How to Start — and Succeed in — a Landscaping Business

You’ve been mowing lawns and trimming shrubs for a while, and you’ve managed to put away some cash. Is now the right time to start a landscaping business? Well, if your finances and passions have aligned, the answer is probably a resounding yes.

Here’s how to start a landscaping business and, most importantly, how to succeed.

1. Study the Competition

Before you put together a business strategy, fervently study your competitors. What are they doing to gain and maintain loyal customers? Are certain products or services more popular than others? Could their marketing strategy use some improvement? Use your research to gather ideas for your company and avoid rookie mistakes. You can also use this information to better understand your target audience and their unique interests.

2. Create a Business Plan

If you believe there’s a need for another landscaping company in your area, begin creating a business plan. While it is possible to succeed without one, drafting a plan will make the path to success much clearer. Use an online template to organize your thoughts and outline your goals and objectives. Include sections detailing your executive summary, industry overview, market analysis, sales and marketing plan, ownership and operating procedures, and financial projections.

3. Secure Financing and Permits

Luckily, starting a landscaping company doesn’t involve a substantial initial investment. However, if you can’t fund your startup independently, you may have to ask friends and family for support. Use your business plan to convince them of your potential for success and offer them free services in the future. While you’re at it, don’t forget to apply for licenses and permits. You wouldn’t want the city to charge you a hefty fine after struggling to cover startup costs.

4. Buy or Rent Equipment

Once your business is up and running, you must decide whether to buy or rent equipment. Of course, most landscape business owners choose to purchase everyday machines and tools like lawnmowers and weed whackers. However, you may consider renting more expensive items you only use occasionally. This will prevent you from tying up cash in large purchases and leave you with more financial wiggle room in case of an emergency.

5. Hire a Great Team

As your customer base grows, you may need to hire a few helping hands. When you do, be sure to screen applicants thoroughly and only bring on those with an excellent work ethic and a skillset to match the job description. Otherwise, you could spend precious weeks training new hires on the basics like how to use equipment and shape hedges correctly. As a blossoming landscape company, you need people who already know how to do the job.

6. Invest in Customer Service

Regardless of how well your team works, you’re bound to receive a complaint or two eventually. How you handle these issues will determine how successful you are as a business. After all, you won’t get a good reputation in the community unless clients are happy. Invest in a customer service team or teach your workers how to communicate and handle conflict gracefully. Making great service an integral part of your company culture will encourage everyone to be respectful and professional.

7. Find a Mentor

Understanding how to run a landscaping business takes time and patience, especially if this is your first entrepreneurial endeavor. The learning curve is steep, and mastering things requires practice. Thus, finding a mentor can be incredibly beneficial. Seek a seasoned professional within your industry and ask them for advice before you make any major decisions. Learn from their experiences and resolve to avoid any of the same mistakes they did. Their wisdom will guide you on your path to success and foster a partnership that may last for many years to come.

Finding Success in Landscaping

Beginning any new venture can be challenging and, at times, scary. However, as long as you have a plan in place, things should run smoothly, and you’ll become a successful landscaping entrepreneur.