How to Start a Landscaping Business? (Expert's Guide)

A strong understanding of your local market is one of the keys to starting a successful lawn care company. Find out what customers want in your area and what your competitors offer. Make a list of landscaping services you wish to offer based on your knowledge and expertise as well as the likes and dislikes of your target market.

Check out the local market to see if there are any gaps in services which you can fulfill. You might also want to survey homeowners and businesses about what they need. You can encourage responses by offering discounts in the future.

You need to choose a business name and register your business entity with the state before you can start operating it officially. If you are a sole proprietor, a "doing business as" (DBA) name doesn't protect you from liability. In this case, the ideal option can be forming an LLC or corporation.

When you have decided on the business name you wish to use, you will need to file the paperwork with the secretary of state. Ensure that no one has already claimed your name. It is usually the articles of incorporation that contain an LLC's documents.

Deciding on whether to rent or buy lawn care equipment early on is critical. A one-person operation might find renting equipment to be more cost-effective. If you are short on budget, you do not have to stay updated by purchasing the latest equipment or technology. Don't be afraid to start small, then scale up as your customer base grows.

Keep track of your rental costs to know when you should buy. When you have the right equipment, your customers don't care where you bought it or whether it's new or used.

Creating a business plan for your landscaping business will direct you towards the successful implementation of your business idea. It provides a way to your efforts to successfully get the desired outputs. A strong business plan will guide you on the resources you require, what services you offer, how can you beat the existing customers in the market, what are the tools & equipments that you will be in need of, a general idea on how to market a business and lastly, how will manage the finances and hire the crew.

Now you need to figure out how much you're going to charge. To find out what the standard landscaping costs are in your area, check what other landscaping companies charge. Make sure you're not undervaluing your landscaping services because your competitors are.

The price for smaller landscaping jobs can be charged as low as $50, while labor-intensive landscaping jobs require work that cost of up to $7,000. Make sure your charges cover your overhead costs including fuel, fertilizer, and workers. The rates you charge should cover your costs and make a profit for you.

You can begin marketing when your business is set up and you have determined what services and prices you'll be offering. There are traditional as well as online marketing methods to create awareness about your brand among people. Remember the credibility of your landscaping business will only get known by implementation of a strong marketing plan.

You can hand out business cards on doorknobs to spread the word about your services. By doing so, you'll be able to get weekly clients in the same neighborhood, reducing commuting costs and travel time for you.

As your business grows, hiring landscape professionals becomes a necessity. A great team starts with good people, whether you're hiring someone part-time to handle paperwork or expanding your team.

When you hire employees (whether full-time or part time employees) make sure they have a background check before starting work for you. You shouldn't settle for anyone less than the best when hiring people who embody the traits you know will make your landscaping business succeed.

Automation catalyzes business growth. When you scale up your business, you can focus on the revenue-generating parts of it by automating your operations. As a side benefit, automated estimates and invoices for landscaping contractors improve customer service and saves money and time.

This leading landscaping estimating and invoicing software can automate and streamline work orders, dispatching, estimating, timesheets, and more.