[Zep]

Hello everyone my name is Rick

I currently work for a landscaping company but ive thought about it and wanted to start my own. Alot of sites we work at have complemented on our work along with buildings next to us and wanted our services but our company that i work at cant take on any more contracts. . I have done alot of Designing work etc and i thought i would start my own with my crew that i have now. but the only thing is i really dont know how to start off.. what contracts i need what forms i have to send out, i really have no clue. if anyone could help me out i would really appreciate it. thank you

[Dot Pecson]

Hi Rick,

Sounds like you started off right if your present company gets that many compliments. Nothing replaces good ojt and great work habits.

I think one way you could get clients is to go talk to the buildings next to your jobs that have inquired about your services. Explain the situation and tell them that you and your crew can and will deliver the same high-quality work that your old company did.

Just be sure you're not under-cutting the company that you work for now. What does your supervisor say about your plan? Would he be a reference?

Take photos of your work - what you actually did work on would be best. Carry these with you as samples of your work style.

Have business cards made up with your snazzy new company name and logo. Put up a website asap so you can include that on your card and refer potential clients to it for 24-hour access to your company and your work results. Get some of those sticky-on letters and put them on your truck for your new name, logo, phone# and website URL.

Good luck!
Dot

[Zep]

thank you for the reply. actually my supervisor wants to work for the company if i start it. we are a crew of 5 that do almost everything from basic construction, planting, irrigation, grass cutting etc. I also design websites also took a course in school. but how do i go about asking the clients if they want us to cut and maintain the property? what forms do i need? and how do i price them out? ive seen some websites online who sell information you need on pricing sheets and contract forms. but im not really sure if they are worth the money.. ive heard that you can send the property a package with information on your company and what we do i think its a bid thing. not sure. but i have no idea what is sent in them. all information i can get the better if you could help me out abit further i would appreciate it very much.

i do landscape design for some buildings and i dont get paid much so im probably better off starting my own company.

thank you

[TrickyDick]

Zep the question you're asking is way way way too broad for anyone to give you useful information. There are books (lots of them) written on basically what you're asking. You should do a lot of research first and when you have more specific questions people can help you out more. This is a good place to start. Look in the archives. Do some searches on the topics you're wondering about. There is a ton of information here and a lot of posts that will point you towards other places you find good info. Good Luck.

[Dot Pecson]

You have a lot of questions about business start-up that I don't know the answer to. Canada requirements likely are quite different from USA and our individual State and County requirements.

Once you do get up and running, I would suggest you get the name and addresses of all your prior clients and send a letter "Announcing" your new business... OR you could perhaps just say your company has "re-organized" since even your supervisor wants to work for you! Then I would consider perhaps a press release to announce your new business.

And you could ask any of your prior clients if they know of anyone who could use your services.

That should get you started, once the paperwork and stuff is settled.

GOOD LUCK!
Dot

[dan deutekom]

Zep I understand that you want to start your own business and commend you for this but.......

The complements on you and your crews work still reflect on the company you work for and it is unethical to take clients in this way. Also taking the whole crew from your previous employer is not really a ethical business practice either.

Think long and hard about the ethics in the way you start your business because if you don't use them they will come and bite you in the behind somewhere in the future.

Start small without stealing from your old employer.

Best of luck to you

[Pelican]

I agree with Dan. I ran in to this same problem with a former employee that I've posted about on the forums. I would bet that you've learned a lot from your employer, and that his striving for excellence has gotten you where you are. Yes, you played a part in it but I'd bet with direction from your employer. To repay him you will swipe his crew and his customers? You won't make many networking connections that way.

[Zep]

i agree .. and thank you for the replies .. I just wanted to say am not trying to take employees away from my current employer. I desided to start my own company on my own. My supervisor is one of my best friends as are the others. we started together and have always worked well with one another we all know what we have to do.. Also we are not thinking of taking clients from our boss as that is not right. the clients we do want are the ones our company cannot take on or do not want to.. I am a decent person and also belive it is unethical to take clients away from our employer also im sure it is illegal.

And sorry for all the questions. the main one i have is what are the main things i need to start. apart from the equipment. or the first things i will need to put together.

Thank you for your replies

[Pelican]

I'm confused. In your opening post you were using "I" in your explanation, this latest one uses "we". Are you looking to start a sole proprietorship or a partnership?

LOL!! I had a whole list of things for you to look in to and then realized you are in the Great White North! I don't know a thing about how your government works, but if it's anything like ours their fingers will be in your pocket from the first turn of the key!

[Zep]

sorry its a habit to use "We" and if you have information it dosent matter if i live in Canada at least it would give me an idea on what to do. and i am the sole proprietor or will be.

[dan deutekom]

Things are basically the same in Canada and the States but with different names. You will need to get a PST number, GST number, liability insurance, register a company name etc. Both the Federal government and the Provincial government have loads of info about starting a business. It would also be a good idea to talk to your banker (they have lots of good info), an accountant and a lawyer. The minute you have hired help you will also need Workmens Compensation insurance.

Take the time to research things and start up right. It will save you many problems in the future. It will also affect your pricing because all these things will cost you money that must be recovered but these are the things that must be in place to be an honest to goodness company that can take on commercial contracts.

[Zep]

thank you all for the help.. i will look into it abit more then.. great site everyone has been really helpful and ive found lots of good info on this site.

Cheers,

[agla]

If guys go with you from your current employer, there will be a very mad mad person that is well connected in the industry who will have you on the top of his $#!^ list. Getting and holding employees is a major part of running a service business and he won't take that loss lightly. If he can make life difficult for you, he most likely will. Others in his company may be resentful as well.

Be careful. Leaving to start your own gig is one thing, but taking employees with you is a whole other story. That guy built that crew and trained it. It may be legal, but it is pretty hard to justify as ethical.

[Zep]

well really my supervisor and most of us started together the same week. and my supervisor trained us in some areas . but other than that we all thew what to do and have our specific areas of work. We are just told what to do and we all know how to without asking questions.

[Terre]

I doubt very much your current employer cares if you all started together or not, he considers you all his employees, and would feel he has an investment in you. It would be best if you left first on your own, THEN solicited clients that are not his, and as you grow, add employees. It would be a lot better if you can part ways with the owner, (not your supervisor) on good enough terms that when he gets a call for a job he doesn't want, he will refer the customer to you.

Have you figured out a budget? If you started your business tomorrow, do you have enough contracts to keep all five of the crew busy enough to pay their salaries, and withholding, and insurance, cover equipment costs and daily expenses?

To use an old phrase of my fathers, it seems like you have the cart before the horse. You need to get the contracts first, THEN hire enough help to do the work.