Whether you love being outdoors or you love the joy of constructing a project with your hands, you’ll find that there is something about landscaping that you can’t resist. Maybe you dream of creating breathtaking transformations from outdoor environments. Perhaps there is a landscaping business in your future. If this is your case, it will help to do a little pre-planning and research. The following items may give you a head start: - Reflect on your goals and develop a mission statement. What would you like to accomplish with your new lawn maintenance business? Will you be targeting residences or commercial landscaping?
- Identify Your Target Market. Identify your customers. Residences or commercial grounds? Many marketers choose to develop something called a buyer persona – a short paragraph or two – that provides a snapshot of what your ideal buyer looks like.
- Build a Team/Staffing. At some point you’ll have to put together a staff to run your business. This might mean a part-time office worker to manage, schedule, and bill. You’ll also need landscapers/laborers. You will have to not only decide on the person's ability but will also have to run a background check on each employee.
- Identify what equipment you’ll need. Think through the most important equipment you will need. Target equipment that is going to help you get things done faster, professionally and that requires minimal maintenance. Talk to your peers and dealers. Consider the type of guarantee/warranty that is included in the equipment.
Develop the following skills:
Estimating. Whether moving a lawn or building an elaborate gazebo, people will need to know the cost of the job upfront. Develop good estimating skills from the beginning. There are software packages to take out some of the guesswork but remember your goal is to determine your costs then add in a profit.
Set prices. Most landscaping professionals recommend coming up with an hourly rate, both for yourself and your employees. To determine your rate, compare your prices to those of your competition. Have friends contact companies in your target market area that offer similar services.
- Schedule jobs. When your business just starts out, it will be easy to determine where you need to be on any given day. Eventually, though, the phone starts ringing and you will be trying to find a way to coordinate jobs. Consider software packages designed for landscapers to help you track your business.
Located in South Elgin, Illinois, LaFarge Fox River Decorative Stone is your one-stop-shop for masonry, landscaping, concrete pavers, fire pits, retaining walls, ponds, and more! Visit our showroom today or call us: (847) 888-6133.
Sources:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/279066 http://success.hindsitesoftware.com/field-service-software-blog/bid/216368/7-tips-for-starting-and-growing-your-lawn-maintenance-business
