Landscaping
Apr 23, 2025
By Collen
Most people think mowing is just a weekend chore. But it's a serious business for top lawn care companies with significant earning potential.
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the U.S. lawn care market is expected to reach $79.55 billion by 2030.
The companies leading this growth aren't just mowing more lawns. They're building systems that scale, adding high-value services, and using tools that help them operate efficiently and grow consistently.
If you're running a mowing business or thinking about starting one, this guide breaks down exactly what top companies do to increase their revenue and expand their reach.
Keep reading to learn how to apply the same strategies to grow your business faster and smarter.
What the Big Players Earn
When we talk about the top mowing companies in the U.S., we're referring to industry leaders like BrightView, Davey Tree, and TruGreen. These companies have transformed lawn care into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
BrightView Holdings
BrightView reported a total revenue of approximately $2.8 billion for the fiscal year 2023, maintaining its position as the largest landscaping company in the U.S.
The Davey Tree Expert Company
Davey Tree, an employee-owned company, had a net revenue of $1.69 billion in 2023, a 12.1% increase from the previous year.
TruGreen
TruGreen reported revenues of approximately $1.49 billion in 2023, securing its place among the country's top three landscaping service providers.
Understanding Profit Margins
While these revenue figures are impressive, you must consider the profit margins to gauge proper financial health. In the lawn care and landscaping industry, net profit margins typically range from 5% to 20% and depend on factors like operational efficiency, service diversification, and regional market conditions.
For instance, BrightView's Maintenance Services segment reported an Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) margin of 13.4% for the fiscal year 2023.
Solo Operators vs. Large Companies
As businesses scale, profit margins may decrease due to increased labor, equipment, and administrative expenses.
It's important to note that while larger companies operate on thinner margins, their substantial revenue streams result in significant absolute profits. For example, a 10% profit margin on $1.5 billion equates to $150 million in profit, which is considerably more than a solo operator's earnings.
Now that you’ve seen what the top mowing companies earn, let’s break down how they build their success.
The Foundation of Big Mowing Companies
Behind every successful mowing business is a strong foundation built on an innovative business model and a range of in-demand services. You have to focus on the foundations if you want to grow a stable, profitable operation.
Business Models in Lawn Care
Your business structure directly impacts your income, flexibility, and long-term growth. Here are the three most common models that top mowing companies use:
Recurring Maintenance Contracts
Doing this will help you establish the most reliable source of your income. Aim to provide regular mowing services: weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and clients pay on a set schedule. This model gives you predictable cash flow and helps build strong, long-term relationships.
One-Time or On-Demand Services
These include jobs like seasonal cleanups, overgrown yard recovery, or last-minute mowing before a property sale. While less predictable, these services often command higher rates and help fill gaps in your schedule.
Types of Services Offered
Top mowing companies go beyond just cutting grass. Offering a variety of services not only increases revenue per client but also keeps your schedule full all year long.
Core Lawn Care Services
Lawn mowing.
Edging along sidewalks, driveways, and beds.
String trimming around fences, trees, and garden beds.
Blowing debris off hard surfaces.
Lawn Health Services
Fertilization.
Weed control.
Aeration and overseeding.
Pest control (grubs, chinch bugs, etc).
Landscaping Enhancements
These include:
Mulch or rock installation.
Planting flowers and shrubs.
Tree and hedge trimming.
Small hardscape projects, like borders or garden beds.
Seasonal and Add-On Services
Spring and fall cleanups.
Leaf removal.
Snow removal (in cold-weather markets).
Gutter cleaning/ light pressure washing.
The more value you offer per visit, the more you earn from each property, and the harder it is for clients to switch to a competitor.
Next, look at what drives profit in the lawn care industry so you can turn your foundation into steady, long-term income.
What Drives Profit in the Lawn Care Industry
At the core, profitable mowing companies focus on four things: labor, equipment, pricing, and efficiency.
Labor Cost Control: Labor is the most significant expense for a lawn care business. Innovative companies boost crew productivity, reduce downtime, and offer competitive pay to retain top talent without overspending.
Equipment Management: Reliable equipment keeps jobs moving. Investing in quality gear and maintaining maintenance schedules saves time and avoids surprise repair costs.
Pricing Power: High performers don’t undercharge. They build trust, deliver consistent results, and price their services to reflect that value, especially for bundled services.
Route Efficiency: Less driving means more mowing. Optimized routes save fuel, time, and money.
Top companies systemize these practices at scale to keep operations smooth and profitable. And that’s what gives big companies a real edge. As a business owner, managing costs is a huge part of driving profits; here are some areas where you can optimize to minimize cash burn while retaining quality.
The Role of Pricing Strategy
Pricing isn't just about what a customer pays. It's also about how your business stays profitable. The most successful mowing companies treat pricing like a strategy, not a guess.
Here are some approaches you can take to price your services strategically:
Pricing by Service, Region, and Season
What you charge for mowing in Florida during peak summer won’t be the same as what you charge in Michigan during spring. Regional cost of living, competition, and the length of the mowing season all play a role.
Charging More Without Losing Customers
Top companies know how to raise prices correctly. They do it gradually, explain the added value, and, most importantly, back it up with reliable service.
Why Upselling Matters
You’re already on the property. Why stop at mowing? The real money often comes from add-ons, such as fertilization, pest control, aeration, and seasonal cleanups. These services boost revenue without adding another customer to the route.
The Big Takeaway
Profitable companies don’t just mow: they bundle and upsell. They maximize every stop, offer tiered service packages, and keep clients returning for more. After you dial in your pricing, focus on keeping your best clients returning.
Client Retention Techniques
Keeping a loyal customer costs less than finding a new one. The most profitable mowing companies know this and focus heavily on retention.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
Doing great work is key to customer retention. Focus on the basics here, such as:
Showing up on time.
Communicating clearly.
Fixing issues quickly.
Sending text reminders and follow-ups.
Offer Loyalty Programs and Discounts
Focus on incentivizing long-term clients to stop them from trying a different lawn care service in hopes of finding a better deal. To do this, you can:
Give a free mow after 10 visits.
Provide discounts for full-season packages.
Offer referral rewards like credits or gift cards.
Budget and Forecast Regularly
Stay ahead of any unpleasant surprises by closely monitoring your numbers. Here are some steps you can take:
Review income and expenses monthly.
Look ahead to spot slow seasons.
Plan for upgrades and new hires with confidence.
Manage Cash Flow Effectively
The best lawn care businesses don’t just earn well, they manage what comes in with care and control. Ensure that you:
Offer monthly billing to smooth income.
Save during peak season.
Add off-season services like snow removal or gutter cleaning.
Consistent cash flow keeps your business stable and your clients happy year-round.
Before we wrap up, let’s shift focus. You might not be running a multi-million-dollar operation (yet), but that doesn’t mean the lessons stop here.
What Solo Operators and Small Teams Can Learn
To build a professional operation, you don’t need dozens of crews. You need systems: simple and repeatable quoting, scheduling, follow-ups, and maintenance processes.
Even free tools like Google Calendar or a basic CRM can make your work more predictable and stress-free.
Focus On Efficiency, Not Just Effort
It’s not about how many lawns you mow; it’s how well you plan your routes, how fast you get in and out, and how few gaps you have in your day. Group your jobs by location and stick to a tight, consistent schedule.
Add Value, Don’t Just Add Work
Upselling is never pushy; it’s smart. Offer seasonal packages that include extras like fertilization, aeration, or hedge trimming. A small bump in service price across several customers can grow your revenue without stretching your time.
Know Your Numbers Like Your Life Depends on It
Because it does, track your time, costs, and what you make per job, not just what you’re billing. When you have a clear picture of your profit margins, you’ll know exactly where to grow and where to cut back.
Bottom line? You don’t need to be at a particular business scale to succeed. You need a strategy. And a willingness to think like the big dogs, even if you’re still just one truck and a trailer.
From Lawn Jobs to Lasting Growth
Mowing lawns might seem simple, but behind the scenes, the most successful companies run carefully structured, high-efficiency operations that generate real profits.
Whether managing a team or flying solo, the same principles apply: price your services strategically, keep your costs lean, use systems to stay consistent, and find ways to earn more from every stop.
Running a lawn care business is hard enough without chasing leads or figuring out how to rank on Google. That’s where Gushpro steps in to boost your growth.
We deliver pre-qualified, warm lawn and landscape leads straight to your phone via SMS. With Gushpro, you get:
Leads from ready-to-book homeowners within 15 kilometres of your pincode.
Only pay for the leads that match your preferences.
There is no monthly fee, no contracts, and zero tech setup.
The first three leads from Gushpro are entirely free: no strings attached.
David Eldridge
Co-Owner of Percy's Lawn Care and Son