Give Us 10 Minutes for the Lawn Care Business Startup Kit
It’s a sunny Saturday, and you are sitting on a freshly mowed lawn and daydreaming about quitting your 9-5 job and starting a lawn care business.
But then the thought comes of how to start; you don’t have any idea.
If you have such thoughts or are looking to start a lawn care business, stick with us for the next 10 minutes. We are going to present a lawn care business startup kit in which we are going to talk about everything from initial costs to getting your first client.
So, buckle up!
Lawn Care Business Startup Kit
Did you know the US lawn and Garden Market generated $133 billion in 2024? These are significant numbers, and the revenue can grow by $150 billion by 2029.
Maybe you are thinking, should you start in an industry this big?
The short and long answer is Yes.
But you need a Lawn Care Business Startup Kit to make your business stand out.
What Do You Need to Start a Lawn Care Business?
Starting a lawn care business is not just about buying a lawn mower and a trailer. Let’s see what else you need.
Business Registration
You want to start a lawn care business, so let’s make it official first. You need to register your business with the government to comply with all the rules and regulations. You can pick up your business structure, like LLC, S-Corp, or a Sole Proprietorship. You can compare the business structure here to find out which is suitable.
Having a legal entity gives your business a professional look and builds trust with clients; you can also secure funding.
Business Licensing
Lawn care businesses require proper licensing and permits, depending on where you live. For instance, some areas may require chemical handling licensing if you offer pesticide or fertilizer services.
You can check for licensing and permits on the US Department of Agriculture website. For Canada, you can check the Government of Canada website.
Insurance
You don’t know what you may face on the job or in business. So, it’s important to get insured. General liability insurance covers property damage or injuries on a job. You can also get Worker’s compensation if you plan to hire employees.
Get Business Banking and Accounting
Receiving payments in your personal account can be a mess. You need to open a business account to keep your personal and professional accounts separate. This way, you can keep track of the cash coming in and out and manage your expenses properly.
Regarding expenses, Ramp’s corporate business card gives you control over your spending and an average savings of 5%. Plus, you can get a free $500 sign-up bonus.
Opening a bank account doesn’t mean you can manage accounting. That’s when you need a professional service like Tangent to keep your books in order, prepare taxes, and manage business growth. You can learn more about our services here.
Decide The Services
Will you stick with basic mowing, or do you want to tap into seasonal clean-ups, landscaping, or garden designs? Before starting a business, it’s important to jot down which services you want to offer. This can help you identify ideal clients for your business, buy the right tools, and set pricing.
Choose the Right Tools
Speaking of the right tools, you need to select the right tools. Some of the common tools you need are:
- Mower
- Trimmer
- Leaf Blower
- Rake
- Bags for Leaves
- Lawn pest control and insect control
- Shrub care
- Some lawn care businesses offer winter maintenance services, too, and choose
- Snow removal
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Washing
Again, it’s important to decide first which services you want to offer and then shop for equipment.
Price Your Lawn Care Services
The most important thing about running any business is setting up prices. You can do competitive pricing, attracting customers without cutting your profits. You need to research your competitors and find the right balance between profits and costs.
Using Lawn Care Software
When you run a business, many things can overwhelm you. Invoices, payments, client info, and job schedules can spin your head. However, you can automate all of this by choosing lawn care software.
These tools automatically automate job scheduling, invoicing, client management, and getting paid.
If you want the right tool, let’s bring the OG of lawn care software: Jobber. It’s an all-in-one solution for lawn care business. You can check our detailed guide here if you want to dig deeper into the software.
If you go through the guide and decide to buy Jobber, we have a little surprise for you. We have partnered with Jobber to give you a free trial and 20% off for the first 6 months.
Getting Clients
You have registered the business, got the permits, and opened a business account, but it’s time to get clients. To attract eyeballs to your business, you need a marketing strategy. You can set up a website, run an ad campaign on Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram, and showcase your work.
If you start gathering clients, ask for referrals from satisfied clients. It can do wonders for your business.
Hiring Employees
Once your business grows, you can hire employees to divide the workload. You can start by hiring part-time employees if you are low on budget.
With the work divided, you can focus more on sales and marketing.
Pros and Cons of a Lawn Care Business
Pros | Cons |
It doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment. | Many lawn care businesses experience a dip in demand during winter. |
There’s a growing demand for lawn care services. | It can be physically demanding. |
You can have a flexible schedule. | Rainy days can delay work. |
You can expand the business to landscaping, snow removal, or garden design. | Lawn care is a highly competitive niche. |
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it: your lawn care business startup kit, covered in less than 10 minutes. We have covered everything you need to know before starting a lawn care business. If you didn’t get some parts for the first time, read it again.
Remember, with a clear roadmap, you can stay ahead of the competition.
Speaking of staying ahead, with multiple clients from the US and Canada, our accounting and bookkeeping services help you succeed in the competitive lawn care business.
Hey, we don’t want you to lose sleep after starting a lawn care business.
FAQs
Do I need an LLC for the lawn care business?
To start a lawn care business, you need business registration. You can choose between an LLC, S-Corp, or Sole Proprietorship.
How much does it cost to start a lawn care business?
Starting a lawn care business can cost between $500 and $2000, depending on the company’s size, services provided, and equipment costs.
How much does a lawn mowing business make?
It depends on the size of the company. Generally, lawn care businesses make between $10,000 and $100,000 annually.