I have a dumpster rental business. We have the same issue--winter is not a good time for folks to clean out their homes. For us, we've just decided it is reality, and we use the down-time to vacation! That works for us, but not for everyone. Here are some more practical suggestions we've worked out in our business:
- Snow Removal: This is a classic service in many areas during the winter. You can offer snow plowing, salting, and shoveling for both residential and commercial properties. It’s a recurring service that can bring in steady income during the colder months.
- Winterizing Lawns and Gardens: Offer packages that include preparing yards for winter, such as aerating, fertilizing, and winterizing irrigation systems. This can also include protecting plants and trees from frost or cold damage.
- Winter Hardscaping: Winter can be a great time for installing patios, retaining walls, and other hardscaping features. The ground can still be worked, and customers may have more time to invest in these larger projects since they are less concerned about the state of their lawns during the colder months.
- Fire Pits and Outdoor Heating: Many homeowners invest in fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and space heaters in the winter to extend the use of their outdoor living areas. Offering these products can provide additional sales in the colder months.
- Winter Design Consultations: Use the slow season to offer consultations for landscaping design projects that will be implemented in the spring. You can promote landscaping plans, garden designs, and hardscaping layouts to be executed once the weather warms up. Customers may want to plan ahead, and winter can be a great time to book projects for the upcoming season.
- Winter Garden Supplies: Sell items such as decorative planters, Christmas trees, firewood, or holiday-themed garden decorations. Offering home delivery for these products can keep sales going through the season.
- Gift Cards or Pre-Orders: Offering gift cards or pre-order options for landscaping services can help secure income. Customers who purchase these items as gifts or for future services will ensure business continuity.
- Holiday Light Installation: While you mentioned that Christmas light installations haven’t sold due to pricing, you might consider offering more affordable, smaller-scale packages, such as small roofline decorations or path lights. This could make it more affordable and appealing to a wider customer base.
- Gutter Cleaning or Roof Maintenance: These services are essential in the winter, particularly in regions with heavy snow or ice. Offering gutter cleaning, roof inspections, or ice dam removal can keep cash flow steady.
- Targeted Promotions: Offer early-bird specials or discounts for spring services. This encourages customers to book and pay for services in advance, helping to generate revenue during the slower months.
- Strengthen Your Online Presence: Winter is a good time to invest in building or refining your website, social media profiles, and digital marketing strategies. Engaging with customers through informative blog posts, social media updates, or email newsletters can keep your brand top of mind when spring rolls around. At Griffin Waste we do this a lot--it is our "winter job" (and we can do it while vacationing!)
- Offer annual maintenance contracts that include snow removal, yard cleanup, and winterizing services, with a monthly or quarterly payment plan. This provides consistent cash flow throughout the year and keeps customers committed.
- Host virtual workshops or webinars about winter care for landscapes or hardscaping maintenance. Charge a fee for these sessions or use them as an opportunity to upsell services, such as winterizing services, design consultations, or product sales.
- Collaborate with Other Businesses: Team up with local home improvement stores, holiday decorators, or construction companies to offer bundled services or cross-promotions. For instance, offering hardscaping services in collaboration with a pool company could create year-round interest.
- Build Relationships with Property Managers: If you work with commercial or residential property managers, they may have opportunities to provide services like snow removal, seasonal cleanup, or winter maintenance for larger properties, which may have ongoing needs during the off-season.
Good luck to you--when it was just me, it was easy just to take the time off. But now I have to keep the employees busy in order to keep them on payroll.
