Starting out questions

[jay31]

Hello all, my name is Jason and I am looking into starting my own lawn care business. I have done some searching and such on the forum but have a few questions still, any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. If im asking something that has already been answered please let me know and I will do some more searching. Basically I am looking into starting my own lawn care business, this isnt something I am looking to start next week or anything like that. My wife and I will be relocating in about 9 months and thats when I would like to start the business. So I am going to use the next 9 months to my advantage to learn as much as I can. I am 26 yrs old and have done numerous jobs over the years, from renting jet skis to currently working in an engineering firm. I really want to work outside with my hands as thats what I enjoy the most. Sorry for the long post below are my main questions and I am sure I will think of more. Thanks in advance. 1. How did you guys finance your business at startup? (i.e. buy a truck? trailer? equipment?) 2. What did you start off doing? (just lawns? pressure washing? etc?) 3. What do you find is the best way to obtain clients? (I have the know how to design websites, is that ideal? flyers? ads on craigslist? newspaper? logo and contact info on truck?) 4. What insurances are required if its just me and my brother working? Any other info would be great. Thanks again

[wellbiz]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by jpanicaro 1. How did you guys finance your business at startup? (i.e. buy a truck? trailer? equipment?) 2. What did you start off doing? (just lawns? pressure washing? etc?) 3. What do you find is the best way to obtain clients? (I have the know how to design websites, is that ideal? flyers? ads on craigslist? newspaper? logo and contact info on truck?) 4. What insurances are required if its just me and my brother working? Any other info would be great. Thanks again Welcome to the forum. My 2cents... 1. I already owned the truck. Purchased the equipment and trailer with money I saved up. Didnt want any debt when I started. 2. Started off offering mowing, weeding, hedge trimming, clean ups, mulch and planting installs, landscaping. 3. I have gotten 75% of my clients via my website. I run lots of online advertising (adwords, online directories, bing pay per click) and I have 1st page organic listing for my site on the majority of the services I offer when combined with my city on google. The remaining I got from a newspaper ad, post card mailing and referrals. I plan on doing some more mailings and a big door hanger campaing for fall clean ups. I had a posting on craigslist, but wasnt happy with the leads I was getting. Lots of tire kickers and price shoppers. 4. I would talk with an insurance agent. Hope this helps. Keep reading the forums there are gems to be found everywhere. When I started it was slow for the first month, but 6 weeks later I was backed up 2 weeks and was turning away some work. Jay

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by jpanicaro

4. What insurances are required if its just me and my brother working?

Most of the contract I have, I have 2 beer stores and school board which I deal with 5 schools and they require me to have a minimum of 2 million liability insurance. I had only 1 million and I had to increase to 2 million for the beer store contracts

[jay31]

Thanks guys keep the info coming. Do you guys recomend any websites to learn certain things about the business? I mean obviously I know how to mow, edge, trim bushes and that stuff. I would also like to offer gutter cleaning services and pressure washing and possibly landscaping installs (ie tress, bushes, mulch, rock etc) But im sure just like every other business there are trade secrets.

[Steve]

1. How did you guys finance your business at startup? (i.e. buy a truck? trailer? equipment?)

I'd suggest, start with little or no debt initially. You never know if you will like this or not so there is no point in locking yourself into a whole bunch of debt.

Start with some basic equipment and see how you like it. Then scale up as needed.

[jay31]

Thanks for the info, what did you guys use to first obtain clients that worked out the best and the quickest?

[wellbiz]

Originally Posted by jay31

Thanks for the info, what did you guys use to first obtain clients that worked out the best and the quickest?

I would start by talking to your friends, family and neighbors. This is bound to net you a few jobs to start with.