Landscape business owners know there's usually an abundance of downtime in the winter months. With lawns going dormant in most areas across the country and people spending less time outdoors enjoying their properties due to cold and wet weather, the demand for landscaping services tends to fall off quicker than the leaves from even the tallest trees.
The seasonality of the landscape business can present challenging times for business owners each winter who are in need of keeping the work coming in to make ends meet until the sun starts shining again.
Rather than sitting around and hoping for an early spring, here are some tips to help you stay productive so your business doesn't go into hibernation mode over the winter months:
Lay the Groundwork for Winter Work
Regular communication with your customers can pay big dividends for short-term work as well as to set you up with work later in the year. Educating your customers is important because they may have misconceptions about the types of tasks you can do for them during the winter.
For instance, your customers might think that trees, bushes and shrubs should only be planted in the spring, however, depending on the local climate and the type of vegetation you're planting, the fall and winter can be a great time to get these in the ground. And if you’re in need of the work, you may be able to entice them with a discount to get an early start on this work.
Additionally, crabgrass and weed removal, reseeding lawns that have brown spots or thin patches, and pruning are tasks that are best handled over the winter.
Branch Out With New or Seasonal Service Offerings
While your core business services might take a hit during the winter months, there’s no reason your service offerings can’t change with the seasons. Things like cleanup services, snow removal and salting, driveway cleaning, and even Christmas light installation are all in-demand jobs in the winter that you can provide to keep the work coming.
“Even if there isn’t grass to cut, your current clients may have other needs later in the year like leaf removal, snow removal, or other jobs they might outsource to other contractors,” says Tom Vachal, Kubota’s Senior Turf Product Manager. “Let your customers know you provide these services so you can continue to generate revenue through the off-season.”
Train Your Employees
It has been said that, “knowing is half the battle,” and that certainly holds true in the landscape business where knowledge is king. Having a team of well-trained technicians is on par with having a fleet of well-maintained equipment, and when you have both, you set your business up for greater success.
Though the winter season may create short-term challenges for your bottom line, it can also serve as a golden opportunity to ensure your employees are trained properly and understand what is expected of them at all times. During the busy season when you’re moving from job to job, it can be hard to find time for employee training. The winter is your opportunity to make sure your crew is well-trained for the busy season ahead.
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