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Starting a Lawn Care Business
In suburban communities where homes occupy
sizable lots, there is demand for professional
lawn services. The wealthier the residents
are, the more hours they work, the farther
they commute, the more outside activities
they pursue, and the larger their home lots
are, the more likely it is that they will
hire outside professionals to maintain their
lawns. In addition to residential customers,
successful entrepreneurs in the lawn care
business look for commercial clients who
own office buildings or office parks that
are surrounded by grassy expanses.
In establishing a lawn care business,
you
may offer a variety of services,
including,
but not limited to:
- cutting grass
- watering grass
- fertilizing
- controlling harmful insects
- seeding
- laying down sod
- weeding
- removing leaves, pine needles, brush, and
other plant debris
Moreover, consider branching out into other
aspects of landscaping, such as:
- pruning shrubs, bushes, and small trees
- gardening services, such as planting and
caring for flowers and flower beds
- driving away burrowing animals such as moles
The rationale behind offering a wide menu
of services is that you will make your business
more attractive to clients with large properties
and/or a variety of lawn and garden needs.
You can greatly simplify their lives by offering
them comprehensive, one-stop shopping. Otherwise,
they would have the hassles of scheduling
and coordinating the work of numerous separate
contractors.
Depending on the localities in
which you
will operate, the licensing and
insurance
requirements may vary. In particular,
expect
to encounter stringent environmental
protection
regulations on the use of chemical
fertilizers
and pesticides. The examinations
necessary
to be licensed for their use
normally are
not difficult, but you may be
subject to
inspections and paperwork requirements,
with
fines for
noncompliance. Meanwhile, to address many
clients' concerns about hazardous chemicals,
you should learn about and offer non-toxic
or "organic" alternatives, either
exclusively or as an option. |
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