Lawn Care Guide

Michelle Bery asked:


For those who relish the idea of entrepreneurship, the start of your own small business can be enormously freeing - both financially and emotionally. Of course, owning and operating a successful business means initially finding a business idea that will meet a need while generating enough of a cash flow to be financially viable. A lawn care business can be a wonderful business, both in terms of the demand for its services and the possibilities for a lucrative return on investment.

Clearly, the first step in determining whether or not a lawn care business is for you, is examining your enjoyment of such work. Starting a business built on financial goals rather than your love of the business is destined for failure. If you truly love to work outdoors, to bring creativity to the table, to nurture a lawn into health and vitality, then a lawn care business will bring you much more than cash. If you love what you do on a daily basis then you will never work another day in your life; because when you do what you love it doesn’t feel like work.

One thing you should know up front before beginning a lawn care business is the non-traditional hours that will be required of you. Many of your customers will require your services over the weekend; some lawn maintenance may need to be done during early morning hours - or later when the sun has set. While you may be successful enough at some point to hire employees who can help offset the workload for you, initially it may just be you. Be prepared for some long days and weeks early on in your lawn care business as you build your customer base.

In the beginning of your lawn care business you may consider keeping your full-time job as you work after hours building your business. Once you begin receiving a steady stream of work you can leave your full-time job and concentrate solely on your new venture. In an effort to build business, it may be wise to offer a variety of services; mowing, weeding, raking, leaf blowing - all of these can keep you busy throughout the year.

If you feel that a lawn care business is right for you begin by doing a vast amount of research regarding start-up costs, proper equipment, fee schedules, and insurance. Hiring a lawyer is a wise idea as he/she can assist you setting up proper financial accounts and more.

As you begin this journey into a new career, you may find that a lawn care business is exactly what you’ve wanted to do all along.



Cory

Chanaka Dunuwila asked:


There really is nothing wrong with buying used lawn care equipment, provided it was well maintained and does not cost as much as buying the same thing new. Equipment that was taken care of by the original owner can be just as good as buying something new, provided the used lawn care equipment is not expected to last as long as a new item. While it may work just as good as a new one, it may not have the same life expectancy.

While the physical appearance of the used lawn care equipment should be considered, any and all safety devices designed to protect the operator should also be present and in good working condition. Many of these devices, mandated by law for safety, can be removed by the owner and if it is sold as used lawn care equipment if they are not present or functioning, could place the new owner at risk.

Some retailers that have had equipment returned will send them to a factory authorized repair facility for inspection and repair if needed. They then sell it as used lawn care equipment, even if it has never been used. For example, a person buys a lawn mower and has trouble getting it started. The retailer exchanges it for them, sends the other one out for repair and when it is fixed, sell it as used lawn care equipment at a significant discount. Often these items can be bought with the original factory warranty still in effect.

When To Consider Buying Used Equipment

In the middle of the grass cutting season if the lawn equipment breaks, the owner may not be in a financial condition to replace it. Often, they can get a deal on used lawn care equipment that has been traded in on a new one by someone else. Pieces of equipment that are not needed all year around should also be considered when looking at used lawn care equipment. Sometimes, buying used for periodic used can be cheaper than the cost of lawn care equipment rental.

Depending on the price of the used lawn care equipment, it may be wise to check maintenance records to help determine the potential life expectancy of the equipment. The more expensive the equipment, the more research should be conducted and the more proof of proper maintenance the seller should provide. If buying a used push mower for $10 for example, you are going to pay the money and take your chances.



Billy

zerozerozero asked:


I am creating a flyer for my new lawn care business. I want to say “Order your lawn care service today!“ But is there any grammar error??

Pedro

Chanaka Dunuwila asked:


Pet owners are rightfully worried about spraying their lawns with any number of toxic chemicals which can pose significant health risks for not only their pets but family members as well. However, there is actually very little reason to be worried at all as you will find out. There is only a small chance that improper pesticide or herbicide application will pose a health risk, and that small chance is entirely negated with proper application. With proper usage, all lawn care products are pet safe, although you can purchase specifically natural pet safe lawn care products. Either way, you’ll be protecting your pets which can be like family to you.

Proper Application and Pet Safe

As previously mentioned, commercial lawn care products are almost entirely safe when applied correctly. The problem really arises under two conditions. Firstly, volatile chemicals can release toxic gases over time, and many pesticides and herbicides include volatile chemicals for their sheer strength. Fortunately, liquid pet safe lawn care products allow you to specifically target problem areas in your yard, so you aren’t forced to spray the entire thing, severely reducing the amount of chemicals that you need to use in the first place. Also, proper application will only use a small amount of chemicals in a given area, so the pet safe lawn care products won’t be concentrated enough to release enough toxic fumes to harm humans or pets. The second risk comes from spraying toys like tennis balls. Lawn care products sprayed on toys can remain toxic for weeks, so you’ll want to remove any toys from the yard before spraying.

If you want the marketed pet safe lawn care products, then there are a number of substances which still get the job done without any harmful side effects. Naturally occurring bacteria can be implanted into your yard. For example, beneficial nematodes attack insect larvae by injecting them with toxins, and then they eat the dead larvae. When all the larvae are consumed, the nematodes die off themselves, so you are left with absolutely no harmful substances in your lawn. Your job is completely done, and you don’t need to dirty your hands at all.

You can also use essential oils derived from garlic, citrus oil, and pepper extracts to combat many problems facing your lawn. Completely natural and completely safe, you won’t need to worry about any harmful side effects from these products. Remember: with proper application and keeping toys out of the way, all lawn care products are safe to use with pets around. However, the only surefire way to protect your pets is to purchase pet safe lawn care products, so any mistakes on your part won’t make you or your pets sick.



Jamie