Perhaps simple mowing is one set price, while extras like trimming and hedging are additional fees.
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Maintain control of your business at all times. Don't allow customers to set rates or tell you what to do with their lawn. In the end, if you do something to the customer's lawn, you are responsible for the outcome -- even if they asked to you do it. Your rates are your rates, and you are the lawn care expert, so expect your customers to trust your judgment.
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Avoid taking on more than you can handle. Particularly if you live in an area where there aren't many other lawn care companies, you may get more calls than you expected. It is far better to turn away business than to promise a customer you will get to his lawn, only to find you don't have time. That creates an angry customer, and word of mouth spreads quickly in those situations.
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Prepare for a rainy day. It is inevitable that you will encounter some hairy weather, particularly during the spring and summer. This may slow business down. Then again, during the winter, weather may also wallop your business. Put away extra money during busy periods to get you by in your business and personally when weather slows you down. Fill these days with calls to potential new customers and administrative tasks, such as filing and record-keeping.
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Evaluate whether you are physically capable of handling this type of work. A lawn care business is rigorous and physically challenging, which can make every day feel long and rough. If you can tote heavy equipment and spend hours in the sun, then this might be a good profession for you. If not, consider hiring others to do the work while you handle the administrative end of your business. The downside to this is that you are depending on others to represent your business when customers really want to see you.
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References
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