[Chuck&brenna]

Hi, IM going through the motions of gathering all the expense with starting a lawn care company. I was wondering if i could Use a 1998 oldsmobile silhouette to haul all my equipment with a trailer attached?

I was also thinking of going with a 48" CC commercial grade mower.

^-^ anything else i should know please tell me.

 

[bryant lawn & landscape]

Where there's a will, there's a way.I've seen guys puling a lawn mower around behind a bike, with a weed eater strapped to the frame. Ultimately, you'll want to save up for a truck to allow for more versatility. Also, would the 48" mower be your only mower? Depending on the size of your lawns, that might be too big. A 48" deck might really limit you to the lawns you will be able to mow. Consider whether or not you have back gates to get into etc. Keeping even a cheaper, used 21" mower with you will get you into even the smallest spaces. Also, a 36" in my opinion is the most versatile size mower. One of Lawnsite's sponsors, Better Outdoor Products, has a mower called a quick 36 that is very light and compact, and might be something for you to look into. They also make a 44" model. Sorry for the mower tangent, but YES-FIRE UP THE VAN - GET STARTED! GET LICENSED! GET INSURANCE! DO IT! Good luck-

 

[goodolboyslandscaping]

Get legalized and insured. And make sure you have knowledge of the lawn care business, and make sure your doing it for all the right reasons. Invest some money into a pickup truck and a trailer, these days, you can find trucks/trailers for next to nothing. But you need to be ready and prepared. There is much, much more to running a business than a truck/trailer. But its a start, good luck.

 

[Mikol87]

If I saw you driving around town in that, I would definately not hire you. That looks tacky and unprofessional. I started out driving a 1986 $500 ford ranger around that worked. Invest in a used pick-up truck. Buy a decent rider, a trimmer, and a push mower. Get insurance, pay your taxes, and advertise. Save up some money this year and next year you can advertsie early in the spring, put a down payment on a truck, buy a decent push mower and trimmer, and lease a commercial mower.

I have a new Scag ZTR that I pay $114.00 a month on. Insurance is $65.00 a month. Taxes take 7% of my income. My new Echo SRM-265 cost me $325.00 ish. A used 18 ft trailer was $1,600 cash. Advertising in the phone book is $56.00 a month. Advestising in our two local news papers is $126.00 a month. Plus a couple leaf blowers, gas cans, rakes, gas, maintance, repairs, back up ZTR, push mowers, etc. And Uncle Sam still takes money from me when I pay my taxes in Janurary. As you can see this all adds up quickly. But the income is well worth it. Good luck on getting started.

 

[GrassIsGreenerLawnCare]

ya i was gonna say. im the last person to knock anyone as this is my first legitimate year as well, but you HAVE TO HAVE A TRUCK.. im usuing an 04 chevy s10 right now until i can get a new one....and i have already realized that the bed isnt big enough for things i want to do. im savin up for an older rack body dumper for sure

 

[rjh4758]

This is my first year starting back up in a new area. I have all the equipment I need for my solo outfit. My equipment has been bought and paid for from when I was in business before. But I have been struggling to get customers but the only thing that I have had to pay out this year was my insurance So I am OK. Do you have any accounts lined up yet?

The last thing you are going to want to do is plunge into debt to start your business. You will be selling off your equipment by mid summer because you are not making enough to pay for the overhead. There are tons of guys running around town with set-ups like yours and worse. Just save up to buy better equipment and a truck but for now I would use what you have. But make sure you register your business with the state, get insured and pay your taxes.

 

[BearWise Landscapers]

GET INSURANCE!

Get legalized and insured.

Get insurance

the only thing that I have had to pay out this year was my insurance

But make sure you register your business with the state, get insured and pay your taxes.

I will chime in on the insurance topic as well. I highly recommend at least purchasing general liability and commercial auto insurance. Here are some articles to read about it:

Recommended Insurance - No Employees

Recommended Insurance - 2 Employees

Let me know if you have any questions regarding insurance coverages and how they protect your lawn care business.

Good luck this year!