Did you know the landscaping market was worth over $105 billion in 2021? That number is expected to go up in 2022, as it has since 2016.
There’s a lot that goes into learning how to start a landscaping business, but with the right steps and planning, you’ll be getting started in no time. But how can you know what to do? How do you know you’re doing the right thing?
Luckily, we’re here to help. Read on to learn 10 steps to starting a landscaping business.
1. Gain Experience
Now, you don’t necessarily need decades of experience to succeed in this industry, but some experience is going to be required. Sure, you might know how to care for plants and maintain yards, but there’s more that goes into owning a business than that.
A big thing you have to know is how to evaluate the cost of materials you’ll need, and also how much time a given project will take. Those two things alone can take years to learn how to estimate.
Without that baseline, you’re going to be stumbling in the dark while helping your first few clients. While everybody makes mistakes, trial by fire in this situation can cost you big — with your time, money, and reputation.
Having this experience will also help you know whether or not the industry is right for you. You might like the idea of working outdoors, but you won’t know if you enjoy it until you spend a summer doing it.
2. Get Licensed, Insured, Structured
When starting any business, there is going to be some paperwork involved. These are crucial to complete before you even think about getting started.
The most important thing for the landscaping industry is going to be general liability insurance. This covers everything from the cost of repairs to legal fees to damages that might need to be paid out after accidents. You never know when you might run over a sprinkler head or something else essential, so you want to make sure you’re covered.
You might also need workers’ compensation insurance, whether you have employees or not. Be sure to check your state’s regulations.
For tax and legal purposes, you’re going to need to make sure you have proper licensing and your EIN. Which licenses you need are going to vary by local and state laws, so it’s important to do your research before committing.
For taxes, you’ll need to sign up for an employee identification number, or an EIN. These are free for business owners, and they’re important to keep on hand.
3. What Services Are You Going to Offer?
Once you’re good to start selling, it’s time to decide which services you’re going to offer. This is also going to help you gather a list of the tools and equipment you’ll need to get started. Here are a few services most landscaping companies offer:
- Tree and shrub trimming
- Sod/seed installation
- Weeding
- Leaf removal
- Lawn mowing
- Irrigation system start-up and shut-down
Sometimes, lawn care companies can even offer pressure washing services. No matter what you offer, you’ll need to decide whether you’d like to buy or rent the equipment you need.
When first starting, it might make sense to rent your equipment. Some services are going to sell more quickly than others, and you’ll be able to take things out of your arsenal as necessary. As your business grows, you might find that it’s smarter to invest in high-quality tools rather than renting everything or maintaining low-end equipment you might’ve initially invested in.
What Tools Do You Need?
No matter what services you choose to offer, though, there are a few things you’re always going to need. Here’s a list to help you get started:
- Mower
- Trimmer
- Edger
- Leaf blower
- Lawn bags
- Rake
- Shears
- Weeder
- Saw
- Personal protective equipment like gloves, earmuffs, goggles, sun protection, etc.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but these are all things that you could initially invest in. Then, once you have a better idea of the specialized services you’d like to offer, you can invest in other specialty items you might need. But no matter what, you’re always going to need protective equipment for you and your crew.
4. Create a Plan
Next, you’re going to need a plan for marketing, customer service, and possibly content creation. Using spaces like Facebook, Instagram, and other social media alongside other SEO tactics can help you increase your search visibility on Google, and even on social media platforms.
Creating a plan might help you rank higher on social media, but it’s also going to help you set a foundation for the rest of your business. You’ll be able to layout your start-up expenses, your budget, and start working towards your short-term and long-term goals, which is actually where you’re going to start with this step.
What Are Your Goals?
When you’re thinking of goals for your landscaping business, nothing is too big. It can be best to start small, though. Here are a few questions to ask when you’re first starting:
- What is your mission?
- What do you want the work environment to feel like?
- How does the market currently look in your area?
- Ideally, what would your management structure look like?
- Do you have any budget or financial projections?
There are other things you can include for yourself and your business, but these questions are a great jumping-off point.
For example, once you have an idea for your management structure, you’ll be able to see how many employees you need to hire. From there, you can decide whether or not it’s a good fit for your company and adjust accordingly.
5. Hire Your Crew
Now it’s time to start building your team. In some cases, it’s only going to be you running the show. For larger projects or clientele bases, though, you’re going to need more people.
Of all the work it takes to start a successful business, finding decent employees is definitely among the hardest things to accomplish. You want to ensure you’re hiring good workers, but your employees are also going to want to ensure their standards are being met.
Things like competitive pay, paid time off, flexible hours, and a decent working environment are all great things to offer your employees. If you can’t afford to do that right off the bat, then it might be best to rethink your strategies.
You can also opt to take on freelance or gig workers until you can afford full-time employees.
6. Prioritize Customer Experience
When it comes to new businesses, potential customers are going to have one thing in mind when someone mentions you: how are their services?
The power behind excellent customer service is undeniable, and it’s something that can take you far in the long run. Think about it, have you ever been super impressed with the customer care you’ve received? What kind of impression did that experience leave on you?
You probably told friends, coworkers, or even your family about it. If things went well, the people you told might’ve gone to that same business to have a similar experience. That’s called word-of-mouth marketing, and it’s one of the most powerful tools you can give yourself as a new business owner — it’s also free.
7. Market Your Services
Now that you’ve got everything else laid out, it’s time to start raking in customers! It’s easiest to do this in a few simple steps:
- Create a Google My Business Listing
- Get to know your target audience
A Google My Business listing (alongside a Google business account) is going to be the easiest way for people to find you. With any business, you want those people to be your target audience.
Your target audience is going to depend on the area you live in, as well as the people you’d like to do business with. The more specific you can get with this particular thing, the easier it’s going to be to not only find new customers but also relate to them and build a sense of trust.
Ready to Learn How to Start a Landscaping Business?
Now that we’ve gone over a few of the best steps to get you started with your business, it’s time to do exactly that. Learning how to start a landscaping business is no easy task, but it’s going to be well worth it if you plan properly.
The one thing you can count on is there always being a lawn to mow around town. With a bit of effort and a whole lot of love, you’re going to be the one that neighborhoods know and trust.