How to Start a Landscaping Business!

 

Do you love working with your hands and being outside? What about being your own boss?

In case your answer is a resounding "Yes!", landscaping has 7+ ways to break into the industry.

7 steps to become a landscaper

1. Earn a high school diploma

For many employers, a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement to work as a landscaper. Earn your diploma or equivalent and consider taking gardening or horticulture classes if you're still in school. Consider joining a gardening club at school to build your skills as a landscaper.  

2. Apply for an apprenticeship

Often, local nurseries or landscaping companies may offer advice on where to apply for an apprenticeship or offer opportunities to apply. Consider asking if the company participates in mentoring or apprenticeships, then find out who to contact and send in your application. 

3. Learn a range of skills

Consider searching for landscaping or gardening groups and join to learn how to plant, use tools and operate machinery. You can find out if your local community colleges or extension services offer continuing education programs, or check with your state department of agriculture.

4. Consider a trade school or degree

Trade schools may provide an associate degree or certificate in horticulture, landscaping or starting your own landscaping business. For those who are advancing or expanding their careers, pursuing a bachelor's degree is the next step. Trade schools and degree programs cover:

• Landscaping as a profession

• Landscaping specialties

• Landscaping market

• Botany basics

• Common plant troubles

• Environmentally friendly landscapes

• Assessing clients' needs

• Planting and maintaining turf and common turf problems

• Planting and maintaining trees and bedding plants

• Industry certifications

5. Earn certifications

To improve your chances of getting a job in landscaping, consider earning certifications. Search the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) or the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) for available certifications. Opportunities may vary by location, check with your local chapter or organization. Depending on the course, certification can take anywhere from six to ten weeks to complete. Available certifications include:

• Certified grounds technician

• Certified lawn care technician

• Certified golf irrigation auditor

• Water-based systems layout

6. Check licensing requirements

Licensing requirements for landscapers vary from state to state. Some locations may require a license to install irrigation systems, apply pesticides or operate certain machinery. Check with your state to find out what the licensing requirements are and get details on how to maintain your license. 

 

 

7. Start your own business

Landscapers may choose to open their own landscaping business. Landscaping business owners purchase their own tools, advertise their business and develop their skills to expand their services.

Some certification or degree programs offer courses specifically for starting your own business. If this is your preferred route, learn the details of a landscaping business, such as:

• Business planning

• Market analysis

• Licensing requirements

• Business management

• Client communication

• Licensing

• Liability

• Insurance

• Worker's compensation

• Tax breakdowns

What is a landscaper?

 

 A landscaper is a professional who uses their knowledge of math, science and horticulture to design foliage, water features, paths and walkways for both form and function. They use creativity and imagination to design landscapes for businesses, private homes, golf courses and public spaces.

Some landscapers work for lawn services, civil services or commercial entities while others are self-employed. Ground maintenance and groundskeeper are similar terms for a landscaper. Landscapers work alone or in teams, and some may have specializations, such as:

• Landscape architect

• Landscape designer

• Landscape gardener

• Interior landscaper (shopping malls or office buildings)

Landscapers can be highly lucrative and indeed reports the salaries of different landscaping positions: 

Landscapers- $55,381 per year

Landscape designers- $57,194 per year

Landscape architects- $69,288 per year

The bureau of labor and statistics estimates a 10% growth for landscapers between 2019-2029, based on the continuing need for landscaping services across a wide spectrum of industries. This growth accounts for aging populations who need future assistance caring for lawns, features or systems.the Landscaping Services industry wasApproximately $171.2 billion in 2022. What was the growth rate of the Landscaping Services industry in the US in 2022? The market size of the Landscaping Services industry increased 12.7% in 2020.

What does a landscaper do?

Landscapers analyze the space and land available to recommend or create design elements, landscapers work in various conditions with the resources and materials available to them. They typically bid on projects, then meet with the client to plan and budget landscaping projects. Also, they will collaborate with landscape designers or landscape architects to fulfill a client's vision. They prepare the land they work on, including conditioning the soil and installing irrigation systems. It is essential that you possess the following strengths: 

 

Physical strength

Safety consciousness

Attention to detail

Communication

Mathematical concepts

As a professional in this field, you can experience fame and notoriety. You can also be exposed to multiple opportunities and avenues such as:

• Blogs

• Youtube

• Interviews

The following are just a few examples of how you can engage your customers and make it easy for them to learn more about your brand and stay up-to-date with your business. Landscaping is highly profitable, It is possible to make $3,000 profit within 30 days, if you follow the right marketing strategy.

Which brings us to 

Strategies for marketing

There are several ways to market your business, and it all depends on what works best in your town or city. The most popular marketing strategies are:

• Email blast

• Text message blast

• Post cards

• Flyers

• EDDM

But there are simple ways to find customers. Marketing strategies are the most critical for your business, because that's how you attract customers. It's a form of advertisement and says a lot about your business. Here's how you can break the slow and no-customer drought. You should buy door hangers and yard signs and place them at 1,000 doors and yards yards. It would take about 1 week to distribute them all. Next you wanna visit every house that you placed a door hanger on and knock on doors and try to create a list of customers. The following week you need to start making calls and continuing to build your list of customers. After all is said and done, you should start seeing estimates roll in and you will receive about 10% of the 1,000 door hangers.

Landscaping tools

Here are all the cost for the tools you'll need for your business!

1. Heavy-duty trucks: You’re going to need a truck or two that to haul a trailer carrying lawn mowers and lawn service equipment and tools. Estimated cost: $10,000-$50,000.

2. Trailer: You need a sturdy trailer that’s easy to load with mowers, blowers and spreaders. Estimated cost: $1,500 for a new steel trailer. 

3. Storage facility: Unless you have a large garage or another out-building on your property, you’ll need to lease space at a storage facility to keep all of your equipment in between jobs. Estimated cost: $50-$200/month. 
4. Uniforms: You don’t need to go crazy, but you should have at least have T-shirts designed with your company’s name, logo, and phone number (for folks to call you for an estimate when they see your crews around town), pants and work boots. Uniforms communicate trust and professionalism. Estimated cost: $12-$30 per employee depending on style, fabric, etc. 
5. Safety equipment: OSHA requires that you and your workers wear eye and ear protection when working out in the field. You and your technicians should also wear pants and sturdy boots to protect your bodies from sharp blades and flying debris. Another safety must is hearing protection. Estimated cost: Earmuff-style hearing protection can cost around $25/pair, safety goggles can be as low as $10/pair.
6. The Must-have, no compromising, tools of the trade: Lawn mowers with attachments, such as mulchers and side catchers. Depending on the properties you take care of, you may need a walk-behind mower as well as a riding mower for larger properties. Estimated cost:  A push mower can be as low as $100, while a new riding mower can get up into the several thousands. 
• Riding Mower: $1,000-$5,000
• Push Mower: $200-$1,000
• Trimmer: $50-$300
• Edger: $80-$350
• Leaf Blower: $100-$500
• Lawn Bags: $5-$20
• Lawn Spreader: $200-$500
• Lawn Sprayer: $50-200
• Assorted additional tools (like trimmers, garden hoses, spades, etc.): $10-$50 each

Whether you start your own company or buy one that’s already up and running, the ultimate key to long-term success is to provide quality services. 

Jump in and get your first customer NOW!