Starting a Mowing Service

[dwilcox]

I wanted to ask if anyone could give me some information about starting a Lawn Serivce Business. I already have a truck and trailor and nice mowers. I am only going to offer lawn mowing- nothing else. Do I need anything to start up this business? Since I'm not fertalizing or doing anything but cutting grass, what all do I need? I live in Ohio and just would like to know how to start doing this legally. Can I just make business cards and run adds, and mow yards legally? Any advice on what I need to do step by step would be greatly appreciated! Dan

[lw4259]

get a business plan

Ok lets see what do you call a good lawn mower?

I have a couple of 48" an 52" mowers oh yeah an a little one 21" for the tight spots. Blowers are needed do a search you will see alot of opinions on which ones to buy. Trimmer are need as well. Ok how do you plan to transport the blower an timmer, rack are available dont let them bang around in the truck or trailer. Of course ediger an trimmer are nice to have too as some customer will ask for it an what they hey cant say no to making money.

Now advertise dollars where you going to advertise. How about getting some liablility insurance dont want to punch out a rock an hit a car or even worse a person. Then you will need a tax number, an keep records. this can go on an on.

Of course you could do nothing on the above and sell your time cheaply. Quickly go out of business because you are not covering cost or making a enough profit to expand someday.

Take your time before you just jump in, read alot of the thread here an then once you get a handle on it proceed.

Lee

[dwilcox]

Mowers

I have two John Deer Zero Turn Radious 52" Lawn Tractors, and two Honda Powered Sears Push mowers, brand new. Two new blowers and 4 Edge Hog Weed Eaters. I have a Trailor with side racks that hols the blowers and trimmers, and locks on the bed for the tractors. I've done lots of mowing for people, but it has always just been word of mouth. I call them, and we set up a time and price. Never much, but could I start printing flyers and run some ads, and just mow like I have been on a larger scale? Or do I have to get a tax number, business license and all that type stuff?

[lw4259]

hum.... home owner equipment, it can get you started but in the long run it will break down. Commerical equipment is a better way in the long run they cost more but last longer. Lawn tractor, you might do better with a wb mower, i am not familar is that tracter a real ztr like what exmark or scag sell. My point is you dont want to spend all day mowing, get the right equipment an you can make money.

"do I have to get a tax number, business license and all that type stuff?"

yup!

[Elwood]

The first thing you need to do is figure out what to charge for your services AND how you came up with that price.

Calculate ALL your costs involved, estimate your man hours and see what it costs you PER MAN HOUR to operate. Add in the desired profit, as long as your market will bear your price and you are set.

Track your time, work time as well as travel time, become as efficient as possible, keep your costs down and learn how business operates.

Once you switch from "making a few bucks" to operating a business, the rules of the game change and it gets harder. Your company needs to support itself, its employees AND you!

Good Luck and read a lot here. This is a great place!