Lawn Care

Start your lawn care business out with the right equipment
By Andrea Townsley Being a business owner isn't always easy, but if you have the proper lawn care equipment, your new lawn service is off to a great start. You'll need the basic items, like a lawn mower and a string trimmer, and if you want to offer full-service lawn maintenance, you'll need a few other things as well.
 

If you choose your equipment wisely, it'll pay for itself in no time. Keep in mind that as a lawn care provider, your customers will expect you to be professional and use the proper tools of the trade. Think about what services you'd like to offer and consider the following before you contact suppliers:

1. Pick up the pace by using zero-turn riding lawnmowers. The best lawn care professionals know that these can really make their lives easier.

2. Find a lawn care equipment provider that supplies the best brands of the power equipment you need. You can find reputable distributors online or visit local dealers.

3. Get lawn care information on other types of services you can add to enhance your company's image and customer relations. Some of these services require licensing, so do your homework.

Do quality jobs quickly with zero-turn riding lawn care equipment

Zero-turn mowers are nice because you don't have to pause and reposition the mower to turn and do the next strip of grass. These riding mowers are powerful and can reach higher speeds, which is nice for when you have long straightaways to mow. Before you get started on other people's lawns, it's a good idea to practice your turning skills in your own yard; if you don't do it right, you can tear out your customers' grass and leave bald spots in their yards.
Try: Select from a range of riders made by the renowned Dixie Chopper. Buy a zero-turn riding mower from Scag Power Equipment, one of the lawn care industry's leaders.

Make sure you have other standard lawn care equipment

Lawn service doesn't stop at just mowing lawns. Customers will want their yards trimmed and edged and their drives and walks blown off, at the very least. You can greatly increase your revenue by offering services such as tree trimming, hedge clipping and debris removal, in addition to the standard services.
Try: Get all the power equipment you need from Stihl, which has everything from chain saws to pole pruners to trimmers to blowers. Echo offers the versatile Pro Attachment series, which allows you to buy just one power source but switch out your attachments (for example, you can convert your trimmer to an edger).

Expand by getting lawn care products for other services

Depending on the laws of your municipality, you may be able to offer other services, such as laying sod, applying fertilizers and pesticides and providing landscaping services. Check with your local laws before you buy your supplies.
Try: Buy a commercial sod cutter from Power Equipment Warehouse. Head down to your local Lowe's to purchase spreaders and sprayers for your crew. Select from the stock of landscaping and lawn care products at Earl May Seed & Nursery.

• As a local business, you'll need to ensure that you're getting your name out there. Browse the Internet to find a lawn care directory for businesses like yours. There are probably many of these directories, and the more you list your business with, the better your chances of attracting customers.
• Use a lawn care list to keep track of your customers. You can make a simple spreadsheet on your computer and record your customers' names, addresses, what type of services they usually get and how much you charge them. This will drastically help with your bookkeeping.