Investor-Focused Landscaping Plan Sample: Route Density & Margins

Executive Summary

Company Snapshot

• Name: Front Range GreenWorks, LLC
• Service Area: Greater Denver, CO (core ZIPs: 80202, 80205, 80211, 80216, 80222, 80231, 80014, 80015, 80022, 80111, 80112, 80020, 80021, 80027)
• Legal Form: Colorado LLC (S-Corp election for tax efficiency)
• Ownership: 80% Founder-Operator (CEO), 20% Angel Investor (silent partner)
• Operating Address (yard & shop): 5635 E 56th Ave, Unit C, Commerce City, CO 80022

Business Concept & Services Mix

• Residential & Commercial: recurring maintenance (weekly/biweekly) and project-based design/build.
• Maintenance: mowing, edging, turf care, fertilization/weed control, seasonal cleanups, mulch/bed care (target 55–60% of revenue).
• Design/Build: plantings, sod, irrigation (install/repair), hardscapes (patios, retaining walls) (target 35–40% of revenue).
• Optional Lines: tree & shrub care (selective), winter snow & ice in denser submarkets (target 5%+ off-season mix).

Market Opportunity (TAM–SAM–SOM highlights)

• TAM (metro landscaping spend): ≈ $350M annually (residential + small commercial).
• SAM (our reachable ZIP clusters & service scope): ≈ $120M.
• SOM Targets: Y1 ≈ 0.9% ($1.08M), Y2 ≈ 1.5% ($1.80M), Y3 ≈ 2.2% ($2.64M).

Competitive Edge

• Route Density: cluster scheduling by ZIP; target < 6 road-miles per crew-day wasted.
• Response SLAs: quotes in 24–48h; warranty call-backs within 72h; snow trigger at 1.5”.
• Quality Controls: photo checklists, crew-lead audits, “punch-list before depart” SOP.
• Eco Practices: battery handhelds where feasible, mulch mowing to reduce green-waste, smart-controller irrigation options.

Financial Highlights (base case)

• Cash Runway: 9 months post-funding at planned burn before break-even.
• Unit Economics (blended): $78 revenue per crew-hour; direct labor 35%, materials 10%, fuel/consumables 4%, field OH 1% → contribution ≈ 30%+ before G&A.

Funding Ask & Use

KPI Targets

Company Overview

Registered Name & Location

• Legal Name: Front Range GreenWorks, LLC
• Principal Address: 5635 E 56th Ave, Unit C, Commerce City, CO 80022
• Service Radius by ZIPs: 80202, 80205, 80211, 80216, 80222, 80231 (Denver); 80014, 80015 (Aurora); 80111–80112 (DTC/Centennial); 80020–80021 (Broomfield/Westminster); 80027 (Louisville)

History & Current Operations

• Pilot Season (Mar–Sep 2025): 120 recurring maintenance accounts; 28 design/build projects; unaudited revenue ≈ $420k; average Google rating 4.7/5.
• Current Capacity: 2 maintenance crews (3-person), 1 project crew (4-person) + flex labor; in-house estimator; part-time admin/dispatcher.
• Core Systems: field CRM/scheduling, GPS telematics, photo-proof QA, digital estimating & e-signature.

Legal Structure & Ownership; External Advisors

• Entity: Colorado LLC with S-Corp tax election.
• Ownership: 80% Founder-Operator (CEO), 20% Angel Investor.
• Advisors: CPA (construction/field-services focus), attorney (contracts & employment), safety consultant (OSHA landscaping, chemical handling), insurance broker (GL, WC, Auto, Inland Marine, Umbrella).

Mission, Vision & Values

• Mission: Deliver predictable, professional landscaping—on time, on budget, no excuses.
• Vision: The Front Range’s most efficient route-based landscaping operator with premium client experience and low-friction service.
• Values: Quality (clean work, tidy sites), Safety (PPE, training, zero shortcuts), Sustainability (smart irrigation, battery handhelds where it makes sense), Speed (quotes in 24–48h, tight routes, fast comms).

Quick Notes (no fluff)

• We don’t chase every job. We chase density and happy renewals.
• No vanity metrics—only route efficiency, contribution per crew-hour, and cash conversion.
• Funding converts immediately into crews, wheels, blades, and booked work—not overhead bloat.

Goals & Objectives

SMART Objectives (12–24 months)

We’ll keep this simple, sharp, and measurable. “If it can’t be measured, it didn’t happen.” Baselines are from the 2025 pilot; targets line up with our financial plan (Y1 ≈ 2026 season, Y2 ≈ 2027).

Milestones & Roadmap

1. Pre-Season Setup (Dec 2025–Feb 2026): finalize fleet & equipment; hire 2 crew leads + 4 techs; sign vendor terms for mulch, sod, aggregates; launch reviews engine. Gate: 6 months working capital on hand.
2. Launch (Mar 2026): open routes in core ZIP clusters; SLA on quotes 24–48h; weekly quality audits. Gate: 50 maintenance contracts live.
3. First 100 Contracts (May 2026): hit density in 3 clusters; add part-time dispatcher to full-time. Gate: utilization ≥70% for 4 weeks.
4. Second Maintenance Crew (Jun 2026): duplicate winning route; bring in apprentice crew lead. Gate: contribution per crew-hour ≥$23.
5. Design/Build Line (Jul–Aug 2026): estimator full time; hardscape equipment add; standardized allowances in quotes. Gate: three $15k+ projects closed, GM ≥ 38% each.
6. Irrigation Service Desk (Sep 2026): 24h leak response; winterization packages. Gate: 150 winterizations pre-sold.
7. 2027 Scale (Mar–Oct 2027): third route or second project crew as demand dictates; lock in yard sublease through 2028.

Products & Services

Service Catalog

• Mowing & Turf Care: mowing, edging, trimming, blow-off; turf health checks.
• Seasonal Cleanups: spring/fall debris removal, bed redefining, haul-off.
• Fertilization & Weed Control: region-appropriate program; spot-spray between visits.
• Mulch & Plantings: mulch top-ups, annuals/perennials, shrubs, sod installs.
• Design/Build: patios, walkways, retaining walls, raised beds, xeriscape conversions.
• Irrigation (Install/Repair): smart controllers, repairs, start-ups & winterization.
• Tree & Shrub Care: selective pruning, health assessments; heavy arbor work via vetted partners.
• Snow & Ice (select areas): sidewalk/driveway clearing, de-icing, trigger at 1.5”.

Value Proposition

• Predictable schedules: tight routes, clear service windows, text-before-arrival.
• Pro crews: uniformed, trained, and equipped—no guesswork, no mess.
• Tidy job sites: photo proof on completion; punch-list before we roll.
• Clear quotes: line-item scopes, inclusions/exclusions, realistic timelines.
• Photo-proof QA: every stop logged; issues flagged and fixed fast.

Features & Customer Benefits

• Route optimization: shorter service windows and fewer reschedules.
• CRM reminders: email/SMS for visits, renewals, and seasonal add-ons.
• Package tiers: pick a plan, add options, lock pricing—no surprises.
• Self-serve portal: pay online, approve change orders, see photos and invoices.

Pricing Model

Maintenance is subscription-style; projects are quoted with allowances. Pricing flexes with lot size, complexity, and travel time—these are representative anchors for the Denver metro.

Projects (Design/Build): quoted per job with documented allowances for materials (stone, plants, lighting). Typical project sizes: $7k–$25k; gross margin target 38–45% after labor, equipment, and disposal.

Fuel/Material Surcharges Policy: we lock your maintenance rate for the season; a temporary surcharge (up to 6%) can apply if diesel or key materials spike >15% MoM. It sunsets automatically when prices normalize.

Warranties & Service Levels

• Workmanship Warranty (Design/Build): 12 months on hardscape installation (settling, separation, or failure under normal use).
• Plant Warranty: 90 days with documented watering/irrigation; exclusions for extreme weather and wildlife damage.
• Revisit Policy: if we miss a spot, we’re back within 72 hours—no debate, just fix it.
• Response SLAs: quotes in 24–48 hours; irrigation leaks within 24 hours; snow operations at 1.5” trigger with route completion targets per event.

IP & Know-How

• Estimating Templates: standardized labor/productivity tables, travel factors, and overhead allocators to keep bids tight and margins intact.
• Planting Palettes: region-tested species lists and spacing guides for low-water yards and HOA-friendly designs.
• Checklists: start-of-day equipment checks, on-site SOPs, photo-before/after, and close-out punch-lists.
• Brand Standards: quotes, invoices, and site signage templates to keep us looking like the pro we are.

Plain-talk promise: We won’t overbuild the catalog or chase every shiny object. We’ll sell what we can execute consistently, with routes that make money and crews that go home safe. The rest is noise.

Market Analysis

Industry Overview & Trends

Landscape services are large, local, and logistics-driven. The U.S. market is ≈$150B+ and grows steadily. In metros like Denver, route density (tight clusters of nearby jobs) is the margin lever: less windshield time → more revenue per crew-hour and better on-time performance. Three practical shifts on the ground: (1) drought-tolerant/xeriscape designs to cut water usage and HOA headaches; (2) gradual adoption of battery/electric handhelds for noise, emissions, and municipal bids; (3) recurring seasonal water restrictions that we must schedule around to avoid fines and callbacks.

Target Segments

• Single-family residential: recurring mow/turf care plus seasonal add-ons; upsell fertilization, mulch, drip retrofits.
• HOAs: high route-density potential; SLAs, photo-proof QA, predictable schedules are mandatory.
• Property managers (SFR portfolios, small multifamily): standardized scopes, simple per-door pricing, fast response.
• Small commercial (retail/office, medical, light industrial): curb-appeal contracts; snow/ice helps stabilize winter.
• Municipal (select, bid-ready): battery gear and quiet ops score points; compliance and documentation matter.

Competitor Analysis

Local landscape map: a few national players, some strong regionals, and many independents.

SWOT (short & honest)

• Strengths: route-dense footprint; pro scheduling/CRM; selective battery adoption; water-wise design/xeriscape chops.
• Weaknesses: new brand; upfront capex for gear; must prove reliability fast.
• Opportunities: turf-replacement and rebate momentum; HOA consolidation; quiet equipment wins bids.
• Threats: summer labor constraints; water restrictions compress service windows; fuel/parts inflation.

Market Size (TAM–SAM–SOM)

Planning anchors (conservative): Denver–Aurora MSA ≈ 1.24M households; ~130k small business establishments. Assumptions below are intentionally modest and will be tightened during diligence.

Regulation & Barriers

• Licensing (pesticides): if applying restricted-use pesticides, the company needs a commercial applicator license and qualified supervisors/certified operators; otherwise we subcontract RUPs in Y1 and license in-house by Month 9.
• Insurance: workers’ comp once we have employees; carry GL ($1M/$2M), commercial auto, inland marine, and umbrella to meet HOA/commercial contract norms.
• DOT/vehicles: USDOT number and markings may apply based on truck/trailer weights; follow FMCSA/Colorado intrastate rules, inspections, and driver files.
• Water restrictions: city/utility rules on watering days and times (e.g., Denver, Aurora) require schedule planning and homeowner guidance.
• Air quality/equipment: seasonal limits on gas small-engine equipment for public-property work in ozone season are emerging; battery handhelds reduce risk and noise complaints.

Bottom line: Denver is a route-density playground with real drought pressure and evolving equipment rules. If we stack dense routes, sell water-wise upgrades people already want, and deploy battery gear where it moves the needle, we hit the plan without racing to the bottom on price.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

Positioning & Messaging

“On-time, clean, consistent. Professional landscaping made predictable.” That’s the promise. Short windows, tidy job sites, clear quotes, photo-proof QA. No drama.

Acquisition Channels (what we actually fund and why)

• Google Business Profile & Local SEO: where intent lives. We own listings, neighborhoods, and reviews.
• Reviews Engine: ask every happy client; small credits and reminders keep the flywheel spinning.
• Google LSA/PPC: throttle-able demand in peak months; tight geo and negative keywords to avoid tire-kickers.
• Neighborhood Ads/Yard Signs: density builder—signs only go on routes we are already servicing.
• HOA & Property-Manager Bids: fewer, bigger contracts; requires SLAs, certificates, and calm paperwork.
• Door Tags & Direct Mail: route-first mapping; we only drop where crews already pass twice a week.
• Partnerships: garden centers, builders, irrigation shops. Warm handoffs beat cold clicks.

Sales Model & Pipeline (no black box)

1. Lead Capture: web/phone/GBP chat → auto-ack + SMS; < 5 min first response target.
2. Estimate: phone estimate or site visit (design/build). Photos + scope checklist; no vague promises.
3. Proposal: line items, inclusions/exclusions, timeline, allowances (for projects). E-signature.
4. Scheduling: slot into nearest dense route; client gets window + prep checklist.
5. Close-out: photo-proof, invoice, review request; upsell next seasonal task.

Retention, Loyalty & CRM

• Seasonal Upsell Calendar: aeration/overseed → mulch/plantings → irrigation tune-ups → fall cleanup → winterization → holiday lights (optional).
• Prepaid Discounts: 5% off for annual prepay (maintenance), 2% net-10 for projects.
• Referral Rewards: $25–$50 credit after the 2nd service of the referred client.
• Notifications: text-before-arrival, post-service photo album, renewal reminders at 60/30/7 days.

Seasonality & Capacity Fit

We ramp with the weather. We do not outrun crew capacity; anything beyond utilization 75% goes to waitlist or next route.

Budget, CAC & LTV Assumptions (Y1)

We keep the promise from the funding plan: $60,000 total marketing. Blended CAC is built to pay back in one season or less.

*We cap maintenance at 320 contracts in Y1 due to capacity; overflow goes to a waitlist or future routes.

LTV, Payback & Review Cadence

• Maintenance (subscription) LTV: average contract value (ACV) ≈ $1,800/year; contribution margin ≈ 30% ⇒ $540/year. With 24–30 months expected life (based on 68–72% renewals), conservative LTV (NPV) ≈ $1,100–$1,300.
• Projects (design/build): average job ≈ $9,500; contribution margin ≈ 22% ⇒ ≈ $2,090 cash contribution; some convert to maintenance next season.
• Payback: maintenance pays back in ≈ 3–4 months at blended CAC ~$176 and monthly contribution ~$45 (=$540/12). Projects pay back immediately on close.
• Cadence & KPIs: weekly channel report (leads, speed-to-lead, quotes issued, win rate); monthly LTV:CAC check by channel; quarterly rate-card review and route profitability audit.

Channel Operating Rules (the “don’t be dumb” list)

• No spray-and-pray: we only buy impressions where we can actually deploy a crew within 10 minutes of another job.
• Speed-to-Lead: SLA < 5 min response; < 24–48 h quote; irrigation leaks < 24 h.
• Route-first mailers: if the map isn’t dense, we don’t drop a single door tag.
• Proof beats promises: every proposal carries 2–3 relevant photo sets and one short testimonial.
• Review discipline: every closed ticket triggers a review ask. No exceptions.

What good looks like (targets we will actually track)

Plain talk: We buy demand where it’s cheap (reviews, SEO), rent it where it’s needed (LSA/PPC), and build it where we live (signs, mailers). If a channel doesn’t pay back inside one season, it’s cut. No sacred cows.

Operations & Organization

Org Structure & Roles

Keep it tight and scalable. We staff to route density, not vanity headcount.

Crew plan Y1: two 3-person maintenance crews + one 4-person project crew. Adds are conditioned on utilization ≥ 72% for four straight weeks.

Core Processes & KPIs

• Estimating & Job Costing: standardized template = Labor (crew-hours × loaded rate) + Materials + Equipment time + Travel factor + Overhead allocator + Target margin. Quote must show inclusions/exclusions and allowances (for design/build).
• Daily Huddles (15 min): safety note, route changes, weather, top 3 risks; crews leave the yard by 7:00 a.m. sharp.
• Route Optimization: cluster by ZIP; max 6 wasted road-miles/crew-day; avoid left turns where possible; reschedules roll to density-first slots.
• Quality Audits: Crew Leads do self-checks; Ops runs weekly spot-audits; anything subpar becomes a same-week revisit.
• Close-Out Photos: before/after + punch-list; attach to invoice; trigger review request.

Suppliers & Supply Chain

• Categories: nurseries/plant material, sod farms, aggregates & pavers, mulch/soil, irrigation parts, hardscape rental gear, PPE/consumables, fuel.
• Terms to lock: early-season pricing (valid through Oct), delivery windows, returns policy on overages, pallet buybacks, credit line for peak months.
• Early-Season POs (indicative):

Production & Fulfillment

• Crew-Day Planning: standard day 6:45 safety check → 7:00 roll-out → 10–15 jobs (maintenance) or 1 project (design/build) → 4:15 yard return.
• Capacity Math (maintenance): billable crew-hours/day ≈ 16.5 (3-person crew × 5.5 billable hrs/person at 72% utilization). At $78 revenue/crew-hr, revenue/crew-day ≈ $1,287; 5 days/week ≈ $6,435 per crew.
• Weather Contingencies: keep a 10% weekly buffer; rain pushes non-urgent work; irrigation/repairs get priority windows.
• Punch-Lists: anything not to spec is logged same-day; revisits inside 72h, ahead of new work.

Facilities, Equipment & Tech Stack

• Yard / Shop: 5635 E 56th Ave, Unit C, Commerce City, CO 80022; ~6,000 sq ft yard + 1,200 sq ft shop; lease ≈ $4,200/mo; secure parking, power, materials bins.
• Fleet & Gear (Y1):

• Tech Stack: field CRM & scheduling (jobs, crews, SMS), estimating & e-signature, GPS/telematics, time tracking, photo storage, bookkeeping (job-costed), safety LMS.

Risk Management & Compliance

• OSHA Landscaping Safety Program: written IIPP; weekly tailgate talks; toolbox topics: hearing/eye protection, equipment handling, heat stress, silica for hardscapes.
• PPE & Equipment Lock-Out: eye/ear/hand protection mandatory; lock-out/tag-out on mowers and electrical tools during maintenance.
• Pesticide Applicator Licensing (if using RUPs): company commercial applicator license + Qualified Supervisor/Certified Operator; otherwise subcontract RUP applications in Y1 while training in-house.
• Vehicle/DOT Compliance: pre-trip logs, weight limits, tie-downs, USDOT markings if thresholds apply; driver qualification files and random testing as required.
• Spill Kits & Stormwater: kits on each truck; no fueling over drains; materials bins covered; follow local stormwater BMPs.
• Documented SOPs: start-of-day checks, equipment fueling, hardscape compaction specs, irrigation pressure tests, chemical handling.
• Worker Training: onboarding + quarterly refreshers; incident/near-miss log with corrective actions.

Insurance & Liability

• General Liability: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.
• Workers’ Compensation: statutory; experience-mod tracked monthly.
• Commercial Auto: $1M CSL; hired/non-owned endorsement.
• Inland Marine (tools/equipment): $100k blanket scheduled.
• Umbrella: $2M over GL/Auto.
• Certificates: COIs on file for HOAs/PMs with AI & waiver of subrogation where needed.

Data Privacy & Security

• Least-Privilege: role-based access to CRM, finance, photos.
• 2FA & Device Controls: MFA on all apps; MDM for crew phones; remote wipe enabled.
• Backups & Retention: nightly cloud backups; photo/archive retention 24 months; invoices/contracts 7 years.
• Payments: tokenized; we never store raw card data.

Business Continuity

• Severe Weather Plan: rolling 72-hour schedule; priority lists (medical/commercial), text alerts, weekend catch-up reserve.
• Equipment Downtime: one spare mower; vendor loaners; quick-swap handhelds; blades and belts stocked.
• Vendor Alternates: secondary nursery/sod/aggregate suppliers pre-approved.
• People: cross-train techs; keep a 10% roster of vetted on-call labor during peak months.

Management Team

Bios & Roles

• Evan Morales — Owner/GM: 10+ years in field services (route ops, job costing). Strengths: pricing discipline, crew development, vendor negotiation. OSHA-10; CPR/First Aid.
• Ashley Kim — Operations Manager: ex-dispatcher turned ops lead; built two dense routes at prior employer. Strengths: scheduling, QA systems, customer comms. OSHA-30; forklift certified.
• Marcus Alvarez — Estimator/PM: hardscape foreman → estimator; fluent in allowances, change orders, close-outs. ICPI-aware; irrigation fundamentals.
• Crew Leads (3): mixed turf/hardscape backgrounds; each can train a new tech to SOP in 30 days.

Advisory Bench

• CPA (construction/field services): job-costed accounting, WIP tracking, cash management.
• Attorney: contracts, indemnities, employment, lien releases.
• Safety Consultant: OSHA compliance, incident investigations, training calendar.
• ISA Arborist (as-needed): species selection, pruning standards, plant health diagnostics.

Reality Check (plain talk)

• We scale only when the math says so (utilization and contribution/crew-hour). No headcount trophies.
• Routes beat radius. If a job doesn’t help density, it’s a polite “not now.”
• Photos or it didn’t happen. QA lives or dies on proof, not promises.

Financial Plan

Here’s the money story without fluff. We sell two things: predictable route-based maintenance and well-scoped design/build projects. Cash comes in weekly, cost is mostly people and materials, profit lives (or dies) in route density and job costing. Below — how we track it, what it costs, when we break even, and what investors get for funding the ramp.

Recordkeeping & Controls (how we keep the books honest)

We run job-costed accounting by default: every estimate has a labor budget (crew-hours), materials list with supplier SKUs, and travel factor. Purchase orders route through the Ops Manager; deliveries are three-way matched (PO → delivery ticket → invoice). Inventory is light — consumables and a small buffer of irrigation parts — counted weekly. Cash: no petty cash beyond a $250 float; everything else is card or PO. Approvals: Owner/GM for vendor terms and anything > $5k, Ops for routine POs, Estimator for change orders. Short version: quotes are promises; costs get proven.

Revenue Model & Cost Structure

Maintenance is our stable base; projects add margin when crews are humming. Blended targets reflect the Denver market and our route plan.

Operating expenses (ex-COGS) stay lean and boring: mgmt/admin payroll & benefits, yard lease & utilities, insurance, software/phones, and a clear marketing budget. We’d rather under-promise on the top line and win on the cost line.

Unit Economics & Break-Even

Speak crew, speak math. A 3-person maintenance crew produces roughly 16.5 billable crew-hours/day at our Y1 utilization. Blended revenue is about $78 per crew-hour (maintenance is a touch lower; projects higher). Direct costs eat roughly half; the other half pays for overhead and profit.

Monthly break-even (run-rate): with ~$33.9k average operating expenses per month and ~49.7% gross margin, we need about $68k/month in revenue to clear zero on a run-rate basis. We expect monthly run-rate break-even by April and cumulative break-even in Month 8 as peak season wipes the early-season deficit.

Funding Sources & Use of Funds

We’re pragmatic on capital. The ask remains $475,000. Two clean stacks that work:

• Option A (Debt-heavy): $350k equipment leases (60 months, seasonal skip), $100k SBA 7(a)/microloan for working capital (term 7–10 yrs), $25k owner equity. Lower dilution; slightly higher monthly debt service.
• Option B (Mix): $300k equipment leases, $50k SBA working capital, $125k equity for a 20% stake. More cushion; better DSCR in shoulder months.

Financial Statements (Y1 base case)

Income Statement — Year 1

Cash Flow — Year 1 (summary)

Balance Sheet Snapshot — End of Y1

Projections & Assumptions

Assumptions are right-sized and visible. If reality beats them, we scale faster; if not, we cut fat early.

Monthly Forecast (Y1)

Annual Outlook (Y2–Y3)

Scenario & Sensitivity (what can break, and by how much)

Exit Strategy & Investor Returns

Three practical paths: (1) Book-of-business sale to a local operator (fast close, lower multiple, clean); (2) roll-up to a regional platform (higher multiple if our EBITDA is clean and routes are dense); (3) management buyout financed by equipment lenders + cash flow.

Target valuation math is straightforward. If we hit $475k EBITDA in Y3 and sell at a 4.0×–5.0× multiple (in line with route-based services of our size), enterprise value lands around $1.9M–$2.4M. After net debt, 20% equity (Option B) projects to a payout of roughly $300k–$400k, or a ~2.4×–3.2× MOIC in ~36 months (IRR depends on timing and distributions — mid-30s% if we keep to plan).

Plain-talk close: We don’t need heroics to make this work. We need tight routes, disciplined bids, and zero drama in the books. We’ll earn the multiple by being predictably boring at scale — and that’s exactly how landscaping prints cash.

Funding Strategy

We’ll finance the ramp the same way we run routes: tight, predictable, and with brakes that actually work. Target structure keeps leverage useful (not lethal), with covenants we can live with even if weather kicks us in the shins.

Debt vs. Equity

Target leverage: Net Debt / EBITDA ≤ 2.2× (Y2), dropping < 1.7× (Y3). Coverage: DSCR ≥ 1.35× base, never below 1.20× in a storm case. We’ll model payments on a seasonal curve (lighter in Jan–Feb) so cash doesn’t get strangled when grass sleeps.

Reality check: If debt pricing comes in hot, we cut capex (start with 2 trucks/2 trailers/2 ZTRs) and rent the third mower until density proves out. If equity shows up on fair terms, we’ll take the cushion and protect DSCR in shoulder months.

Lender / Investor Readiness

What we hand across the table (and keep current every 30 days):

• Financial package: YTD P&L, cash flow, balance sheet; AR aging with DSO; job-costing roll-up; 12-month forecast (seasonality baked in).
• Operational proof: route maps, utilization report, photo-QA samples, safety program binder, vendor terms, insurance certificates.
• Owner docs: personal financial statement, two years returns, resume, credit report (target 700+), CO good standing.
• Proposed covenants (we can live with): DSCR ≥ 1.20× (tested quarterly, TTM), max Net Debt/EBITDA 2.75× (step-down to 2.25× in Y3), no additional debt without consent, no owner distributions if DSCR < 1.25×.

Use-of-Funds Milestones (with gates)

We don’t release money just because it’s there. Each tranche ties to a real deliverable or metric.

Implementation Plan

Timeline & Roadmap (next 12 months)

We treat time like money. Below is the season arc we can actually execute without breaking crews.

Resource & Hiring Plan

We hire only what the routes can feed. Each add is earned by utilization and contribution — not vibes.

Headcount ramp: start with 2 maintenance crews (3-person) + 1 project crew (4-person), Estimator/PM, Ops Manager, and Admin/Dispatcher (0.8 FTE → 1.0 by May). Add a 3-person maintenance crew in June only if utilization ≥ 72% for four straight weeks and contribution/crew-hour ≥ $23.

Training calendar (non-negotiables):

• Jan: OSHA 10 refresh (crews), equipment lock-out, hearing/eye protection, trailer tie-down.
• Feb: Hardscape compaction & base, irrigation pressure & leak tests, chemical handling (non-RUP).
• May: Heat stress & hydration, mower blade safety, silica awareness (pavers).
• Aug: Incident drill & near-miss review; refresher on SOPs and photo-QA.

Dependencies & Risk Owners

We put names next to risks so problems don’t float.

Plain talk: Money goes into wheels, blades, people, and leads—nothing ornamental. We add capacity only when the math says “go,” and we hit the brakes before covenants do it for us. That’s how we grow without giving the business (or our sleep) away.

Appendices

This is the evidence box—the place lenders, investors, and partners check when they want proof that we actually run the business, not a daydream. Everything lives in a shared, clearly labeled “Data Room” with version dates.

Licenses & Permits

What we need to operate legally and safely in Colorado (and good practice anywhere in the U.S.).

Contracts & Service Agreements

Clear templates = fewer disputes and healthier margins.

Bank Statements & Credit History / Equipment & Insurance Dossier

What lenders ask for—kept current and tidy.

Product Specs & Technical Docs

Proof we know how to run our gear safely and consistently.

Market Data Extracts & Sample Estimates

Transparent numbers—no magic multipliers.

Sample design/build estimate with allowances (so material choices don’t eat our margin):

Optional Industry-Specific Add-Ons

Design/Build Module

A sales and margin shield, not just eye candy.

• Portfolio: 10–12 projects with before/after photos, plans, and realized GM%.
• Permitting workflow: checklists for walls >4 ft, ROW, inspections; timeline baked into bids.
• Subcontractor controls: W-9, COI, scope agreements, lien releases.

Irrigation Module

Water rules change; we show we’re compliant and smart about conservation.

• Backflow testing: in-house cert or licensed partner on call.
• Compliance: local watering schedules; controller programming SOPs.
• Seasonal: spring start-up, fall winterization; packaged pricing.

Tree Care Module

We self-perform light pruning and health work; bring in ISA when needed.

• Standards: ISA pruning best practices.
• Safety: aerial lift and chipper SOPs; exclusion zones; PPE.
• Scope split: routine shrub/tree care in-house; high-risk removals via vetted arborist.

Snow & Ice Module

Winter doesn’t have to wreck cash flow.

• Routes & triggers: mapped, priority lists, 1.5″ trigger; completion SLAs per event.
• De-icing: site-specified materials; usage documented for liability protection.
• Risk: slip-and-fall protocols; before/after photos logged to job file.

Data Room Index (example)

So any investor can find what they need in 30 seconds.

Bottom line: Appendices aren’t an afterthought. They’re the proof. If someone asks a hard question, the answer is already in this section—with dates, signatures, and numbers. That’s how we reduce friction and the cost of capital.