Starting a small landscaping business needs some form of education in landscaping design, business knowledge and physical fitness to some degree.
If you want to start a small landscaping business, your job entails to design and maintain landscapes, choosing the right plants and features, and performing manual labor with machineries. You will also be responsible for business functions, like advertising, marketing, sales, book-keeping, management and payroll if you are going to hire workers. A lot of the heavy machinery required for this kind of business can be rented with or without an operator, and you can mostly run the business from your home office.
1.First and foremost, get a landscape training certificate or gain comparative experience by working or interning at a known landscaping company.
2.Write or Draft a Business Plan for Your Landscaping Business. Business plans need not be fancy, but should be accurate and include start-up and operating finances, marketing, advertising, equipment purchasing strategies and other information.
3.Apply For Local and State Business Permits, Licenses, and Tax Registration.
A lot of state/country have a small business planning checklist on their website, or you may call their business regulatory and tax revenue offices for details. Some also require you to obtain contractor's license as well.
If you intend to hire landscape workers to help with your business, obtain a Tax Identification Number and Employer Identification Number from your state/country's Internal Revenue Service.
4.Buy the Necessary Landscape Equipment Based on Your Business Plan Service.
Try not to go overboard when buying your equipments, only buy what you need to start and acquire more if need be as your business progresses.
5.Purchase a Service Vehicle or Truck-- or to cut cost, use your own, as long as you know it will fit your equipment and supplies properly.
Get an insurance policy from a good insurance company and purchase business liability and business vehicle insurance. Adequate insurance is required for good measures and may be mandated by state law for landscape contractors.
Get an insurance policy from a good insurance company and purchase business liability and business vehicle insurance. Adequate insurance is required for good measures and may be mandated by state law for landscape contractors.
6.Advertise Your Business. Distribute fliers or brochures to neighbors in your work area, and ensure to use site and vehicle signs for maximum visibility.
Consider uniforms for your workers to present a professional image, and give pep talks on the need to always address clients in a polite manner and also to look good in appearance.
Subscribe to landscaping trade magazines and websites to stay abreast with all the latest trends, skills, equipment, and business protocols. Ensure to carry out cost effective ad on these landscape trade magazines with few pictures of the beautiful works done by you, along with your contact information.
More Tips:
Ensure your vehicle and equipments are all well-maintained and in always in good condition. Presenting a clean image at all times is not only good business sense, it makes an impression on customers too.
Ensure your vehicle and equipments are all well-maintained and in always in good condition. Presenting a clean image at all times is not only good business sense, it makes an impression on customers too.
Be sure to get all necessary licenses and permits, and keep copies with you at all times while on the job site.
Good luck!