Landscape design is a lucrative business, and if you’re a skilled landscaper, it could be the right venture to consider. Although starting a landscaping company isn’t the most affordable option, from essential equipment and tools to the registration costs for businesses but it’s certainly not the most expensive, and it’s pretty straightforward in terms of legal regulations. We’ll guide you through the steps to start your landscaping business to begin quickly.
1. Create a Plan
If you consider starting a landscaping business, it is the initial step to developing the plan. It does not have to be as extensive as a traditional company plan. Still, it’s worthwhile to define the areas in which you intend to operate and the services you intend to provide, any specializations you might possess, and the tools and equipment you’ll need to begin with your budget. An overall concept of how you intend to promote your company and gain clients.
For instance, here’s a checklist of things you’ll need to begin your landscaping business:
- Pickup truck: $30,766
- Mower: $350 to $1,499
- Trimmer: $169 to $249
- Edger: $109 to $119
- Blower: $109 to $409
- Two gas containers (one for normal fuel and another for mixing fuel to edgers and trimmers). The cost is $25.
- Shovels: $13 to $34
- Shears: $13 to $32
- Rakes: $12 to $28
- Work gloves The cost range is between $12 and $15.
- Noise-canceling headphones: $89
- Safety goggles: $3-$13
- Steel-toed shoes: $76 to $83
Of course, you’ll require more tools if you employ employees. For instance, this could include a variety of edgers and blowers and a range of rakes. In addition, it is also necessary to be able to finance items and materials, like fertilizers, pesticides, plants, and flowers, based on the needs of your customers.
It is generally recommended to think about requiring $10,000 to begin your company, based on the quantity of equipment you have. That includes equipment needed for business registration, insurance, and website development. You will also need the initial campaign for marketing.
2. Register Your Business
To establish your business, you must select a name and registration of your company in the State. Although you may opt to operate as a sole proprietor using a “doing business as” (DBA) name, you do not have the protection of liability from the structure. A corporation or LLC gives you more excellent protection.
If you want to form an LLC or a company, You must file the proper papers with the Secretary of State once you’ve conducted a name search. A name search will ensure that you’re not selecting a name that competes with an existing company. The paperwork creates an LLC’s LLC document or article of incorporation.
3. Get Your Tax Identification Number
If you have the proper paperwork through the state secretary, you’ll be eligible to file for the IRS’s tax identification number (TIN). The number is identical to the Social Security number for your company and is required to establish an account with a bank.
The TIN is not required. Suppose you file it by contacting the IRS. You can apply for it through your application online.
4. Open a Business Banking Account
With your TIN and business registration papers, you’ll be able to create a business bank account. It is essential to have a separate banking account to keep your business’s income distinct from your expenses. This stops the commingling of money, putting those funds at risk of being liable. It also makes it simpler to pay your taxes with all your income and expenses recorded all in one spot.
You might also wish to establish a connection with a reliable payment processor. A bank account allows you to cash or deposit checks. However, it will not instantly process credit card payments. A service such as Stripe or Square will enable you to take advantage of all types of payments. You could pay up to 3 percent for gateway transaction charges.
5. Set Your Rates
The next step is to determine the prices you’ll charge in exchange for your services. If you’re unsure of the current rate in your region, it might be worthwhile to reach out to other landscaping firms within your area to find out their average charges for their services. You might have the same rates for weekly blow and mow services but charge a different cost for the actual landscaping expenses like putting in new grass or plantings.
Every week mowing and blowing can cost between $45 and $100, based on how big your yard is. The landscaping cost is typical $4-12 per square foot, on average. Designing and landscaping can cost up to $7,000, dependent on the complexity and the size of the job.
Check that your costs will cover your overhead. Overhead is the expense of fuel, other supplies like fertilizer, and the labor of all employees you employ. If you hire employees, you’ll have to pay workers’ compensation to pay for their expenses. The rates you pay should be sufficient to cover your costs and create an income for you.
6. Market Your Business
When you’ve established your firm and know the prices and services you offer, You can begin marketing your brand new business. A simple marketing strategy could involve knocking on doors to distribute business cards introducing clients to your service. This is an intelligent strategy since you’ll be able to find weekly customers in the same area to cut down on travel costs and time in traffic.
Here are some top methods to promote your landscaping company:
Create a website to ensure you can be discovered online
Create an account on Google My Business. Google My Business account to get your business noticed in local results
- Create accounts on social media (e.g., for example, a Facebook Business Page)
- Sign up with the relevant business directories online (e.g., Angi, Yelp, Yellow Pages)
- Advertising in local areas (e.g., local newspapers)
- Pay per Click advertising (e.g., Google Ads or Bing Ads)
Word of mouth
Local networking events, business associations
Direct contact with local businesses (if providing landscape services for commercial use)
For example, creating the business’s website is an essential element in being found online and getting customers. The best part is that it does not need to cost you many dollars, nor do you require a lot of time. Find out more about how you can quickly set up an online presence.
Reasons To Start a Landscaping Business
Running a landscaping company is an excellent opportunity to allow someone already in the field to be their boss and earn an income. The company permits you to be in contact with other individuals regularly. Alongside the pride of having your own company, you also own an organization that benefits the environment. The more people tend to their gardens and lawns, the better it will be for the planet. The trees and plants also aid in helping beneficial insects, as butterflies and bees keep on living. This is an enjoyable part of the landscape.
Bottom Line
It’s not difficult, but it will require the right tools and equipment to complete it. Make sure you know the things you have in your garage and set aside money for buying equipment to begin your business. Start small and grow when you have more clients and make more money.
