Grounds care for small businesses and landlords

Property managers, condo boards, landlords and small business owners who want reliable, regular upkeep.

Monthly or seasonal contracts, with extras billed for planting, cleanups and one-off requests. Winter work such as snow clearing can fill the quiet months.

• Managing a crew and scheduling
• Quoting contracts and invoicing
• Equipment use and basic maintenance

• Higher insurance limits are often requested by commercial clients
• WCB/WSIB registration is likely needed once you have employees, so check your provincial rules
• Pesticide and fertilizer applications may need provincial certification, so check before offering them
• Late payment from commercial clients can strain cash flow
• Equipment costs and repairs add up during the busy season

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your equipment, vehicle and insurance limits. Equipment repairs can add up during the busy season.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on the contracts you win, crew size and the properties you serve. Late payment from commercial clients can strain cash flow.

Check WCB/WSIB registration rules in your province once you have employees, and whether pesticide or fertilizer applications need provincial certification. Commercial clients often request higher insurance limits, so check what you need.