How To Start A Landscaping Business? Easy 13 Step Guide
This guide will break down how to get your landscaping business started for you. We’ll cover everything you need know, step by step. From building a solid foundation to marketing your services like a pro, we’ve got you covered.
Thinking seriously about turning your love for gardening or the outdoors into a business? Whether it’s designing stunning gardens, keeping lawns neat and green, or building outdoor spaces people love, landscaping could be your perfect career path.
Starting a business can seem a little overwhelming at first. How do you create a plan? What about pricing, budgets, and finding clients?
It’s a lot to think about, but don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Is Starting a Landscaping Business Worth It?
Absolutely!
The U.S. landscaping industry is booming, fueled by post-COVID projects, a strong real estate market, and an growing demand for sustainable, eco-friendly spaces.
Homeowners are upgrading their yards with patios and gardens. Businesses are investing in landscaping to attract visitors and boost curb appeal.
With over $100 billion in annual revenue and steady growth, there’s no shortage of opportunities in this field. From homes and schools to businesses and cities, the demand for landscaping continues to grow.
Landscapers offering sustainable solutions, like native plants and water-efficient systems, have an edge in this expanding market. If you’re ready to turn your passion for outdoor spaces into a business, now is the time to start.
RELATED ARTICLE: How Much Do Landscapers Make? 2025 Salary Guide
Steps for Pricing Your Landscaping Jobs
1. Create a Plan: The Blueprint for Success
Your business plan is your foundation. Think of it as a map that keeps you on course as you start and grow your business.
A well-prepared business plan not only organizes your ideas but also helps attract investors or secure loans if needed.
The plan doesn’t have to be complex, but it should include these essentials:
- Services Offered: Decide if you’ll focus on basic lawn care, design, seasonal planting, or more advanced services like hardscaping and tree care.
- Market Research: Identify your target market and assess local competition. Knowing what clients want and where competitors fall short can give you an edge.
- Pricing Strategy: Research local rates to set competitive prices. Consider your costs, desired profit margin, and fair market value.
- Budget Forecast: Include expenses like equipment, licensing, and marketing, and project income to set realistic financial goals.
For example, a landscaper in Austin began with a simple lawn care service. By mapping out a plan to expand into hardscaping and seasonal installations. He successfully grew the business into a multi-service company within three years.
RELATED ARTICLE: How To Price Landscaping Jobs? Step-by-Step Guide
2. Register Your Business and Obtain a Business License
To operate legally, register your business name and structure.
Most landscaping business owners opt for an LLC to protect personal assets, but Sole Proprietorship or Corporation are also options.
Make sure to:
- Choose a Unique Name: Run a name search with your local business registry to stand out and to avoid conflicts. For example, if “GreenLeaf Landscaping” is already taken, try variations like “GreenTree Outdoor Solutions”.
- File the Right Paperwork: Submit your chosen business structure with the secretary of state.
- Obtain Necessary Licenses: Requirements vary by state. Some areas require a landscaping license, especially if you’re using chemicals or heavy equipment. Contact your state’s small business association for details.
Tip! Be sure to check with your local small business association for specific regulations and permits. For instance, some states require a special pesticide license if you’re offering weed control services.
RELATED ARTICLE: How To Get A Landscaping License: Step-by-Step Guide
3. Get Your Tax Identification Number
Once registered, apply for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) through the IRS. Getting a TIN is free and can be done online. This number allows you to open a business bank account, file taxes, and pay employees.
A Boston landscaper found it much easier to track expenses and income after separating business and personal finances. Tax season became less stressful, and they could quickly share financial reports with potential investors.
Don’t forget to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to your business in case you registered as an LLC or Corporation.
4. Open a Business Bank Account
A dedicated bank account helps small business owners simplify tracking expenses, and it’s a must for separating business income from personal funds.
This separation is crucial for tax purposes and protecting your assets. It also ensures you can cover the cost without dipping into personal savings.
Also consider using a payment processor, like Stripe or PayPal, to accept credit card and online payments.
5. Budget Smartly: Avoid Common Financial Pitfalls
Budgeting is key to long-term success. Budgeting gives your landscaping business the structure needed to stay profitable. Follow these tips to maintain a healthy cash flow, reducing the risk of unexpected financial shortfalls:
- Break Down Expenses: Include direct costs like equipment, labor, and materials, but don’t overlook “below-the-line” costs, such as insurance, marketing, and office supplies.
- Monitor Labor Costs: Labor can quickly consume your budget. Track man-hours to keep expenses within limits.
- Manage Inventory Efficiently: Order only what you need for active projects. For example, $20,000 in unused materials is much better off as cash in the bank.
A landscaping business in Denver over-ordered patio stones for a project, leaving the extra inventory unused for months. This tied up cash flow that could have been used for other needs.
6. Get Insured
Landscaping is physically demanding and often high-risk work, making insurance a must-have. By protecting your business with insurance, you can avoid costly claims and provide peace of mind for clients.
The most common types of insurance for landscaping businesses include:
- General Liability Insurance: Covers damage to client property or injuries that may occur on the job.
- Workers’ Compensation: Required if you have employees, covering work-related injuries or illnesses.
- Commercial Auto Insurance: Protects company vehicles used for transporting equipment and supplies.
When James started his lawn care business, he skipped insurance to save money. One day, a worker tripped over equipment and fractured their arm.
Without Workers’ Compensation Insurance, James had to pay the medical bills and lost wages himself, costing thousands. He quickly learned that insurance isn’t optional.
RELATED ARTICLE: Landscaping Insurance: How To Get It, Types & Cost
7. Set Your Rates
Setting rates is critical to staying competitive and profitable.
Your rates should cover your overhead and still leave room for profit. Keep in mind that rates may vary for different services, such as regular maintenance versus one-time landscaping projects.
Start by researching rates in your area and evaluating your costs, from labor and materials to fuel and insurance. If local competitors charge $50 per hour for yard maintenance, pricing too high may lose clients. Pricing too low can cut into your profits.
Here are some examples of typical rates:
- Weekly Lawn Mowing: $45–$100, depending on yard size.
- Landscaping Costs: $4–$12 per square foot, depending on complexity.
- Landscape Design Projects: Average around $7,000 but can vary based on project size.
When Maria started her landscaping business, she researched competitors and set her yard maintenance rate at $50 per hour.
For larger projects, like a 500-square-foot garden redesign, she calculated $2,000 for materials, $1,200 for labor, and $300 for equipment, adding a 20% profit to total $4,260.
For custom landscape designs, she charged flat fees based on complexity, recently earning $6,500 for a detailed project. By pricing fairly and clearly, Maria stayed profitable, delivered quality work, and gained referrals from happy clients.
8. Market Your Business: Build a Client Base
A solid marketing plan is essential for getting your name out there to potential customers.
Social proof is one of the most effective tools in your marketing arsenal. If you’ve done great work for a client, ask them to leave a review or provide a testimonial. Prospective clients are more likely to hire you when they see positive feedback from others.
Here are some effective strategies for promoting your new landscaping business:
- Create a Website: This serves as your digital storefront. Include service descriptions, photos, and contact information.
- Social Media Presence: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are ideal for sharing before-and-after photos of your work.
- Customer Reviews: Word-of-mouth can drive new business. Encourage happy clients to leave reviews and consider offering incentives for referrals.
- Google My Business: Registering your business here helps local customers find you when they search online for landscaping services.
Tip! Use before-and-after photos of your work on social media to showcase your skills.
9. Invest in Quality Equipment
Quality landscaping equipment is essential to providing reliable service.
When starting out, focus on essential tools like lawn mowers and trimmers. Gradually invest in specialized equipment, such as aerators or skid steers, as your business grows.
If you primarily offer lawn maintenance, invest in durable mowers and trimmers first. As you add services like hardscaping, look into renting or purchasing larger equipment like compact loaders or skid steers.
Essential landscaping tools and equipment include:
- Lawn Mowers, Trimmers, Leaf Blowers: For everyday maintenance tasks.
- Safety Gear: Gloves, goggles, and steel-toed boots protect you and your employees on the job.
- Reliable Vehicle: A pickup truck or van to transport tools and supplies.
Jake started his landscaping business with basic tools but reinvested in better equipment as he grew. He rented a skid steer for hardscaping jobs and later purchased one. He also upgraded to a reliable truck and ensured his team had proper safety gear.
These smart choices improved his efficiency, reputation, and business growth.
10. Open a Business Bank Account and Payment Gateway
A business bank account helps separate personal and business finances, simplifies expense tracking, and creates a professional image. It also makes managing cash flow easier, so you can monitor income and spending for smarter decisions.
Adding a payment gateway, like Square, Stripe, or PayPal, allows you to accept credit card payments and mobile transactions. You can also offer clients convenient options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Combining a business account with a payment gateway streamlines finances and improves the client experience. And helps you get paid faster!
11. Keep Tabs on Seasonal Trends and Cash Flow
Landscaping is often seasonal, with spring and summer being busier than fall and winter in many areas.
To avoid income gaps, offer extra services like snow removal during slower months. Fall and winter are often quieter for landscaping businesses, but expenses still add up. Adding seasonal services can help balance your income.
A landscaping business in Minnesota added snow removal services during winter to maintain cash flow when landscaping slowed down. They invested in snowblowers and plows, secured contracts with local businesses and homeowners, and marketed to existing clients.
This seasonal pivot kept their income steady and built stronger, year-round client relationships.
12. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Budget
A budget is a living document.
Review your budget monthly to ensure expenses align with revenue goals.
This practice keeps your finances healthy and helps prevent unexpected expenses from impacting your cash flow.
By consistently tracking the following financial metrics, you can make informed adjustments:
- Labor Efficiency: Track estimated vs. actual hours spent on each project.
- Equipment Maintenance: Set aside funds for regular upkeep to extend the life of tools.
- Gross Profit Margins: Monitor margins to maintain profitability across different services.
When equipment costs rise in busy seasons like spring, savings from slower months can help cover them and keep work running smoothly. Peak periods put extra strain on mowers, trimmers, and other tools, leading to unexpected repairs or replacements.
To prepare, some businesses set aside earnings from busy months for maintenance. Others schedule offseason checkups to catch problems early and lower repair costs.
13. Plan for Growth and Service Expansion
Starting small allows you to build a loyal client base and expand gradually, rather than taking on too much at once.
Most landscaping businesses start with basic services, like mowing and weeding, then expand to larger projects over time.
When demand increases, consider hiring additional help or adding services like landscape design, hardscaping, or even holiday lighting.
A Florida landscaper started with basic lawn care like mowing and weeding. This helped them build a loyal client base and a solid reputation. As demand grew, they added custom landscape design and outdoor lighting, offering native gardens and energy-efficient patio lighting.
They invested in design tools and trained their team, which helped attract higher-paying clients and charge premium rates. These changes made them a one-stop shop for outdoor projects and doubled their revenue.
Final Thoughts
Starting a landscaping business takes effort, but the rewards are worth it.
Begin small, focus on delivering quality work, and let satisfied clients drive your growth. Regularly review your budget, adapt to market trends, and explore new services to stay competitive.
Beyond finances, landscaping offers the personal satisfaction of creating beautiful spaces and improving people’s lives. As your business grows, invest in a reliable team and maintain strong client relationships to build a lasting reputation.
Once you’ve made the leap, tools like Invoice Fly can help you manage your business efficiently. From client management to tracking invoices, we’re here to support you every step of the way in turning your landscaping passion into a profitable business.
With passion, planning, and persistence, you can create a thriving business that’s both fulfilling and financially rewarding.
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