To start a yard mowing business in Australia, you'll need to understand the local mowing market, set up your business structure, find lawn mower equipment, and grow your business using marketing. The Australian Lawn Mower Market is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2029, opening the commercial landscape for a potential new business owner. Who doesn't want to work in the outdoors and enjoy a decent income?
However, starting a successful lawn mowing business takes time, patience, and marketing acumen in order to succeed. Our team at Mowrator will set you up for success by helping you understand everything you need to know about starting a mowing business, from business registration to equipment and more.
Key Takeaways
- Starting a lawn mowing business in Australia requires market research, ABN registration, essential equipment, and effective local marketing strategies.
- Choose the right lawn mower based on customer needs, with options ranging from walk-behind to advanced remote-control models like the Mowrator S1.
- Grow your business by leveraging testimonials, establishing an online presence, and standing out with unique offerings or technology.
How to Start a Grass Mowing Business? | Step-by-Step Guide
To start a grass-mowing business, you'll need to research your customer base, register your business name, procure garden maintenance equipment, and begin notifying potential customers about the services you offer. We've highlighted the steps you need to follow to start your lawn mower business.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Research the Mowing Market | To research the Australian mowing market, combine industry reports (e.g., IBISWorld, ABS, Euromonitor) with local insights from word of mouth to understand trends and community service demands. |
| Set up your Lawn Mower Business | To start a lawn mowing business in Australia, register for an ABN (free), choose between sole trader (simpler, entire liability) or company (limited liability, ASIC compliance), and ensure essential documents like a TFN, public liability insurance, and local permits are in place. |
| Procure your Lawn Mower Equipment | To start a lawn mowing business, you'll need essential tools like a commercial lawn mower (walk-behind, ride-on, or remote control), hedge trimmer, safety gear, and transportation, with mower selection based on customer needs and area size to balance efficiency and costs. |
| Grow your Lawn Mower Business | Grow your lawn mowing business by focusing on local marketing, leveraging testimonials, networking, and creating a unique brand image, such as using innovative tools like the Mowrator S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower to stand out. |
How to Research the Australian Lawn Mowing Market
To research the Australian mowing market, it's important to learn from a mixture of data and word of mouth. Industry reports and publications offer incredible insight into the current market and potential future trends you can take advantage of while setting up your business. Some interesting reports that will help you understand the business and clients include:
- IBISWorld Reports
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Landscape Industries Association of WA
- Euromonitor International
Word of mouth is also important for understanding your immediate local market. People will always talk about the quality of service they receive from businesses and the type of service they are willing to buy. Tapping into the range of services your local community demands is an excellent start for your business plan.
How to set up your Lawn Mower Business
To set up your lawn mower business, you'll need to register with the Australian Business Registration. This is a mandatory step but entirely free. If your business is successful and earns over $75,000 in a single year, you'll also need a GST registration.
You can choose to register your business as either a sole trader or a company. If you have minimal experience running a business and want to start as soon as possible, registering as a sole trade is the simplest option.
| Sole Trade Registration | Company Registration |
|---|---|
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What documentation do I need to start a lawn mowing business in Australia?
You will need several different documents to start your own lawn-mowing business, but thankfully, a mowing license isn't one of them.
- Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Business Name Registration
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- GST registration if earning over $75,000 annually
- Australian Company Number (ACN) (Company)
- ASIC company registration (Company)
- Director identification documents (Company)
- Public liability insurance certificate
- Driver's license for equipment transport
- Local council permits (if required)
What Lawn Mower Equipment do I need for my Lawn Mower Business?
You need a commercial lawn mower and a hedge trimmer to mow lawns at a minimum. Other necessary items include safety equipment (gloves, boots, ear protection, etc), transportation for your lawn care equipment, and a blower vac to clean up afterwards. Choosing the right time of lawn mowers is also essential - choose the wrong one, and you may struggle to start your lawn mowing business.
| Commercial Features | Walk-Behind Mower | Ride-on Mower | Remote Control Mower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantages |
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| Disadvantages |
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| Cost Range | $150 to $800 | $2,000 to $5,000 | $1,000 to $5,000 |
Choose the lawn mower that suits the type of work you think your customers will benefit from the most. Where possible, look for a lawn mower that can cover its disadvantages. For example, the Mowrator S1 4WD is a powerful remote-controlled lawn mower that can also handle tough conditions and has capabilities like towing. Investing in a lawn mower that can cover your specific needs will prevent further investment down the line.
How to Grow your Lawn Mowing Business through Marketing?
You can grow your lawn mowing business by marketing it through different avenues, including establishing an online presence, local advertising, and networking with other companies in the area. When marketing your lawn mowing service, it's important to start locally. To use loyal and long-term customers, you must paint a positive image of your business by using testimonials and incentivising good, worth-of-mouth communication.
Is Starting a Lawn Mowing Business in Australia Difficult?
Starting a lawn mowing business isn't difficult as the market has a low barrier to entry. Still, you need to have the right equipment and offer excellent lawn care services to compete with existing businesses. To put it in perspective, nearly 20% of Australians hire someone else to mow their lawn, according to a local survey by Jim's Mowing. Australians are looking for a lawn maintenance and lawn care business, but there are a few steps to set your business up for success.
One way to market your business is by having a unique brand image. By using innovative technology like Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower for mowing and trimming, you can weed yourself out from the competition by offering a unique and quality experience. Shop your remote-controlled lawn mower today.
FAQs on How to Start a Yard Mowing Business in Australia
How much do most lawn mowing companies charge?
Most lawn mowing contractors in Australia charge between $70 and $90 per hour, with 30% of contractors specifically charging in the $70-80 range. For specific lawn sizes, costs typically range from $30-90 for small lawns under 450 sqm, $65-110 for medium lawns up to 600 sqm, and $75-200 for large lawns up to 1000 sqm.
How do you calculate grass-cutting charges?
To calculate grass-cutting charges in Australia, multiply the price per unit area by the total lawn size, with typical rates ranging from $30-90 for lawns under 450 sqm, $65-110 for up to 600 sqm, and $75-200 for up to 1000 sqm. Alternatively, you can calculate based on hourly rates, with most contractors charging between $70-90 per hour, by multiplying the hourly rate by the estimated time needed to complete the job.
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