Dont know where to start to open landscape company?

Question

I am located in Palatine IL and am very excited to start a new faze in my carrier. My brother and I want to open a lawncare busines, starting in residential and eventually graduate into commercial. I do not know the first step about starting this type of business and whats required (other then the equipment). Can you help me out or point us in the right Direction? I have already incorporated and we have the company name and logo with flyers and cards and also have a friend setting up our website.

I do not know a thing about pricing, insurance requirements, pay for FTE's (full time employees) or what I actually need to open the door. This will be a home based business. The only expierence we have is cutting lawns growing up and maintaining our family and our own lawn's and garden's today. They have told us that we do such a good job, we should start our own business...and you know what? We are ready!

Thanks a million!

mr e-mail is [e-mail]

Answer 1

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -

http://www.developer-resource.com/starti...

Other sites you might find helpful are:

SBA - http://www.sba.gov/

SCORE - http://www.score.org

Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net

Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act...

Goodluck!

Answer 2

http://www.amazon.com/Price-Landscape-Ir...

if you know nothing about pricing, you will NEED this book.  2/3 of new landscape companies are out of business in 3 years due to improper knowledge of estimating and bidding.  buy some other books as well, and do plenty of research on general plant health, construction methods and techniques, fertilizer application rates, and things of that nature.  i would also recommend that you take a few horticulture classes at your local community college.

i don't want to deter you, but there's a lot more to a landscape business than you realize.  if you don't know your stuff, you won't last too long.