Have you been busy trimming the hedges and planting beautiful flowers in your off-time? If you’ve been running a successful part-time landscaping business, and you’d like to quit the 9-5 grind, then taking your landscaping work to a higher level is the next step.
Landscaping is a great business to get into, as long as you can commit to putting in the work that it takes to run a large-scale enterprise. But, if you’ve been at this for a while, then you already know that it takes perseverance to land jobs, promote yourself, and build relationships in the community.
If you’re ready to take the next step and shake off the weekly work grind, where you don’t have to worry about clocking in and working for “the man,” maybe it’s time for you to step your game up.
The following tutorial will assist you in turning your part-time landscaping business into a profitable full-time business.
Upgrading Your Equipment
If you’ve been doing some basic, part-time landscaping work on the weekends then you probably already have an assortment of tools that you rely on to get these smaller jobs done. But, if you want to get the big jobs, you’re going to need to score some bigger equipment.
Depending on the nature of the work, most bigger jobs will require the transportation of hefty loads of material and machinery. For this, you’ll need a quality work truck capable of transporting trailers and heavier loads.
Since you’re just beginning your expansion, instead of breaking the bank and buying a brand new heavy-duty work truck, you can rent a ½ ton work truck. This cuts the cost in half, and you’ll only need to pay for the rental per your contract agreement when you take on bigger jobs.
In addition, you can also choose to add a magnetic or vinyl logo to the side of the truck. This is great for advertising purposes, and it gives you that professional look that your clients and passers-by will surely notice.
Finding the Big Jobs
While going around from house to house and offering your services is one way to get a bit of business flowing in, you’ll need to think bigger. You’ll also need to think a bit outside the box.
Larger jobs are going to entail working on larger properties. These are places such as apartment complexes, commercial spaces, college or public school campuses, graveyards and large property spreads, even farmhouses and vacation homes.
While you’re in your waxed and polished professional work truck, complete with your logo and all the trimmings, you’ll want to present yourself to the property owners and landlords in the most professional way possible.
Approach all property and business owners with your portfolio and show them your best work. Since you’re just starting out, you might also consider offering a reduced rate if the property owners already have a landscaping service. You might look at this as undercutting the competition, but while you’re trying to establish yourself, this could be a lucrative strategy.
Besides, you can always raise your prices later on as business builds up.
Tying It All Together
While success in any business won’t happen overnight, every action you take toward taking your business from part-time to full-time will be a stone along the path to reaching your goals.
A landscaping business, like all businesses, not only requires proper tools and professionalism, it will require putting yourself out there and marketing yourself. You’re going to find that your attitude and personality are going to be your biggest assets when attempting to land big clients.
Now that you have a few ideas on how to get your business off the ground, it’s time to tie all the elements together with some good, old-fashioned legwork. Stack your portfolio with the best images of your work, and build a “dream list” of clients that you’d like to work with. Target your efforts, and watch the cash start rolling in.
