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Originally Posted by Budspop

I have been looking at opening a lawn care business to supplement my income. I currently work for a grain elevator. My work week schedule can easily afford me to operate a small "part time" business. Schedule is three days on and three days off. I have been reading a lot of literature and speaking to several people already in this field. Most are telling me to get started, however some are telling me to stay away because it is a very costly business that will take years to show a profit. So at this point, I'm still on the fence. So, what can some of your pros share with me?

Thanks,
budspop

What people are telling you is basically correct on both accounts. There are pros and cons to the business, it's all in how you approach and set up the business. You can go down and get a license (Tax Number) buy the Insurances and set up with the proper equipment and it will be costly.
Personally if I were you I'd get my license, start small with some type of riding mower, Trimmer, Edger and Blower and work my way up from there, add better equipment through time or as you build your business and reputation and can pay for it, NEVER FINANCE ANYTHING, if you do you'll not see any real profit for a number of years. Remember word of mouth is your best advertisement, do a good job, keep you clients list and routes close so you can cut your gas expenses and spend more time cutting and be sure not to under bid jobs look for at least $15 a cut minimum nothing less. (and that's cheap enough)
Remember not only can it be costly to get into the business it's just as costly to maintain it so look forward to putting a good percentage of any profit back into the business if you want to keep it running.
If you try cutting as someone else suggested using the mow and go or cut and run attitude with those cheap prices you'll not only get a bad reputation with people, you will also build that reputation with the competition and business is cutthroat enough without being known as a Hack.