The goal of most businesses is to gradually work their way up to bigger-paying clients. For businesses like landscapers, getting government or commercial contracts is hitting it big. It means more work, for more money. As a result, you have to spend less time overall finding and hunting down the next job, you have fewer clients to work with, and you get a larger take-home pay in the process.
So, how do you move up the ladder and go from home design to commercial building or park design? It’s a huge leap, and it isn’t going to be done overnight. If you’re serious, however, these tips can help you get started:
Work on Increasing Your Certificates and Awards
You need external recognition for your work. This is the best way to really advertise your business and build up a portfolio that will impress when you pitch in a bid for a government contract or for a commercial landscaping contract. Always be on the lookout for what you can do next. At the moment, sustainable and regenerative landscaping is a hot-ticket item. Many new buildings are being built in ways that help reduce their environmental impact. Part of that design will need to include landscaping (both on the ground and on the roof). By learning and earning certifications in such design, you’ll immediately be put on the shortlist.
The same applies for awards. Apply for any award that you can, and use the results to help you improve your business. You may not win right off the bat, but that’s okay — especially if you can get feedback and reasons why your competitors won and you didn’t. This can then help you adjust your approach and transform your business into an award-winning business.
Make Sure You’re Ready for The Bigger Jobs
You need to have all your ducks in a row when you take on bigger jobs. This means having access to wholesale landscape supply deals, having a big list of subcontractors, knowing where to get the equipment you’ll need, and so on. If your business isn’t physically prepared to scale up, then you won’t be able to do those larger jobs, much less get them.
How to Bridge the Distance
While you’re working on expanding your business and building up credentials, you’ll also want to be changing up your clientele a bit. Try to start advertising in higher-end neighborhoods that have larger backyards. In fact, market in areas that have larger backyards, period. This could be in more rural areas, or it could be in expensive neighborhoods. Overall, try to work on larger residential properties.
You’ll also want to start bidding on small commercial jobs. If there’s a tiny park that the city is revitalizing, try to get it. Smaller commercial or civil jobs are a great way to dip your toe in the water and get started.
Between these two, you’ll slowly start building up your resume and portfolio, and you can then start bidding on those larger, more lucrative jobs in the future.
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