what to spend $5000.000 on? Question inside also

[jdmartell]

I've been doing lawns/ landscaping for the past 4 years since i was 13.

Now that i'm 17 i'm starting to want to grow this into an actual legitimate business.

Getting insurance, tax number, registering the business ect.

How do I go about paying myself?

My father and I are renovating a house to flip over the winter and my cut from it is $5000.00 so thats the "start up" money that i have.

I already have the following stuff that is in my signature

I am going to upgrade the blower this upcoming season to a Back Pack.

I am also thinking of getting a Chainsaw. What size would be a good starter size?

also a small 6x10 dump trailer, would it be worth it to blow half the money on one of them? i know i could get a used one for around 2500 and fix it up myself. would the dakota be able to tow it?

also if i register myself as a sole proprietor do i need workman's comp is i have 1 employee?

Anyone know of a cheap insurance agency in Canada?

[LandFakers]

Well you have to know, what are you majorly going to focus on the most? Mowing and Maintanence, or landscaping (planting and such), tree-work? That can be a deciding factor on what you should spend your money on. Let us know

[jdmartell]

Originally Posted by LandFakers

Well you have to know, what are you majorly going to focus on the most? Mowing and Maintanence, or landscaping (planting and such), tree-work? That can be a deciding factor on what you should spend your money on. Let us know

It will be mostly landscaping/hardscaping and maintenance, I have little experience with tree work. Any tree work that I would get I would sub out.

Also how do you guys sub jobs out? get the tree guys to quote you on the job then give yourself a markup from the tree guys quote and give that price to the client? then the tree guy charges you?

[flyingdutch16]

If you subbing out tree work, why waste money on a chain saw?
Spend some money on advertising as well and simply save money too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[cpllawncare]

If you've only got 5k I wouldn't be trying to start out on both sides of the fence per say, I would focus on either maintenance (1st choice) or design install (Probably not) at your age you have plenty of time to grow and learn. don't try to be a overnight sensation, realize it will take years upon years to grow into something with only a 5k startup. Looks like a BP blower is about the only true upgrade you need, use the rest on operating capitol you'll need it. Take 2500 and stick it in a separate maintenance account.

[jdmartell]

Originally Posted by flyingdutch16

If you subbing out tree work, why waste money on a chain saw?
Spend some money on advertising as well and simply save money too.
Posted via Mobile Device

I meant by subbing out the larger jobs, i would do the small trees or brush ect.

[cpllawncare]

Originally Posted by flyingdutch16

If you subbing out tree work, why waste money on a chain saw?
Spend some money on advertising as well and simply save money too.
Posted via Mobile Device

We sub out our tree work, and our chainsaw gets used quite a bit.

[jdmartell]

Originally Posted by cpllawncare

If you've only got 5k I wouldn't be trying to start out on both sides of the fence per say, I would focus on either maintenance (1st choice) or design install (Probably not) at your age you have plenty of time to grow and learn. don't try to be a overnight sensation, realize it will take years upon years to grow into something with only a 5k startup. Looks like a BP blower is about the only true upgrade you need, use the rest on operating capitol you'll need it. Take 2500 and stick it in a separate maintenance account.

I have done work with pavers, 6x6 timbers and some walls. The only thing that I would really sell would be the timber walls. I've done quite a few of them myself. alsoi have been doing the mulch beds/shrub trimming/ sods ect for the past 3 years. I feel like i'm able to quote those types of jobs to make money but I always feel like somethings left on the table. now that I am going completely legit I need a way of figuring my number more precise.

[jdmartell]

Any more ideas?

[cpllawncare]

subscribe to seans lawnletter he has a lot of good ideas, Personally I would hold take half that money and start a maintenance account and use the other half for operating expenses, and focus on creating some cash flow.