In 2014, I started my lawn care and landscaping company – now an award-winning, multi-state company with a location that operates without me.
But when I started my business, my resources were low. I was scrappy and determined.
And still today, I ask myself: “What would I do if I lost everything? How would I start over?”
This blog post on how to start a landscaping business with no money may be interesting to you if you’re considering joining the industry part-time or full-time and you don’t have many resources.
What could you build if all that you had was a car or truck and $100?
I am going to tell you what I would do if I was starting a landscaping business with no money.
Step One: Take Inventory
I would inventory what I do have – even if it’s not much.
I would take my shovel, rake, and big trash can, and I would get to work.
Here’s the thing: even if you feel like you have nothing, you probably have something.
So what do you have?
Do you have a vehicle? Maybe it’s not a big truck that could haul equipment.
Maybe you only have a car.
Use that.
What if you don’t even have a vehicle? I see many landscaping business owners renting trucks from U-Haul or box stores.
Take inventory of what you have – and then move to step two.
Two: Offer Services You CAN Do
It can feel challenging to start a lawn care and landscaping business with no start-up money for a mower.
But if you have a rake and a trash can, you can go make thousands of dollars on fall leaf clean ups.
Not starting during fall? You can do spring or general property clean ups.
Do you only have a small car and a shovel?
You can do small mulch projects and haul bags in your trunk.
The cost of a mower (even used) may feel overwhelming, so instead of starting with recurring services… start with one-time services.
Three: Write It Down
This is what I did.
I printed the cheapest, ugliest flyer possible (at least I think it was the ugliest possible).
It had the basics: an embarrassing cartoon figure, my phone number, and the few services I could offer.
I put on nice jeans and a collared shirt, and I started walking around my neighborhood.
I knocked on doors. I shook hands and introduced myself. I hung them on doors when nobody was home.
I hung them on cork boards at restaurants and stores.
I was as active as possible using my flyers and the few resources I had – because I was committed to starting a landscaping business with no money.
This is what happened next – and what will happen for you.
Four: Generate One-Time Jobs
“But Jacob, I like to mow lawns. I want to have a lawn care business. I just can’t afford the mower or trailer yet.”
Landscaping has fueled both of my companies.
It propelled my second location from $0 to over $50,000 per month in revenue within the first three months.
Mowing accounts didn’t do that.
One-time landscaping projects did.
9 times out of 10, it can take time to earn mowing accounts – and even then, the revenue is typically fairly small.
But even a $200 mulch project that you can perform with a shovel and a car can get your landscaping business going much faster.
Stuck on the fine details?
Use your time wisely!
Spend your time in the field listening to YouTube channels and podcasts from people who have build what you want to build.
Absorb as much as you can, and act on what you learn.
This is not just what I would do if I was you. This is what I did to build a multi-million dollar landscaping company (with no money).
Five: Invest in Marketing
Now we’re rolling.
We’re doing a few small landscaping projects a day, and the money is starting to show up.
Finally!
If I only have $1,000 from clean ups and landscaping, what would I do next?
I would not buy a $1,000 mower.
I would spend $1,000 on marketing.
This is what I would start with to advertise your landscaping business:
- Website
- Social media ads
- Business cards
- Vehicle wrap or sign
Obviously you couldn’t do all that at once with $1,000.
If I wanted to market affordably, I would find a new website designer building their portfolio.
I would start posting on Facebook every day and run ads to reach more people.
I would design business cards on Canva and order them on Vistaprint.
I would slap a magnet with my name and phone number on the side of my vehicle.
Starting a landscaping business with no money – or any business at all – is like a plane taking off.
You have to get it up in the air.
Marketing catches your wings.
You see, even when it feels like you have nothing, you have so much potential.
A lot of times, we stand in our own way.
Is it a lack of resources… or is it a lack of resourcefulness?
There is always a way. You can do this! Keep going.
Now we’re moving right along to step 6: Get Legal.
Take the necessary steps to operate your business legally. It’s worth it. Don’t put it off.
Now are you ready.
Step 7: Start Finding Cost-Effective Maintenance Equipment
I started my business with a string trimmer that had been found in a ditch. The push mower was a decade-old hand-me-down from my dad.
Don’t get caught up in shiny stuff. You’ll get there. Start with what you can get that makes sense to propel your business.
Step Eight: EVALUATE
Now you’re going. It’s time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not working.
Get rid of what’s not working.
Do more of what IS working.
Maybe gutter cleaning and clean ups are extremely profitable, but pressure washing just kills you on profit.
Evaluate that. Be smart. Get rid of what’s not working.
(Gain a good recommended provider to pass on to clients and build your network.)
Keep doing what you can – and whatever you, don’t stop.
If you get stuck or discouraged, then reach out to the people who know what it feels like.
Join a community. Find more resources. Level up your network.
This is what I would do to start a landscaping business with no money.