How To Start A Landscaping Business
In this short guide you will discover how to start a landscaping business.
Landscaping is an $82 billion industry, making it an attractive option for new entrepreneurs. In addition, it offers the opportunity for people to work outside, improve the look of homes and local businesses, and even improve the environment. If you’re interested in getting started with your own landscaping businesses, here are some important steps to take, along with insights from industry groups and landscaping business owners.
Steps to staring a landscaping business:
Step 1: Get Some Landscaping experience
Before actually jumping into business, it’s a good idea to actually learn the trade. Find a job working with an existing landscaping business so you can hone your craft, see how the business side works, and make valuable connections.
Make sure you work with a landscape professional who really understands the business so that you can find a mentor, learn and soak in all of the intricacies that go into running a successful landscaping business.
2. Learn About the Business
It can also be beneficial to do some extra research before actually jumping into business ownership. You can do this by talking to other business owners, reading online resources, or taking business courses.
If you find yourself a mentor ask them what they think you need to learn to be successful. Make a list and a plan and get to work learning everything you need.
3. Check Your States Licensing and Insurance Requirements
The licensing requirements for landscaping businesses vary by state, with some also required at the federal level depending on the actual services offered. Check with your local city and state guidelines and also consider getting liability insurance just in case your employee's get hurt.
4. Buy Landscaping Equipment Or Get Financing
You'll probably be able to get by early on with just a couple of lawnmowers, a truck and a few other small tools. However, if you do want to make a bigger investment, it could be worthwhile to build relationships with bankers to secure financing for those items.
5. Determine Your Fees
You also need to determine what you’re going to actually charge for your services. Several factors go into this decision: how much time will a particular job take you, how much should you make hourly, what do you pay employees, and what equipment is needed. But just make sure that your rates are going to allow you to continue to operate and grow while actually earning a profit.
6. Consider a Landscaping Specialty
Some landscaping businesses choose to have a very particular specialty, like lawn maintenance or landscape design, while others offer a wider array of services. This decision ultimately comes down to the entrepreneur’s preferences, experience, and access to the equipment necessary to complete each type of job. In some cases, businesses might even choose to start out with just one type of offering and then add in other services as they’re able to pay for the equipment and bring on employees with the necessary skills.
7. Join Trade Associations
Getting a landscaping business off the ground requires a lot of resources and expert input, from employee training to marketing plans. One great way to get access of those resources is to join some trade associations.
We recommend joining state and national trade associations like The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). NALP has been instrumental in the growth of many landscaping businesses. The association also provides templates for training, safety plans, marketing and PR ideas, human resource help, legal advice and much more. Being a member of the NALP also offers unbelievable networking opportunities.
8. Create a Marketing Plan
Marketing your business is essential to growing your base of landscaping customers. The actual tactics you take can vary based on your resources, target customers, and specialty. You might focus on local SEO or put up some flyers around your community. But whatever tactics you choose, make sure they’re consistent so that potential customers can recognize your business across all platforms. If your short on cash, you might also want to consider passing some flyers out in your neighborhood.
9. Develop Relationships with Your Customers
Once you start to actually building your customer base, you need to actually build relationships with those customers to keep them happy and make sure that they continue to utilize your services. Be yourself, smile and spark up a conversation when ever you get a chance.
10. Build Your Team
To scale your business, it may also become necessary for you to bring on some employees. But you should only hire and keep the employees that show motivation and perform up to your standards. It may be difficult to turn down or let go of team members, but in order to be a successful landscaping business, you need to have the right people in your corner.
Step 11: Landscaping Business Management Software
The last and most important step is having the right business management software to save you time and money so you can grow your business
We have developed a unique system that works for you. This system has been tested and proven over the past 10 years to ensure our quality and your complete satisfaction. JaniBid was developed to help business owners like you streamline their processes and grow. We have helped business owners new and old, implement systems that promote fast growth. These systems are tested daily from initial walk through, proposals, sales, contracts, hiring, scheduling, check in and check outs, invoicing and more. This software has saved landscaping business owners hundreds of hours and stress, allowing them to focus on what's most important, their Business.
Why You Need JaniBid Software To Start A Landscaping Business
Whether you’re starting a Landscaping business or simply trying to keep your existing one growing, finding the right Landscaping business software can make a measurable difference in tackling today's toughest challenges. JaniBids service system has been tested and proven over the past 10 years. Our Software system is the key to your growth and success.
Time is Money - On average our users save over 20 hours a week.
Staying Organized - JaniBid helps keep you and your staff organized from directions, schedules, payroll and more.
Peace of Mind - The average Janibid business owner has received 50% less staff phone calls. By using janibid mobile staff can log in and get directions, job requirements all in one easy place.
Stress Free - JaniBid allows staff to check in, check out, complete work audits, account visits and complete work orders. No longer do you need to wonder if the work is complete. You can simply log in to JaniBid to see all activity as it's completed.
The JaniBid Difference
The difference between a struggling Landscaping company and a growing one are the SYSTEMS used. Take out the guess work and rely on our proven operating, scheduling and proposal systems.
With the JaniBid system you will be able to instantly email or print out and hand deliver impressive, customized landscaping proposals to your prospective clients. Easily schedule employees work, bid new jobs and personal appointments, along with a powerful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for a one-stop-shop to view linked notes by individual prospects and customers.
Janibid Mobile
JaniBid mobile is a great resource for your landscapers, managers and sales representatives.
Landscapers
Landscapers can access the accounts they have to see addresses, get directions, scheduled days, task sheet for each account and to check in and check out.
Managers
Managers can access the accounts they manage to see addresses, get directions, scheduled days, task sheet for each account, complete audits and to check in and check out.
Sales Representatives
Sales Representatives can access a prospects information, prospect notes and quickly take notes and create a proposal to send the clients proposal directly from their phone, tablet, or ipad. This proposal is also saved in the crm to reference back to at any time.
Free Landscaping Bid Calculator
This calculator can be accessed quickly for a quick quote. Simply input a square footage or a time to finish the job per visit. Then put in how many days a week, your employee cost and the quick calculator does the rest.
You’ll be able to add your own percentage or dollar requirement for profit to arrive at how much you want to charge your client. Getting and keeping your landscaping jobs profitable is the name of the game and this innovative feature is a bonus tool that can help in a practical and measurable way.
For more information about our JaniBid software please check out Our Software page. If you're ready to sign up for free click here.
You should now know everything about how to start a landscaping business. If you found this article helpful then check out our blog.
