How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business

by Owen Dell

• ISBN13: 9780762705160
• ISBN10: 0762705167
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

This new edition of how to start a home-based landscaping business includes useful information on start-up costs, zoning regualtions, how to attract first time customers, keeping prices profitable and competitive and easy-to-use worksheets.

Author Biography

Owen E. Dell, a licensed landscape architect and landscape contractor, has been beautifying yards for more than thirty years. An award-winning garden designer, his gardens have been featured in Sunset magazine, Landscape Architecture, California Landscape, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
So You Think You Want to Be a Landscaper	p. 1
Measuring the Landscaper's Life	p. 1
What Kinds of Work Are Available and Who Does What?	p. 2
Do You Have What It Takes?	p. 10
Why Do You Want to Run Your Own Business?	p. 12
Making the Transition: Amateur to Professional	p. 12
Part Time or Full Time?	p. 17
Getting Started	p. 19
Start Up or Buy?	p. 19
Working Out of Your Home	p. 21
Tools and Equipment	p. 22
Other Office Basics	p. 39
The Bank Account	p. 41
Insurance	p. 41
Legal Considerations	p. 45
Business Taxes	p. 48
Defining Your Niche	p. 49
Conclusion	p. 53
Writing a Business Plan	p. 55
Why Do a Business Plan, Anyway?	p. 56
Preparing the Business Plan, Step-by-Step	p. 57
Some Tips on Raising Money	p. 80
Learning to Live with Record Keeping	p. 83
Bookkeeping	p. 83
General Business Records	p. 106
Employees: A Joy and a Nuisance	p. 115
How Many People Will You Need?	p. 115
Job Categories (Field)	p. 118
Finding Good Employees	p. 121
Legal Requirements of Employers	p. 123
Hiring	p. 128
Developing an Employee Manual	p. 135
Training Employees	p. 136
Managing Employees	p. 138
Record Keeping	p. 142
Getting Work	p. 147
Serving the Client Well	p. 148
Marketing Basics	p. 149
Getting the Work	p. 159
Advertising	p. 163
Alternative Forms of Marketing	p. 169
Keeping Track of Potential Clients: Contact Report	p. 170
Bidding	p. 173
The Main Elements of a Bid	p. 173
The Bidding Process, Step-by-Step	p. 177
Submitting the Bid	p. 185
Sample Bidding Forms	p. 187
The Contract	p. 187
Job Costing	p. 194
Sales 101	p. 194
Finally You Get to Do Some Real Work	p. 197
Designing the Project	p. 197
Project Management	p. 200
Getting Along with Others	p. 218
Getting Paid	p. 221
Following Up on Your Jobs	p. 233
Business Nightmares: Keeping Your Nose Clean	p. 234
The Long Haul	p. 241
After the Work Is Done	p. 241
Guarantees	p. 243
Liability for Work	p. 246
Long-Term Management	p. 246
Planning for Growth	p. 254
Planning for Retirement	p. 255
In Conclusion	p. 255
Resources	p. 257
Using the Internet	p. 269
Business Plan Worksheet and Other Forms	p. 275
Index	p. 307
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