October 2016

How To Start A Landscaping Business In Georgia

Misc Outdoor

How to Start a Landscaping Business In Georgia

When starting a landscaping or lawn care business in the state of Georgia, you will need to complete a few important steps in order to become a legal business.  Your landscaping business could include gardening, lawn mowing, leaf removal, excavation, tree work, and more.  You may want to start here:  How To Start A Landscaping Or Lawn Care Business.  You can find the links to help get your new landscaping business registered in Georgia below.  You must do your own thorough research, as laws change regularly.  Here are some steps you may have to take (not necessarily in order) to start your landscaping or lawn care company, along with links to more information.

Getting started– Here are a few websites created by the state of Georgia about how to start a business in Georgia: http://www.georgia.org/small-business/start/ and http://www.georgiasbdc.org/startsmart/

Register your landscaping business name.

You will need to register your new landscaping business name with the Superior Court Clerk in your Georgia county.

If you need help selecting a name for your landscaping business:  How to Choose a  Business Name and How To Choose a Lawn Care Business Name 

-Select a business structure.

Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Many small business owners start out with a sole proprietorship.  If you want more legal protection, you may wish to choose an LLC.  Find out more here: http://sos.ga.gov/admin/files/legal_entity.pdf  

-Register your landscaping business.

You can register your landscaping business with the state of Georgia here: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/

-Open a Business Checking Account.

You will need to open a separate bank account for your landscaping business with your new business name.

-Find out about taxes and hire an accountant.

You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work. More info about taxes here: https://dor.georgia.gov/business-taxes and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business

-Get Landscaping Software

Landscaping software will streamline your business before you even start, giving you visibility and control over all your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single program to get your company on the fast track toward growth.

You’ll also be able to create estimates, place material orders, automate the boring (but necessary) stuff, empowering you and your team to finish jobs on time and on budget. Try JobNimbus for Free!

-Get Liability Insurance.

We work with ContractorsLiability.com because they’re the one-stop-shop for General Liability insurance and are able to get online quotes in all 50 states. Learn more >

More about liability insurance here: Contractor Liability Insurance

-Worker’s Compensation.

You will need Worker’s Compensation if you have any employees. Find out more>

-Get Health Insurance.

Since you will be self-employed, you will need your own health insurance.  If you have employees, you will need a plan that will include their health needs also.how to start a lawn care business in Georgia

-City License.

You may be required to obtain a license to operate your landscaping business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not.

-Permits.

Depending on the location, you may need to apply for permits before starting certain landscaping jobs.

-Inspections.

Depending on what your landscaping project involves, you may be subject to inspections.

How To Choose A Landscaping or Lawn Care Business Name

Misc Outdoor

How To Choose a Lawn Care or Landscaping Business Name

Choosing a good business name is one of the first steps in starting any business.  Below you will find some tips on choosing a business name for someone starting a lawn mowing, lawn care, leaf removal, landscaping, yard design, or snow removal, tree trimming, or any other type of property maintenance business.

Here are some points to consider when deciding on a lawn care / landscaping company name:

-Create a Business Plan:  After creating a business plan that includes the present and future goals for your lawn business, you may have a better time deciding on a name.  This doesn’t have to be an in-depth plan, but a basic structure of what you see as the future of your new business.

-Find Out if Your Business Name is Already Taken: Check with your government agency to see if your business name is already registered.  The last thing you want to do is get your business cards printed and website set up, only to find out someone has the same (or similar) name in close proximity to where you plan to advertise.

-Highlight a Specialty in Your Name:  For example, if you want to specialize in landscape design, you may want to feature the word “design” or a similar descriptive word somehow in your business name.  “Premier Landscaping Design” .  When people see your business name, there will be no doubt that not only are you a landscaper, but that you specialize in custom landscaping design.

-Choose a More General Name:  You might not want to limit yourself to just lawn mowing.  If lawn mowing is seasonal, perhaps you want to include leaf and snow removal.  You could choose a more general business name such as “Elite Property Services” or “Four Seasons Lawn Care”.

-Target a Particular Audience: If you are in a lower income area, a name such as “Affordable Lawn Care” might be a good choice.   If you are in a higher  income area, you may wish to choose a name that indicates prestige or quality such as “Prestige Landscaping”.

Use Your Own Name:    Using your own name can add a personal touch that will appeal to many customers.  “Jim’s Yard Care” or “Walsh Commercial Property Services”  Using your own name may not be a good choice if you think you may want to sell the company down the road.

-Feature a Catchy Slogan:  You can also choose a more basic business name and focus on a catchy slogan to attract customers.  Something like, “Your Yard Care Expert” or “Denver’s Landscaping Specialist” could be a tagline under your painting business name.   You can see how having “John’s Yard Care– “Denver’s Landscaping Specialist” on your business card, advertisement, or on the side of your painting vehicle could attract more attention than just “John’s Yard Care”.how to choose a lawn care business name

-Start at the Front of the Alphabet:  One technique some like to use is to choose a name that will show up at the beginning of an alphabetical business listing.  Examples for this would be “Affordable Lawn Care” or “ABC Landscaping”.

-Choose a Name That is Short and Easy to Remember:  A long name, or a name with a difficult spelling will make it hard for potential customers to remember your lawn care business name.

– Select a Good Web Address to Go With Your Business Name:   While it would be great to have your business name as the actual web address (ex. “PremierLandscaping.com”), it isn’t always possible.  Other options could be “PremierLandscapingDenver.com”, or some other variation not even including your name such as “BestDenverPropertyCare.com”.  You could even choose a web address that reflects your specialty such as “DenverYardDesign.com”.  The key with choosing a website name is to keep it easy to remember and easy to spell, even if it is longer.  Most people will do an internet search for your business and click on a link rather than typing in a long web address.  If your website is set up properly, customers will have no problem finding you, no matter what the web address is.  See if your domain name is available.

How To Start A Landscaping Business In South Carolina – Lawn Care Startup Requirements

Misc Outdoor

There are a number of steps to start a legal landscaping or lawn care business in the state of South Carolina.  Your South Carolina landscaping business could include gardening, lawn mowing, leaf removal, excavation, tree work, and more. You must do your own thorough research, as laws change regularly.  You may want to start here: How To Start A Landscaping Business.
Getting started– A resource created by the state of South Carolina to help you start your business can be found here: South Carolina Business One-Stop

-Register your landscaping business name.

Find out if the business name you want is available:  South Carolina Business Name Search .

If you need help selecting a name for your landscaping business:  How To Choose a Lawn Care Business Name and Landscaping Business Name Ideas

-Select your business structure.

Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Find out more here: South Carolina Business Structure

More about entities here: Handyman Business Structure

 -Register your lawn care business.

Find out more about how register your landscaping or lawn care business with the state of South Carolina here: South Carolina Business One-Stop

-Open a Business Checking Account.

You will need to open a separate bank account for your lawn care business with your new business name.

-Find out about taxes and hire an accountant.

You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work.  More info about taxes here:

-Get Landscaping Software

Landscaping software will streamline your business before you even start, giving you visibility and control over all your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single program to get your company on the fast track toward growth.

You’ll also be able to create estimates, place material orders, automate the boring (but necessary) stuff, empowering you and your team to finish jobs on time and on budget. Try JobNimbus for Free!

-Get Liability Insurance.

We work with ContractorsLiability.com because they’re the one-stop-shop for General Liability insurance and are able to get online quotes in all 50 states. Learn more >

More about liability insurance here: Contractor Liability Insurance

-Worker’s Compensation.

You will need Worker’s Compensation if you have any employees. Find out more>

 -Register as a Contractor.

Find out if you need to register as a landscaping contractor licensing here:  https://www.scbos.sc.gov/Portals/0/Site/Business%20Resources/General_Business_License.pdf .start a landscaping business South Carolina

-Get Health Insurance.

Since you will be self-employed, you will need your own health insurance.  If you have employees, you will need a plan that will include their health needs also.

-City License.

You may be required to obtain a license to operate your landscaping or lawn care business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not.

-Permits.

Depending on the locale, you may need to apply for permits before commencing certain types of landscaping jobs.

-Special Certifications and Licenses.

You may possibly need to be certified or licensed to work with certain fertilizers or other lawn chemicals.

How To Start A Landscaping Business – Starting A Lawn Care Company

Misc Outdoor

BUSINESS STARTUP QUICK LINKS

LIABILITY INSURANCE
CONTRACTOR SOFTWARE

Table of Contents

Starting and running a profitable landscaping business is a lot more than knowing about how to push a lawnmower or pull weeds.  Being a successful landscaper involves organization, knowledge, patience, perseverance, people-skills, and a number of other traits.  Many lawn care business owners fail, not because they weren’t a skilled landscaping contractor, but because they were not skilled in running a business. The larger you want your landscaping company to be, the better you need to be as a business owner, as the responsibility will be greater.  It is not wrong to dream about growing a large company, but if you are a new business owner, it is best to start small and work your way up.

3 STEPS TO STARTING A LANDSCAPING BUSINESS

There are three basic steps to starting a landscaping company from scratch.  First is planning.  Second is registering with proper government institutions.  Lastly, you will need to promote your business in some way to attract customers.

1.  Plan Your Landscaping Company

Develop a Business plan

Before diving in to any type of business, you should develop a business plan.  If you want to start a landscaping company, you should definitely start with a business plan!  Landscaping equipment and vehicles can cost a lot of money.  Don’t forget about insurance costs, not only for you, but for any employees.  A business plan doesn’t have to be anything complicated, but is something that will help organize your goals and priorities and help you make wise decisions. Planning properly will help you decide if you are going to specialize in a specific niche such as custom patios, waterscapes,  fertilizing, or if you will offer a variety of services.
  • Set short and long-term goals – Plan your business before you spend a dime.
  • Decide what services you will offer – Decide the scope of your business.
  • Find a niche – What will be your specialty?  What will set you apart from the competition?
  • Choose a business name – Put some thought into deciding a name for your lawn care business. Landscaping Business Name Ideas
  • Decide what you will charge for your services
  • Financing – You may need to get a business loan

Get Organized

As soon as you start your landscaping business, you will need to get organized so you can keep your customer communications and lawn care-related paperwork in order.  You won’t necessarily need a full office when starting out.  An office desk dedicated to your landscaping company paperwork would be helpful. Get a daily planner or use your smartphone to schedule estimates, jobs, and other work-related appointments.  An easy way to lose customers is to arrive late or even forget a scheduled appointment.  A schedule will help you plan your day, week, and month, so you can make best use of your time and your customer’s time.
  • Set up an office
  • E-mail
  • Business phone
  • Estimate forms
  • Bill Forms
  • Landscaping software will streamline your business before you even start, giving you visibility and control over all your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single program to get your company on the fast track toward growth.You’ll also be able to create estimates, place material orders, automate the boring (but necessary) stuff, empowering you and your team to finish jobs on time and on budget. Try JobNimbus for Free!

Equipment needed when starting a landscaping company

You can’t start a landscaping company without certain lawn care tools and equipment.  Equipment will probably account for the largest portion of your startup costs. The type of landscaping or lawn care business you will be starting will determine what specific tools and equipment you will need.  This could range from a pickup truck and trailer to haul mowers to dump trucks and heavy machinery. Starting out, you don’t necessarily need all brand-new tools and equipment.  You will save thousands of dollars in startup costs by purchasing a used truck, mowers, blowers, and other misc. tools.  Another tip is to only buy tools as jobs require them.  This will help keep you from going into debt for tools and equipment you may end up never using.

2.  Register Your New Landscaping Business

Make it legal

Make sure you are following proper protocol in your region.  This means having necessary insurance, following tax codes, getting proper licenses and permits, etc.  This applies even to a part-time landscaping business. Some steps to starting your landscaping company legally:
  • Select your business structure (sole-proprietor, LLC, Corporation, etc.)
  • Register your business name
  • Register your business entity
  • Register as a home improvement contractor with your state (US)
  • Open a business bank account
  • Taxes- either get an accountant, or do research on filing yourself
  • Liability Insurance
  • Worker’s Compensationstart a landscaping business
  • City Licenses and Permits
  • Certifications (for chemicals and other applications)
  • OSHA (if applicable)

3.  Grow Your New Landscaping Business

In order to grow your landscaping company, you will need to work hard, have people skills, and be patient.  You will also need to market your business effectively.  Success and profit won’t come overnight.

Customers

Beside employees, dealing with customers can cause a great amount of stress.  Learning how to communicate well with customers can help boost sales and increase word-of-mouth leads.
  • Learn how to sell a landscaping or lawn care job to a potential customer
  • Estimate a landscaping job properly
  • Communicate regularly and clearly with the customer
  • Be fair and honest- take responsibility for your mistakes

Marketing

After you start a landscaping business, you need to market it.  Some low-cost advertising to get started can include a basic 1 or 2 page website, setting up a free business listing for your landscaping company on Google and other online directories, social media accounts, business cards, vehicle signs (magnet signs are a good lower budget option), and a few yard signs. How to Start a Landscaping Business in the United States Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montanahow to start a lawn care business Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming How To Start A Landscaping Business In The United Kingdom

OSHA Roofing Contractor Safety Standards Compliance Summary

Equipment and Tools, Featured, Injury/Death, Roofing Tips

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is a US government agency regulating workplace safety.  If you are a roofing contractor in the United States, with at least one employee, you are required to abide by OSHA safety standards.  If you work alone, you are not required to abide by OSHA standards.  If you have no employees, but use other roofers  as sub-contractors or independent contractors, you are not required to comply to OSHA standards.  OSHA only regulates safety standards for companies with paid employees.

Roofing business owners who fail to comply with OSHA safety standards could face stiff fines.  Fines may increase with continued failure to comply.

Here is a basic summary of some OSHA standards roofing company owners need to be aware of. *Note: This is only a summary, not a complete guide.

Fall Protection

Fall protection must be provided for any employees working at a height of 6 feet or more from a lower level.  Workers must be trained in fall protection by a competent person.  Employers need to certify that workers have been trained.

Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

A fall arrest system prevents a worker who falls from contacting a lower level.  The system must be set to prevent a worker from falling more than 6 feet.  The system must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per worker and be installed by a qualified individual.

Fall Restraint System

A fall restraint system is designed to prevent a worker from reaching the edge of a work area.  It must be capable of supporting at least 3,000 lbs.

Guardrail System

A guardrail system can be set up around the perimeter of the work area and around roof openings.  The top rail must be 39 to 45 inches above the roof surface.  The guardrail must be able to withstand 200 lbs of downward or outward force.

Other Protective Measures

Safety Monitor

On roofs that are 50 ft. wide or less, a competent person may be used as a safety monitor.

Warning Lines

Warning lines can consist of ropes, wires, or chains at least 6 feet from the roof edge, and must be flagged at least every 6 feet.

Covers

Protective covers may be used over skylights and other roof openings.  The cover must be capable of supporting at least twice the weight of employees and equipment and marked with the word “HOLE” or “COVER” as a warning.

Ladders, Scaffolding, Lifts

Ladders

Ladders must be regularly inspected for physical defects.  Ladders must only be used on stable, level surfaces.  A stable, level surface may need to be created to prevent sliding or shifting.  The areas around the top and bottom of the ladder must be kept clear.  The ladder should not be set up in a high traffic area unless secured and/or protected by a barrier.

Ladders must be set at a proper angle, and workers must not carry anything that may cause them to lose their balance.

Stepladder may only be used in the fully open position.  Workers may not use the top or the top step as a step.

More on ladders here: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3660.pdf

Scaffolding

Only trained workers may install, alter, or dismantle scaffolding.  Safe access must be provided.  Each platform must be fully decked.  Workers on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level must be protected from falls.  A guardrail is acceptable.


Workers must be protected from falling objects such as tools and materials.  The area below the scaffold should be barricaded and toeboards should be installed on the platform at heights above 10 feet.

Lifts

Only authorized and trained workers should operate aerial lifts and forklifts.

Electrical Safety

Workers should be trained in the area of electrical safety.  Overhead electrical lines pose a common risk for roofers.

Building Integrity

An employer is responsible to ensure that the building and roof structure will maintain the weight of all workers and equipment.

Tool Safety

Workers must be trained in the proper used of tools.  Tools should include all necessary guards, shields, and safety attachments.

The following protective equipment should be used when operating certain tools and working under certain conditions:

Eye and Ear Protection, Gloves, Hard Hats, Work Boots, Highly Visible Clothing

Roofing Operations

Proper training and precautions are required when working with hot tar, open flames, torches, propane tanks, and flammable materials such as adhesives.  Fire extinguishers should be within 50 feet.

Hazardous Substances

Employers must be aware of, and protect their workers from the dangers of these and other hazardous substances:

Asbestos

Asbestos may be found in insulation, and roofing and siding product on older homes.

Lead

Lead-based paints may be found on wood and metal on older structures.

Silica

Silica may be found in concrete and cement roofing tiles.

Vapors and Fumes

Other contaminants may be released during demolition or come from work materials such as adhesives.

Weather Conditions

Employers are responsible to protect their employees from the hazards created by weather.  This includes trauma related to heat and cold, and the dangers of inclement weather such as high winds, rain, snow, and ice.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Worker must be trained in proper procedure in the event of an emergency.  If no hospital or other medical assistance is available within reasonable distance from a jobsite, a person trained in first aid must be available, along with accessible first aid supplies.

More reference materials here:  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3755.pdf and https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy12/sh-23536-12/StudentReferenceMaterials.pdf

 

 

How To Start A Landscaping Business In North Carolina- Lawn Care Startup Requirements

Misc Outdoor

A landscaping or lawn care business in North Carolina can provide a great part-time or full-time income.   Your landscaping business could include gardening, lawn mowing, leaf and lawn debris removal, excavation, tree work, and more.  You may want to start here: How To Start A Landscaping Business.  You can find the links to help get your new landscaping business registered in North Carolina below.

How to Register A Landscaping Business in North Carolina

Getting started in North Carolina– The state of North Carolina has a website about starting a business in North Carolina here: http://www.blnc.gov/start-your-business

-Register your landscaping business name.

Find out more about registering a business name in North Carolina here: http://www.blnc.gov/start-your-business/business-forms

If you need help selecting a name for your landscaping business:  How to Choose A Business Name and Landscaping Business Name Ideas

-Select a business structure for your landscaping or lawn care business.

Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.  Find out more here: http://www.blnc.gov/start-your-business/selecting-a-business-structure

-Register your landscaping business.

You can register your landscaping business with the state of North Carolina here: http://www.dornc.com/electronic/registration/

-Open a Business Checking Account with your Bank.

Open a new bank account for your landscaping business with your new business name.

-Tax Requirements.

You could do your own taxes or hire an accountant do the work. More info about taxes here: http://www.dornc.com/ and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business

-Get Landscaping Software.

Landscaping software will streamline your business before you even start, giving you visibility and control over all your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single program to get your company on the fast track toward growth.

You’ll also be able to create estimates, place material orders, automate the boring (but necessary) stuff, empowering you and your team to finish jobs on time and on budget. Try JobNimbus for Free!

-Get Liability Insurance.

We work with ContractorsLiability.com because they’re the one-stop-shop for General Liability insurance and are able to get online quotes in all 50 states. Learn more >

More about liability insurance here: Contractor Liability Insurance

-Worker’s Compensation.

You will need Worker’s Compensation if you have any employees. Find out more>

-Register as a Contractor in North Carolina.

Depending on what type of landscaping work you will be doing, you may need to register as a contractor.  Check here to see if you need to register as a contractor in North Carolina:  http://www.nclbgc.org/ .

-Get Health Insurance.

You will need health insurance for you and your employees.

-City License, Certifications, and Permits.

You may need to get a license to operate your landscaping business in certain areas.  You may need special certifications to use lawn chemicals.  Also, you may need to apply for permits for certain landscaping jobs.

How To Start A Landscaping Business In Mississippi

Misc Outdoor

Here are some things to consider when trying to start a landscaping or lawn care business in the state of Mississippi.  There are plenty of opportunities to make a full or part time income with a landscaping business in Mississippi.   Your landscaping business could include gardening, lawn mowing, leaf and debris removal, excavation, tree work, and more.  You may want to start here:  How To Start A Landscaping Or Lawn Care Business.  You can find the links to help get your new landscaping business registered in Mississippi below.
Mississippi has a website to help you get started with your business:  Mississippi Business Services

-Register your landscaping business name.

You may need to register a fictitious name for your business.

If you need help selecting a name for your landscaping business:  How To Choose A Business Name and Landscaping Business Name Ideas

-Select your business structure.

Determine what business structure you wish to have: Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc.   https://www.sos.ms.gov/BusinessServices/Documents/Business%20Entities%20(Clean).pdf

-Register your business.

You may be required to register your landscaping or lawn care business with your state.

-Open a Business Checking Account.

You will need to open a separate bank account for your landscaping business with your new business name.

-Find out about taxes, hire an accountant.

You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work. More information about taxes here: http://www.dor.ms.gov/Business/Pages/default.aspx and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business .

-Get Landscaping Software.

Landscaping software will streamline your business before you even start, giving you visibility and control over all your leads, sales, jobs, and tasks from a single program to get your company on the fast track toward growth.

You’ll also be able to create estimates, place material orders, automate the boring (but necessary) stuff, empowering you and your team to finish jobs on time and on budget. Try JobNimbus for Free!

-Get Liability Insurance.

We work with ContractorsLiability.com because they’re the one-stop-shop for General Liability insurance and are able to get online quotes in all 50 states. Learn more >

More about liability insurance here: Contractor Liability Insurance

-Worker’s Compensation.

You will need Worker’s Compensation if you have any employees. Find out more>

-Register as a Contractor.

You need to find out if your state or city requires you to register as an insured contractor.

how to start a landscaping business in Mississippi

-Get Health Insurance.

Since you will be self-employed, you will need your own health insurance.  If you have employees, you will need a plan that will include their health needs also.

-City License, Certifications, Permits.

You may be required to obtain a license to operate your landscaping or lawn care business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not.  You may need a license and/or certification to use certain lawn care chemicals.  You may also need a permit for certain landscaping projects.