landscape business

Landscape Business Plan

Making Your Own Landscape Business Plan

Creating a landscape business plan does not need to be difficult. Anyone with an interest in starting a landscape business plan can succeed by working hard and following some common sense steps.

Your Landscape Business Plan Is Vital For Several Reasons

As with creating any business plan, the creation of a landscape business plan is vital to your success. A landscape business plan is vital to obtaining startup financing, applying for small business loans or grants, or dealing with your suppliers.

Obtaining A Tax And Business Attorney

A landscape business plan is so important that many new business owners seek help in getting it up and running. While there are kits and forms available on the internet that help you create a landscape business plan, it is probably a wise move to supplement these do it yourself approaches with expert advice from a tax attorney or business lawyer.

This approach is the best way to make sure your landscape business plan really has your best interests at heart.

What You Should Include In your Business Plan?

There are many elements that a well designed and well executed landscape business plan should include, such as the name of the landscape business, its location, its purpose, any clients that are already lined up, any real estate owned, any other assets, and the outstanding liabilities.

For a startup landscape business, all of these things may not be available when creating the landscape business plan, but it is important to provide as much information as you possibly can.

Getting Start Up Financing

After you have created your landscape business plan, it is time to put it to work. The obvious place to use your landscape business plan is in getting startup financing.

There are few businesses that can get off the ground without startup financing, and a quality landscape business plan will help you get the money you need to buy wheelbarrows, rakes, topsoil and all the other things you need to make your new business a great success.

So be sure that you create your landscape business plan as the first step in striking out on your own and creating your own landscape business. Your landscape business plan is the key to success in your new venture.

Starting a Landscape Design Business by Richard Allen

in Home / Gardening (submitted 2009-01-07)

Starting a Landscape Design Business

The beauty of this is your only need a computer and some design software now you can get some great programs there are some free trial versions avaliable One I have found ishttp://www.showoff.com/Showoffpurchase.html This allows you to insert a photograph then add images to create the perfect garden there is an upgrade for $ 40 but I only used the free version for my own garden.

Another tool to use Is at www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml its a free tool and I had a play and Found it was very good .

There are two types of landscape gardening, first is self-explanatory you design, then create someone is perfect garden. The second is probably more lucrative and the customers are usually easier to please, this is commercial landscaping for companies and businesses, I suggest we start with landscaping people's gardens, followed by taking on some commercial projects.

The first step we have to take is to make sure we are thought of as professional, to do this you will need to first learn to use a landscape programmes above, if you aren't comfortable with these just look on Google you can usually find some different ones. Most have free 30 day trial.

Becoming a expert

To start with I would recommend you learn how to use the software above, do some designs print them out on high-quality paper, and put them all together in a folder.

To do this take some photographs of friends gardens, then use these with your landscape programmes to show where you'd make improvements. The best way if your garden or a friend's garden needs landscaping, is to do the work and keep a photo diary of it. if it's for a friend, you could maybe do the work for free if your friend paid to the materials. This would help selling your service as you will have photos of a job already completed.

Getting your first job

Now there are lots of ways to approach this, and I think I have figured out the best for you. Do a show garden at a local flower show or country show, just about any large event where you have a lot of people who are interested in gardens or homes.

You can usually get the space for free, if you are willing to put on a display if you do have to pay to space, I suggest selling a few plants to cover the cost.

Just type 'show and the place you live' into Google with a bit of searching around you should get all events come up that are local to you.

You can either choose to exhibit inside or outside, I suggest outside throughout the summer, and to be honest, it's not worth creating a show garden in winter is your display plants will not look brilliant.

For your display garden I suggest about 15 feet by about 15 feet, In this area incorporate a patio was slabs or deck using about two thirds of the area, have a table and chairs with a few planters on the deck/patio. Round the edge of the patio, have raised bed, using some wood to build up is usually the easiest. In the raised beds, use of the large plants and trees if you can get them, then under plant with herbaceous perennials and a few bedding

You can usually drum up a lot of interest this way.

How to Choose the Right Landscape Company

Instructions

1. Step 1

   First, talk to some good friends or neighbors in your area. Word of mouth is the best advertisement out there (it can help or hurt a company). You can find out if that person was happy with the work that was done. If they would recommend the landscape company to you, tell you they did a good job, they were always on time and reasonably priced, I would start there. Make sure if the landscape company you hire does a good job for you, tell your friends, that will help keep a good company in business and the bad ones at bay. Try to seek a landscape company who has a contract for the work that is being done, this will protect the homeowner and business owner from any misunderstanding on the work.

2. Step 2

   If you are having trouble with the first step, you just bought a house in a new subdivision or you are new to the area, you may want to seek the internet, phone book or chamber of commerce for local landscaper in your area. Go to a few local business that has good landscaping and ask them who did theirs, if they were happy with the work and if they would recommend them. You may get several different answers and landscape company's recommended to you. If you are overwhelmed with 3 or 4 different landscape company's, you want to look for one or two that had the best recommendation, that was on time and did what they said while the job was done. If they offer free estimates in your area that is a plus.

3. Step 3

   When you do pick a landscape company you would be happy with and get an estimate set up, be sure they are on time, dressed professionally, they have a note book of some kind to take notes while you are talking, hand you a business card and/or brochure at some time during the estimate, knowledgeable, gives you tips if you have no idea of what to do and has a good personality. You also want to look for the landscaper who will return your calls, call to go over the estimate or arrange a time to meet to look at plants etc. and calls to touch base if you needed a few days to think about the estimate. If a landscaper does not show up to the estimate and never calls back to let you know there was a problem, go to a different company. Keep in mind a landscaper may have a small business and has to juggle family and children too, therefore, in some cases not showing up for the estimate may be acceptable. If they call you the next day and had a family emergency or their child was sick, I would give them another chance.

landscape pictures

Landscape description

Wiltshire is a county of contrasting and attractive countryside with downland, woodlands, river valleys and clay vales. The chalklands of the North Wessex Downs, Salisbury Plain, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs, form undulating open scenery characterised by large fields and isolated tree clumps. In contrast, the valleys appear well wooded due to the enclosure of smaller fields by hedgerows and the presence of riverside trees and copses. Extensive deposits of clay-with-flints on top of the chalk support major woodlands such as Savernake Forest and the Great Ridge, Grovely and Tollard Royal woods.

Escarpments form the most dramatic features of the Wiltshire landscape and are the locations of a number of chalk carvings such as the white horses and regimental badges. Earthworks and ancient trackways give the chalklands a distinct archaeological feel, particularly in the Stonehenge and Avebury areas. Settlements are concentrated in the river valleys or below the ‘spring line’ beneath the escarpments. The traditional building materials of brick, stone, flint and thatch add to the picturesque qualities of these villages.

The oolitic limestone of the Cotswolds forms a gently undulating plateau with deeply incised, heavily wooded valleys. Much of the plateau is under arable cultivation with large fields separated by dry stone walls. The use of ‘traditional’ local stone has ensured that villages blend well with the landscape.

The clay vales are areas of gently undulating topography and varied landscape with permanent pasture on the flood plain and arable cultivation on the better drained soils. Throughout the vales there are numerous villages and many of the major towns of Wiltshire. The Thames and Bristol Avon Vales are separated by a line of low wooded hills, remnants of the ancient Braydon Forest, which occur on the outcrop of corallian limestone stretching from near Westbury to Highworth. In places this forms an important escarpment, especially around Lyneham. The Thames Vale is broad and relatively flat with more extensive floodplains and meadows than those in the Vales of Pewsey or Bristol Avon. In the Upper Thames Valley the extraction of gravel deposits has created numerous lakes, which form the core of the Cotswolds Water Park.

On the edge of the Chalklands in the south-west is a series of wooded ridges and valleys on the greensand there are many large estates, such as Fonthill in the Vale of Wardour, Longleat and Stourhead. In the south-east of the county, on the sands and gravels, there is a heavily wooded landscape more typical of the New Forest.

Landscape Contractor Job Description

The term landscape contractor is used to describe the individual or organization that organizes and executes the completion of a wide variety of landscaping projects, ranging from minor garden spruce-ups to complete backyard overhauls.

Responsibilities

1. The responsibilities of a landscape contractor vary based on area of expertise and scale of the company. Generally, a landscape contractor interprets landscape design specifications, and may offer landscape design as a service. The landscape contractor also handles all aspects of acquiring materials, preparing the area to be landscaped and constructing the new landscape.

Requirements

2. No specific degree is required to be a landscape contractor. However, depending on the services offered, particularly those that involve landscape design or architecture, a landscape contractor will likely have a degree in landscape architecture, horticulture or a related field.

Other Demands

3. Landscape contractors must be able to lift heavy objects, and not mind repetitive motion, as both are common in landscape construction. Because the work is almost always outdoors, landscape contractors may have to endure extreme heat or other elements.

Job Prospects

4. Employment for grounds maintenance workers was expected to grow 18 percent from 2008 to 2018. For landscape architects, job growth was expected to be 20 percent from 2008 to 2018.

Compensation

5. Compensation for landscape contractors depends on location, experience, position and range of services offered. The median 2008 average wage for grounds maintenance supervising workers was $19.19; for landscape architects, the average 2008 wage was $58,960.

Landscape materials guide

fter coming up with a landscaping design for your yard, in which you carefully drew pictures and noted problem areas, it's finally time to go out and start buying the materials. You may find yourself uncertain as to what all you'll need. That's where we come in. Following this landscaping materials guide will ensure that no corner of your yard is overlooked.

In order to get a handle on what you need, let's break it down into two main categories: hardscape materials (which include non-living objects) and softscape materials (living specimens).

Some common hardscape materials

• Paving brick is great landscaping material used for walkways, patios, around entrance ways, and pools. Paving bricks vary in size and color, ranging from deep reds to browns, to speckled black. Bricks can be tightly fit together, as is Mexican brick, or pressed together with clay and a sand-coated wooden mold, giving them an antique look.

• Stone, similar to brick in its use, is a great material for paving walkways. One particularly popular type of stone used is flagstone, a sandstone made of quartz. Flagstone is cut or split into layers, with each piece being a unique size and shape. Common colors include red, blue, and tan.

• Gravel, or rocks, comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and sizes. They are often used to accent flower beds, trees or shrubs, and it also used along walkways. Some popular gravel choices include red gravel (which varies from 3/8 inch to 1 inch in diameter), Bantam eggs (white or cream in color), Goose egg white (rock-like in appearance), River Jacks (which resemble skipping stones), and diamond gravel (3/8-inch in size).

• Concrete is a great material used for creating pathways. Because it is extremely durable and long lasting, it is crucial that a lot of thought goes into landscaping plans before pouring a concrete walkway.

• Timber is often used for building patios, stairs, and fences. Landscaping timber, more often than not, is treated and coated with polymer so that it is able to withstand the elements and maintain a sturdy and bright appearance.

Some common softscape materials

• Mulch is an extremely important landscaping material to have, because it retains water well and discourages weed growth. There are many types of mulch, including compost (which you can make yourself from organic materials found in the home), leaves and yard clippings (these can be saved from raking and mowing), and woodchips.

• Plants are a must for landscaping. Select plants which are well-suited to environmental factors, taking into account light, moisture, and soil requirements. Also select plants that have year-round interest, such as a mixture of deciduous and evergreen plants. In the end, choosing plant type is an individual preference.

• Trees, like plants, are also a must. Since trees are one of the most fixed living items in your landscaping, allow tree types careful consideration. Choose trees that fit into your overall landscaping plans well.

• Shrubs help create boundaries around your house and lawn. Choose a mixture of deciduous, broadleaf evergreen, and coniferous shrubs to promote a year-round balance.

• Flowers add beauty to any landscaping project. Choose varieties that are native to the area, including a mixture of bulbs, annuals, perennials, and biennials. Consider flower color and plant requirements before planting.

Don't forget the tools!

Depending on your individual landscaping plans, you will need to have a number of tools, including shovels, spades, water hoses and/or sprinklers, tape measure, saws, nails, and hammers. There are a number of preconstructed landscaping accessories you may invest in as well, such as backyard patio furniture, fountains, pots and planters, and lighting.

Hard Landscaping: Brick, Granite Setts, Gravel and Concrete

Bricks and granite setts are frequently used in hard landscaping for the delineation of pathways. Specifically, granite setts are often used to construct the bulk of a pathway, while brick is considered a visually pleasing way to "edge" or border pathways made of setts or cobblestones. Granite setts are also used to make spiral or concentric circle patterns.

Gravel is a popular hard landscaping material, as much for its versatility as its affordability and speed of application. Different sizes and colors of gravel are available, and it can be laid loosely, or set into mortar to create interesting paving designs.

Concrete is often used as cheaper alternative to stone, as its texture and appearance can be altered in many ways. For example, it can be pre-colored with dyes, or buffed smooth to an almost marble-like finish.

Hard Landscaping: Wood, Metal and Glass

Wood materials in hard landscaping are most often used for decking and fencing. Decking is a particularly effective way of introducing different levels to the space immediately surrounding a home.

Galvanized metal can add a modern, minimalist touch to an outdoor space, particularly when used as reflective, sculptural objects in a space with a small pond, pool, or stream. Various sizes, shapes, and colors of glass beads and marbles are also useful as reflective surfaces in garden areas.

Soft Landscaping: Trees, Plants, Topsoil, Mulch and Wood Chips

Planning and planting tree, shrub, and plant layouts, as well as applying topsoils and mulches, is all part of the process of soft landscaping. Plantings can be utilized as "soft" and graceful divides or borders to an outdoor space, where wooden fences or stone walls might appear too harsh. Bark chips are also a common soft landscaping material, serving not only as a form of flower bed water retention and mulching for pathways, but also as ground cover in children's playground areas.

Marketing your Landscape Business for Success

Recession or not, the Spring is in the air! With it comes the eagernes of homeowners to refurbish their flowerbeds with mulch, flowers, and shrubs. You have the power to dazzle your way right into their yards with a few simple marketing techniques and some perserverance. You can be the IT company.

The landscaping Industry has had a difficult time thriving, but it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to market your company, and get the word out that you are the IT company for the comeback season!

Most people who are starting off, or trying to comeback from a failed attempt at their first business plan, think that it will cost thousands of dollars in marketing and advertising to get their landscaping company thriving. In fact, it can take very little funds, if you have the right amount of resources, and the right amount of will power. First, make sure that the name of the company is catchy, and easy to remember. For my examples I will use Wise Landscaping and Lighting. With your catchy name, you will want a slogan or tagline, I have chosen the tagline "Choose Wise, Choose Paradise!" simple, catchy, and gets the point across that your yard is going to be a paradise all their own! With this step, comes a logo! Make it flow with everything else. For my example, I have chosen a palm tree (paradise). Another great logo to go with the company name would have been an owl, however, an owl would have been ridiculous with the slogan "Choose Wise, Choose Paradise!"

Now you look professional and are ready to market yourself! There are many different companies that are willing to print up business cards for free for you! Vista Print, 123 print are two to name a few. You need only pay for shipping. Now then, you may also purchase postcards to match and this is only about $6.00 or $7.00. This will cover your first mail out.

If you choose not to purchase, you may design your own with Microsoft Publisher. It is extremely easy, and takes only moments. You can also do postcards, letterhead, and whatever else you would like to do.

Next, choose to market yourself on linkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and other online networking outlets. Also, utilize the advertising specials that come in the mail, for mailers, and hand outs. Hire someone to go door to door in a couple neighborhoods for a weekend. A high school student will be willing to do this for an extremely reasonable amount.

The last but most important step, talk to some of the home builders in your area. Be persistent. Persistence pays off. Request to have full control of that builder' s neighborhoods. Hopefully before you know it, you will be so busy, you will be living in a paradise all your own!

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/36713_marketing-your-landscape-business-for-success#ixzz0YCDPZ3ht