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How to Start a Lawn Care Business With No Money

Property owners highly value lawn mowing services. Professional lawn care ensures the lawn is cut, watered, and weeded at the right time. A lawn mowing company is a noble venture, but many people find themselves lost when figuring out how to start a lawn care business. Establishing a venture requires capital to purchase equipment and meet administrative costs, but sometimes the money isn't available. Worry not; this article provides valuable tips on how to start a lawn care business without money.  

 

The pandemic caused a decline in business in the landscaping sector, but that shouldn't deter you from learning how to start a lawn mowing business. The federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to cushion industry operators from financial losses. That promises a stable business environment in the industry and incentivizes many people to establish their own startups. 


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Ways to Start a Lawn Mowing Business With No Capital

The common startup cost for a lawn mowing business is $15,000-$250,000. We understand that you don’t have this amount right now. And so, here are some practical options to get capital:


Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a realistic option for starting a lawn mowing business with no money. Through this method, you get small amounts of money from people willing to invest in your business plan. Of course, you’ll find these people on crowdfunding platforms. Moreover, crowdfunding platforms will collect the money and take a percentage of what you’ll receive.

So what are some recommended crowdfunding platforms? Consider working with EquityNet which has low flat fees. You’ll receive money from verified and accredited investors only. Moreover, you enjoy features that help with the growth of your startup. Visit their website now!


Business Loan

Is your credit score good? Do you own a property that may be treated as collateral? In that case, consider getting a business loan. A business loan is the quickest way to get a $50,000-$250,000 capital for your startup business. You can work with banks. However, why not try doing it online? Try Uplyft, which allows you to apply for a business loan online in less than 4 hours.


SBA Loans

You can also try SBA loans. Here are some of the options:

  • Standard SBA 7(a) loan offers up to $5 million of capital. This is what most startups opt for

  • Small SBA 7(a) loan provides up to $350,000 worth of capital. This is good if you’re afraid of risking a lot in debt

  • SBA express provides up to $500,000 capital. This has the fastest approval rate of all types of SBA loans


How to Start a Lawn Mowing Business as a Teenager?

Many factors play to your advantage when you're a teenager. You're young and energetic, and the business has the potential to grow exponentially as compared to when a middle-aged person who's just learning how to start a small lawn care business is running things.

You need to be equipped for the job because you can't cut grass without a mower. Besides the lawnmower, other equipment and tools you need include:

  • Blower

  • Pair of secateurs

  • String trimmer (to access tight spaces where the lawnmower can't)

  • Lawn spreader (to distribute fertilizer)

  • Lawn aerator

  • Sprayer

Doing the Job

Once you've gotten over the "how to start your own lawn care business " stage and invested in the equipment, it's time to do the job. Using a mower to trim grass is pretty easy, but it still requires some degree of skill and knowledge. You can learn the ins and outs by experience or research how to start a grass-cutting business to gather more insights into mowing techniques.

Pricing

A normal lawn mowing company charges $29 to $65 for grass cutting, depending on the scale of the job. As a teenager, it would be best to charge $25 - $40 per hour based on your operational costs and expertise.

Below is a table showing how other companies quote their lawn mowing services.

Lawn Care Service Average Cost
Mowing $25 - $60
Aeration $65 - $240
Dethatching $175 per hour
Fertilizing $20 - $60 per hour
Leaf removal $80 - $465
Weeding $65 - $120
Seeding $340 - $1,000

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Lawn Care Business?

Most adults start lawn mowing companies and invest tens of thousands of dollars when starting grass-cutting businesses because they don't know how to start a lawn care business with no money.

When you're a teenager, your operational costs are significantly low and you can effortlessly get around the question of how much does it cost to start a lawn care business? You can get started with as little as $500, but if you'd like to be successful and deliver quality services, it would be best to know how much money to start a lawn care business that stands up to the competition.

Typically, you'll start as a sole proprietor, handling all the work solo. Find out how to start a lawn business that serves your neighbors first, and then expand your market as time goes by. So, how much does it cost to start a mowing business? It will cost you $5,000 - $8,000 to start a successful, self-sufficient business.

How to Provide Quality Lawn Care Services Without a Lot of Money?

You need not demystify any complex theories to learn how much to start a lawn care business that impresses your clients. It's simple:

  • Know how much to start a lawn service

  • Offer the services that satisfy a client's unique needs

  • Strive to exceed customer expectation

  • Be professional and courteous when working

  • Use well-maintained lawn care equipment and tools

  • Be organized

  • Adhere to time schedules


How to Expand Lawn Care Business?

Growing your lawn business doesn't have to involve large investments in equipment or big marketing budgets. You only need to understand how to start up a lawn care business and implement a few tips to take it to the next level.


Focus on Customer Retention

Retaining customers is an effective way of growing your business. If you understand how to start lawn care business from scratch, you probably know how hard it is to acquire new customers. Besides, loyal customers are likely to spend more on your products, provided you know how to start a solo lawn care business. The golden rule is this; While it’s true that gaining new customers is the primary goal of a business, all will be for nothing if such customers don’t come back to enjoy the same service.

Communicate Frequently and Be Fast

You need to clearly inform your customers what value your services provide, and you must ensure they remember that always. Take customer complaints seriously and act on them. Never leave a single customer unhappy. Provide reimbursements if needed. Also, make sure you have a customer service channel where existing customers can state their whims and new customers can ask about the services your lawn care business offers.

Upsell Your Services

If you choose to upsell your lawn mowing services, only do that if it's in the client's best interest. The essence is to provide value while meeting your revenue targets. You could provide seasonal leaf removal or a mulch refresh to enhance a property's curb appeal.

Incentivize Your Customers

As you figure how to start a yard maintenance business, it is critical to understand that consumers constantly look for ways to save money on hired services. Providing discounts and other benefits incentivizes them to consider hiring your lawn care services. For instance, providing discounts on yearly subscriptions instead of monthly or seasonal hires guarantees year-long business while increasing your consumer base.

Have a Marketing Strategy

It's easy to learn how to start a lawn maintenance business, but it requires a robust marketing strategy to create awareness and attract clients. Find out what your competitors are doing to promote their businesses. Furthermore, create a winning promotion strategy for your employees to empower them to offer professional services and remain loyal to the business.

If you don’t know how to effectively market your lawn care business, then let a marketing agency do the work for you. Of course, you’ll have to invest money. However, all of the investment will be worth it because a marketing agency will craft a campaign that goes in line with the objectives and goals of your lawn care service. Also, a marketing agency might even provide insights on what you’re doing wrong in terms of marketing.

Invest in Equipment

Investing in equipment is key on how to start your own lawn care business. The table below shows the key pieces of equipment you must have:

EquipmentFunctionPriceNotable Brands
Lawn MowerLawnmowers are essential for cutting grass to the desired height. Different types include push mowers, ride-on mowers, and zero-turn mowers.$300-$6,000Honda, Toro, John Deere, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, Snapper
Edger/TrimmerEdgers and trimmers create clean edges along walkways, driveways, and landscaping beds. They also trim grass in tight spaces where mowers can't reach.$50-$700Stihl, Husqvarna, Black+Decker, Worx, Greenworks, Makita, EGO
Leaf BlowerLeaf blowers help clear lawns and landscapes of leaves, debris, and grass clippings. They can be handheld or backpack-style for larger jobs.$90-$300Dewalt, Worx, Ryobi, Greenworks, Toro, Echo, Stihl
Hedge TrimmerHedge trimmers are used to shape and prune hedges and shrubs. They come in electric, cordless, and gas-powered models.$40-$629Stihl, Husqvarna, Black+Decker, Worx, Greenworks, Makita, EGO
DethatcherDethatchers remove layers of dead grass and debris from the lawn, allowing water and nutrients to penetrate the soil.$10-300Mantis, Billy Goat, Sun Joe, Agri Fab, Brinly-Hardy


Keep Business Operations Running Smoothly

Business operations must be smooth if you want to expand. Remember that errors in payroll, management of projects, and other essential matters will result in unnecessary delays. Delays take time and effort. Avoid them as much as possible.

You might want to invest in software that helps you keep track of things. For one, you can use payroll management systems. These allows you to avoid missing a pay or overpaying an employee. One that we recommend is OnePay. OnePay is a payroll management app that doesn’t only enable you to pay employees promptly but also tracks tax filing. Try OnPay’s one month free trial and see for yourself!

How about workflow management, sending invoices, and other related processes? You can use a CRM software to make things easier. A CRM we recommend is Bloom. Bloom doesn’t only allow you to ask for payments and sign legal documents. This software also enables you to create a work portfolio, schedule projects, and manage leads. Avail Bloom’s free trial today and enjoy a 12-month 15% subscription discount.

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How to Buy a Lawn Mowing Business?

There's a lot to handle when starting a lawn care business, from researching how to start a lawn service to budgeting for the equipment. To avoid the trouble, you can choose to acquire a lawn mowing business. Still, it's critical to perform due diligence and understand what you're buying.

A lawn mowing manager might want to sell their business because of various reasons, including:

  • Retirement

  • Personal financial problems

  • Inability to compete with a new bigwig lawn care company


Analyze the Profits and Losses

Before buying a business, know its financial standing first. Take an in-deep analysis of the financial records for the last five years to learn about the business's health. Some high-priority financial documents you need to consider include:

  • Tax returns

  • Expenses accounts

  • Billing records

  • Bank statements


What's the Competition?

Try and gather facts about how to start mowing business that can weather the competition. Therefore, know who your competitors are. Start by searching online to identify the companies that rank high on Google. Alternatively, you can do some legwork. Drive around, noting down the lawn mowing companies that provide services all over.


Investigate the Company's Reputation

A lawn mowing business might appear reputable on paper, but its track record among clients might be awful. Thus, do some sleuthing to find out what customers say about the company. You can do that in various ways. They include:

  • Visiting the company's website and reading customer reviews

  • Check their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating


Check the Company Records

Besides looking at financial records, you also want to critically analyze a company's service, employee, and customer records to identify any trends. When checking these documents, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What's their customer turn rate?

  • What's the staff turnover?

  • How much are employees satisfied with their jobs?

  • What do other stakeholders say about the business?


Equipment Inventory

The business seller must provide you with a list of the existing inventory. Equipment handover is a detailed process, and you should know the equipment's purchase dates, how frequent it's used, and warranty information.

Having the answers to those questions helps you identify the equipment you'll need to add. You might need hand tools, a lawnmower, and working gear.


How to Register a Lawn Care Business?

It's critical to understand how to start a lawn care business legally, and that's where business registration comes to play. Your lawn mowing business must operate according to the law and get a business license.

A license allows you to operate a physical business, and it's especially critical if you provide specialized services, such as landscape design, fertilization, pest control, etc. As you research how to start a lawn care business legally, visit the nearest commercial department or visit its website to know the specific licensing requirements in your state.


Registering Your Lawn Care Company

The first thing you need to do is to register your lawn care company to come up with a unique brand name. Uniqueness is very important. You might find yourself facing lawsuits if you copy another company’s name. Think about these things while in the process of brainstorming for a name:

  • Your company name must be catchy so that it can be easily remembered by customers

  • Your company name must be straightforward. Upon hearing or reading your company name, customers must immediately know that you provide lawn service

The second step in registering your lawn care company involves defining the structure of your business, which might be:

  • Sole proprietorship

  • LLC

  • Partnership

  • Corporation

Starting a lawn care company as a greenhorn business owner means you'll have to register as a sole proprietor. It's a simple business structure that keeps taxes and accounting simple. You also don't have to spend much on upfront costs on running the business legally.

You can’t register your business without an employer’s identification number or EIN. An employer’s identification number is very important because this allows the Internal Revenue Service to identify your business and track its taxes. Also, you can’t open a business bank account without an EIN.

If you have an EIN, proceed to open a business bank account. Using a personal bank account is okay if you’re planning to register the business as a sole proprietor. Even so, consider getting a business bank account instead, so that it’s easier for you to apply for loans and do other business transactions.

When you have a unique name ready, have thought of a business structure, gotten an EIN, and opened a bank account, it’s time for you to go to the nearest business licensing department and register your business. To expedite the process, we recommend you look for business licensing agents.


Do You Need to Obtain Lawn Care Business Insurance?

You need lawn care insurance. This policy provides liability coverage if you caused losses due to negligence, third-party property damages, or bodily injuries. Liability coverage sees to it that you won't have to pay out of your pocket to compensate a client.

Liability coverage isn’t the only insurance policy you need to get from lawn care business insurance. If you plan to own commercial space for your lawn care business, then consider getting commercial property insurance. On the other hand, if you only plan to rent, consider adding rented premises coverage to your lawn care liability insurance.

What if you plan to get employees so that you can cater to different lawn care projects? In this case, you need to get workers comp insurance. Workers comp insurance will help you pay an injured employee’s emergency treatment, hospitalization, lost income compensation, and death benefits.

Aside from workers compensation, you also need employer’s liability insurance and employee dishonesty insurance. Employer’s liability insurance will protect you if an employee decides to sue after experiencing a work-related injury. On the other hand, employee dishonesty insurance will cover losses if an employee steals money, uses company finances for personal purposes, or destroys work tools and equipment.

We almost forgot, you need to get business interruption insurance too. A time will come when you’ll have to temporarily stop business operations to relocate. Economic crises are another possible cause too. Either way, know that business interruption insurance helps. You can use this insurance to cover taxes, loans, employee wages, and other operational costs while your business isn’t generating income.

How Do You Find the Best Insurance for Your Lawn Care Business?

Comparing quotes is the best way for you to get the best coverage for your lawn care business. By doing so, you’ll see how the offers and pricing of each insurance company differ. Start your insurance quotes comparison by using our online quote generator. Click the “Get Quotes” button to start.

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How to Start a Lawn Care Business in Georgia?

Register Your Business in Georgia

You'll go through the same processes mentioned above when starting a lawn care business in Georgia. You can register your grass cutting service online by visiting:   https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/    

 

Know Georgia's Tax Policies

Georgia imposes tax on any registered company operating within the state, and you'll mostly need to file the tax returns on your own. Familiarize yourself with Georgia's tax policies by visiting https://dor.georgia.gov/business-taxes. Alternatively, you can visit IRS online to learn more about taxes.

 

How to Get Clients for a Lawn Mowing Business?

A critical aspect of how to run a successful lawn care business is getting clients, which can be challenging, especially during the initial startup process. Nonetheless, you can implement some practical tips to help you attract customers to your business. 

  • Use multiple marketing strategies – Lawn mowing services face stiff competition, and you need to establish a marketing mix that works for your company. That means combining digital marketing and traditional marketing techniques (such as print media) to advertise your services effectively. 

  • Create a website - It's critical to have an online presence for your target clients to remotely search for your lawn care services. Hence, create a website with a domain name that matches your brand name. Maintaining a website also bolsters your SEO strategy, increasing your leads and conversion rates. Besides, a website enables you to create valuable content, such as blogs  and company descriptions. With such content, your web visitors will view your company as a professional and authoritative brand. 

  • Offer discounts – Everyone loves discounts.  Customers who get discounts will be sure to recommend their friends and colleagues to your business. There are many discount options for a lawn care business - examples are new customer discounts, frequent/loyal customer discounts, multiple lawn care project discounts, and so on. 

  • Claim your business on review sites – You can create your business page on company review websites like Yelp to increase your visibility in local searches. Once you've created the page, you can upload business photos, customize the page, and run ad campaigns. That improves customer-brand interactions, giving your business credibility and authority.

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