Starting up?!

[simplygreen]

I am exploring the possibilities of starting a lawn business and don't know where to start. I have all the equipment and have about 25 acres of cuts lined up almost by accident. The problem is I don't know how much to really charge, taxes, insurances advertising etc.

[qualitylandscaping]

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Welcome to the community simplygreen!![]

For mowing rate guidelines visit my website: www.geocities.com/qualitylandscaping2001/guide.html

You need to file a DBA (Doing Business As) and tax start-up. You cannot charge taxes until you have registered your business and are paying business taxes.

For insurance, get at least $750,000 business liability insurance.

Advertising methods include: flyers, direct-mail, cold calling, newspaper and pennysaver ads, and phone book listing. Of course the best method is word of mouth recommendation.

That should get you started. Good Luck!

[T-S]

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sound advice qualityland

[TerraCare]

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I wish I got 25 acres by accident


um what qualitylandscaping said... but how old are you? It is VERY difficult to get 750,000 insurance around here when you are 16 and have little to no work experience. I cut a break with my insurance because the guy I had worked for before gave my proof of 3 years experience but had I not done all that or he didnt give proof, we couldnt have gotten any more than 250,000 for 1900 a year. We are now sitting on a million dollars of insurance for just 900/year. Insurance is no good, but you DEFINITELY need it. It is really risky in this business, especially if your mower kicks something up at someone and they get injured. Good luck! Sounds like you are off to a great start!

todd

[qualitylandscaping]

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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">um what qualitylandscaping said... but how old are you? It is VERY difficult to get 750,000 insurance around here when you are 16 and have little to no work experience. I cut a break with my insurance because the guy I had worked for before gave my proof of 3 years experience but had I not done all that or he didnt give proof, we couldnt have gotten any more than 250,000 for 1900 a year. We are now sitting on a million dollars of insurance for just 900/year. Insurance is no good, but you DEFINITELY need it. It is really risky in this business, especially if your mower kicks something up at someone and they get injured. Good luck! Sounds like you are off to a great start!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

TerraCare,

Is that question directed at me or simplygreen?

[cole1980]

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Todd,
Despite your age, you should be able to get insurance, especially if you are over 16. Get on the net. and check out liability business insurance. It may be a little higher because you are younger, but not to bad of a difference. And as quality said, at least $750,000 coverage. It is not that much more than a $500,000 policy.

[CCLS]

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Check larger insurance companys, they are more willing to give coverage to teenagers.

[TerraCare]

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ah geez... we almost gave up on commercial accounts this year because we went through a company named GIS. The best quote we could get for 250,000 insurance was 1700. That price made me want to scream obsceneties! Quality.. the question was directed to the author of the post. I am assuming you already possess insurance

Todd

[2guysmowin]

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are you guys quoting liability and commercial property as your pay or just liability...b/c that is really expensive to just be liability...I was quoted $350 for just liability with my ins. company...just wondering???

[threeponys]

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Hello to everyone:
Been cutting for a few years now, only to get serious about it last year. Last year was very good and I actually started late (May). Now looking at the insurance also along with hiring 2 - 3 people.
Great forum here as I've already seen the light in many areas. One being I should have done this as young as Steve K.

2guysmowing ...... what insurance co. you speaking with?

Rich

[GrassMaster]

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<b>Welcome to the Lawnservicing Forum Community, threeponys!</b> []

[Phil Nilsson]

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The place to start with your bizz is to become an EXPERT at estimating the jobs and this expertise then leads to intelligently pricing the work.