Here is some information on how to start a new landscaping business in Pennsylvania. You may want to start here: How To Start A Landscaping Or Lawn Care Business. The links below will also help with getting any lawn mowing, lawn care, property management or other similar businesses started.
You will want to properly plan before going through the registration process to make sure owning and running a business is for you.
How To Register A Landscaping Business In Pennsylvania
Getting started- The state of Pennsylvania has a website about starting a business in Pennsylvania here: PA Business One Stop Shop
-Register your landscaping business name.
Find out more about registering a fictitious name here: https://business.pa.gov/register/
More on selecting a name for your new business here: How To Choose A Business Name
Some Name Ideas: Landscaping Business Name Ideas
-Select your business structure.
Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc. Find out more here: http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/Documents/Business%20Guide.pdf
-Register your landscaping business.
You can register your new business with the state of Pennsylvania here: Pennsylvania Business Registration
-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: http://www.revenue.pa.gov/ and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business
-Register as a Contractor.
There is a fee to register. The registration lasts two years. You can apply for your registration here: Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration . You will receive a certificate in the mail along with your official Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor number. According the the law, “The registration number must be included in any advertisements, contracts, estimates and proposals that you use in Pennsylvania.”
-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.
-City License, Permits, Certifications
You may be required to obtain a license to operate a landscaping business, lawn care business, or any other similar business in a particular locale, whether you are a resident, or not. You may also need to apply for permits depending on what type of work you will be doing. If you are working with certain chemicals you may need to be certified.