How to Start a Home-Based Landscaping Business, 5th

by Owen E. Dell

• ISBN13: 9780762738816
• ISBN10: 0762738812
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-12-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Ready to launch and grow a home-based landscaping business? This guide covers all the bases, from getting clients and referrals to designing projects to marketing on the Internet.

Author Biography

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

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
So You Think You Want to Be a Landscaper	1	(18)
Measuring the Landscaper's Life	1	(1)
What Kinds of Work Are Available and Who Does What?	2	(8)
Do You Have What It Takes?	10	(2)
Why Do You Want to Run Your Own Business?	12	(1)
Making the Transition: Amateur to Professional	12	(5)
Part Time or Full Time?	17	(2)
Getting Started	19	(36)
Starting from Scratch	19	(1)
Buying a Going Business	20	(1)
Working Out of Your Home	21	(1)
Tools and Equipment	22	(17)
Other Office Basics	39	(2)
The Bank Account	41	(1)
Insurance	41	(4)
Legal Considerations	45	(3)
Business Taxes	48	(1)
Defining Your Niche	49	(4)
Conclusion	53	(2)
Writing a Business Plan	55	(28)
Why Do a Business Plan, Anyway?	56	(1)
Preparing the Business Plan, Step-by-Step	57	(23)
Some Tips on Raising Money	80	(3)
Learning to Live with Record Keeping	83	(32)
Bookkeeping	83	(23)
General Business Records	106	(9)
Employees: A Joy and a Nuisance	115	(32)
How Many People Will You Need?	115	(3)
Job Categories (Field)	118	(3)
Finding Good Employees	121	(2)
Legal Requirements of Employers	123	(5)
Hiring	128	(7)
Developing an Employee Manual	135	(1)
Training Employees	135	(3)
Managing Employees	138	(4)
Record Keeping	142	(5)
Getting Work	147	(26)
Serving the Client Well	148	(1)
Marketing Basics	149	(10)
Getting the Work	159	(4)
Advertising	163	(6)
Alternative Forms of Marketing	169	(1)
Keeping Track of Potential Clients: Contact Report	170	(3)
Bidding	173	(24)
The Main Elements of a Bid	173	(4)
The Bidding Process, Step-by-Step	177	(8)
Submitting the Bid	185	(2)
Sample Bidding Forms	187	(1)
The Contract	187	(7)
Job Costing	194	(1)
Sales 101	194	(3)
Finally You Get to Do Some Real Work	197	(44)
Designing the Project	197	(3)
Project Management	200	(18)
Getting Along with Others	218	(3)
Getting Paid	221	(12)
Following Up on Your Jobs	233	(1)
Business Nightmares: Keeping Your Nose Clean	234	(7)
The Long Haul	241	(16)
After the Work Is Done	241	(2)
Guarantees	243	(3)
Liability for Work	246	(1)
Long-Term Management	246	(8)
Planning for Growth	254	(1)
Planning for Retirement	255	(1)
In Conclusion	255	(2)
Appendix 1: Resources	257	(12)
Appendix 2: Using the Internet	269	(6)
Appendix 3: Business Plan Worksheet and Other Forms	275	(32)
Index	307	(12)
About the Author	319