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.
If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...
Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.
Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.
SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.
Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future
A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated
Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 26th July 2013
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.