The core of TaskEasy is our nationwide network of contractors, composed of new and veteran lawn care professionals who have started their own businesses and are working with TaskEasy to save time, get more customers, and grow their businesses.
If you're already working in the lawn care industry, sign up to work with TaskEasy to get jobs immediately. But no matter your experience level, you may be wondering how to start your own landscaping business. Before you begin, it’s important to do some research to find out if starting your own business is the right choice for you.
To help you get going, we’ve put together this "how to start a landscaping business" guide on how to start your own landscaping business. We’ve also interviewed some of our contractors to bring you valuable advice and tips. If you’re planning on running your own lawn care business or are simply interested in the process, read on.
Starting your own landscaping business is an attractive option for those who want to be their own boss, set their own schedule, and work on their own terms. Investing in your dreams can be overwhelming at first but if you do it right, it will pay off in a big way.
Lawn care is a great industry to enter because there is no shortage of lawns in the United States. The industry is booming and has an annual revenue of $105.1 billion and an annual growth of 2.5%. Lawns aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Check out the steps below to get started and learn what you’ll need to build a successful foundation for your business.
The first step in "how to start a landscaping business" is picking a name. Your business name will be the first thing that people see or hear when being introduced to your business, so it’s important to put some thought into it. Going through the hoops of changing your business name once established can be a pain, so you want to get it right from the start.
Here are some tips to help you brainstorm a name for your landscaping business:
Before you start a landscaping business, you’ll need to identify your goals so you know exactly what you want to accomplish. Why are you starting a lawn maintenance business? How many hours do you want to work? Who will your first customer be? Where do you want to find your first customer? These are all important questions to ask yourself.
Developing an internal mission statement is the perfect way to help clearly define who you are and what your priorities are. You should strive to follow your mission statement in every way you operate. And if your goals change, your statement can too. Your mission statement should answer the following questions:
For example: Our mission is to be the leading provider of automated property maintenance services, helping our customers save time and spend it on what matters most. In this statement, we clearly lay out our goals, the benefits of TaskEasy, and who we are striving to help.
The first things you’ll need to start a landscaping business are passion and discipline. After that, you’ll need a business plan. Creating a business plan involves creating a list of starting expenses and setting long-term and short-term revenue goals. Once you have this foundation, you’ll be able to set steps to help you reach those goals. If you need a bit more guidance, this website provides a sample lawn landscaping business plan you can follow.
It’s best to have some money set aside before you start a landscaping business so that you aren’t starting out in the negative. Some common startup expenses for a lawn care business include:
The total cost for everything you need will vary but typical startup costs for a landscaping business range from $15,000 to $20,000 if you’re starting completely empty-handed.
If you can, we recommend finding equipment that is used but in like-new condition. This could save you hundreds of dollars over time. You can look for equipment at yard sales, auctions, or online. We do not recommend renting tools. Renting tools is more costly over time and it’s always a good idea to own your own tools in case of an emergency.
TaskEasy contractor Benny C. recommends SCAG power equipment as the best in quality and power when looking for a commercial mower. Other popular commercial-grade equipment brands include Stihl, DEWALT, Exmark, and Toro.
In order to own a landscaping business, most states will require you to obtain a state business license if you meet certain criteria, but it’s a relatively simple process. How much does a landscaping license cost? The fee for a business license varies but can be anywhere from $15 to $200 annually. You’ll also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to set up business commerce accounts so that you can receive tax breaks for business expenses. For individual details, contact your state business licensing service for more information on what type of license and permits you will need as well as landscaping license cost.
If you’ve never operated a business before, we highly recommend consulting a professional tax advisor to help you get started. Many of them offer a free first consultation to help you out. For day-to-day operations, TaskEasy contractor Richard L. suggests looking into QuickBooks software for an easy-to-use accounting program to input everyday revenue and expenses starting at only $9.99 a month.
You'll need to keep track of every penny that comes in or out, and make sure to keep business finances completely separate from your personal finances. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open a business account if you are stuck.
The next step in starting a landscaping business is deciding what services to offer and what your price point will be. Landscaping companies typically offer tree and shrub trimming, sod/seed installation, and weeding, among many additional services, to supplement basic lawn mowing services.
For pricing, do some research on other landscaping companies in your area to get an idea of what to charge for your services. You can also check out this step-by-step guide on pricing a landscaping job. If you sign up to receive work from TaskEasy, you won’t need to worry about the hassle of setting prices because we provide customers who’ve already ordered services with standardized pricing based on their yard’s square footage and fair market pricing.
Do you want to start your landscaping business by yourself and see how things go or have a small crew to handle more customers? Starting out on your own is a respectable decision but if you do decide to hire some employees, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
Also, keep in mind that you don’t need to hire employees right off the bat. If you want to get a feel for the business first, by all means go for it! Once you’re ready to expand, you’ll have the knowledge and expertise to pass on to your crew members.
Once you have your landscaping business in order and are ready to start working, you’ll want to sign up to work as a contractor at TaskEasy. It’s free and you’ll have immediate access to lawn care jobs in your area. Plus, there’s no need to worry about billing and invoicing, and with our FastPay option, you can have cash in a matter of days.
These are just a few things to consider when starting a new lawn care business. Like with any other entrepreneurial goals, growing will take time and practicing patience will come in handy. Running a small business can be stressful but if you work hard and utilize the resources available to you, you can find freedom and success in no time.
Good luck with your business pursuits! If you would like to learn more about marketing your landscaping business once it’s established, go to the next volume to learn some marketing tips to help you grow your customer base.