How much money do I need to start a mowing business?

If you are thinking about starting your own mowing or gardening business and wondering if it is possible for you then read on.

It's very hard to put a number on how much you personally need to start your own business, it varies greatly for each person.

But we have some simple ways to determine roughly what it will take for you. Whether you are bootstrapping it or have savings behind you.

Let's start with getting a few numbers together. What are your weekly personal expenses? And what are your estimated weekly business expenses?

We have blank expense forms in our private facebook group, you can fill them out and come back. Click to join group 

Or you can just estimate, but try to be as accurate as possible, think of everything.

Write down -

• weekly personal expenses $...            
• Weekly estimated business expenses $...

Now do you have enough equipment to get started? Do you need to buy more?

At a bare minimum you can start with a push mower, brush cutter/ whipper snipper, a blower, safety gear and something to lug it all around in - a ute or trailer. (You will need a lot more gear if you wish to be successful, but it is possible to build up to it)

Maybe you need to buy a couple of things or maybe the whole kit, either way make a total of what you need to buy before you start.

Write down -

• Total purchases needed $...

Now to be legit you are going to need an ABN which is free, register a business name $36 for one year, some business cards and public liability insurance as a minimum.

Public liability varies starting from around $400 per year for $5mil cover up to $700+ for $20mil cover. Let's say for now it's going to cost you around $500 for the year.

Write down -

• Business name $36
• Business cards $50 min
• Public liability insurance $500

Keep in mind this a bare minimum of what is needed. As you grow your business there will be many more expenses, but also more income.

You won't start making much turnover for at least a few weeks or months until you build up your customer base and they start paying you.

So, we suggest having enough money in the bank or some other income to cover you for at least 6 weeks.

Let's add this up -

• Weekly personal expenses $... +plus
• Weekly estimated business expenses $...

=  Total weekly recurring cost $....  x times this amount by 6 weeks = Total cost over 6 weeks is $...

Now add up - 

• Total purchases needed $....       +plus
• Business name $36     +plus
• Business cards $50 min      +plus
• Public liability insurance $500

=  Total one off purchases is $...

Now add up - 

• Total cost over 6 weeks $...       +plus
• Total one-off purchases $...

=   Total minimum amount you need to start is $....

How did you go? Was it what you expected? You can probably add a couple hundred $ for anything unforeseen.

Remember this a bare minimum and if you are not prepared to invest this much money right now then you should probably hold off and save until you are ready.

On the other end of the scale, if you have money behind you to invest then you are probably going to spend a lot more.

Costs can add up quickly when purchasing trailers, advertising, zero turn ride on, more insurances and all the extra gear and things you need. 

There are many, many more processes in running a successful and sustainable long-term business.

Whichever stage you are at, there is a lot more to it than just having enough money.

If you want advice on starting your new business, we have an online training course that walks you through the whole start up process step by step. From ABN, GST, names and emails to your hourly rate, quoting and all the way through to getting out and working, plus loads more. With a FREE guide to identifying and maintaining different lawn types in Australia.

Check it out here: 

How To Start a Successful Lawn and Garden Business in 21 Days!

If you want to be 2 steps ahead of the competition, then check out our online training courses and members club.