How To Start Landscaping Business In 2024? – Complete Guide

The definition of landscaping is one land that is decorated with a magnificent artificial structure. 5 to 10 years ago, it was treated as a hobby, but now it is becoming a profitable business.  

The Landscaping Services Industry Report shows that the landscape services industry had a market size of $170 billion (about $400 per person in the US) in 2022. In the last five years, the market’s growth rate has hiked almost 3.8 percent. 1 

If we look at the business’s future, we will see a bright future and a shiny growth rate. If you have a hobby of creating beautiful landscapes, then do not hesitate to turn your business into the most profitable one.  

The market is still growing, and there are no such companies that you can call large companies in the landscaping business. 

Besides, civilized people are exceeding their likeness to adopt the beauty of nature. We have all started to admire the natural view of the decorated landscapes.  

From the big hotels to farmhouses everywhere, the house owners are more focused on beautifying the land and the park.  

This business will grow stronger in 2024 for sure, especially for those who do not like a fairytale-inspired dreamy garden in front of their own houses. I guess everyone likes it.  

Simple 4 Steps To Start Landscaping Business 

The landscaping business is quite lucrative if one witnesses the future of the business. In fact, good landscaping makes the land price higher than the regular price.  

A good landscape makes the land price grow by almost 20% to 30% higher. 

If you plan to get into this new business, here are four simple steps that will help you understand the landscaping business’s real facts. 

Create A Business Plan 

Every business needs some planning for the execution. The landscaping business is not an exceptional one.  

At present, the new business enthusiasts do not have much competition with the big multi-billion companies. Hence, the landscaping business also needs some effort and planning to achieve the desired goal. 

• First Step: Perform the market analysis before implementing the plan. This market analysis is associated with many things, like the competitor’s progress analysis. Moreover, when you have analyzed these common factors, you will figure out how you can outshine your competitors.   
• Second Step: Craft your company’s motto and the management plan.  
• Third Step: Find marketing strategies and growth plans.  
• Fourth Step: Make your service brochure with a proper price chart.   
• Fifth Step: Make your plan according to the financial growth of the next five to ten years. 

These five simple steps are all associated with creating a successful business plan and executing the planning according to financial growth. 

Estimate The Budget And Apply For Funding 

Finance always comes second when it comes to opening any business! Without the right funding, you wouldn’t be able to sustain any business. 

Therefore, the next step is to secure your investment, and plan a constant cash flow! 

Funding is a very important factor for every startup business. When you are more of a hobby maker, you might not u might not count the total money that you are investing in hobbies.  

However, when you are doing any business, every small penny counts. Every single penny will cost more than millions.  

The local banks and the local lenders are always there to save your financial terms. Startup business enthusiasts are more eligible to apply for loans, and many investors are also interested in investing in your business. 

To complete your dream project, just follow three simple steps. 

Step 1: The first step is quite simple: just open a business bank account in your local bank. Then comes the other two steps. 

Step 2: Make a business proposal and a profit-making proposal. Give some realistic planning and programming to make your dreams come true. Investors and banks are not interested in unrealistic projects. 

Step 3: Give the vision of the future and mention your goal for the business. 

These two simple steps should be mentioned in your proposal report before you apply for the loan or apply for any investments. 

An Estimated Budget to Start a Landscaping Business 

Starting a landscaping business is a rewarding and profitable opportunity for any small business enthusiast. 

However, like any other venture, the landscaping business also has its basic start-up expenses. 

Still confused about the budget? Here is a well-thought-out budget plan for how to plan financially.  

Note: This is an estimated budget that should help you with your new business. 

1. Initial Set-Up Costs

Business Registration and Licenses: $500 – $1,000 

This includes registering your business name with the state and local business licenses and permits for your city or country. 

Insurance: $1,000 – $2,000 

You do not know what kind of trouble or risk you will end up with, especially when you are dealing with heavy-duty machines in the landscaping business. 

Therefore, ensuring your machines along with yourself and labors for injury is necessary. 

When you are just beginning, general liability insurance is available in case you cause damage or injury. 

Legal and Accounting Fees: $500 – $1,500 

When it comes to licenses and permits, you’ll need to meet a lawyer and an accountant to get set up. 

2. Equipment And Supplies

Now, let’s come to the basic equipment’s you will need! 

Basic Landscaping Equipment ($5,000 – $10,000) 

Lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers, leaf blowers, and basic hand tools. 

Vehicle: $10,000 – $25,000 

A dependable truck or van will be needed to transport equipment and materials since you will have to reach your client’s garden.

Safety Gear And Uniforms: $500-$1,000 

Protective gear, uniforms, gloves, and boots. 

3. Online Marketing

No business can survive without advertising today. Especially in the era of digital marketing.  

So, you will need to set a budget for online marketing, print advertising, business cards, brochure printing, and radio ads. 

Website Development: $1,000 – $2,500 

Let’s assume you’re hiring someone to create a basic website for you. Professional website design and development can easily start with thousand dollar per project! 

Online Marketing: $500 – $1,000 

Social media ads, Google Ads, and other online marketing is the method to go. You’ll need a killer design to promote whatever you’re offering. 

Traditional Marketing: $500 – $1,000 

No matter how much the internet thrives, for local businesses, there is nothing better than traditional marketing. These include flyers, business cards, and a small local newspaper. 

4. Operational Costs

Once everything is set and you begin your operations, the operational costs start! 

Rent for Office Space (if applicable): $500 – $1,500/month 

First off, you’ll need to secure your space. 

In most cases, you’ll have to make an initial deposit equal to one month’s rent. 

That means if your monthly rent is $1,000, they’ll require $2,000 upfront before you get the keys. 

When you have a rented place, it also includes bills for electricity, internet, phone, and office supplies. 

5. Labor

Once you have your initial expenses set, start considering how much it would take to run the business.  

The biggest cost would be hiring laborers.  

After all, you cannot go and lawn everyone’s garden yourself! 

It is indeed a major expense! 

These include paying wages, insurance, and any fringe benefits that may be part of your agreement with the employee. 

Initial Hiring: $2,000 – $5,000 

• Recruiting costs. 
• Training costs. 

• Uniforms. 
• Injury Insurances. 

Wages: $15 – $25/hour per employee 

Total Investment 

So, here is the total investment in terms of a landscaping business.  

Low-End Estimate: $22,400 

High-End Estimate: $56,000 

Get The Legal Documentation Ready 

The land related to any business requires as many legal documents as possible.  

First, you should check the local landscaping guidelines and then determine the state of the landscaping business license-related documents. 

Some of the landowners are checking every legal document of the business person. Almost every landowner checks the landscaping licenses before appointing you.  

When you apply for landscaping licenses, you will see multiple criteria for fulfillment. 

In fact, these criteria are not hard to fill, but most of the documents need proof of your work.  

This means they just want to check if you have that working criterion or not. They just want to check the planning, programming, and working eligibility of the business owner. 

If you can give proof of your hands-on experiences, your work will go more smoothly. 

The legal documentation and the licenses are an all-time very necessary part of any business, so do not neglect this part. 

Purchase Necessary Hardware Equipment 

When you are in the landscaping business, the hardware equipment is quite an important step.  

Finding the user equipment is the prime target of any startup business person. Collaborate with your local inventory shops. 

Before purchasing the hardware equipment, first, analyze the client’s requirements and make a blueprint of the planning. Then start to purchase the hardware equipment as per the necessity of the projects. 

After all, there is little difference between hobby selection and making the business goal out of your hobby planning. These projects are quite big, and every big project needs time and proper execution planning to make your project more successful. 

Here is a small list of hardware equipment that you must buy before starting any landscaping projects. 

• Bull Dozers 
• Dump trucks 
• Backhoe loaders 
• Compactors 
• Water trucks 
• Wheel loaders 
• Hydraulic excavators 
• Telehandlers 
• Roller 

This all-hardware equipment is quite pricey relative to other small hardware equipment. But this all-high-priced equipment is hardy and long-lasting.  

This is very common hardware equipment which will help you to crack any hard projects.  

A war cannot be won without the proper weapon; we all know this philosophy. But this is the true factor for any business. 

The Final Note! 

Landscaping is one of those businesses where small business entrepreneurs can excel without hard work.  

Therefore, as a new business enthusiast, you must be persistent in the hobby of making a fine and beautiful landscape. Do not wait and turn your hobby into a profitable business. 

Hopefully, we were able to give you a basic blueprint for starting your very first landscaping business. 

Do you have a landscaping business, and do you have advice which can help our audience learn more about the venture? Do let us know in the comment section below! 

Read Also: 

• How to Become a Lifestyle Entrepreneur in 7 Easy Steps?
• What is Business Management? Overview and Guide 2021
• 5 Tips to Prepare Your Team for a Business Transition