Starting a Landscape Gardening Business - the basics

by Startacus Admin

Starting a Landscape Gardening Business - the basics...

Finance

If you want to be able to turn your idea into something real, you have to think about finance...Some of the first questions you will need to ask yourself are:

• How much everything is going to cost to set up? How much equipment do you need?

• How much would you need to make each month to break even / make profit? Have you decided if you will pay yourself a guaranteed wage each month or will your wage be paid when and if you can afford it?

• Would you consider employing anyone else - a part time gardener?

• How much capital would you need to start the business and how do you intend to raise the finance to do this? Have you considered a startup loan or other financing options?

• Do you need to join any gardening organisations / gain any certificates / specific horticultural qualifications how do you get them and how much do they cost to do?

• Plenty of Insurance costs to consider - liability cover, accident etc - and so on - it might be best to get professional advice on this...

Design and Marketing

• Have you created a Market strategy?

• Do you have any existing contacts in gardening industry you can speak to - get some free press from / get any cheeky contacts / business from?

• How will you use Social Media to promote your business? Facebook Page, Twitter account?

• How will you market your landscape gardening business ? Press releases, launch day, local newspaper? Do you have a unique story to tell that would have the press more receptive to telling your tale?

• Could you hand out flyers, post flyers around the local neighborhood, get flyers included in the local newspaper - at a cost of course!

• Can you have a mailing system / e-marketing system to email special offers to existing customers? Have you considered how you will be able to build repeat business?

• For 1st time customers could you offer a special introductory offer?

• Are there any large employers based locally that might need a contract gardener / landscape gardener?

Business Practicals

Red Tape to some - protecting yourself to others! You might want to consider:

• The legalities of working as a landscape gardener

• The legalities involved with employing any staff

• Company policies - health and safety, data protection etc

• Do you have a bespoke database to records your customer details

• How will you charge customers - can they book online?

• Will you work as a sole trader or ltd. company. Have you set up a business bank account? What bank would give you the best offer?

In fairness the checklist above could go on and on....however, if you are still keen to start a landscape gardening business, we hope that it helps you out along the way!

Check out the Startacus business toolkitfor a growing directory of all the business bits and bobs, links and articles you may need - no matter what business you are considering starting.

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Published on: 26th July 2013