With about 80% of Americans having lawns, 42% spend on them to show pride in their homes. It’s good news for anyone looking to start a lawn care business. Your job will be to help 16% of people who want to create a relaxing atmosphere and 15% who want to improve the value of their property. And it is quite possible to explore Grants For Starting A Lawn Care Business to secure funding for your new venture and help you get your business off the ground.
Apart from being among the most recession-proof businesses, there’s a chance of earning over $500,000 annually. Most people who wish to start this business are struck back by a lack of knowledge on where to find grants for starting a lawn care business.
Types of Grants
Here’s a highlight of the possible sources of funds when considering how to start a landscaping business with no money.
A Bank Loan
A lawn care business requires skill and an eye for beautiful designs. You also need a loan to help your business grow. The loan may come secured meaning that you offer collateral as a form of security that you will repay the loan.
The types of bank loans for lawn care businesses include:
- Merchant cash advance
- A business line of credit
- Invoice financing and factoring
- Grants for lawn equipment
- Short-term loans
Banks sometimes hesitate to give loans to lawn care businesses since their operations are seasonal. Work is usually slow during fall and winter.
However, you need more money to purchase new trucks, equipment, or inventory as your business grows. Your credit record and personal history determine your chances of getting a loan especially if you don’t have good collateral.
A bank loan boosts working capital and cash reserves during the off-season. You can use grants landscaping to purchase more equipment to grow your business. The loan can finance your operations including hiring new staff, marketing, and advertising your business.
The requirements to apply for a bank loan include answering questions such as:
- Why do you need the finances?
- How healthy is your cash flow?
- What asset do you need to purchase?
- How healthy is your business?
- Do you have a list of suppliers?
- What is your personal background?
A bank loan offers the necessary finances when considering how to start a lawn care business with no money.
Funding From Investors Or Partners
Another source of grant’s lawn care is partners or investors. You can talk to some friends and family to see who’s willing to fund your business.
However, your relationship with them may get spoiled if the business doesn’t work out as expected. The bond will grow if the business succeeds.
You can also get funding from angel investors or venture capital. Angel investors look forward to a stake in your business. You must prepare a detailed business plan that builds a strong case for why they should invest in your lawn care business.
Venture capitalists can also provide funding for your business in exchange for a stake. You’ll cede some control and equity in your business. You must think about how much funding you need and how much you’re willing to give up in exchange.
A checklist to get your business ready to seek funding from investors or partners includes:
- Prepare past performance data
- Have a rock-solid business plan
- Business readiness
- The market for your lawn care service
- Have a strong narrative
- Strong background and experience
- Passion for solving customer problems
- A good reason for demanding investment
- Clear investment structure
Investors or partners may get interested in funding your business if you show them there’s a possibility. Your business plan must have a compelling and well-thought-out story. This should show them that you know what you’re going to do with their money.
Small Business Loans And Grants
You can apply for a small business loan or grant to finance your lawn care business. Small business loans come with favorable terms including lower interest rates and long repayment periods.
SBA Loans
These loans don’t come from the government’s Small Business Administration. However, depending on the loan amount, the SBA guarantees 85% of the loan. Small banks offer some of the most competitive rates because of the lower risk involved.
Getting this loan requires a minimum personal credit score of 650. The loans aren’t for startups since businesses are required to have operated for some years. You need some paperwork and the application takes some time.
Grants
There’s also a chance to get grants for lawn care businesses. You can get industry-specific or general business grants. The landscaping grants are available at the federal, state, and local levels.
Grants come with restrictions or guidelines regarding who qualifies and how to use the money. You can apply for various grants if you meet the eligibility requirements. The types of grants for yard work that you can consider include:
- Grants for new immigrants
- Job creation grants
- Business improvement grants
- Female founder grants
- Small business grants
- Young entrepreneurs grants
You don’t have to repay a grant but you must meet the terms and conditions. It’s possible to apply online to get government grants for a landscaping business and there’s no application fee.
Credit Card Funding
Although credit cards are associated with debt, interest, and fees, they make a wonderful funding option for lawn care business owners. Accepting credit card payments eases invoicing and payment collection.
Credit cards allow earning cash back and rewards. They are easy to get approved and come with inbuilt fraud protection. Using credit cards is highly convenient since you don’t have to worry about not carrying enough cash.
Some credit cards offer zero percent interest during an introductory period. It allows lawn care business owners to make purchases using the card without accruing interest. Some card providers offer no interest for people who pay off their balance in a given period.
Using credit cards to finance your business requires using them responsibly with some ideas including:
- Using autoplay to stick to a minimum payment
- Clearing the minimum amount due
- Understanding credit card interest card rate
- Only spending what you can afford to pay back
- Paying the monthly balance in full on a rewards card
What About Lawn Care Software?
Lawn care software is an application for business owners to run their operations efficiently while maximizing their cash flow. The job management software has features that make it easier for business owners to step on top of their work, including:
- Job scheduling – for setting recurring appointments, assigning tasks, and tracking completed work.
- Customer management – for appointment scheduling, tracking job history, and sending out notifications about special offers.
- Accounting and billing – tracking customer payments, invoice creation, setting up payment reminders, and managing taxes.
- Reports and analytics – reports on past jobs, current workloads, and analytics for budgeting and forecasting.
There are various lawn care software options on the market and each has different features. To help you choose the best one, here are considerations:
- Features the software offers
- Pricing structure and payment options
- Read reviews about the software
- Test the software’s trial version
- Check compatibility with your existing system
Use Lawn Care Software
You need lawn care business software such as Field Complete with a plethora of features, an easy-to-use interface, and top-notch customer support. The software will make your daily operations easier without costing you a fortune.
It automates various administrative functions and organizes managing jobs, technicians, and clients. You will enjoy significant improvement in how things are done daily in your business.
Whether you’re looking to grow your small lawn care business or organize operations for your established business, Field Complete is the ultimate solution. This robust platform has everything you need to run your lawn care business at your fingertips.
FAQs
How Much Profit Should A Lawn Care Business Make?
Like any business, you’ve got to make your lawn care business profitable. You must have the right skills and ideas apart from knowing how to push a mower or use a trimmer. There’s a chance to earn from $5,000 to $50,000 in your first year.
After a few years, there’s a likelihood of earning about $250,000. It’s a good business idea for its low barriers to entry and mowing is a simple skill to pick up. Offering quality services will have customers calling you over and over again.
Do I Need An LLC For Lawn Care Business?
Getting a license for your lawn care business requires having a legal structure. The options include a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or C-Corp. A limited liability company (LLC) is one of the best legal structure options.
It has various benefits including protecting your assets and privacy, the potential for growth, creating brand awareness, and tax benefits. The structure has no geographical limitation allowing finding customers from anywhere.
Is Starting A Lawn Care Business Worth It?
Yes, starting a lawn care business is worth the effort and time. There’s a chance of making good money while offering various growth opportunities. It’s a rewarding career if you love working outdoors and dealing with people from all walks of life.
