Interested in starting own business (Ontario)

[x-treme]

I stumbled upon this site today after looking aimlessly for some sort of advice on groundskeeping/lanscaping. All I can say is, Wow!

I'm gearing this question towards Ontario individuals who have started their own business. How did you did get started?

I would like to begin my own business, starting off small, and taking it from there.

Personally, I believe I'm late in the season (almost end of May now) to begin thinking about starting my own little business for the summer, because of all the potential competition already being advertised; however I have this itch that is encouraging me to try it, whatever the consequences may be.

I don't know how else to say this, but where do I begin? I have no background in this field whatsoever, but the more I read, the more fascinated I become.

Please help!
Thanks.

[googleplex]

x,

you won't believe how much work you can pick-up (over time) by just being reliable. It's the most common thing customers say to me. "I was waiting on this other guy for two weeks." "No-one else returned my phone-calls." So, do what you say you will.
And, to start: take the 'little' jobs that others don't want.

Hope it helps,
Patrick

PS: READ everything you can here - theres an unbelievable amount of info here!

[x-treme]

googleplex,

Thank you for replying. I appreciate your comments.

I still have alot of research to do, but is there a FAQ section that describes techniques/style for groundskeeping/landscaping?

I'm still searching...

[Barry Ashbrook]

I'm new as well and still learning and reading here. Use the thread search at the top. Type in whatever you're looking for. An abundance of info here. Best of luck to you!!

[Phil Nilsson]

Start with a business plan ... do the projected income and expense first ... where will your funds come from, where will they go ... number of customers needed ... etc.

Read Mini-Seminar # 11 on Business Planning at this link

http://www.lawnserviceforum.com/showthread.php?p=58107#post58107

Phil

[googleplex]

x,
I don't know of any Faq's offhand - search the web, and ask lots of questions.
Deciding on what you want to focus on - mowing or landscaping - will help. I'd say mowing - and try to pick up landcaping jobs from your mowing customers. Even if it's only mulch installs, topsoil delivery, aerations, fall cleanups or shrub trimming - the additional work will be gravy for you. \
So, try to target areas/neighborhoods to work in. Even at a minimum of 25$ (just a number - find out what people will pay) per yard you can make some good money with a nice, tight route.
Around here (Ottawa) the guys with big dump-trucks are charging $120 for the first yard of soil. If you have a 1-ton, you can pick up a lot of small delivery jobs.

Any other questions, just ask (and read through the archives)

[Phil Nilsson]

Starting late in the season to launch a business ... this question came up last year ...

Do a search words ... line marking ... here's an entry I posted on that ...

"When I was in the landscape bizz, I also had a line marking and pavement sweeping division ... over this weekend if I get a chance, I'll post in some basic tips that might help. I take it you already looked at Trusco Manufacturing in Ocala, FL. Not a bad way to start, airless (no motor) striping machines ... you should be able to earn anywhere from $45.00 to around $65.00 per hour for time, plus materials added on top of that. But you must price the work on a fixed basis. Count all parking space lines as a line (4 inches wide by 18 feet long) then measure all other lines like road dividers and curbs convert to 20 foot lengths for convenience (roundups) to get total "lines" equivalents."

You can sell this service just about anytime in season and it will lead to commercial contacts for other maintenance work.

Read all entries on search words ... line marking ... for the full story.

Here's a link to Trusco ... to see what it's all about http://members.atlantic.net/~trusco/

[TROY J INGRAM]

great info!!!!!!!!!!!

[Phil Nilsson]

You got it ... on rain days go out and scout for lots that need repainting ... (parking lots are all over the place!) work up a price right on the spot, walk in, hand it to the "manager" on a biz card ... call them back in a week ... some jobs are small and they'll say yeah you're right the lines need to be done ... and ... if your price is for a small lot ... lets say under $300 or so ... (it might not go out to bids ... why bother just to save $50 bucks or whatever) you'll get the go ahead without too much fuss. Schedule a week turnaround time ... these jobs are "no rush" so they fit in well starting around July when grass slows down.

You'll never be standing there again asking yourself what to do on a rain day ... this stuff is relatively easy sell ... and since it may have been two or three, maybe four years since the last line painting ... nobody remembers who did it last ... so a new person has no problem ...

[BCSteel]

The best time to start up is NOW! If you have no experience, I'd suggest working for another company for a year or two while getting yours off the ground. I only found these sites a couple days ago and there is a lot of info here. A good way to find out about your new to you questions is to use the search function or else you may start to catch a lot of flack from people who have been answering the same start up questions over and over. That being said, dont be afraid to ask any questions about anything. There will always be someone who has just been in your position and is willing to help you out.

On line marking, I never even thought about that. I only do strata maintenance and they all have dull fading lines in their parking lots. This would seem like a perfect add on to my maintenance that I am doing. Thanks for the awesome idea!! I am going to give it some serious thought.

[Phil Nilsson]

On line marking, I never even thought about that. I only do strata maintenance and they all have dull fading lines in their parking lots. This would seem like a perfect add on to my maintenance that I am doing. Thanks for the awesome idea!! I am going to give it some serious thought.

It's easy work ... takes a eye for detail, being careful with the paint materials, but as said parking lots are abundant! Leads to commercial contacts ... winter & summer. We did it and later added pavement sweeping (Tennant ride-on equipment) works great does a good job. Pricing the work is a snap ... as well. From there you can go after parking lot litter "routes" ... pavement repairs, fixing cracks, pot hole repairs, blacktop sealing ... stuff like that. Adds a whole new "dimension" to any landscape outfit. If you're really ambitious ... do homeowner blacktop driveway installs too.

[BCSteel]

Whoa there, I'm just a solo flyer but there surely is a whole 'nother aspect to the maintenance business that I didn't even consider. Particularily appealing is the leads to other landscape maintenance contracts. Now to find a line sprayer dealer here in BC...

Truly I am excited about this and hopefully it will work out.

[Phil Nilsson]

You've got to be kidding me ... of COURSE it will work out!