How to Start a Lawn Mowing Business on a Shoestring Budget And Prosper.

If you’re looking for a great way to make money, starting your lawn mowing business can be a great option. However, getting started on a tight budget is one of the biggest obstacles you’ll face. Luckily, we’ve got a few tips to help you get started without breaking the bank.

Buy Top-End Domestic Mowers, Not Commercial Ones

Equipment cost is one of your most significant expenses when starting your lawn mowing business. 

When it comes to choosing a lawnmower, it’s tempting to go for the most expensive, heavy-duty commercial option. 

However, this isn’t necessary unless you plan to mow a dozen lawns daily. Instead, opt for a top-of-the-line domestic model. This will allow you to start your business on a shoestring budget. 

Top-end domestic mowers have all the power and features you need to do a great job without the bells and whistles you don’t need. 

So save yourself some money and go for a top-end domestic mower – you won’t regret it. 

It may not be quite as tough as its commercial counterpart, but it will be more than up to the task of handling the average residential lawn. Plus, it will be much easier on your wallet.

Don’t buy a vehicle unless you have to. 

Don’t run out and buy a vehicle unless you have to. Your personal car can get you started, and you can get a tow bar fitted and a trailer for less than the cost of another vehicle.

Another advantage is that you will already know how mechanically sound your vehicle is. 

This might be better than taking a chance on an unknown vehicle. 

I have had an engine blow up within a month of buying a lawn mowing van in the past, so it does happen. 

You can always replace it once you have made a bit of money. 

You would be better off spending that extra money on marketing. By using your personal car to get started, you can save money and get your business up and running. Plus, you can upgrade to a new vehicle once your business is established. 

Don’t waste your money on a new car when you’re just getting started – use your personal car and invest in other areas of your business for better results.

Price Your Services Fairly

When pricing your services, it’s essential to strike a balance between being competitive and making a profit. If you price yourself too low, you’ll struggle to make ends meet. 

On the other hand, if you price yourself too high, you risk losing customers to the competition. Do some research on comparable businesses in your area and price your services accordingly. 

It is ok if you don’t get the quoting quite right in the early days. You are not married to a price; you can always increase it a little further down the line if you feel that you may have underpriced it. With a little effort, you should be able to find a sweet spot that attracts customers and helps you make a decent profit.

Just because your start your business on a shoestring doesn’t mean that you have to charge budget prices. 

Be “Johnny on the spot.”

As any business owner knows, time is money. When you’re in the lawn mowing business, that means every minute counts. That’s why it’s so important to be as efficient as possible when it comes to quoting and booking jobs. The best way to do that is to always be available by phone. Keep your headset plugged in while you work, and take all calls as they come in. 

In today’s competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever to be “johnny on the spot” when it comes to lawn care quotes. When you answer the phone, be prepared to give a quote and book the job right away. Ensure you arrive before the competition, quote the job, and secure the contract. Then do the job quickly and efficiently, book the next cut, and get out before the next guy even arrives. 

The more prominent companies will struggle to get out a quote in such a slim timeframe, and you will pick up plenty of work by just arriving first. 

Market Your Business

Use anything you can think of to let the world know you are open for business. Use Word-of-Mouth, Online Ads, Flyers and Facebook – Getting the word out about your new business is essential for success. 

Luckily, there are plenty of low-cost options for marketing your business. You can start by spreading the word through family and friends or by hanging flyers in local businesses. 

Once you’ve got some customers under your belt, you can start placing online ads or even launch a social media marketing campaign. 

Develop a reputation as someone who is reliable and does excellent work, and with a little effort, you can get your name out there without spending a fortune.

Offer extra services

As any business owner knows, acquiring new customers is essential for growth. However, it is also important to maximise the value of each customer. 

One way to do this is to offer additional services to your existing customer base. For example, if you run a lawn care business, you can upsell customers on garden maintenance, tree trimming, or hedge clipping. 

By offering these additional services to your customers, you can increase your income without having to spend any more on advertising. 

And because an existing customer is 50% more likely to buy another service from you than a new customer, it makes sense to upsell your current customers on these additional services.

Not only will this increase your revenue per customer, but it will also make them more likely to continue doing business with you in the future. After all, it is easier and less expensive to retain existing customers than it is to constantly be searching for new ones. You can maximise your income by offering a comprehensive suite of lawn care services.

Time to start your own lawn mowing business on a shoestring

So, if you’ve decided to go ahead, Congratulations! 

This can be a great way to make extra money and gain valuable industry experience. But before you start, it’s essential to consider a few things. 

In this post, we’ll give you tips on how to buy the right equipment, price your services competitively, and market your business effectively—all without breaking the bank. 

You can be well on your way to financial success with a little effort! 

If you need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We offer marketing services that will help get your new business off the ground and running. 

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your new venture!