With over a million housing units and a growing number of businesses, starting a lawn business in Florida can be a reliable means of getting a steady income. The market base for commercial and residential businesses is sufficient, and your business can thrive.
While starting a lawn business does not need specialized skills or degrees, you need to acquire business permits. You also need other requirements to run your business efficiently. You must research all the legal requirements since laws can change at any time. Here are some of the basic requirements for starting a lawn business in Florida.
1. Decide on Whether You Need to Start a Commercial Lawn Care Business or a Residential Business.
The residential business attracts more clients who pay less compared to what commercial clients would pay. But with more clients, your business will have adequate cash flows. Again, you will enjoy low overheads in your operation. On the other hand, commercial lawn care businesses serve a more extensive clientele. You will need more workforce, enhanced equipment for efficiency, and marketing your business to attract clients. Consequently, your capital input will be higher.
2. Register Your Business Name
The first step is to think of a name that will be the identity of your business. Try out different names that suit your unique business service. Your business name should go hand in hand with a business logo that will identify your business. Once your business name is picked out, strategically place a sign near your business premises to showcase your business to potential clients.
3. Decide on Your Business Structure
You may start your business as a sole proprietor or partner up with a business partner. Your business can also be a corporation. Whatever business structure you decide, always weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each while considering the capital at your disposal, your level of expertise in lawn management as well as your managerial skills.
With partnership businesses or corporations, you can include the necessary agreement for the smooth operation of your business.
4. Register Your Landscaping Business
You need to register your business with the state of Florida. Registration is essential since it keeps your business in the government database. It also gives your business the eligibility it needs.
5. Open Your Business Account
Your lawn business needs a separate account. The bank will open an account with your business name. A business account helps track your business cash inflow and outflows, essential in determining your credit score.
6. Get Information About Taxes
If your business is small, you need to have all the information about the taxes. As a small business, you may not have the resources to hire an accountant. So, you need to know which taxes your business needs to pay, how to file them, and when. When your business grows, you can consider hiring a full-time accountant.
7. Obtain Business Permits
Depending on where you set up your business, you need to get a business permit. You need to apply for a business permit for service-specific clients. Local authorities in Florida will guide you on the necessary permits needed.
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8. Buy Necessary Equipment
To effectively run your business, you need the right tools. Some of the tools you need include leaf blowers, lawnmowers, protective gear like goggles, gloves, and face masks. While purchasing the equipment, ensure you go for durable and long-lasting ones to withstand the amount of work. Unnecessary costs in repairs and acquiring new equipment while operating will cut down on profits and create inefficiencies.
9. Buy a Business Vehicle
Your business needs a vehicle for efficiency and quick services. It will carry equipment and your staff to your client’s destination. You can go a notch higher by branding the vehicle to market your business. With your business vehicle, you may want to consider buying a trailer as well. By buying a trailer, you can be sure to arrive more professional at the job site, and it will make it easier for you to carry your lawn equipment.
10. Obtain Business License
Obtain the necessary business license.
You can process your business license at government offices. You can also visit the offices in your county. Finance departments of county or city councils handle all the licensing requirements.
You may also need another kind of Insurance such as a city license. You need such licenses to operate your business. Even if you are not a resident, you may need it to operate in the state.
Other licenses needed include
- The environmental protection Agency sets standards for herbicides as well as pesticides application.
- Fertilizer application certification. Other states may need these licenses.
- Employer identification number if you need to hire employees who will help in the running of your business. You need to apply to register with IRS to obtain the number.
With such certification, your business will gain credibility and efficiency before your potential clients. You can acquire the business manager certification, exterior technician, Horticulture technician, lawn care technician, and lawn care manager.
11. Get Insurance
Your lawn business needs various insurance covers to run efficiently, such as
Property and damage liability insurance. It protects your business from any financial losses.
Worker’s Insurance protects your workers from any losses.
Health insurance in case you are self-employed. In case you have employees, you can cover them as well.
Insurance firms will offer guidance on the necessary insurance covers you need for your business. The insurance firm will protect your business from various losses that can happen in the line of operation once you are insured. If your business is small, you may not need worker’s Insurance.
12. Market Your Lawn Business
It would help if you marketed your business aggressively to get clients and establish yourself as a brand in the business. You can start by word of mouth to tell your neighbors about your business. Make fliers you can distribute to people around your business. Branding your business cars, equipment, premises, and items such as T-shirts, diaries, and pens will also go a long way in putting you out there.
Other marketing strategies you can use include:
- Placing adverts in local papers
- Paying for advertisement on social media platforms.
- Using influencers on social media
- Asking your clients to give you referrals
- Having testimonials on your website
13. Create a Business Website
Creating a business website for your lawn business gives you a professional appeal. You also get visibility on the internet, where you can reach more clients. A one-page or fully built website shows essential aspects of your business, such as services, testimonials from happy clients, and a work catalog. Linking your social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn are also important. Your social media manager can share your business progress and daily activities with your followers. In this way, your services, business persona, and critical events in your business can reach potential clients.
14. Obtain Landscaping Software
While some small businesses can be content with a computer and an officer to input the necessary equipment purchased, you can purchase landscaping software for your business. Landscaping software will streamline your business operations before you start operations. You get clarity and control of your sales, leads, jobs, and tasks by just using a single software that will make everything easy on your end. You can track the following
- Create estimates
- Place orders
- Automate all the necessary business routines
- Remind your team of the requirements
With such software, your team will work efficiently and within your estimated budget.
Conclusion
A lawn business is a great business opportunity in Florida. With the correct procedure and all the requirements needed, setting up your business takes a short time. If you are undecided or feel financially strained to start, you can always go for credit financing. You must hire professionals with proper background checks to enhance professionalism.
As you start your business, it’s essential to factor in unforeseen events. Seasonal changes such as drought can lead to low customer turnout. Other eventualities, such as new government regulations, can require you to adjust your business. You, therefore, need to be open-minded and ready to learn and adjust to an emerging business environment.