Did you know that 42% of small businesses fail because of a lack of market demand? This statistic doesn’t frighten those who want to start a landscaping business because there will always be a market need for it. After all, who doesn’t want a beautiful looking lawn?
Read on to learn about how to start a landscaping business the right way.
1. Learn the Market
One of the key steps to how to start a landscaping business is to learn the local market. Figure out the answers to a few key questions such as:
- Who are your competitors?
- What are the local customers looking for?
- What prices and services do your competitors offer?
By answering these questions, you may have a good idea of what services your company should offer. Common landscaping business ideas include lawn mowing, seasonal cleanups, gardening, garden design, tree removal, fertilizing, edging, irrigation, or mulching.
Of course, for some of these options, like mulching, you will need the right technology. In this case, you could use your budget to purchase an excavator mulcher.
By surveying the locals in your area, you can get a good idea of their needs. It’s difficult to offer everything when starting a landscaping business, but you can always work your way up.
2. Get the Proper Certifications
Without the right certifications for your service, starting a landscaping business won’t go over well with potential customers. Whether you are learning how to start a mulching business or considering a lawn mowing business, proper certifications will do you good.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals provides certification options for:
- Horticulturists
- Contractors
- Exterior and Interior technicians
- Lawn care managers and technicians
3. Choose a Business Structure
There is more for landscape pros to consider, but these are the most common certifications. You can also check with the Environmental Protection Agency who provides its own certification programs.
One of the landscaping business tips you should follow is choosing a business structure that most small businesses use. The three types are sole proprietorship, partnership, and limited liability company (LLC).
A sole proprietorship is when there is a single business owner while a partnership is typically two people coming together to create a business. An LLC is a mix of both corporation and partnership structures.
4. Get a Business License
Most states require a business license before starting a landscaping business. This is different than a special industry license which is not needed to start this type of company.
5. Budget Time and Money
You need to focus a good portion of your time coming up with a budget. If you want your landscaping business to have success in the long run, you need good financial management.
The factors you must consider when creating a budget are:
- Startup costs
- Equipment maintenance costs
- Off-season cost
- Taxes and insurance costs
- Marketing
- Office or extra storage
Lastly, consider how many employees you need and how much you will pay them. As time goes on, you may need to hire more help.
How to Start a Landscaping Business Explained
Now that you know how to start a landscaping business, you can bring all of your ideas to life. The process may come with challenges, but they will be worth the struggle in the end. By using this guide, you can start a business the right way so that you can profit in the long-run.
For more tips that can benefit your small business, keep coming back for more articles like this.
