The Grass Doctor

How to start a lawn care business?

I have just retired and want to start my own business doing something I enjoy doing. I would enjoy nothing more than starting my own lawn care service. I would like some information of suggestions on where I can obtain information on starting such a business. I know this is not the time of year to start but is there any types of services I might offer in the fall and winter in the south.

Public Comments

1. Hi, The first step would be to choose a legal structure for your business. It will be one of the following: Sole Proprietorship - I wouldn't recommend this one. Partnership - Only start a company with someone who can bring a skill into the mix that you don't already have. Its almost never a good idea to start a company with a friend or family member. Limited Liability Company (LLC) - A relatively new entity that is definitely something to check into Corporation - Hard and expensive to start up, but has the most liability coverage. You'll have to choose the one that you think will be best for your company. You can always change structures later on if you think that you chose the wrong one. After you choose what type of structure you'll have, you will have to pick a business name. Make sure you don't take one that is already taken. You can contact your secretary of state to check name availability. Next, you'll need to choose a business location. Will you be conducting business from home? If so, you'll need to check with your city hall to see what requirements or restrictions they have. If you are going to buy or rent a place, you'll have to check into that city's zoning laws. Next, you'll need to draft a business plan. Even if you wont be needing any extra money from loans or investors, it is always a wise decision to draft a business plan including the financial projections to make sure you will turn a profit. As far as start up requirements with the government, there are six: 1. File organizational documents with your state (Corporations, LLCs, and Limited Partnerships Only) - You will file these documents with the secretary of state. Usually you can download the necessary papers from your secretary of state's website 2. Obtain a federal employer identification number (FEIN) - The application for the FEIN can be found on the IRS's website. 3. Register your fictitious business name with your county or state - If you're company is a corporation or LLC called Suzy's Lawn Care, you will have to attach either "LLC", or "INC" at the end, making it Suzy's Lawn Care LLC or Suzy's Lawn Care Inc. unless you get a fictitious business name (aka FBN, Trade name, DBA - Doing business as). You usually register this with your county clerk. 4. Obtain a local tax registration certificate (aka business license) - You get this from you're local tax collector. 5. Obtain a permit to sell retail goods and collect state sales tax - You will have to collect sales tax if you sell any goods at all to anyone from your state. Contact the state agency that governs sales taxes. Service businesses don't need to collect sales tax, but check with the IRS anyways just to be sure. 6. Obtain any specialized vocation-related licenses or environmental permits if necessary. If you need any more help, contact me through Yahoo! Answers email service and I'd be glad to answer any more questions the best I can. Good Luck!