5 Steps for Starting a Landscaping Business

steps starting a landscaping business lawn care startup

Starting any small business involves a fair amount of risk. Only one in three businesses make it to year 10 and only half of all startups make it to year five.

We're not trying to scare you or talk you out of starting a landscaping business. In fact, we think starting a landscaping company is a phenomenal idea. However, there are steps you need to take to ensure your landscaper business success, both now and in the future. 

Keep reading for our quick guide on the five most important steps to take for startup landscaping businesses.


1. Analyze the Market

The first thing you need to do is dive headfirst into market research. You need to know everything there is about the industry your jumping into. 

Here are the basic questions your new landscaping business needs to answer:

  • What is the scope of your competition?
  • How saturated is the landscaping market?
  • What are the typical prices consumers pay for the services you'll be offering?
  • What are your most successful competitors doing right?
  • What are the minimum startup costs you can expect?
  • What demographics of people are most likely to hire landscaping companies?

2. Create a Business Plan

Landscaping businesses, just like any other, need to create an in-depth business plan, especially if they hope to use third-party funding. However, it's also important for you as a business owner. You need to make sure your business is well-thought-out. 

For your lawn care startup or landscaper business this includes:

  • An executive overview of your company
  • A description of your company
  • Your products and services
  • Your market research analysis 
  • Your business model (strategy and implementation)
  • Team organization and management
  • Financial projections (costs vs revenue)

3. Get Financed

Learning how to start a landscaping business means figuring out a way to get the financing you need to be operational. You have several options here. 

You can apply with your bank for a traditional small business loan. These typically come with low-interest rates and fixed payments. However, they also require a decent credit score. 

You can also look to investors, crowdfunding, or other higher-risk loans.


4. Get the Necessary Equipment

Starting a landscaping business also means purchasing the essential equipment to get the job done. 

However, when people hire professional landscapers, they expect exquisite work. This may require spending the extra money to get quality equipment, rather than starting out with old, personal lawnmowers, weed trimmers, etc. 

Check out your local retailer or Amazon for some of your best landscaping equipment options.


5. Develop a Marketing Strategy

Finally, make sure you leave room in your landscaping business budget for advertising costs. Starting a landscaping company that has the legs to go the distance demands a methodical marketing strategy. Here are some of our best suggestions:

  • Hit social media hard and work to gain followers for your business page
  • Get a website and load it with SEO content
  • Focus on local marketing (local SEO, fliers, radio, etc.)
  • Don't be afraid to seek help from marketing professionals

Are You Thinking About Starting a Landscaping Business?

If you are set on starting a landscaping business, be willing to put in the necessary grunt work to make it a wild success. There is no reason your lawn care or landscaper startup can't make it big, even in your first year.

Good luck on starting your landscaping business, and remember to check out some of our other articles for more important advice and information on small business ownership! Visit the Startup section of the Bootstrap Business Blog right now for additional insight on launching your small biz!

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