The Grass Doctor

Hello :-), I would like to know how to make a business plan for a small lawn care service?

10 POINTS FOR BEST ANSWER I would like to start up a lawn care service, and note: if I start it I will be working at it very hard - I hope to go to college for either business or entrepeanuereship (wow BAD spelling, sorry) and I will take this very seriously! I want to know what kind of business plan I should have, I obviously want to make it like a real business plan but a very simple one - I have to wait until football is over so I will have a good amount of time to make my business plan before I will be able to start. I am 15, going to be 16 in late november and I will be able to drive which would be a plus for the company once I turn 16, my parents want me to have a job so I'm sure they will lend me the car to work for the company. I want to be a cheap and reliable service for families that want a cut lawn but don't want to pay a landscaping company to do it for a large amount of money. I will be going alone on this until I have enough houses that I can use the help. I need to know about the business plan, how I make it and how I determine how to: - Price my service - Decide when to hire someone, most likely a friend - How much to pay for a lawn mower, should it be gas, self-propel, or elelectric? - How I should advertize myself - and anything else you can think of Please let me know your thoughts either in an explaination or a link to a good website that will help me with this, thank you very much!

Public Comments

1. Hey you know there are software available to help you make a business plan and also you can find numerous books in the Public Library/Bookstores. One resource I would definitely go to is: sba.org (Small Business Association, I think) Also SBDC (Small Business Development Center) . They have local offices in most cities and thet have lot of material that can help you.
2. you can also contact www.score.org to get a free business mentor...you have a pretty thougtout plan.. you will need to do a lot of research in the area you want to provide service in....(e.g. what is generally charged for lawning service in your area, how much work can you fit in one day, does the city you want to service have gas mower pollution restrictions, etc) finding a nitch... something you offer that stands seperates you from your competitors......