What New England Landscaping Businesses Should Know About Operating Year-Round

If you own a landscaping business in New England, you have two options. You squeeze as much business as you can between March and October, or you can get creative. As the air gets chillier, the phone calls slow down before coming to a halt. Maybe you have thought before about adding a service to your business that could operate during the off-season or slower months. Before your business takes that leap, here are some things that you should know.

Year-Round Operations Can Shift Your Risk Landscape 

While a service like snow removal may seem like an obvious pivot for the colder months, it can fall outside of typical general liability insurance coverage for landscapers and it could require a specific endorsement or a new policy. Other insurance coverages that could be affected due to higher risk exposure are commercial auto insurance and Workers’ Comp policies, among others.

As a business owner, you are constantly thinking about what comes next. Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for what those next steps might be. Reach out to your local office to notify them of any changes to your business, like offering a new service or adding a new vehicle.  

Get a Grip on Cash Flow for Your Landscaping Business 

Unless you live in a place like Florida, the nature of landscaping businesses is that the work is seasonal. Because of this, staying on top of cash flow is imperative. While no business has a crystal ball, there are things you can do to potentially avoid a shortage of cash.

• Build an Emergency Fund – Consult with a financial professional to see how much you should be keeping in your emergency fund. Some sources say at least a couple months of operating expenses.
• Track Business Expenses in Real Time – Use software or a program to track expenses. Forecast any re-occurring expenses you have, such as rent or subscriptions.
• Send Invoices to Customer Promptly – Consider giving a discount for a quick payment.
• Plan for Your Slow Season – If you are a seasonal business, set aside income during your busy season to carry you through the slower months.
• Regularly Review Your Cash Flow – Calculate how you are doing at the end of every month or quarter.
• Consider Leasing as an Option – Weigh the pros and cons of leasing your equipment versus buying it.

Use Winter to Advertise Your Landscaping Business 

The slower months can be the opportune time to take a look at your website and social media pages. You can plan your advertising for the upcoming year. There are many free tools that you can use to create content for your website or social media pages. You can use this time to reach out to customers and ask for reviews to use in advertising.

How Much Does Insurance Cost for a Landscaping Company? 

As a business owner, costs and budgeting are likely at the forefront of your mind. What you might pay per year to cover your landscaping business depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

• What services you offer
• The number of employees you have
• Where your business is based out of
• The value of the equipment you are insuring
• The types and amounts of coverage that you select

If your business offers services year-round, you may want to think about expanding your coverages and limits to reflect your increased risk. One of the best ways to calculate what your costs will be is to reach out for an insurance quote. Our local insurance agency works with many insurance carriers, including top national companies. Reach out to your local office to request a quote today.

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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.