How to Start a Landscaping Business
As the seasons transition, the desire to create an attractive outdoor space rises. This is great news if you are a passionate landscaper with an urge to start a small business. Landscaping practices involve the maintenance of lawn care services for corporations and homeowners and often include design alterations or original creations involving trees, shrubs, flowers, and ornamental features. In this article, we’ll introduce the basics required for entrepreneurship in the landscaping industry.
The pros of starting a landscaping or lawn care business
Kicking things off on a high note, let’s address some of the pros involved in starting your small business as a professional landscaper.
● Repeat customers
Lawn care needs are repetitive, which means you are likely to secure accounts that require your assistance on a rolling basis. This behavior can help create routine and stability for your small business.
● Product expansion
In addition to your landscaping services, you can offer consumables like a fertilizer as a recurring product and a business feature that sets you apart.
● Scalable business
There is potential to expand your services to include new sod installation, gardening, tree trimming, and weeding.
● Flexibility
As an entrepreneur, you have space and flexibility to cater to your small business to suit your specific needs. You may choose to work on residential contracts (B2C) or prefer commercial building contracts (B2B) instead. The decision is entirely up to you.
The cons of starting a landscaping or lawn care business
As with any small business, landscaping services do encounter a few cons you should make a note of before heading into entrepreneurship or solidifying any decisions.
● Seasonal impacts
Depending on where you live and the weather circumstances in that region, you may need to diversify your product offering, including snow removal during the winter months.
● Competitive
Landscaping services are a popular small business option, which means you could face some competition. Do the research required to learn more about the area you operate in and consider networking with other lawn service companies to learn more about the business in your area.
● Start-up costs
If you don’t already own the equipment required to detail and maintain various landscapes, you will have to invest in the cash to secure the right tools and vehicle to service each job site.
How to start a landscaping business
Below are some of the basics you will need to know to prepare for your small business in the landscaping industry.
Get to know the industry
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the more common landscaping services, including lawn care, fumigation, snow plowing, and more. Since landscaping is seasonal, you’ll want to establish a diverse range of services to your clients. As the strength of the economy increases, so will your potential to retain new clients and consistent work, but prepare for economic decreases as well.
Raise the capital
A small landscaping business may target residential properties and service small communities, whereas larger landscaping may service corporate properties and larger residential complexes. The size of your business, the equipment you need, location and other factors will determine how to fund your business and make your dream of entrepreneurship a reality.
Boost your business with a sales forecast
Create a sales forecast to outline what your company is forecasting for future sales. A sales forecast is an essential tool in running a successful landscaping business and is one you should utilize on a regular basis to help guide decision making and planning. The general rule of thumb is to forecast for the 12 months ahead, but you may consider adding annual forecasts for subsequent years.
Register or incorporate your business
Once you’ve established the type of landscaping business you want to own, it’s time to register or incorporate your business in the province you are operating out of. You may consider adding your legal name to the business or perhaps adding a little flair to set you apart from the competition.
Define your target audience
Landscaping businesses generally serve property managers, corporations, homeowners, and contractors. On the other hand, young families and working professionals may require your services, along with older individuals who can no longer maintain their property. You can define your target audience based on your decision to focus your small business on commercial or residential properties.
Create a marketing plan
A detailed marketing strategy will help you gain leads and grow your business at a steady pace, even if you’re working with a shoestring budget. Promoting yourself online will make a difference in expanding your network beyond friends and family. Begin by setting up a website and email, then focus your efforts on the proper social media channels for your needs. The most common platforms include Facebook and Instagram, but you may consider LinkedIn and Twitter as well. Building a clear marketing plan to promote your business in a unique way will set you up for success.
Start your landscaping business with ease
Now that you’ve decided what type of landscaping business you want to build, it’s time to get down to business. Take the next step in making your dreams of becoming an entrepreneur a reality.