What’s inside
- 01 Formation and compliancePlus pesticide-license decision guide, noise and yard-waste rules checklist.
- 02 Financial workbookPer-visit pricing by lot size and crew time, fuel and equipment wear; seasonal cash flow.
- 03 Service menuMowing, edging, cleanup, mulching, seasonal services and what each includes.
- 04 Route and job checklistsDaily equipment check, route planning, per-visit checklist, end-of-day maintenance.
- 05 Safety proceduresProtective gear, debris and window-damage prevention, fuel handling, heat safety.
- 06 Property proceduresPre-existing damage photos, gate and pet rules, irrigation-head and utility-marker care.
- 07 Customer documentsSeasonal service agreement outline, estimate, weather and skip policy, invoice.
- 08 Launch setupGoogle profile, door-hanger and inquiry script, estimate follow-ups.
- 09 First hire and crewCrew job description, equipment training, overtime and workers' comp.
- 10 90-day trackerAccounts, visits per day, revenue per crew hour and cancellations.
What this business requires
- Applying pesticides or herbicides for hire requires state applicator certification under federal EPA standards; mowing and maintenance usually don't.
- Mower, trimmer, blower and trailer: equipment insurance runs about $42 a month at the median (Insureon).
- General liability is higher than desk work: about $57 a month at the median, because of flying debris and property damage (Insureon).
Typical insurance
- General liability$57 a month
- Tools and equipment$42 a month
- Commercial auto$255 a month
Median premiums for this profession from Insureon customer data. Yours depend on your state, limits and history.
Built for your area
Business license, pesticide applicator licensing in your state, yard-waste disposal, noise ordinances, sales tax on landscaping where it applies, and workers' comp. Your Groundwork adviser checks these against official sources and sends your State Page the same business day.
The numbers
Startup cost: about $1,000 to $3,000 for lawn care (GOBankingRates). Priced per visit by lot size, seasonal contracts and project quotes. About 48.9% of new businesses in this sector are still open after five years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What it doesn’t do
The kit doesn’t judge your specific idea, market or competitors. That is the Groundwork Business Blueprint, and your kit price counts toward a Blueprint ordered within 30 days.
Secure checkout by Stripe. After payment you’ll tell us your city and state, and your Groundwork adviser emails your kit and completed State Page the same business day. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice; agreements are starting drafts to review with an attorney in your state.
