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Advice For a Teen Starting a Lawncare Business

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business advice lawn mowing teenager question question teenager mowing business
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11K views 28 replies 10 participants last post by  Longhornlawncare07  
#1 ·
I am 16 and I am determined to start a lawncare business and eventually scale it up to landscaping and hardscaping. I am unsure on where to start. I have a slew of questions such as; Should I make a website? How much should I charge? How do I advertise? And lastly, how do I keep the business afloat after getting it started?
I am not afraid of hard work and am willing to learn. Thanks for your time.
 
D
#6 ·
sjessen said:
Welcome!! Have you considered working for another company for a season or so to learn the tricks of the trade while starting your own business on the side? Doing this would answer many of your questions. You would also learn best practices and get an idea about pricing.

Best wishes for your new venture!!
Click to expand...

That was my experience.

I started when I was 15 using just the equipment I had for my (family's) own yard and a small boat trailer I built a platform and ramp on. Did that for several years making a little spending money and then I started working for a small established lawn service and that was when my eyes were really opened as far as how much work one person can do with the right equipment and how to work efficiently. I worked for that guy for a couple of years until my own business grew to the point that it kept me busy and went on from there growing slowly (something you have the luxury of doing when you start young and still live at home with your parents). That was 33 years ago. for the last 25 years I have done zero advertising, not even a sign on my truck, and have kept my routes and schedule full just through referrals and walk ups while working on customers yards.

Not saying that's the way to do it but that is the way I did it and my small business supports me and my family comfortably. I never wanted to have employees so I still do everything myself which isn't for most people but it works for me.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Welcome to Lawnsite.
There's no specific answers to your questions. No two businesses are the same. Also what type of equipment are you thinking about? Push mower, Riding tractor style, zero turn, stand on?
What will make you stand out most is the detailing. Edging, trimming. Anyone can cut the grass. But clean lines, edge's, clean curbs, clean walks and patios. You'll want clients to look out side after you leave to feel good about their lawn.
Not just ho-hum the grass got cut.
Also. What type of lawns are you wanting? Small postage stamp, larger estate, commercial?
Lastly insurance, taxes, truck n trailer. Good luck !
I'm just guessing here, but Texas?
 
#7 ·
Thank you for the welcome.
I have two push mowers and a lawn tractor. I am sufficient in edging and trimming though it could use some work. I was thinking of buying a backpack leaf blower for cleaning up the mess that is usually left after mowing and trimming.
I am looking at doing residentials first and then moving on to commercial as it grows (if it grows) and I am just looking at learning the game and the do's and don'ts of the business.
My father has a 1500 class truck and I have a small Nissan pickup that would do the job. As for the trailer, my family owns an enclosed trailer but it is in another state; I am in Texas as you guessed.
As for taxes, I found a CRM that would be fine for keeping track of expenses and profits as well as taxes. And lastly Insurance I am drawing a blank on what to do about that.
 
#12 ·
My best advice is to establish yourself before insurance. Start trying to hustle up some yards in the neighborhood you live in. People love seeing the neighborhood kid out there trying to make a go of it. Sell yourself to the customer that your starting out, your a minor and can't get insurance and priced accordingly. Just so you know a broken patio door can be thousands of dollars to replace. No friends helping just you doing all the work. How long do you think the average lawn around you will take to mow and go?
 
#15 ·
I think a discussion with your parents about insurance and subsequent liabilities is needed next. I like the idea of working for someone else for learning experiance. You will need to disclose to a employer about your inentions of starting your own business and find a way for it to work for the both of you. Working your way up to a #2 position with a company can have its own benefits. Look for company owners without kids or one with kids that are a pantload.
 
C
#25 ·
Just some encouragement from a 64 year old dude who paid the bills but never really did what he wanted to do for a career: go after your dream. True, you could do it for awhile and pivot to something else, but going after your own business now is the right thing to do.

I agree with others who say to work for a lawncare company first. At 16, you have plenty of time to do your own thing. What you will learn in one season with a good company would take you many, many years to learn on your own.

I
 
#26 ·
Two of our grandsons started cutting their neighbors lawns at ages 11 and 10. Their dad helped me growing up so he knew the ropes.

They are still at it now, ages 15 and 14. Without a driver's license they are limited to their subdivision and homes nearby. I think they have a dozen or so properties total. They are getting an education into how life works and are learning how to save, spend and give from their proceeds.

And, like CleanCut said, they are beginning to branch our into other things. The second one, especially is starting a side hustle selling stuff on FB marketplace. His parents told us that has been an adventure.
 
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