So, you’ve done your research and you’ve landed on the plan that you would like to start a landscaping business, that too in the great state of Ohio! That’s great news! Now you’re likely asking yourself a few questions on how to go about doing that! Take a look at the list below to learn what you need to get a landscaping business started in Ohio!
To get a landscaping business started in Ohio, you’ll need to get the necessary permits, find the right location, hire a team of workers, learn how to competitively price your services, get your funding in order, and lastly market your new business.
Make sure you take a look at how to do the needed research on each of these topics to successfully get your landscaping business started. Following through on each of these will help ensure that your business gets started successfully!
Getting the Necessary Permits
Acquiring the necessary permits before beginning is a crucial part of getting your business started. Do your research to understand what permits are needed in your particular jurisdiction. Often, regulations are different at the state level vs the town level. Here is a guideline from nextinsurance.com of what permits are needed in what states. This list is a good place to start, but the best way to learn exactly what is needed in your specific area of business would be to reach out to your local government to see what permits you need.
Permits and licenses can take anywhere from weeks to months to go through and get approved. So, make sure you get started on them well in advance to ensure that you have them in time to open. Some of them require passing an exam, and others require fees. Do your research ahead of time to know what you need to make sure you can receive all of your needed permits. You’ll also need to register your business with the state so your brand is a recognized entity by the government.
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Choosing the Right Location
You’ve decided that you are going to start your business in Ohio. Now you have to decide which city you’ll be opening up in. This is one of the most important decisions you will have to make when deciding on where and what city you will set up your business in. You can’t expect your business to thrive if you set up shop in a town that already has far too many landscaping businesses up and running. Likewise, your business won’t do well if there isn’t already an existing demand for the services you offer in town. So, what can you do to make sure you pick the right place?
Firstly, do your research. If you already have an idea of where you’d like to set up shop, check to see what the current market is like. Are there already quite a few shops set up in town, if so, pay a visit to them to see how business is doing. If business is booming, perhaps there is a need for a new landscaping business in town. But make sure you thoroughly do your research to learn if there is more business that the current shops can’t keep up with, or if existing business is just enough for the shops in town. The very last thing you want to do is misread the market and start up shop in a town that doesn’t need another landscaper. Clients will continue going to the landscaper they’ve already been working with – and you may run the risk of having to shut your doors.
If the location you had your heart set on, or the town you currently live in is not the ideal market to get started, check what is closest that would be a good next option. Often, relocating can be a great way to get your business started in the right place, but it isn’t always a viable option. If relocating isn’t an option, ask yourself how far you would be willing to commute each day.
Hiring a Team of Workers
You’ll need a team before you can get started. There are a lot of different options you can utilize when it comes to finding workers. Tools such as social media, word of mouth, fliers, and networking events are all great options when it comes to finding a team. Make sure you are clear about what qualities workers need before bringing them on, so you aren’t bringing anyone aboard that won’t fit in your team.
One of the best ways to find new people is to look at your team first. As far as recruiting tools and job sites have come – your people know the best people. They can personally vouch for the qualities of the people they know and want to bring on. You know they won’t bring on any bad team members because it directly affects them and their co-workers! So, check with your existing team to see who they recommend first!
You also will need to determine how many people you want to bring on. Do you want to hire your full team right off the bat? Or perhaps just start with one or two employees and build up as the business grows. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have enough team members to get jobs done properly! Now use these tools to build up your team and get started!
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Learning How to Competitively Price Services
Pricing the services, you offer to be competitive with your surrounding competition is another important part of setting up shop. Check out your competition, whether physically walking through their shop, or scrolling through their website to see what they have for pricing. You obviously won’t get very many clients if your prices are way higher than theirs. Especially being the new kid on the block. You also don’t want to set your prices way too low – and not make a profit on your services. You have to keep in mind that your prices need to be set in a manner where you have enough profit to pay for your supplies and your worker’s hourly wage.
Getting your Funding in Order
If you’re going to start a business, you’ll need to have funding available to get said business started. You have two ways of going about doing this. You can fund your business yourself – making sure of course you have funds set aside for bills and rent. Or you can take out a business loan. This option ensures that you have your money set aside for any bills that you may have to cover while your business takes off. Whichever you decide to do, do your research and make sure you choose what’s best for your lifestyle.
Using Marketing to Get the Word Out
One of the best ways to get the word out about your new business is through social media. Consumers these days are all about the experience and the journey. They want to emotionally connect to their products and brands. Not just buy another product off the shelf. Even videos on how things are done, and what goes into each service can be a neat thing to share with your customers.
If your business has an aspect to it that makes it local – emphasize this! Consumers love supporting small locally owned businesses. They will eat up every bit of it, and trust me, many people will choose to work with you simply to support a home-grown business!
Putting it all together
Starting your own business can be an exciting process, but also a nerve-wracking one! Don’t fret, we’re here to help. You can use the tips provided above to make sure to lay all of the necessary groundwork before opening day. That ensures that once you’re open, your business will be a huge success!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far of a commute is reasonable?
This will largely depend on you. Are you willing to drive an hour each way to get to your shop? Factor in the time you are spending and the gas for your car. You are also the boss, so if there is an emergency you will be the first called in. Think about if you want to drive an hour or more away at the drop of a hat if an emergency does happen. Even getting the shop set up getting supplies to the store and finding workers can be a pain if you set up shop too far away. Consider what is too far for you, and find a location that is a reasonable distance away, while still being in a good market.
What is a good rule of thumb for setting prices?
You want to make sure that you don’t charge more than what the competition in your area is charging – because clients simply won’t choose to work with you if your competition is offering better. On the other hand, while you want to lower your prices to beat out your competition, you don’t want to lowball them so much that you aren’t making a profit!
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.