How do I hand over my lawn care business’s route and recurring customers?

Make the route sheet the centre of the handover. For each property, record the address, what is cut, trimmed or treated, how often, access notes and the customer’s preferences. Add notes on pets, gates and neighbours. A buyer who has all this can start the first week without guessing.

Next, think about the customer side. Which clients are on a standing arrangement and which are one-off? Ask your lawyer how agreements are handed over, and what you need to tell clients. Tell them in a way that is warm and personal, not a form letter.

Plan some overlap. Work a few weeks with the buyer, riding along and introducing them at each stop. Let customers see that the quality will stay the same. Be open about weak spots: customers who pay late, routes that take too long, equipment that struggles. The buyer can then adjust the plan, and that makes a good first season more likely. Think about the tools of the trade, too: schedule software, photos of each property, notes from customers. A buyer with these files starts with far less guesswork. They also serve as a good record of the work you have done over the years.

Key takeaways

• Write a route sheet for every property, with schedule and access notes.
• Overlap with the buyer for a stretch of the season.
• Tell customers yourself, personally, before the change.