Landscaping Business Expenses

Plunging into entrepreneurial waters demands forethought, ambition, and diligence. These components are at the heart of a profitable business. If you’re considering launching a landscaping business, you’ll need to embody all three values. From there, you can pursue the next course of action: creating a detailed inventory of expenses. Developing a list of necessary materials will help you gauge start-up estimates, maintain ongoing costs, and institute investment strategies. Here are some staple items, both tangible and intangible, that you’ll need to account for when starting a new landscaping company.

Lawnmower

Most obviously, a lawnmower. Lawn maintenance goes hand in hand with landscaping, so you’ll want to ensure that your lawnmower is reliable and up to snuff. Some of the more advanced models include self-propelled wheels and electric starters. For an optimal lawnmowing experience, look into riding lawnmowers. In essence, a landscaper is only as good as his lawnmower, making this tool an essential expense.

Leaf Blower

Leaf blowers have long trumped rakes and are helpful implements in removing grass and leaves from driveways and walkways. Any groundskeeper worth their salt owns a leaf blower, so you should add it to your arsenal of equipment as well.

Edger

Edgers are neat utensils that keep lawns looking pristine. Gas-powered edgers are exceptionally convenient and worth looking into. In addition to edging sidewalks and driveways, edgers also double as weed whackers, allowing you to get more bang for your buck.

Trailer

As your business grows, you’ll acquire more materials. In an effort to house your equipment, a trailer may be necessary. More importantly, a trailer makes it easier to transport your items. Investing in a truck or trailer is a surefire way to carry your supplies from one location to the next.

Marketing

Marketing is a savvy business tactic that startup companies religiously employ. Advertising helps with exposure and, in turn, allows your business to thrive. While the efficacy of word of mouth marketing has been proven, you’ll amass a larger clientele via social media marketing, handing out business cards, and creating a website. If you consider yourself inept when it comes to marketing, you may need to enlist help from an advertising specialist. This tacks on to the marketing expenses.

Safety Equipment

While working on-site, your safety is of paramount importance. You should always safeguard against unknowns and hazardous plants. From poison ivy to sharp branches, your arms, legs, and face are susceptible to harm. With that said, purchasing safety equipment is a no-brainer. This equipment runs the gamut from goggles to gloves.

Labor

At first, you may be keen on the idea of running your business solo. However, if your business begins booming, it may become infeasible to get jobs done single-handedly. As a result, you’ll need to assemble a team of laborers. Said team will need to be compensated, and you’ll likely need to offer benefits. Depending on your finances, an hourly contract may be the only viable option. In any case, labor is a significant expense. In the same breath, it’s also the most rewarding as it promises expediency and efficiency.

Administration

If your company really takes off, additional employment may be warranted. From fielding questions to answering calls, you’ll have numerous tasks to juggle on top of performing landscaping duties. If you bring an administration team on, you’ll need an office space. The size of your team will dictate the amount of office space you need. Additional costs you should expect include computer, software, rental fees, landscaping business insurance, professional dues, and phone system.