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You’ll either want to pursue hands-on experience via working for another landscaping company or offering to serve as an apprentice to a practicing landscaper. Or, you can attend a technical school and take classes specifically focused on landscape design and business practices. All of the information that you gain will help you to make smart choices about the services that you can offer. Many people assume that landscaping is simply gardening, but there is much more there. In fact, as a landscaper you may work with building design and irrigation, making engineering an attractive college major for some. It is fine to start your business by simply offering to mow lawns, however, at some point you will likely need to expand your services in order to compete and survive. Consider what you are interested in and weigh whether or not to add in chemical application services (pest, weed), landscape design, or even sod installation.  Starting with one specialty and expanding out to others is a good way to ensure that you don’t get in over your head and that the quality remains high. As you are considering scale, you will also want to think about how far you are willing to travel to do your job. This will be your “territory” and can expand or compress, as needed, but setting an initial boundary will give you an idea as to your potential customer base and their needs. If you have little experience starting up a business and don’t mind adopting someone else’s model, a franchise might be the way to go. This is where you essentially pay to follow the guidelines, and get the name recognition, of an existing company, such as TruGreen. Another option is to purchase a local business that isn’t doing too well. You can take over their existing customers and insert new capital into their model. Unless you’ve saved a sufficient amount of money, you will likely need to get a small business loan, from a bank or other lender, in order to start your business and keep it running. Make sure that you understand the details of any loans that you take out and keep in mind that you will need to pack back these monies. A simple, one-person lawn mowing business may cost around $500 to start up and run, whereas an existing business or franchise purchase could easily top $100,000. The more services that you offer, the more likely it is that you will need some type of specialty licensing from your state or local government. Check with you local Chamber of Commerce to ask about licensing in your area.  Some states requirement that landscapers possess a contractor’s license, like New York, whereas others require a nursery license if you wish to sell plants, such as Colorado.  If you are even considering working with pesticides or fertilizers, you will likely need a license and possibly even additional training focusing on the handling of hazardous materials. You will want both professional indemnity and public liability insurance for your business. You will want to secure these before accepting your first clients for both their protection and yours. Professional indemnity insurance will provide you will support in the case of a financial disagreement with a client. Public liability insurance will cover you for any accidents that occur on the job. It is a good idea to shop around to find the best rates as this will be a significant business expense. You may already have a few of the basics, so start keeping a list of additional items that you would like to purchase down the line, such as a cutting machine. Once you’ve assessed your tools, decide on a mode of transport and storage, whether that is a van or perhaps a pick-up truck.  Make sure that your overnight storage is secure or you may find yourself without any tools. And, you will want your tools protected from the elements as well, or they won’t last as long. Many landscapers save money by renting out large equipment, such as cement mixers, for a particular job when needed. They include the rental charges with the cost of an estimate, thereby saving money. Search out a trade group, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals, pay the membership fee and participate in the activities. This is a great way to establish contacts with other landscape specialists, who may be able to refer business to you. It is also a smart place to find a potential mentor in the field. Most trade groups also offer professional development opportunities, which is a good way to stay updated on any new advances in landscaping, such as eco-landscaping techniques.
Learn about landscaping. Decide on the scale of your business/services offered. Consider franchising. Secure funding to begin your business. Check for licensing requirements. Get insured. Gain access to the necessary tools and equipment. Get involved with a trade organization.