How To Start A Lawn Mowing Business In New Zealand
Starting A Small Small Business
The most significant step you will ever take in business is starting. Getting things up and running is the most crucial bit, then after that, you will learn the ropes as you grow into the business. Lawn mowing business is like any other, but it needs time, dedication, and hard work to succeed.
Lawn Mowing Business
A lawn mowing business offers services such as; turf maintenance (weed control, fertilization, and pest control.), trimming the edges of lawns, cutting grass lawns, and removal of debris. Depending on the customers, these lawn care services are offered regularly to maintain a clean and aesthetically appealing lawn. These services are offered both to commercial and residential clients.
Lawn Care Business Plan
If you plan on starting a lawn mowing business but do not know where to begin, you are in the right place. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to decide whether you want to pursue the business or not.
LAWN MOWING BUSINESS
So, how do you start a lawn mowing business in New Zealand? Below we will be discussing the steps to take to get started.
Step By Step Guideline on How to Get Your Lawn Mowing Business Running
Make a business plan: writing down your thoughts, ideas and projection helps you to articulate your business idea before doing it in reality. Having a business plan will;
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help you to think through your ideas,
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will give you an estimate of how much capital you need,
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how you intend to raise it,
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your target market,
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how much you intend to charge for your services, and
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give you an overview of how to handle the operations.
If you plan to find an investor to fund your business or seek a loan, then the business plan will be your way to persuade them of the viability of your business idea. Be sure to include market analysis, a description of the services you intend to offer and your plan for marketing your lawn mowing services. At this point, you will also need to choose a name for your business. Choose a catchy name that is easy to remember, then conduct a check through your state’s business records to ensure that the name is not already registered.
Research and learn how lawn mowing is done: from an outsider view, lawn mowing is effortless; but when you do it, that is when you realize that it requires a lot of expertise to do a perfect job. If possible, take a short course on landscape architecture to learn outdoor designing, and enhance a well-integrated environment. It will make you stand out from your competition.
Seek mentorship: if you are new in the lawn mowing industry, you will need guidance on how things are done. Getting someone who has experience in the business will give you a massive advantage to catch up with your competitors. Offer to help with their current projects; that way, you will learn first-hand, which is better than learning off the field. Through mentorship, you will also learn about;
- pricing,
- rates for paying assistants,
- hacks for running the business,
- scheduling appointments,
- customer service,
- Equipment handling, etc.
Even after you start your business, it is always advisable to keep in touch with your mentor, as they might throw some of their business overflows your way, especially during the peak seasons.
Shop for the tools: depending on the money you have, you might want to prioritize the most crucial tools for lawn mowing, then later, you can add to your collection when money starts coming in. the most important tools include; mower (can be a ride-on or a push mower), line trimmer, leaf blower, hand tools, gasoline can. Gasoline and oil.
Safety equipment: handling tools can cause accidents, and investing in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is paramount. Some of the essential PPE for your lawn mowing business include;
- Gloves: gloves will not only give you a firm grip when handling tools but also will protect your hand from bruising and injuries.
- Earmuff-style hearing protectors; spending a lot of time in a noisy environment while handling the machines can be hazardous to your ears. Having ear protection will safeguard your hearing over a long time.
- Steel-toed boots: these will protect your feet from injuries associated with mowing.
- Safety glasses: buy sturdy safety glasses to protect your eyes from injuries.
Set up tool storage space: once you have purchased your tools, you need a safe space to store them. It can be rental storage or home space in your garage or shed; this space should be sufficient to do repairs, store equipment, and provide extra supplies such as trash bags, fertilizers, and other miscellaneous supplies. It is crucial to know how much space you need to know the exact size you need, usually charged by square feet if renting. The larger space, the more expensive the rent will be, so for a start, you might want to rent reasonably.
The mode of transport: This is probably the most significant investment you will need for your lawn mowing business. If you do not own a truck already, you will need to buy one to haul your equipment and supplies. If you can afford a heavy-duty flatbed truck with a lockable toolbox and with a dumping mechanism, it will be the best choice for the job. If you do not have the finances to buy a truck, you can consider buying a landscape utility trailer with clocking tie-downs to hoist on your vehicle. Do not forget to put promotional signage on your vehicle to be recognizable to your potential clients. Consider it a form of advertisement.
Build your clientele: Honestly speaking, you can never build your lawn mowing business without customers. Many homeowners in New Zealand are too busy to mow their lawns, which gives your business the potential to grow. Your target should be repeat clients who set up automatic payments for your services. Depending on your clients, lawn mowing services are done either weekly, fortnightly or monthly; the more frequent, the better for your business. It is important to note that duringthe cold months, the lawn mowing is slow as most homeowners prefer their lawns mowed once a month. There are several ways to build your customer base; they include; offering competitive rates, giving referral discounts such that the person who refers a new client gets a discount off their next mowing service, constant marketing, etc.
Market your lawn mowing business: you will require promotional signage, business cards, flyers, social media pages, and a website to reach out to your potential clients. It will not be cheap, but with proper strategy, you should be able to close deals.
MOWING BUSINESS EXPENSES
When looking at the income generation, it is vital to consider the recurring expenses associated with the lawn mowing business. By so doing, it will give you an estimate of the net income. Below are some of those expenses you will incur;
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Lawn Mowing Business Expenses
We have selected some of the most common business expenses that you will come across when you operate a lawn mowing business in New Zealand. These are only few of the main expenses you will need to consider when starting a lawn care business. There will be few other cost depending on the type of lawn care business you want to start.
One of the biggest expense to start up a lawn mowing business is the Lawn Mower. A decent lawn mower could set you back around $1500 to $2000.
Line trimmer is also one of the main equipments you will need when starting a lawn mowing business in NZ. A good line trimmer will set you back anywhere from $350 to $500.
A decent trailer will also be required to carry the lawn mower and all the lawn mowing equipment. A good reliable trailer could set you back around $750 to $1200
A vehicle with towbar is a must for any lawn mowing business, unless you have a van. A decent vehicle with towbar will be needed to tow the trailer with all your mowing equipment. This could set you back around $7000 to $12000 depending on what you need. You can use your own private vehicle if you want to save some initial cost in starting a lawn mowing business.
You will need to buy safety equipments like safety glass, ear muffs and safety boots. These can add up to around $250 to $500 depending on the brand and quality.
Labor costs: in most cases, you cannot mow lawns alone; you will need an extra pair of hands to ensure efficiency. The labor costs vary with the number of assistants you work with; for a start, you will need just one, but as the business grows, you will need to increase your labor force.
Insurance: accidents are bound to happen in one way or another when handling machinery; having insurance will work best. Insurance takes care of any unforeseen occurrences.
Equipment maintenance: tools and equipment undergo wear and tear; carrying out regular maintenance will keep them in good shape and maintain efficiency. Mowing lawns with blunt blades makes the grass susceptible to pest and disease invasion and also makes the lawn lose its green vibrancy, which can be such a bummer.
Promotional flyers: you will repeatedly need to print promotional materials such as flyers, business cards, promotional burners etc.
Telephone and internet bill: you will need to call your clients frequently and keep your website and social media pages active to keep your existing and potential customers engaged.
petrol cost
Petrol cost for lawn mower and any other lawn mowing equipment will add up very quickly. You will need to budget for fuel expenses.
Maintenance
You will have to take out maintenance cost of your lawn mowing equipment.
Disposal Fee
Grass disposal fees will also be taken into account. Disposal fees can add up very quickly.
Consumables
You will also have to consider consumables like lines for line trimmer, gloves, bags etc. This can add up.
MOWING BUSINESS PROS & CONS
Now that we know the process and the things needed to start a lawn mowing business in New Zealand, let’s look at the pros and cons associated with this business.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF LAWN MOWING BUSINESS
PROS
Stable and repeat business: as long as you do a great job, you can be sure of being in business for a long time. Most lawns need weekly, bi-weekly or monthly mowing services.
You are the boss: unlike in employment where you need to dance to someone else’s tune, owning the business is advantageous. You set your rules, your working schedule, and manage all the aspects of your business.
Potential to open additional income streams: you can achieve this by selling weed treatments, fertilizers, etc.
CONS
Capital intensive: for a start-up, this is the most challenging bit. Buying the tools, equipment, setting up the tool storage, purchasing a truck, etc. can be overwhelming financially.
Seasonal work: during the cold months mostly, the lawn mowing business is slow. You will need to do a lot of planning to cover yourself when the business is slow. A slight miscalculation can cripple your business.
Competition: the lawn mowing business in New Zealand is becoming saturated by the day. You have to be very aggressive in finding work and retaining your clients.
Tips To Get Your Lawn Mowing Business to Stand Out From the Rest
Efficiency: To finish work assigned in the shortest time possible while maintaining quality; no one wants a two-day job running for a week!
Reliability: clients want to hire a lawn care company that is reliable and reachable. Making your business reliable will give your customers the confidence to hire you for long-term gigs; this mostly applies to clients who schedule appointments weekly or fortnightly.
Be patient: success in the lawn mowing business does not occur overnight. It takes a lot of dedication, long working hours, sacrifices and proper financial planning to break even. So if you are planning to start the venture, it is crucial to be patient and grow.
Professionalism: set precise schedules and abide by them; clients want value for their money, and being professional with how you handle the queries, deliver services, and request for payments matters a lot. Responding to inquiries, prompt responses on emails, website and social media pages will help you stand out from the competition.
Flexibility: Clients want a lawn care company that is keen on their needs and one that is willing to give a customer-specific mowing schedule to suit their needs. Sometimes a client might set an appointment and might need to reschedule due to their circumstances; you should accommodate such occurrences.
Dress the part: Having branded uniforms and hats for your team will give you a neat and professional appearance, serving as advertising tools.
Offer diversity: apart from cutting and maintenance of lawns, consider giving additional services like snow removal, lawn repair, weed spraying, fertilization, installation of sprinkler systems, installation of pavers, planting trees and flowers, and also adding water features such as ponds, waterfalls and fountains; will stand out from the competition.
Quality: offering high-quality lawn care services will guarantee long-term relationships with your clients and encourage your customers to refer your services to their families and friends.
LAWN MOWING BUSINESS
The lawn mowing business in New Zealand is a very lucrative venture. However, it is very competitive, and it requires patience and resilience to achieve its great potential for success. Communication is vital; always keep your clients in the loop for any changes in your schedules, upcoming discounts, or relevant lawn care information. Being easily reachable gives clients a sense of importance, which translates to better relationships hence more work.
Always keep auditing your business to keep tabs on its progress; this is crucial as you will quickly pinpoint the working processes and what isn’t. You will also be able to incorporate client feedback into your routines and henceforth offer better services.
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Good luck in your quest to start your lawn mowing business; we hope you found this article informative. Happy Mowing!
