Give me your input on this business idea.

[douglasandy69]

I am in the military currently serving in Iraq. I will be getting out in Oct 09. While I'm here making pretty good money I am trying to put some back for a business. I am hoping to have about 10K to start with. The best idea I have came up with is landscaping and lawn maintenance. Once the equipment is purchased this should be a very low overhead business. Only overhead that I can manage to think of is fuel and maintenance on the equipment. The town I will be operating out of is not big, but has about 5 larger towns that surround it, all about 20-30 minutes away. My plan is to work it to where i work one town per day. My brother is going to help me with labor so I know I have a trusty helper.I can't think of anything bad about this idea. I'm looking for input from another angle, maybe something I've missed. All criticism is appreciated, Thank You. Also any ideas on a better business are always welcome.

[Rsnj518]

Hello,

I current own a Landscaping business in New Jersey. My best bet to you is...

1) Advertise: Call local newspapers and place classified ads, Friends, Family, Stores (Supermarkets are one of the best places)

2) Buy your Equipment: Mower, Trimmer, Edger, Blower,Truck/Trailer (Don't buy Equipment from Home Depot or other stores like that... GO TO A DEALER) If you starting off its alright, but after the money you make from your business, put towards new equipment. Remember new Equipment makes the job faster. It EARNS money, doesn't take away.

3) Selling: If or i should say when people call you, go to their house and give them an Estimated Price. Thats up to you.

Also Extra Jobs

Sodding, Seeding
Dethatching, Soil aeration
Rototilling, Shrubbery trimming
Tree trimming, Shrubbery replacement
Tree removal, Fertilizing
Irrigation (install/repair), Gutter cleaning
Leaf cleanup, Spring cleanup
Garage cleanup, Landscaping
Blacktop sealing, Blacktop repair
Lot striping, Hauling

Varied as it is, this list barely scratches the surface. The plain fact is, customers – senior

4) Working: Try to find the fastest route to all your jobs from when you start to the last job of the day. Remember time is money in this business.

5) Operation: I would cut the grass left to right, up down or diagonal. I wouldn't bag, takes of time. Buy some Mulching blades.

Last Advice to you

When times get tough, Stay in the Game... Don't give up. Even if the situation looks hopeless.

Good Luck

[douglasandy69]

thank you for the reply that is a lot of great info.....is there anymore anyone else has??

[ferrer76]

Hey,
Your way of planning is quite cool. Because one year before you are thinking of implementing is nice this is known as innovation. I am seeing the entrepreneur qualities in you. But where are you going to start your business means in which country. It its in new jersey I can help you because we are the providers for entrepreneur to develop small scale business.

[douglasandy69]

Thanks for the compliments...yes im trying to get as much input as possible that way i can decide if i really want to follow through with this. i dont mind the manual labor and actually kind of like it. My vision is to in 5-10 years just be able to sit back and have employees handle the job and jsut be quality control and worry about the maintenance of the equipment. Maybe have a truck or two, maybe 10 who knows. Oh by the way I'm going to be doing this in Indiana.

[Rsnj518]

Also, I wouldn't go with ten crews because for your crews to work good together, you need to train them. I would take 2 trained crews over 10 untrained crews anyday.

Its better for the first 1-3 years for you just to work with someone to get some work.

Training and Pay is key. Your crews wont bust their ass for you if you don't pay them good. And you need to do some Training. I do so much training, i feel like a Drill Sgt.

My guys are not out of training for the first season they get the job (Landscaping Season: March to Feb)

Also i would Pay your guys 15 dollars when in Training and 20-30 dollars after they complete training. If you make a crew leader, give them 40-50 dollars.

Ill give you an example of how i do one of my routes (it will be paint, have it up tomorrow)