How to Start a Mowing Business

by Sam Ashe-Edmunds

Starting a lawn care business requires taking numerous, generic business steps in addition to addressing the specifics of beginning a mowing service. You'll need to consider the licenses, permits, insurance and taxes that apply to any business. You'll also need to address the basic marketing and finance aspects of your business. All of this will require upfront researching and planning. Advertising your business without the proper planning can lead to unforeseen problems from which you might not be able to recover.

1. Calculate how much profit you will need to make for the business to be successful for you. Profit is the amount of money you'll have left over after you have paid all of your taxes and expenses, which might include health insurance and other benefits, if you choose to offer yourself any.

2. Develop a budget for your business. Divide your expenses into fixed and variable costs. Fixed expenses are any regularly occurring expenses, such as monthly payments on equipment you purchase on time or lease, insurance premiums, advertising or health insurance. You can spread out one- or two-time payments, such as insurance premiums, in your budget. If your insurance will be $600 per year, put $50 per month into your budget. Variable expenses only occur when work takes place. For example, you will only use gasoline when you have jobs. Meet with a tax attorney or accountant to calculate tax benefits, such as write-offs and depreciation. These will help you lower your tax burden and help you create a more accurate budget.

3. Calculate your projected revenue. You will need to generate more revenue than the amount of expenses you have to break even, based on your tax burden. Work with your accountant to finalize your budget.

4. File the appropriate paperwork for any business licenses or permits you may need. You will find most of these online. Go to your town's website to find the procedures and fees for operating a business in the town limits. Even if you plan to mow outside the town limits, if your office is in your home, you may need a business license. Visit your state's secretary of state website. You can incorporate online in many states if you plan on incorporating your business. Visit the Internal Revenue Service website to obtain an employer identification number if you plan on incorporating. You will need an Employee Identification Number if you incorporate, even if you don't have employees.

5. Research your market. Consider working for another landscaping service in your area to learn the ropes and local clientele. Take courses at your local community college or those offered by nurseries. Visit the website of potential competitors to learn their pricing and service structure. Develop a pricing schedule for your services. Use this fee schedule to asses whether your budget and revenue projections are realistic.

6. Develop a marketing plan. Consider your brand--you may sell yourself as low-cost, local, complete service, family-run, high-end or any other features that set you apart from the competition. Create a website and research how to put keywords on it that will increase traffic to your site. Research Google AdSense tools for help in this area. Create a marketing budget, including prices for printing fliers and business cards, truck magnets, yard signs and any advertising you intend to purchase.

7. Open a post office box to look more professional and avoid using your home address on business cards, your website, fliers, checks. Open a bank account, even if you are doing business under a non-registered name, so you can accept checks written to your business name.

8. Purchase or lease your equipment. You may need a lawnmower, sprayers, edging tool gas cans, weed trimmers, clippers, gloves, hedge trimmers, shovels, rakes, extension cords, tarps, debris bags and a leaf blower. Don't buy used or bargain-priced equipment, advises Patrick Head, owner of Patrick Head Landscaping of Roswell, Georgia. Your loss of income and repair bills from cheap equipment might easily be more than the money you saved on its purchase. Head recommends buying new equipment and replacing it every two to three years.

9. Locate communities, subdivisions or neighborhoods you think have the potential to offer you multiple clients and offer to do one customer for free, in exchange for leaving a small sign on the lawn each day you do their service. Word-of-mouth referrals are key to growing a mowing business, according to Head. Place fliers around your service area, distribute business cards to friends and purchase ads in media you chose during your market research.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • tondre le gazon image by fotogisÃ¨le from
Suggest an Article Correction