Build a Blooming Landscaping Business With These Do’s and Don’ts

Lawn Care Is Consistently in Demand

The lawncare and landscaping industries have shown consistent growth over a number of years. Even during the height of the pandemic, many lawn companies across the country have posted a number of new jobs and maintained their regular clientele. With those numbers in mind, many lawn-savvy people have gained an interest in starting their own lawn care businesses. According to a survey conducted by IBISWorld, there has already been a 5.5% increase in the number of lawncare companies in the U.S. in 2022.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a landscaping business of your own, you’ve got an exciting opportunity ahead of you. But just because landscaping is in demand doesn’t mean you’ll find automatic success; it’s still hard work to gain a clientele and position your company for growth. Here at Gator Mower Parts, we’re excited to see our landscaping companies succeed, and we want to introduce you to some of the tricks of the trade.

Tips for Building Your Business

Things to Do

Develop an Organizational System that Works for You

There’s a good chance that you’re the only member of your landscaping team when you first start out. Still, you need to get organized if you want your business to work. Start by planning your jobs according to location so you can move between jobs efficiently. You’ll also want to streamline your billing and customer acquisition processes so that you can track contact info and get paid with no problems.

As your team grows, you’ll want to develop a system that tracks the jobs your team members complete and logs the hours they spend on each job. You’ll also want to determine the best way to communicate with your team members as well as your customers. You may even be able to find a software solution that helps you manage all these things in one place.

Focus on Customer Service

Even if you do a great job on all the lawns you care for, poor customer service will prevent you from getting the good reviews and recommendations you need to grow. You’re a landscaping professional, and you want your customers to perceive you and your team members as professionals. Pay attention to your customers’ needs and provide them with clear, prompt communication to solve their problems. Always be friendly and leave the space clean once you’re finished with the job. The little details sometimes count the most!

Advertise Your Services

The landscaping industry is heavily saturated, so you need to find out the best ways to stand out from the crowd to earn the clientele you want. Signs on the side of the road aren’t the most effective advertising tool anymore. Make social media and Google business pages for your company and post quality before-and-after pictures of your great work. Ask your clients for reviews and post them proudly on your website and social media. Experiment with mailers and incentive programs to encourage your satisfied customers to spread the word.

Things to Avoid

Going Radio Silent

There’s nothing that will scare away potential customers more quickly than refusing to respond to their phone calls and emails. Your potential customers want to know that you’re available to answer their questions and respond to their needs so that you can achieve your landscaping goals together. Be sure to answer communications as promptly as possible, and follow up on their questions and services to ensure their satisfaction and find areas where you could improve. If you leave them on read, they’ll quickly move on to another landscaping company in their area.

Ignoring the Weather

Here in Central Florida, our weather can be unpredictable. There will be times when you’ll have to postpone your jobs due to inclement weather. Don’t try to power through the storm, or you’ll be leaving yourself and your team vulnerable to injuries and equipment damage; additionally, mowing when the grass is wet will look sloppy and damage the lawn. Write up a clear and concise weather policy for your customers so they’ll easily be able to reschedule their service in case of storms.

Buying Equipment Without a Plan

Starting a landscaping business can be exciting – especially the part where you get to buy awesome new equipment. But before you even start searching for your new commercial lawn mower, you need to do your market research and establish your business plan. If your particular location is oversaturated with landscaping companies, you might not find enough demand to make it worth your while. When you do select your equipment, be sure you partner up with a maintenance and repair company that can keep your equipment running with no stress.

Your Partners in Lawn Mower Maintenance

The landscaping industry is poised to continue growing for years to come. Running a landscaping company can be a fulfilling career for any lawncare enthusiast who wants to work for themselves. When you start a landscaping business, the team at Gator Mower Parts is here to repair and maintain your lawncare equipment so you can maintain your schedule. To learn more, call us at 407-260-1290 or send us a message through our contact page.