by Curtis D. Tucker
Looking for a business to start that helps people in your neighborhood? Here is a great list of yard related business ideas. You can start most of the services on a shoestring budget.
These are also great businesses you can run out of your home. I suggest you use a free IRS efile site and save some of your hard earned money. Good luck!
1. Lawn Mowing – a pretty simple idea. Get a mower, rake, broom, leaf bags, edger and you’re on your way! This is a great yard business that is simple enough for a kid to start and yet big enough that an adult can clean up themselves. This is a very expandable business that you can eventually run with hired help.
2. Yard Signs – create yard signs for local businesses, garage sales, for sale by owner, new baby, etc. Create custom, one of a kind yard signs and you could make a nice amount of cash. Almost any neighborhood business would love a little extra advertising and your neighbors might get a kick out of an original happy birthday sign. Use unique material and sign holders. Get creative!
3. Gardening – most everyone loves a beautiful garden but hates to do the work. Hit up everyone in the neighborhood and find out exactly who will need some gardening help. Educate yourself and teach your neighbors when and what to plant where.
4. Poop Picker Upper – most neighborhoods have dogs and dogs leave surprises in the yard. Build up a list of homes that would love you to come by and pick up the dog poop. This is a very hot business idea at the moment.
5. Fence Building and Maintenance – most white picket fences need painting and repair at least once a year. Build garden fences, dog runs and other types of fencing. You may need to go door to door but I’m sure there are dozens of people that need fence repair that they will never get around to fixing.
6. Tree and Bush Trimming – a simple idea but very lucrative. Take out stumps, trim trees along the roof line, shape bushes and more!
7. Pond Building and Maintenance – learn to install and maintain backyard ponds. Ponds have become a big industry and many people would be interested if they knew someone that installed them.
8. Outdoor Kitchen – plan, build and maintain outdoor kitchen areas. Cooking outdoors gets bigger every year. Many people want to spend more time outside and would if they had their own out door kitchen. Learn to design unique layouts and use fun, creative materials.
9. Playhouse Building – parents love to buy swing sets, trampolines and playhouses but they HATE putting them together. A great handyman job that doesn’t take many tools. Spread the word through the PTA and childcare centers.
10. Sprinkler Installation and Repair – learn how to install sprinkler systems and how to repair them. There are many do-it-yourself packages at the local hardware store.
11. Yard Lighting – every yard looks better with great lighting. Install lights to highlight trees, bushes and features of the home. Use multiple colors. Also install Christmas lighting!
