How can one start a solo lawn care business from home? One simple way is to get an idea and execute it. You could use landscaping ideas from magazines, the Internet or from your local landscaping company. Of course, before you think of implementing any idea, you have to research first.
To answer the second question, a good gross for a solo lawn care business operator is about $150k per month, which would give him more than enough money to cover all expenses. Can he survive on just selling landscaping services? Definitely. Since he has his own business, his overhead cost is much lower. This is especially so if he chooses to become a landscaping decoration instead of hiring workers for his lawn mowing and landscaping services.
On the other hand, let us look at how much space can a landscaping design and decoration unit cover in a single day? It depends on the size of the lawns he needs to cover and how many yards he has to flatten and maintain. A large-sized lawn care business will require a larger landscaping design team and more vehicle transportation for transporting personnel and equipment to and from the site. A smaller lawn care business owner can have the same results (or even better) with a smaller team and fewer vehicle transportation charges.
So now we come to the topic of salable landscaping services. What are the three best things a solo mower and landscaper can do? They can: provide quality service (sell), guarantee the lowest prices possible, and guarantee the fastest (and easiest) turnaround time. When a homeowner is shopping around for a landscaping company he or she wants to get the best bang for their buck. For example, they may be concerned about getting a timely quote on mowing services, or they may want to know what to expect during the “shift change” (i.e., the mowing crew may arrive late one afternoon). In this case, a reputable landscaping service can offer the following:
– Prompt pricing. The more prompt they are, the less money they will earn. The average lawn care business mow customers an average of $.50 per mile for a three-mile long lawn. If you are charging that amount for a three-mile lawn, it is obvious you should not be staying any longer than three miles on the job. If your customers are receiving a similar rate from someone else they are paying for the same thing you are.
– Quick Results. Let’s face it; working hard doesn’t always pay. Fortunately, many people are willing to do what it takes in order to have great looking lawns. If you don’t have the time or knowledge of proper grass care methods then a push mower may be the right choice for you. However, keep in mind that if you do choose a push mower over a riding mower you will likely pay more in the long run. Riding mowers tend to last longer and require less maintenance so they are a good choice for homeowners with experience and the money to spend.
– No Landscaping Business Exposure. If you are planning on doing yard work in your spare time as a landscaping business, you may want to consider advertising. There are many advertising options available to you. You can advertise in newspapers, over the Internet, with flyers or with banners. It is recommended that you do some research and choose a method that fits your particular landscaping business.
– No Landscaping Business Licensing. In most states you will need to get a business license in order to perform landscape work. This means that you will need to obtain a state contractor license and pay fees in order to operate your own landscaping business. Although the state may not require a sales tax license, it is highly recommended that you purchase one in order to be compliant with all local regulations.