How to Start a Lawn Mowing Business
Determine your needs., Set a budget., Purchase your equipment., Obtain necessary business licenses., Purchase insurance, if necessary., Consult an expert., Learn basic accounting., Know your market., Know your costs., Start low., Ensure the lawn's...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine your needs.
If you don't already own lawn-care equipment, you need to decide what you'll need for your business.
What services do you plan to offer? Will you only need a lawnmower, or do you also plan to cut weeds, trim hedges and remove leaves? -
Step 2: Set a budget.
How much money do you have to start your business? The equipment you purchase will need to fall within that budget.
If you find you don't have enough capital to purchase it, you can also lease equipment with fewer start-up funds, although that will cost more in the long run.
Leasing equipment does have it's perks, however, since you generally get the most modern equipment that requires minimal maintenance, and the costs can be tax deductible.
You might decide to lease in the short term while you raise capital to purchase at a later date. , With about $500, you can purchase a basic push mower, a trimmer and a leaf blower.
If you plan to provide additional lawn services but lack the extra capital, you can always start off with basic tools and expand once you gain capital.
If you don't have enough money to start with new equipment, you can even purchase a used lawn mower to use as you start earning money to reinvest into your business.
Check online and local classified ads and yard sales. , Visit your local city government or chamber of commerce offices to learn about applicable laws and needed licenses.
Every city and state has different requirements. , Does your state or city require you insure your business? You can purchase insurance for just about any type of business risk, as well as liability coverage.
The cost will be based on the breadth and amount of coverage.
Keep your budget in mind when choosing insurance, and speak with a trusted, local insurance agent.
If possible, insure yourself, your equipment and your customers.
Collision, liability, and damage insurance will protect your vehicles and equipment.
Business liability insurance will cover damages that may occur to your customers' properties during your gardening services. , It's a good idea to speak with a business adviser, attorney or accountant to set up your tax structure and accounting processes.
Don't forget to register your business with the IRS. , Use office software and a printer to handle orders, correspondence and other business tasks.
You can also set up accounting processes with basic office software programs, which will help you when it comes time to file taxes. , When setting prices for your services, research what other businesses charge for similar services in similar communities.
Remember that a working-class neighborhood will not be able to pay the same as customers in a more affluent neighborhood. , You're not in business to work for free, so it's important to know the cost of doing business when determining your rates.
Take into account money needed to pay for insurance, equipment and advertising, then determine how many yards you can mow each month.
How much will you need to charge each potential customer to pay your costs and still make a profit? , If you don't have an established clientele, you might offer lower, more competitive prices as you obtain your first few customers.
Once you build a referral network and portfolio of references, you can price you services at more profitable rates. , Not only will trimming edges make the lawn look more professionally mowed, it also will establish a perimeter so when you start mowing you can better see where you need to go.
Be sure to cut the grass around flower beds, trees, and any areas the mower is unable to reach at approximately the same height as you set the mower.
Be careful not to damage the bark at the base of the trees, don't cut the grass too low, and definitely don't chop anyone's prized petunias. , Be sure and mow from one edge all the way to the other before turning around.
Creating zig-zags or missing spots of grass will look unprofessional. , Different types of grass require different heights of cut for a professional appearance.
Identify the type of grass before you set your mower height. , Remember to alternate the mowing direction each time.
If you don't alternate the direction you can cause excessive wear or even damage the lawn. , What media outlets will you use to market your business? Set an advertising budget and try to stretch those dollars in the most efficient means possible.
Oftentimes, your market will determine your method of advertising.
Common methods of advertising a local lawn-mowing business include Facebook pages, classified ads, mailers, phone calls, door-to-door sales, referrals from existing customers and appearances at local or community events. , Print your company’s name on your vehicle, equipment and work clothes.
Order pens, paper and calendars with your company name and make them readily visible and available to the public.
Purchase business cards and pass them out wherever you go. , Make sure to include your business name and contact information, the services your provide and your rates.
Post the fliers on public bulletin boards and any other public place allowed in your city. -
Step 3: Purchase your equipment.
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Step 4: Obtain necessary business licenses.
-
Step 5: Purchase insurance
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Step 6: if necessary.
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Step 7: Consult an expert.
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Step 8: Learn basic accounting.
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Step 9: Know your market.
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Step 10: Know your costs.
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Step 11: Start low.
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Step 12: Ensure the lawn's edges have been trimmed using equipment such as a weed eater.
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Step 13: Mow in rows or columns.
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Step 14: Set your mower height.
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Step 15: Make two passes across the lawn to catch any missed areas.
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Step 16: Build an advertising plan.
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Step 17: Make your business visible.
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Step 18: Create and post fliers.
Detailed Guide
If you don't already own lawn-care equipment, you need to decide what you'll need for your business.
What services do you plan to offer? Will you only need a lawnmower, or do you also plan to cut weeds, trim hedges and remove leaves?
How much money do you have to start your business? The equipment you purchase will need to fall within that budget.
If you find you don't have enough capital to purchase it, you can also lease equipment with fewer start-up funds, although that will cost more in the long run.
Leasing equipment does have it's perks, however, since you generally get the most modern equipment that requires minimal maintenance, and the costs can be tax deductible.
You might decide to lease in the short term while you raise capital to purchase at a later date. , With about $500, you can purchase a basic push mower, a trimmer and a leaf blower.
If you plan to provide additional lawn services but lack the extra capital, you can always start off with basic tools and expand once you gain capital.
If you don't have enough money to start with new equipment, you can even purchase a used lawn mower to use as you start earning money to reinvest into your business.
Check online and local classified ads and yard sales. , Visit your local city government or chamber of commerce offices to learn about applicable laws and needed licenses.
Every city and state has different requirements. , Does your state or city require you insure your business? You can purchase insurance for just about any type of business risk, as well as liability coverage.
The cost will be based on the breadth and amount of coverage.
Keep your budget in mind when choosing insurance, and speak with a trusted, local insurance agent.
If possible, insure yourself, your equipment and your customers.
Collision, liability, and damage insurance will protect your vehicles and equipment.
Business liability insurance will cover damages that may occur to your customers' properties during your gardening services. , It's a good idea to speak with a business adviser, attorney or accountant to set up your tax structure and accounting processes.
Don't forget to register your business with the IRS. , Use office software and a printer to handle orders, correspondence and other business tasks.
You can also set up accounting processes with basic office software programs, which will help you when it comes time to file taxes. , When setting prices for your services, research what other businesses charge for similar services in similar communities.
Remember that a working-class neighborhood will not be able to pay the same as customers in a more affluent neighborhood. , You're not in business to work for free, so it's important to know the cost of doing business when determining your rates.
Take into account money needed to pay for insurance, equipment and advertising, then determine how many yards you can mow each month.
How much will you need to charge each potential customer to pay your costs and still make a profit? , If you don't have an established clientele, you might offer lower, more competitive prices as you obtain your first few customers.
Once you build a referral network and portfolio of references, you can price you services at more profitable rates. , Not only will trimming edges make the lawn look more professionally mowed, it also will establish a perimeter so when you start mowing you can better see where you need to go.
Be sure to cut the grass around flower beds, trees, and any areas the mower is unable to reach at approximately the same height as you set the mower.
Be careful not to damage the bark at the base of the trees, don't cut the grass too low, and definitely don't chop anyone's prized petunias. , Be sure and mow from one edge all the way to the other before turning around.
Creating zig-zags or missing spots of grass will look unprofessional. , Different types of grass require different heights of cut for a professional appearance.
Identify the type of grass before you set your mower height. , Remember to alternate the mowing direction each time.
If you don't alternate the direction you can cause excessive wear or even damage the lawn. , What media outlets will you use to market your business? Set an advertising budget and try to stretch those dollars in the most efficient means possible.
Oftentimes, your market will determine your method of advertising.
Common methods of advertising a local lawn-mowing business include Facebook pages, classified ads, mailers, phone calls, door-to-door sales, referrals from existing customers and appearances at local or community events. , Print your company’s name on your vehicle, equipment and work clothes.
Order pens, paper and calendars with your company name and make them readily visible and available to the public.
Purchase business cards and pass them out wherever you go. , Make sure to include your business name and contact information, the services your provide and your rates.
Post the fliers on public bulletin boards and any other public place allowed in your city.
About the Author
Nathan Webb
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow DIY projects tutorials.
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