During your childhood you have probably occasionally helped your neighbours clean up their gardens and yards, and got some nice pocket money. So, if you are still in love with nature and landscaping, then starting this kind of business is just right for you. Here are some important steps you need to follow.
Purchase the equipment
To start a business you will need quality equipment. Of course, every piece of your equipment does not have to be brand new, most of them you can get from various yard sales but still of top-notch quality. Think about what kind of services you want to provide and buy the equipment accordingly.
However, some of the essential pieces are: lawn mower (you need a quality one because cutting grass is important part of your work. Also, have varieties of types so you could adjust to any terrain), edger (make sure to have a gas-powered one and it will help you trim the edges), gardening tools (you will need a shovel, rake and weed puller), safety gear (safety goggles, gloves and hearing protection are necessary when operating machinery) and transportation (depending on the amount of the equipment and people that work for you; a truck, large van or trailer, your choice). Also, consider getting the insurance for your equipment to protect it against issues like breakdowns and theft.
Set up your prices and think about taxes
When coming up with the optimal pricing you will need to consider materials, labour, equipment and any other extra and unexpected costs that could occur. Also, you will have to know in advance the approximate price of you services, so you would be ready to answer the questions of your customers. Another important cost is paying taxes. Since you are starting a business, you have to pay taxes and you need to have a tax identification number. You can apply on the IRS website, or you could simply fax or e-mail a completed required form.
Get proper licensing
These days you need a license for everything. Inform yourself and obtain a proper license for your business. Sydney’s company for landscape design can provide you with all the information needed. Some of the common regulations include the use of fertilizers and pesticides (because some of them contain toxic chemicals which can contaminate water supplies), waste removal (landscaping involves a lot of excess dirt, grass clippings, broken branches and you need to find out how your city expects you to deal with them) and contractor license (because you are now a contractor and some states require the license for that).
Design the landscapes
When it comes to landscaping it involves more than just taking care of the lawns and other plants. You need to know how to balance objects and plants in the garden and how to achieve certain effects with lighting and colours. Talk to your customer, make sure to understand properly what they want to do with the space, make the designs and let the customer decide. Making designs also includes estimating of the needed time for a certain project. Be honest with yourself and down to earth, estimate the time and the costs so both you and your customer would not be surprised or faced with inconveniences.
After all this planning, buying and estimating, all is left is to advertise your business the best you can. If you are creative and hard-working you will certainly succeed in this eco-friendly business.
