If you love the outdoors and the smell of newly mowed grass, then a lawn care business may be the right career move for you.
However, you don’t need tens of thousands of dollars to start your lawn care company– You can start a lawn care business on a budget, believe it or not! Here’s what you’ll need to get started, as well as the right equipment to invest in for growth.
Why Lawn Care Can Be a Low-Cost Business to Start
You can start small when you begin your lawn care business. Your goal in the first year should be developing your customer base. You only need some essential mowing equipment to get you started.
Here are the basics:
- A 48” to 54” zero turn mower that allows you to take on larger lawns.
- A trailer ranging in size between 5 x 10, 5 x 12, 6 x 10, or 6 x 12 to carry your zero turn mower and other equipment.
- A push mower for smaller lawns and those hard to reach places that your zero turn mower can’t reach.
- A trimmer that edges around driveways, walkways, and porches. Also, use your trimmer to whack weeds along fences and other areas.
- A blower to blow off grass clippings as well as leaves in the fall.
- Hand-held equipment such as shovels, spades, rakes, and other tools so you can offer fall and spring clean-up services.
The above equipment allows you to start a lawn care business on a budget– you can begin mowing lawns and doing seasonal clean-up jobs. Plus, you can expand your services with these tools for applying mulch. Going forward, your equipment arsenal will also have to grow as your services do.
Learn more: Here are five certifications and licenses you need to start a lawn care business.
Plan for the Future
So, you’re starting your business on the small side while you lay the groundwork for growing your customer base. Here’s what you need to know to stay legal as well as market your lawn services at the ground level:
- Pick a name that’s going to get you business. It’s wise to localize your name too. For example, Tom’s Lawn Care or Your City’s Lawn Care Services are two possibilities for your business.
Keep in mind that you want your website domain to include the service and the city where you provide mowing services.
- Register your business name with your municipality or county. You also need to register your business name for taxes too. Your accountant or tax preparer can help you with getting a tax ID number.
- You need to buy commercial liability insurance to protect your business. You may not have a lot in your bank account right now, but insurance will save your business in case of any accidents. It also protects your customers from having to pay for any unforeseen damages.
- Get online. You can start your small lawn care company with a Facebook page to get a following and build up excitement for your lawn service’s grand opening. However, Facebook is a short-term solution.
Your goal, if you want to grow into a thriving business, should be saving some dough so you can hire a web developer to build a website for you. Once you have a regular group of customers and you start to earn money, invest in a website created by a professional.
- Use your current vehicle. Most lawn care companies like the big trucks for both practicality and personal pride. But if you don’t have the financing to invest in a truck, you may have to settle for your Honda Civic or the family’s minivan.
- However, your vehicle can be an advertising machine. You can invest in magnetic signage to put on your car or van advertising your new business. Don’t forget to put your contact information so someone can snap a photo to contact you later.
- Take care of your equipment. Keep up on maintaining your equipment to make it last as long as possible. It can be tricky when you buy used lawn equipment. But if you know your way around an engine, you can maintain your equipment on your own.
- Maintenance is more than an oil change, though. Don’t forget your mower and trimmer blades need to be sharpened regularly to give a good cut. Your mowers need to be winterized and prepped for spring. You also need to maintain your handheld tools by keeping them clean and sharp.
- When the time is right, upgrade your equipment to include spreaders, a second truck, a larger utility trailer, and other upgraded tools of the trade. While you may not be able to afford a new aerator or a spreader right now, create a budget that allows you to save for these essential tools as you grow your business.
Dream Big with a Spyker Spreader
As your business grows, remember to invest in a Spyker Spreader. At Spyker, we manufacture spreaders that help you apply lawn fertilizer, lime, natural gypsum, and mulch.
Spyker spreaders are a sound investment because you use them throughout the entire year … not just during the growing season. Plus, they offer unmatched durability in any spreader line. You may think you can get a much less expensive spreader and that will be the best route, but the reality is that investing in quality equipment saves you cash in the long run because you can use it for years, even decades before replacement.
Check out how long Brad from Chariot Run Golf Course has been using his Spyker!
We have two commercial series to meet your lawn care and landscaping needs:
- Pro-series: Our classic spreaders get your lawn care jobs done correctly and quickly.
- Ergo-series: These spreaders work with your body instead of against it. No more straining with the handles. Instead, the handles can move up and down based on your height.
You can find your next Spyker Spreader at your local dealer. You can also find Spyker Spreaders online!
Sources:
LawnCareLife.com, “How to Start a Lawn Care Business.”
Ibid. “Lawn Care Equipment Set Up for Under $5,000.”
Service Autopilot, “How to Start a Lawn Care Company with NO Money.”
