Start an Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care Business
One way that you can differentiate your business from the competition is by becoming an environmentally friendly lawn care business.
Some savvy lawn care business owners are starting to brand themselves as 'Green' lawn care companies. And in this case 'green' does not just refer to the color of the grass that they cut or the color of the money that they rake in. Eco-friendly lawn care is definitely a growth market and several national franchises that cater specifically to this niche have sprung up in the past five years.
Let's consider how you can benefit by branding your business as an eco-friendly lawn care provider. We'll also provide a few tips on the services that you might offer and how you can brand yourself as being eco-friendly.
Capture the 'Green' Niche Market
The big advantage for a lawn care operation to target this niche market is of course that people are prepared to pay a premium price. Wealthy households are usually sympathetic to environmental causes and should be prepared to pay a little more for this kind of specialized service. If they are not really concerned then they at least want all their friends and neighbors to think that they are concerned. Having your vehicle parked outside with your 'carbon neutral' lawn care service branding all over it is a great way for a household to let people know that they are a family that cares about the earth.
Environmentally Friendly Equipment
One way to be more environmentally friendly is to use electric equipment instead of equipment that is powered by fossil fuels. The problem with electric equipment though is that it needs to be recharged and this can be a problem while you are out on the road. However, some lawn care operators are finding innovative solutions to this problem. At least one company has installed solar panels on their trucks for recharging their gear.
Electric mowers, edgers and blowers as well as a variety of other lawn and garden equipment are now available. They offer solutions that are not only quieter but also produce fewer emissions. Some lawn care companies are also using lawn mowers that runs on bio diesel.
Efficient Vehicles
Your vehicles must also play the part and demonstrate that you are conscious of reducing your consumption of fossil fuels. Go for good fuel economy and consider getting a hybrid or an electric vehicle if you can get something large enough to fit your gear. Let your customers know that you use the latest route planning software to minimize your travelling time and fuel consumption.
Organic Fertilizer
Other lawn care and landscaping businesses are taking an environmental approach by going into organic fertilizers.
Made up from 100% organic material these fertilizers can be more expensive and sometimes not as effective. For this reason it is important to consult with clients on what they can expect from organic fertilizers to avoid disappointment.
You can also go over the advantages of eco-friendly lawn care solutions with them too. Many households feel that these products create a 'chemical free' environment in their garden so that children and pets can play safely.
Yard Waste
The best place for leaves and lawn clippings to go is back into the local eco-system. You should encourage all of your clients to have a compost pile on their property. Then you can add 'compost maintenance' to your growing list of services.
Green Marketing
When it comes to marketing you will want to stay away from printed materials as much as possible. While you can find printing companies that try to reduce their environmental impact, printing is never going to be 100% earth friendly. Avoid flyers and brochures and go with other promotional strategies such as online marketing. Don't give your customers a chance to call you a hypocrite.
Water Conservation
Part of caring for the environment is the conservation of water. Lawn care businesses are responding to changing attitudes by offering irrigation solutions that use a lot less water than before. Before having an irrigation system installed, customers will likely want to know how much water the system will use and if water consumption can be minimized.
Work with other Environmentally Friendly Businesses
Lawn care operators can strengthen their clean, 'green' reputations by working together with other environmentally conscious companies. Teaming up with a company doing solar panel installation is one good example.
Offset Emissions
If you do want to be 100% carbon neutral then you may have to consider offsetting the carbon emissions from your vehicles by purchasing carbon credits through an organization like Carbonfund.org.
Lawn care businesses who position themselves to exploit this niche in the long run will do well as there are always customers who will pay a premium price for this kind of unique service. Consider starting a lawn mowing business that is clean, green and good for the earth and you may just find that it is good for your bank account as well.
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Starting a Lawn Care Business in California
By Steve Sutherland
How can someone who really has no savings or financial backing start a lawn mowing service? The lawn mowing industry is pretty easy to get into due to the low start up investment required. However, there are still startup costs involved and if you really have no funding then you need to find ways of getting around them. Here are some ideas for those who don't have a lot of money and want to start a lawn mowing business on a budget.
Equipment on a Budget
Make use of any lawn care equipment that you or your family members already have. Supplement this by shopping around for some quality used equipment.
It is likely that many people that you know have expensive lawn care equipment lying around that they hardly use. They may be happy to see a friendly entrepreneur put their gear to use, especially if you offer to mow their lawns or do some other work on their property for free
You could even take this idea one step further. Look for customers who are able to provide you with equipment to use in return for a decent discount on their lawns. Using this method you don't need to transport equipment between jobs. You could even ride a bike or walk between lawn mowing jobs if you can organize a route that is within a reasonable distance of your home.
Cut Down your Transportation Costs
One of the major costs involved with a new lawn mowing venture is transportation and the high costs of running a vehicle. Being able to walk between jobs is ideal but with so much heavy equipment involved you have to have your jobs in a very small area. If you make residents in your street and nearby streets an offer to mow their lawns at a price that they can't refuse you may find that all your jobs are so close together that you can get around on foot until you can afford a vehicle.
Information and Guidance
Make use of the Internet to get the lawn business startup information that you need for free.
Try to find a mentor in the lawn care industry. If your story is interesting enough or you are able to prove that you have the desire to succeed then they may agree to offer you free coaching and guidance.
Advertising on a Shoestring Budget
If you want to get started in a lawn mowing business cheaply then you need to look into the free advertising methods that are available. Look into using home made flyers, community notice boards, and personal introductions. Walk around your area and chat to residents whenever possible. Talk to everyone that you know in your target area and ask them to spread the word.
You can also make use of the Internet to generate leads from prospects in your area by using websites like Craigslist that allow you to advertise for free. Design a website on a free platform such as Weebly.com and learn how to use free and low budget methods to drive targeted traffic to it. Email everyone in your contact list and let them know that you are starting a lawn care service.
Other Startup Expenses
While you can delay some of the startup expenses for your lawn business don't wait too long as you could end up taking unnecessary risks. Establish a legal business structure as soon as possible to avoid getting into trouble with the IRS. Get licensed if this is a requirement in your area. You will also be taking risks at first if you don't have proper insurance so you should aim to get the appropriate cover as soon as possible.
As the money starts to come in it is important that you set aside some for reinvestment into your lawn business. By starting out on a budget you will not be able to purchase the best equipment and other systems such as software that can increase lawn business productivity considerably. You will also not have the funds to spend on creating a professional looking appearance for your business so you need to invest in branding and marketing as soon as you can as well.
If you are determined to start a lawn mowing service on a budget then there are numerous ways to do it. Once you get some experience, build up a reputation with your customers and save some money then you can slowly finance yourself into a more professional operation.
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Lawn Care Business Startup Costs
Lawn Care Business Grants, Loans and Financing
Making a 'Six Figure' Lawn Care Income
Buying Lawn Care AccountsReasons for Lawn Care Business Failure
Start an Environmentally Friendly Lawn Care Business
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Starting a Lawn Mowing Service - Finding Business Information
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Now find out which lawn care business guide I recommend above all of the others. For details CLICK HERE