If you plan to start a landscaping business, now is a great time to get in. With the growing demand, and a market full of opportunities,local service providers can deliver consistently.

However, building a business is one thing, and sustaining it is another. If you plan your business expenses, you can save a fortune by not splurging on the wrong things and making smarter financial decisions from day one.

This guide will help you do just that. It also includes free tools and resources to help you budget like a pro and grow with confidence.

Before You Estimate Costs, Build a Simple Plan

Before you start crunching numbers, take a step back and clarify your goals. Every successful landscaping business begins with a simple plan.

Start by writing down your business goals:

• What services will you offer? 

• Will you cover only lawn mowing, or full-service landscaping? 

• Who are your ideal customers? 

• Will you serve residential clients, commercial properties, or both? 

The answers to these questions will directly shape your start-up costs.

Also, you don’t need to write a long, detailed report. A one-page plan is enough to help you stay focused. Be clear about what you want to achieve in the first 6 to 12 months, and how you’ll get there.

Use this free landscaping business plan template to start your project with structure and clarity. It’s a helpful starting point if you’ve never created a business plan.

To validate your idea, do the following:

• Use tools like Google Trends to see what services are popular in your area.

• Explore local Facebook groups and community boards to understand what homeowners are asking for. 

• Check Google Maps to scope local competition and define your target service radius.

Once your plan is in place, you’ll be ready to make smarter decisions about where and how to invest your money. 

Let’s break down what you’ll need to invest in.

Startup Costs for a Landscaping Business

Before buying your first mower or business cards, know what kind of investment you’re making. Landscaping businesses don’t require a massive storefront or heavy tech, but they come with real costs. 

You must procure equipment, get insurance, and work on branding and licensing. Don’t be overwhelmed. Instead, start with a rough estimate to help set realistic financial goals and avoid overspending on things you don’t need immediately.

Here’s a table that illustrates the low and high estimates of starting a landscaping business:

Now let’s look at the breakdown of these estimates for a lawn care and landscaping start-up: 

1. Vehicle

A reliable vehicle is a must-have for any landscaping business. You will need it while transporting mowers, mulch, or driving between job sites; your truck or van is the backbone of your daily operations.

For a small landscaping setup, a used truck or van that meets basic hauling needs may cost around $15,000. However, if you plan to offer high-end or large-scale services, you might need a new or customized vehicle, pushing your investment to $50,000.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might spend:

While your truck or van handles transportation, you’ll also need a trailer to haul larger equipment and materials safely.

2.  Trailer

A dependable trailer is crucial for landscaping businesses transporting heavy or oversized equipment. The correct trailer setup can improve efficiency and reduce wear on your primary vehicle.

Initially, a basic trailer costs around $2,000. However, a robust trailer with custom add-ons can push the total investment to $10,000 if you plan to scale. Here’s a breakdown of estimated trailer costs:

Once you’ve sorted your equipment and transport, you’ll need a secure place to store everything. Rent or storage space is the answer.

3. Rent or Storage Space

Every landscaping business needs a safe, organized space to store tools, vehicles, and materials when not in use.  A small landscaping company might spend around $6,000 annually on a basic storage unit or modest office.

Larger operations may require dedicated lots, combined warehouse-office spaces, or facilities in high-demand areas. Depending on size and location, these can cost up to $24,000 annually.

Here’s a breakdown of potential rent or storage expenses:

Even if you're starting solo, most landscaping businesses eventually need extra hands to handle growing demand. Planning for early payroll expenses helps you stay prepared as you scale.

4. Employee Salaries 

Labor is one of the most significant early investments for any landscaping business. Even if you're starting small, hiring reliable help allows you to serve more clients and deliver consistent results. 

Planning for at least three months of payroll gives you a financial cushion while your client base grows. A small landscaping business may spend around $10,000 to cover two field workers and one part-time admin. 

On the higher end, a larger or premium landscaping company might invest up to $40,000 to support a whole team, including supervisors and support staff.

Here’s a breakdown of salary estimates:

Real-world example: J&C Lawn Care in Portland, Oregon, started with a simple DIY website and invested strategically in branding and equipment. They decided to focus on digital visibility, which paid off quickly. It helped them attract steady clients and grow their business within a few months.

Financing tip: Many new business owners use SBA microloans or lease equipment to ease early cash flow pressures. They allow you to launch without burning through your savings.

 Pro Tip: Use accounting tools like QuickBooks, Jobber, or Yardbook to keep these numbers in check. They will help you stay organized, send invoices, track mileage, and manage customer records.

Seasonal Tip: Landscaping is highly seasonal. Set aside extra funds for increased fuel and labor costs during busy seasons like spring and fall. Planning will keep your cash flow steady when demand spikes.

Now that you know the costs, the next step is to use a tool to estimate your total startup investment accurately.

Calculate an Estimate of Your Total Costs

Once you’ve got your list of potential expenses, it’s time to plug in the numbers and get a clear picture of your start-up budget.

A good start-up cost calculator helps you organize your estimates across key areas: operations, equipment, marketing, staffing, and more. It’s a simple way to see what your launch will cost and where you might need to adjust.

You can try this free tool: Use the Free Startup Cost Calculator.

Suppose you spend $10,000 on equipment and $2,000 on marketing. Enter those into the calculator, and you’ll instantly see your total investment. You can then explore what happens when you tweak your budget, spending less on branding or allocating more to staff training.

Of course, your final budget depends on more than just the numbers you enter. A few key factors can shift your costs up or down.

What Affects Your Startup Costs?

Startup costs aren’t the same for everyone. Two businesses offering the same service can have drastically different budgets based on a few key decisions. Understanding these variables helps you make smarter financial decisions that fit your goals and market. 

Take the following variables into account when trying to estimate start-up costs for your business:

1. Location

Where you operate can change your costs more than you think. Fuel prices, permit fees, and hourly wages vary depending on your city or state. 

In urban areas, you might pay more for labor and marketing but benefit from tighter service zones. In rural regions, jobs are more diverse, so fuel and travel time can increase quickly.

Before finalizing your budget, check local wage laws, licensing requirements, and average pricing in your area. It will give you a more realistic picture of what it takes to operate profitably.

2. Equipment Choices

The gear you use is one of your most considerable upfront costs. High-performance equipment improves the quality of your work and affects how much ground you can cover in a day. 

A zero-turn mower, for example, can cut large properties in half the time compared to a push mower. The correct trailer setup helps you stay organized on the go, carry more tools, and save time between jobs.

3. Business Model

Your services determine your spend. If you go solo and offer basic lawn care, your costs will be relatively low. You’ll need fewer tools, no payroll, and you can operate from home.

But if you're offering full-service landscaping, from hardscaping to tree care, you'll need more equipment, licenses, labor, and insurance coverage. These businesses often have higher startup costs but can charge premium rates by bundling services and offering year-round packages. 

Consider your capacity, local competition, and what your ideal customer will pay for. Then, build a business model that matches. 

Once you’ve mapped out your services and startup costs, ensure your budget supports the company you’re creating.

Budgeting Smart for a Landscaping Business

Running a landscaping business without a clear budget is like mowing in the dark—you’ll miss things and waste energy. A smart budget helps you stay profitable, avoid surprises, and grow on solid ground.

Here’s how to build a system that keeps your finances in check:

• Open a separate business bank account and credit card; doing this keeps your transactions organized.

• Use tools like Yardbook and LMN that are suited for landscapers.

• Save 15% of your profits to form an emergency fund. 

• Review and adjust your budget every quarter to  Factor in seasonal changes like fuel spikes or slower months.

• Plan for future growth using budgeting tools to forecast needs for new hires, equipment upgrades, or expanded services.

• Keep everything documented to make tax filing easier and help when applying for loans or insurance.

Suppose you want to get started fast. Download this free budgeting template made for landscaping businesses.

Even with a solid budget, finding ways to lower your startup costs can give you more flexibility as you grow.

How to Keep Landscaping Startup Costs Low

Starting lean doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means making wise choices early to stretch your budget, build momentum, and grow sustainably. Many successful landscaping businesses began with limited funds and scaled up over time by spending wisely.

Here are some simple, proven ways to reduce your startup costs without sacrificing quality:

1. Buy Used Equipment

Buy used to get quality tools for less. Check end-of-season sales, Facebook Marketplace, and local contractor auctions for deals on commercial-grade gear. Make sure to scrutinize these tools before buying.

2. Don’t Invest in a Separate Office

For now, skip the office lease. Store essentials in your garage, spare room, or shed for easy access to run operations.

3. Do Your Marketing

Start with free promotion channels like Instagram, Facebook, and local business directories. Use tools like Canva to design your flyers, logos, and social media posts.

4. Handle Simple Repairs In-House

Basic maintenance skills can save you hundreds per year. YouTube is full of tutorials on how to repair mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools.

5. Start Small, Then Scale

Offer a few core services like mowing and edging. Add higher-ticket items like aeration, hedge trimming, or seasonal clean-ups to boost your revenue per visit as demand grows.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a six-figure budget to launch a landscaping business. But you need a clear plan, a smart budget, and the discipline to track every dollar that comes in and goes out.

Start with a lean approach and make intentional choices. Focus on building a business that grows steadily over time.

Treating every early decision as part of a long-term strategy is key. Build systems that support consistency, and you’ll create a business that lasts through every season.

When you're ready to bring in more local jobs and fill your calendar with high-intent clients, Gushpro is here to help:

• Get high-quality, warm, and pre-qualified lawn and landscaping leads delivered straight to your phone via SMS.

• Every lead is from your 15-mile service area, so you stay local and efficient.

• No monthly fees. No contracts. Just pay per qualified lead.

• Your first three leads are free.

Try it with zero risk now