Another service to be added soon

[mark123]

Well, today it was raining so I talked to my insurance guy and upped my liability coverage and sent in my application for a PA pesticide business license. I already have my pesticide applicator license but now I'll be able to buy the product and apply it for my own business. I'm totally excited. I can't wait to start making some lawns green!

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Congratulations first off! What is the difference in the licensing? Also what are some of the different requirements to get the licenses?

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[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Congratulations first off!

Danke!

Originally Posted by Steve

What is the difference in the licensing?

Well, you must be licensed to apply pesticides in PA. This means you must take a test proving that you know how to safely handle the product, safely apply them and other basic things like how to calibrate your equipment to spread/spray the correct amounts, when and where to apply specific products, etc.

The business application is basically just registering with the state so that they know I'm properly insured and trained and also so they know where I'll be storing product.

Originally Posted by Steve

Also what are some of the different requirements to get the licenses?

The tests (one for "Core" which is the safety and handling part and one for category 7 which is Lawn and Turf) were long and pretty involved but mostly common sense. Basically it was just $75 and three hours worth of my time.

The business license requirements is basically just $35 and getting properly insured.

[Steve]

This is great!

Once you get all this taken care of, how will you then market it? Have you thought about offering different packages to customers? What's your view on this?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Once you get all this taken care of, how will you then market it? Have you thought about offering different packages to customers? What's your view on this?

I was considering making it a package deal for my mowing customers. Raise the price of the weekly mowing to spread the cost of the fertilizing/weed control out making it easier to swallow and then also offering it as a separate service as well.

So far half of my jobs came from 2 customers telling people about me so they'll get very extra green lawns this year.

[Steve]

Oh great!

Keep us posted on how the roll out goes of the new services when you start offering them.

[mark123]

My license came in the mail today. W00t!

[Steve]

That is fantastic! Congratulations!

Whats the next step now?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

That is fantastic! Congratulations!

Whats the next step now?

Thanks.

Next step is to letter the truck. The license number must be on two sides with the characters being 3 inches high.

[mark123]

I got the license number on my truck a while back and I picked up my nice new spreader yesterday.

Oddly enough it matches my car.