Insurance would be more important than a license. I know in Tn they reqiure you to register as a licensed landscaper to plant anything. Basically they just want $200 per year. No test or anything just fill this form out and give us our money. LOL.

A lot of wholesale nursuries reqiure a business license to buy from them. Its only like $20, so do it.

 

In my state you can not do anything like that with out a home improvement contractor's license and general liability Ins. That's your first move before you purchase any equipment. In my state you need a contract for anything over $250.00
This will protect you and your clients because they don't legally need to pay you without this info

 

What happens if you plant a tree and hit electical lines or a gas line. Its just not a simple as planting a tree or mowing the grass

 

Business licenses vary drastically by state/county/city. You need to go down to city hall and ask.

 

Some states , counties and even cities levy heavy fines and or jail for unlicensed business'. In my county its a tax, so not having one is evasion. For 28 bucks a year I will pay it. You also can't register your DBA in Florida without it.
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$500.00? Well that's one trimmer. I know you have to start somewhere. I started with $7000.00, worked half the summer and bought out another man. I paid him $10.00 per account. That was the best $200.00 I spent. In Ga it's a $75.00 tax to be able to plant anything. I spead pinestraw, mulch and cut grass only.

 

Hello everyone this is my first post here. I plan on starting my own landscaping business or lawncare business soon. I have enough money to buy the equipment i need. My budget is around 500 dollars which will include the push mower, weed eaters, blower, and tools (rakes, shovel, and etc).

Now my question is what can you do legally without a license. I know you can mow lawns, use a weedeater, and rake leaves. What other services can be done without license. The only thing i know is you need a license to plant trees i believe. I am not too sure if you need a license to trim trees. Any advice would be helpful.

Unless you are bargain shopping at Walmart I don't see that $500 going very far. A good Weedeater will be $300, Blower $300, tools $100, Good push mower $400.Trailer $1,000.
You better not even think about spraying weed killer......
As far as trimming tress go.
Let a tree die from your "trimming" or butcher it to where they don't like it and see who pays for it.

Even $5,000 wouldn't get you a lot of equipment(commercial) unless you found some good used deals.

 

here you need a license to do anything within city limits..cut grass, rake, or whatever...you can get a mow only license for $60 or you can get a landscaping license for $85 that allows you to trim shrubs, spread mulch, etc. as well as mow...outside the city limits here you don't need a license at all for anything...check with the city hall and they will tell you what you need

 

Hello everyone this is my first post here. I plan on starting my own landscaping business or lawncare business soon. I have enough money to buy the equipment i need. My budget is around 500 dollars which will include the push mower, weed eaters, blower, and tools (rakes, shovel, and etc).

Now my question is what can you do legally without a license. I know you can mow lawns, use a weedeater, and rake leaves. What other services can be done without license. The only thing i know is you need a license to plant trees i believe. I am not too sure if you need a license to trim trees. Any advice would be helpful.

In CT you need a license $220 in order to be legal (landscaping), sales tax permit $100, Register your DBA with town clerk (which is cheap) or file as an LLC (not cheap), you also need general liability insurance; costs for that ranges $400-700/yr, my commercial auto is $700, with multiple policy discounts through my personal carrier.

So right out the gate your ballpark is going to be more than your budget, granted the insurance portions can usually be made as a 25% deposit and then installments for the remainder.

As far as tools, $500 is still very low even if your buying used (craigslist) or whatever. Start looking there for a figure and you'll quickly see you will need more $$$ unless you know people giving equipment away (family, friends)

 

Insurance would be more important than a license. I know in Tn they reqiure you to register as a licensed landscaper to plant anything. Basically they just want $200 per year. No test or anything just fill this form out and give us our money. LOL.

Thanks for the information, i will have to research about the licenses in my area also.

A lot of wholesale nursuries reqiure a business license to buy from them. Its only like $20, so do it.

Well that is not too expensive.

In my state you can not do anything like that with out a home improvement contractor's license and general liability Ins. That's your first move before you purchase any equipment. In my state you need a contract for anything over $250.00
This will protect you and your clients because they don't legally need to pay you without this info

What happens if you plant a tree and hit electical lines or a gas line. Its just not a simple as planting a tree or mowing the grass

You brought up some interesting points, i know it is not easy to plant a tree. I have digged and planted a few trees on my property before. But you gave me a lot to think about. The general liability insurance is something else i need to look into.

 

$500.00? Well that's one trimmer. I know you have to start somewhere. I started with $7000.00, worked half the summer and bought out another man. I paid him $10.00 per account. That was the best $200.00 I spent. In Ga it's a $75.00 tax to be able to plant anything. I spead pinestraw, mulch and cut grass only.

Thanks for the information, I know my budget isn't high. But i am trying to work with what i have. I may need to borrow money for additional equipment. But the 75 dollars tax to plant anything is a reasonable price.

Some states , counties and even cities levy heavy fines and or jail for unlicensed business'. In my county its a tax, so not having one is evasion. For 28 bucks a year I will pay it. You also can't register your DBA in Florida without it.
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I hear you loud and clear on this one, i do not want to get into any trouble. So i will search more about the DBA and the LLC. I will definitely get either one of those two when i start.

Unless you are bargain shopping at Walmart I don't see that $500 going very far. A good Weedeater will be $300, Blower $300, tools $100, Good push mower $400.Trailer $1,000.
You better not even think about spraying weed killer......
As far as trimming tress go.
Let a tree die from your "trimming" or butcher it to where they don't like it and see who pays for it.

Even $5,000 wouldn't get you a lot of equipment(commercial) unless you found some good used deals.

I know 500 dollars won't go far, but i was planning on buying used. I was going to search local pawnshops first. Also, i am not planning on using a trailer yet.

 

here you need a license to do anything within city limits..cut grass, rake, or whatever...you can get a mow only license for $60 or you can get a landscaping license for $85 that allows you to trim shrubs, spread mulch, etc. as well as mow...outside the city limits here you don't need a license at all for anything...check with the city hall and they will tell you what you need

I plan on checking with the local city hall with everything i will need to get started. I will ask about the mow only and landscaping license, i am hoping they have that in my area. It sounds like something that i need and its affordable.

In CT you need a license $220 in order to be legal (landscaping), sales tax permit $100, Register your DBA with town clerk (which is cheap) or file as an LLC (not cheap), you also need general liability insurance; costs for that ranges $400-700/yr, my commercial auto is $700, with multiple policy discounts through my personal carrier.

So right out the gate your ballpark is going to be more than your budget, granted the insurance portions can usually be made as a 25% deposit and then installments for the remainder.

As far as tools, $500 is still very low even if your buying used (craigslist) or whatever. Start looking there for a figure and you'll quickly see you will need more $$$ unless you know people giving equipment away (family, friends)

I know i will be out of my budget now, once i did more research on this. I will need a license, dba, general liability insurance. So i am probably looking at spending over a thousand dollars just to get started and that doesn't even include the advertising which could get expensive.

 

If you are not going to get a trailer what are you going to haul your stuff in?
You also need to think about operating expenses such as gas(climbing daily),oil,repairs,replacement parts,blades,string.
You will be limited to the size of lawns you can mow and it will take some time to build up customers. Don't expect fast returns.
Welcome to our world.

 

If you are not going to get a trailer what are you going to haul your stuff in?
You also need to think about operating expenses such as gas(climbing daily),oil,repairs,replacement parts,blades,string.
You will be limited to the size of lawns you can mow and it will take some time to build up customers. Don't expect fast returns.
Welcome to our world.

I was planning on storing everything i needed in the back of my jeep, i know this may sound funny to you. But it is my only option so far. I can fit a push mower, weedeater, and a few tools in there. That is all i need for now, i plan on doing small lawns first. Then i plan on buying a trailer for my jeep, once i get enough money saved up. I have to buy a hitch first, but i think this could work for me.

 

Sometimes its "run whatcha brung". Nothing wrong with starting out slow. Just do great work and charge appropriately.
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Sometimes its "run whatcha brung". Nothing wrong with starting out slow. Just do great work and charge appropriately.
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Yea i have to start somewhere, but it would be nice if i already had a pickup truck. That is something i will need to have if the business starts to expand.

 

For landscaping you might just want to ask the state you live in... In Alabama you are supposed to be state certified to do anything landscape related. Usually your city license/permit only allows you to mow, edge, line trim, and blow legally. Just check locally.

 

to be really honest with you I would go work for a landscaper and make some money you can save up to get your company going in a season or two. There are a copple of reasons I say this.
1 - if you are not experienced enough then this will give you an oportunity to learn how to do things right
2 - if you are experienced enough to run your own landscape co then you should be able to find a company who is willing to pay you pretty good.

I would not under any circumstance start doing landscaping with out insurance. Do you know what it cost if you put a rock through a bay window? When you figure in the cost of the window or installation by a liceansed contractor, it is alot more than General Liability Insurance will probably cost you. Also commercial plates and commercial insurance for your jeep. If you get into an accident and during the investigation it comes out you were using your vehicle for business uses your insurance will more than likely not cover it.

Heres a post I put on another threadm but you should look at it as a pretty good reason why you should have commercial plates and insurance from day one

Do you have commercial plates and commercial auto insurance?

We had a guy up here that was pulling his landscape trailor with a truck with out comercial plates/commercial insurance. He blew a tire and lost control in a 55mph road right infront of a lexus dealership. Plowed right into some cars and caused more than 400,000 in damage to the vehidles he hit. The cop wrote in his report that he was obviously doing commercial work with his trailer, so his insurance wouldn't cover it and the dealer sued him. He tried to fight it saying it was his personal trailer and he used it to transport equipment to do his mothers lawn for free. The courts werent stupid and he lost, he lost everything and had to file bankruptcy.

To top it off, the IRS found out and he was audited. Because his wife did the books they were both liable. this was both of their income, after losing everything they could not afford their morgage, and the house was foreclosed on. Luckily for them they didnt go to prison for tax evasion, they are both on probation until they pay back the IRS for backed taxes + fees.

The worse part is he had a good driving record, so a commercial auto policy probably would of been less than what he was already paying

 

to be really honest with you I would go work for a landscaper and make some money you can save up to get your company going in a season or two. There are a copple of reasons I say this.
1 - if you are not experienced enough then this will give you an oportunity to learn how to do things right
2 - if you are experienced enough to run your own landscape co then you should be able to find a company who is willing to pay you pretty good.

I would not under any circumstance start doing landscaping with out insurance. Do you know what it cost if you put a rock through a bay window? When you figure in the cost of the window or installation by a liceansed contractor, it is alot more than General Liability Insurance will probably cost you. Also commercial plates and commercial insurance for your jeep. If you get into an accident and during the investigation it comes out you were using your vehicle for business uses your insurance will more than likely not cover it.

Heres a post I put on another threadm but you should look at it as a pretty good reason why you should have commercial plates and insurance from day one

Thanks for the advice, you are right about that. I think i should start working for another landscaper first because I don't have enough money to start. The commercial plates and insurance is also necessary, i never realized that also. Thanks for the advice, so i should start looking to see if any landscapers around my area are hiring. Thanks again for the advice.

 

Thanks for the information, I know my budget isn't high. But i am trying to work with what i have. I may need to borrow money for additional equipment. But the 75 dollars tax to plant anything is a reasonable price.

I hear you loud and clear on this one, i do not want to get into any trouble. So i will search more about the DBA and the LLC. I will definitely get either one of those two when i start.

I know 500 dollars won't go far, but i was planning on buying used. I was going to search local pawnshops first. Also, i am not planning on using a trailer yet.

pawn shops= if your spending $100 there another $25 will buy it new, pretty much goes on up 200/40-50 more you could buy new, crackhead steals $300 trimmer pawns for $25/30, new lco pays next to new price around $250/60 then gets it taken by the cops or original owner using equipment out in open, only thing is atleast you will have a paper showing your purchase but you will be out the $$, pawn shops dont pay back because then they would be out there $25 and crackhead gets a meal on us.

Search local adds, craigslist is a good start just be smart about it.

 

pawn shops= if your spending $100 there another $25 will buy it new, pretty much goes on up 200/40-50 more you could buy new, crackhead steals $300 trimmer pawns for $25/30, new lco pays next to new price around $250/60 then gets it taken by the cops or original owner using equipment out in open, only thing is atleast you will have a paper showing your purchase but you will be out the $$, pawn shops dont pay back because then they would be out there $25 and crackhead gets a meal on us.

Search local adds, craigslist is a good start just be smart about it.

I was searching through craiglist for some good deals, i have not looked at pawn shops yet. But those prices seem pretty reasonable, except there is no warranty i believe.

 

Here in Texas all you need is a heartbeat to be qualified to mow. Thats it. No mower, no trimmer, no truck. Had a guy (meth head?) walk up to me and offer to mow my lawn with MY mower for money. I laughed his ass off my property. Anyways, no license needed here unless its irrigation, pest control, or fert. You can install your own irrigation system at your own house without one though. Suprised how much regulation there is elsewhere in the country.

 

$500 isnt alot to get you started but it can be enough. I started with a secondhand push mower and a borrowed weed eater, no blower, just a broom. If you get a couple reliable customers and save some money by the middle of the summer you could upgrade significantly and pick up more/better contracts for next year. I definitely agree with the other posters that you should look into insurance. It gives your customers a "peace of mind" when youre working on their properties. My $1,000,000 liability policy costs me $320 a year through my car insurance company and i can pay it quarterly. Dont be afraid to start your own business! If you work hard and give it all you have then at least you can say you tried! Good Luck!

 

Here in Texas all you need is a heartbeat to be qualified to mow. Thats it. No mower, no trimmer, no truck. Had a guy (meth head?) walk up to me and offer to mow my lawn with MY mower for money. I laughed his ass off my property. Anyways, no license needed here unless its irrigation, pest control, or fert. You can install your own irrigation system at your own house without one though. Suprised how much regulation there is elsewhere in the country.

I was only planning on mowing lawns, weedeating, and raking leaves at the most. So it wouldn't take much for me to qualify, unless I wanted to do irrigation or fertilizers. Which I don't plan on doing until I get more experience.

$500 isnt alot to get you started but it can be enough. I started with a secondhand push mower and a borrowed weed eater, no blower, just a broom. If you get a couple reliable customers and save some money by the middle of the summer you could upgrade significantly and pick up more/better contracts for next year. I definitely agree with the other posters that you should look into insurance. It gives your customers a "peace of mind" when youre working on their properties. My $1,000,000 liability policy costs me $320 a year through my car insurance company and i can pay it quarterly. Dont be afraid to start your own business! If you work hard and give it all you have then at least you can say you tried! Good Luck!

Thanks, I will also look into insurance. It should not be too expensive, and it should be affordable for me. I know liability insurance is good to have to protect your business. I just thought it wasn't needed if you were only going to mow lawns, but I will defiantly check with my county about this. I wasn't going to do commercial property either so I was unsure on this.

 

I was only planning on mowing lawns, weedeating, and raking leaves at the most. So it wouldn't take much for me to qualify, unless I wanted to do irrigation or fertilizers. Which I don't plan on doing until I get more experience.

Thanks, I will also look into insurance. It should not be too expensive, and it should be affordable for me. I know liability insurance is good to have to protect your business. I just thought it wasn't needed if you were only going to mow lawns, but I will defiantly check with my county about this. I wasn't going to do commercial property either so I was unsure on this.

I'm not sure about how rates are in your area, but for me it is cheaper for commercial auto and 1mill general liability than it is for me to insure the same truck personally. Insurance quotes are free so get as many as you can, 4 different agents could give you very different quotes for the same policy with the same carrier