Last updated on January 16, 2023
There are roughly 600,000 landscaping businesses in the U.S., generating well over $100 billion in revenues. Since 2020, the number of these businesses has increased by 5 percent.
Whichever way you slash these numbers, you’ll reach one conclusion: the industry is thriving. This is the best time to sharpen your tools and start a landscaping business.
However, just like in other industries, the failure rate for new landscaping businesses is sky-high. It takes a well-informed entrepreneur to start and run a successful professional landscaping company.
In this article, we’re giving you the information you need to be successful. Let’s get started!
Identify an Ideal Market/Location
As a landscaping startup, you aren’t looking at providing your services nationwide. Although you can do it if you have the resources, it’s savvier to start out as a local business and branch out gradually. It’s more cost-effective and you don’t stand to lose a fortune should the business collapse.
So, how do you find a good local market to base your business? There’s a strong temptation to open the business where you live, but that shouldn’t be the main consideration.
You need to research various local markets and find one that’s most ideal. This should be a location with a strong demand for landscaping services and a small number of service providers. Check out these landscaping industry statistics to identify the most promising markets.
Settle on a Niche
Broadly speaking, there are two landscaping niches: commercial landscaping and residential landscaping.
You can serve both markets, and most established landscaping companies do, but again, it’s best to start small. Specializing on one niche isn’t resource-intensive and gives you the best chance of building a loyal customer base.
Your location will have a big influence on your choice of niche. If you’ve decided to start the business in a location with many residential neighborhoods, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll need to offer residential landscaping services.
Even in either of these niches, it’s possible to specialize further and offer specific services. For example, as a residential landscaper, you can focus on gardening and lawn care, or landscape installation. As the business grows, you can add more services to your offerings.
Get Licenses and Permits
Your state and local authority have registration and licensing requirements for landscaping businesses. Do the research, know what’s needed, fill in the applications, pay any fees, and get the paperwork.
Once the business is duly registered and licensed, it’s time to set up shop.
Prepare the Office Space
Whether the business is home-based or you’ve leased commercial office space, be sure to turn it into a professional space. Set up the furniture, phone lines, internet, and whatnot.
And in the digital age, you must create a landscaping website, as well as social media profiles for the business.
Finally, purchase the necessary landscaping equipment you need to do the job clients will hire you to do. If you’re short on capital, it’s possible to lease the equipment when needed.
Start a Landscaping Business Today
Residential and commercial property owners are always looking for professional landscapers to design, install and maintain appealing landscapes. So the demand for landscaping services is always there. Use this guide to start a landscaping business that will stand out.
Explore the business section of our blog for more business tips and advice.
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