In the first part of this two part blog series on starting a landscape business, we discussed the steps that you should consider taking before starting a business. In this part, we will give you some ideas for things that you will need to start a successful business and how to go about finding these supplies in an efficient and cost effective way.
What will you need to start a lawn care business?
There are two main types of supplies that you will need – operational and administrative.
Operational equipment is what you will use to perform jobs at the clients location.
Administrative supplies include the items you will need to run the business from the administrative side. The lawn care business offers great diversity in customer types and services. This means you potentially have the option to choose to specialize in one or more business aspects to meet customers’ needs and adapt your business to compete in your local market.
Here are a few items you should consider adding to your list of things you will need to purchase:
- Buy lawn care equipment and a vehicle. You can use existing equipment that you may have. Don’t forget to budget to for the vehicle wrap with your company logo! The equipment needed varies with the type of services you plan to offer.
- Purchase vehicle and business insurance from your insurance company.
- Purchase marketing materials. Materials should include cards and flyers to pass out to lawn care prospects, work order and invoice forms, magnetic or permanent signage for your vehicle and portable site signs to use while on the job. You will also need to purchase any ad space you intend to use.
In addition to the goods you will need, here a few things you will need that you may not have considered. These will also need to be budgeted for:
- Business training
- Training for your employees
- Gas
- GPS (this is a need for safety and efficiency reasons)
- Office supplies. These fall under administrative supplies.
- Possible dues. If you intend to join a professional group or other local business networking group there may be dues. Don’t forget to budget accordingly.
- Internet and phone services. You will want a separate phone for business from your personal phone.
While rewarding, starting a lawn care business is scary and in depth. Instead of taking all of these steps on your own, you might be interested in purchasing an existing model to work from, there are many proven and reputable for purchase, such as The Grounds Guys ®. Additionally, you may consider purchasing an existing business, which will provide you with an existing customer base and equipment.