I know a guy who started mowing lawns as a part-time job a few years ago. It has grown into such a busy business that he has a handful of employees, two utility trailers with countless numbers of lawn mowers, weed whackers and assorted other hand and gas-powered pieces of equipment. You don’t need to grow to that size if you don’t want to, but there is a high demand for reliable lawn and garden services in each and every community.
If you are looking for a way to while away some of those idle hours in retirement or are thinking about doing something different that a full-time job as you approach retirement, this could be just what you are looking for. Before I give you a partial list of the supplies you’ll need to operate a one-man lawn cutting business, let’s take a look at some of the benefits.
First off, it’ll be a form of exercise and you’ll be outdoors which will be good for your overall health. Secondly, you’ll be doing something valuable for your customers and where there is clearly a need and demand. Thirdly, you can set your own hours as you will be your own boss. And finally, you’ll earn some extra money and possibly enough to not only supplement your retirement income but enough to afford you the opportunity to buy and do things you may not have been able to before without this additional stream of income.
The equipment you’ll need for your lawn mowing business is pretty basic and you may already own a few of these items already. You’ll need a weed wacker for cutting down tall weeds, hand clippers, a gas can, oil, spare mower blades, hand tools for small repairs to your equipment, a lawnmower, gloves and safety glasses. You can add items to your inventory as you find you need them, but this list will get you set up to start.
When it comes to lawnmowers you will need to seriously consider the types of jobs you’ll be doing which would mean yard size. You will need a gas-powered push lawnmower at the very least as an electric mower would require electrical cords and depending on the location of the lawn there may not be any power outlets nearby. A gas lawnmower instantly eliminates the need for power access. For yards that measure in acreage you may need to invest in a riding tractor-style mower.
You’ll also need to find a way to transport your tools to your customer’s home and yard. A small utility trailer hauled behind your vehicle may be all you’ll need if you don’t have a pickup truck.You’ll definitely want to have this part of your business figured out long before your first job and you find yourself trying to carry a gas lawnmower and all the accessories and additional tools in a hatchback.
There are numerous ways to promote your business once you are set to start mowing lawns. This can take the form of advertisements in local papers, online, in flyers distributed through the mail or posted in high visibility locations around the area you plan to service. You may also want to contact local real estate offices and inform them of your business if they have a property management division. Gated communities are another good place to connect for possible lawn mowing customers.
As for rates you may want to check with other similar businesses in your area to see what the going rate is and use that as your guide to set an hourly rate. You may need to alter that once you get working and you may wish to offer discounted rates to fellow seniors or regular customers. Depending on where you live, you may be mowing lawns all year round or just seasonally. Either way, you will be providing a much-needed service to your customers while getting some sunshine and exercise yourself keeping you strong and healthy in retirement.