How Much Does it Cost To Start a Lawn Care Business
In this video, I’m going to give you the most common expenses you will have when starting YOUR lawn care business. I’m also going to give you some tips and tricks on how to REDUCE YOUR costs, so you can have more money in YOUR pocket at the end of the year.
This is a rabbit hole of expenses, but what I’m going to share with you is what I believe is a good balance between having good enough equipment to do the job efficient and be comfortable while not overbuying.
Disclaimer: What I’m not going to give you is an option for a yard sale push mower, an electric weedeater you found in your grandpas garage, and a broom to sweep up grass clippings.
With that in mind I’m going to give you the 4 most common expenses as well as an option for how to reduce those expenses.
1. Lawn Mowing Equipment
The first price I’m going to give you is what I would recommend, the second price will be if you do this on a shoestring budget.
Best Value Option: A no bells and whistle, reliable commercial mower 5k, 2 weed eaters 400, a stick edger 225, backpack blower 350, and a backup hand held blower 200.
The reason I recommend this option is because it strikes a balance between giving you quality equipment to be productive and comfortable, while also providing some much needed backup equipment.
Total Equipment Cost to go this route: $6,200
Budget Option: Used residential grade zero turn mower 1500-2k, PAS or COMBI system weed eater and edger 400, a hand held blower 200.
If you can find a homeowner that is moving, you can get a really good deal on some used residential grade zero turn mowers. Having one weedeater is not ideal, but you can do it. I’m leaving a stick edger in here, because it reduces so much liability rather than using a weedeater or string trimming… I think it’s a necessity. I actually started with just a handheld blower, so it can be done.
Total Equipment cost to go this route: $2,600
2. Truck and Trailer
Best Value Option: No bells and whistles, used pickup truck and utility trailer
The reason I recommend this option is people WAY OVERBUY in this area. It’s completely unnecessary when starting your business.
If you have a reliable pickup and trailer already great, but if not:
Best Value Option: 15k
Budget Option: You can find a beater off craigslist and have it repainted for less than 1k. My disclaimer is you are rising break downs, but it may be worth it in the beginning just to get up and running.
Spending less money on a smaller utility trailer to save a few extra dollars is not wise. I really think a 6x12 is the minimum you should go, so let’s stick with that.
Budget Option: 5k
3. So now you have your equipment, a truck and a trailer.. now what? Marketing!
Best Value Option: Have a good website built for SEO 2k, EDDM Post cards $1k
The reason I recommend this option is because a good website pays for itself over and over again with leads and phone calls. It’s just about a necessity to break into any market.
Cost: 3k
Budget Option: Build your own website and work to learn SEO, distribute your own postcards on foot, use FB and social media.
Whenever I first started, me and my family literally walked door to door and handed out postcards and flyers in person. It worked. You can get a lot of post cards printed up for a couple hundred dollars.
Budget website by building yourself. I also created our first website, and it actually did very well. So, it can be done. But as quick as you can get a quality website that is ranking the better.
COST: $500
4. Being an ACTUAL BUSINESS
Guys, if you want to “START A LAWN BUSINESS” then you need a business license or “EIN”.
You need to decide if you want to be a Sole proprietor, LLC, or C Corp.
You need a general liability insurance policy from day one.
Best Value Option: There are varying costs depending on your business structure, but the best value would be to start an LLC and have a basic liability policy.
COST: $1,250.
Budget Option: There is no budget option here. You have to be legitimate, and you NEED insurance from day one.
Cost: $1,250
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CONSULTING:
Hello!!!
I have had to start charging, because of the amount of calls I receive.
For $60, you can ask me anything during a 20-30 minute phone consult.
Would love to help your lawn business grow.
Be blessed,
Jonathan C. Christian