Landscaping is one of the few trades you can break into without a storefront and years of experience. If you know how to finish a job clean, show up on time, and price your work fairly, you can build a real business, starting from your own street.

This guide walks you through how to get started from zero: the skills to learn, the tools to buy, what to charge, and how to start landing real jobs in your area.

1. Before You Start: What to Know About the Landscaping Business

Landscaping services in the U.S. are expected to generate $184.4 billion, with a 3.2% growth forecast in 2025 alone. That growth was driven by everyday jobs: lawn mowing, cleanup work, edging, and plant maintenance. 

These aren’t big contracts or corporate installs. They’re local calls from homeowners who want someone to take care of the yard. Most of that money moves through small businesses and solo operators. 

If you can do clean work and show up when you say you will, there’s a real way in.

Why Landscaping?

One of the benefits of starting a landscaping business is the low investment; you don’t need a storefront or office - just a few tools and a vehicle to get started. That makes it easier to start small, take on real jobs, and grow from there.

If you enjoy being outside and talking to people, this type of work suits you naturally. You’ll meet homeowners, build trust in your area, and those conversations often turn into steady work

Challenges of Starting a Landscaping Business

70% of landscaping businesses shut down within 18 months, mostly because most people face challenges and don’t address them ahead of time. The following are some of the common issues you can expect.

• Seasonality is one of the most prolific hurdles for landscapers. To succeed, you must offer a range of services to handle different conditions, summer heat, fall cleanup, and winter prep.

• The job is physical. You’ll spend hours lifting, trimming, and hauling in all kinds of weather.

• Customers notice small mistakes. Missed corners or leftover mess can cost you repeated work.

• Other crews may already have long-standing clients in your area. You’ll need to prove why someone should trust you with their yard instead.

2. How to Build Landscaping Experience 

You don’t need years of experience to get started, but you do need to know what the work feels like, what tools you’ll use, how long jobs actually take, and how to finish a yard properly. 

The best way to learn is by doing the work under someone who knows how it should be done, or by starting small and building on that foundation.

• Work as a laborer:  Most landscaping crews hire entry-level workers. You’ll haul materials, dig, edge, clean up, and stay moving. It’s hard work, but you’ll get used to the pace, the tools, and the kind of energy this job takes.

• Assist someone more experienced: If you get the chance to work alongside someone who has been in the field for a while, take it. You’ll learn how jobs are planned, how clients are handled, and what a clean finish actually looks like.

• Use your own yard to learn: Start with what you have. Mow, edge, blow, and time yourself. See how clean you can get the lines. This is where you make your early mistakes—on your own space, without stress.

• Offer a few discounted or free jobs:  Pick a neighbor or relative and offer to clean up their yard. Treat it like a real job—prep, finish, ask for feedback, and take photos. This builds both your skills and your confidence.

• Take a course: Many nurseries, garden centers, and extension offices offer short classes on plant care, soil prep, or seasonal maintenance. Additionally, look for an online course or a pro-led YouTube channel that focuses on the work you want to offer first.

Watch and Learn: Solid YouTube Channels for Beginners

If you’re learning the basics on your own, these channels break it down with real jobs, real tools, and no fluff.

• The Lawn Care Nut – Teaches mowing, fertilizing, and seasonal lawn care in simple, step-by-step videos.

• GCI Turf – Covers turf management and pro-level lawn results using straightforward techniques.

• Pest and Lawn Ginja – Focuses on spraying, weed control, and chemical application with clear how-to guidance.

• Brian's Lawn Maintenance – Shares day-to-day solo operator experience, gear reviews, and real job footage.

3. Choose Which Landscaping Services to Offer 

Now that you’ve picked up some skills, it’s time to start offering paid work. You don’t need a full list of services to start your business. In fact, offering too much too soon can lead to mistakes and burnout. 

The smarter move is to pick a few services you can do well, and focus on the kind of clients that are easiest to work with when you're just starting out.

These are the basics you can offer without needing a crew and advanced equipment.

Mowing and edging

This is where most people start—and for good reason. It’s simple, steady, and always needed. If you’ve got a push mower, a trimmer, and a blower, you’re ready. Focus on clean edges and a sharp finish. That’s what homeowners remember, and that’s what gets you rebooked.

Spring and fall cleanups

Cleanups are a solid entry point. Raking, trimming, leaf removal, hauling—it’s hands-on work, but it doesn’t require expensive gear. These are one-off jobs people often delay or avoid, so they’re easier to sell even when you’re just starting out.

Mulching and light bed work

Spreading mulch and cleaning up beds takes time, not heavy tools. You can offer it on its own or bundle it with a mowing or cleanup job. It’s an easy way to raise your job value without adding pressure.

Wait on installs, irrigation, and chemical work.

You’ll get asked about these. Don’t take them yet. They usually need licensing, more experience, and gear you probably don’t own. Grow into them later, once you’re steady and ready to quote with confidence.

Start with what you can do right, every time. That’s how you grow, by staying reliable and adding more when you’re ready.

Pro Tip: Check Facebook Marketplace for yard work and basic maintenance requests in your area. It’s one of the easiest places to spot real local demand—and to post your own services for free.

4. Purchase Landscaping Equipment & Tools

As you get started in the landscaping business, having the right tools is essential for getting jobs done efficiently and professionally. You don’t need to buy everything right away, but here’s a list of basic tools you’ll need to tackle your first jobs.

Basic Tools (For Starting)

• Push Mower: For small lawns and easy maneuvering

• String Trimmer: For edging and trimming around fences, trees, and obstacles

• Blower: For clearing leaves, grass clippings, and debris from walkways

• Hand Tools: Rakes, shovels, pruning shears

• Wheelbarrow: For hauling materials, mulch, or debris

• Edger: To give clean lines along sidewalks, driveways, and garden beds

Upgraded Tools (When You’re Ready to Scale)

• Zero-Turn Mower: For faster, more efficient mowing on large properties

• Lawn Aerator: For aerating lawns to improve root growth and water absorption

• Commercial-Grade Trimmer: For quicker trimming and tough tasks

• Power Washer: For cleaning hard surfaces, patios, and driveways

• Tractor or Riding Mower: For larger properties and heavy-duty work

• Trailer: To haul large equipment, debris, and materials

• Small Truck/Van: For transporting tools and equipment more easily

• Hedge Trimmer: For maintaining shrubs and bushes

Also Read: 11 Social Media Marketing Strategies for Lawn Care and Landscaping

5. How to Price Your Landscaping Services

 When you’re starting out, you need prices that cover your costs and are still easy for someone to say yes to. Use these tips to help you set fair and profitable prices:

• Check what others charge in your area. Look at what solo crews are asking on Facebook, Craigslist, or local listings. It gives you a starting point.

• Pick one pricing method and keep it simple. Use flat rates or charge per job. Hourly work also works, but only if you know how long things actually take.

• Include everything in your price. Count your time, fuel, cleanup, and tool use, these are part of the job, and they come out of your pocket if you don’t.

• Make a basic price list. It helps you quote faster and stay consistent. You won’t freeze up when someone asks for a number.

• Offer deals, but don’t sell yourself short. You can give discounts for referrals or bundled services, but never undercharge just to land a job.

• Be competitive, not the cheapest. If your work is clean and you show up when you say you will, people will pay you fairly.

Starter Landscaping Price List

Pro Tip: Start tracking how long each part of the job takes. Use that time data to set benchmarks for future quotes. It’s one of the simplest ways to avoid undercharging.

6. Register the Landscaping Business 

Once you start charging regularly, getting rebooked, or buying gear, it’s time to make things official. Registering your business protects you, keeps your money organized, and helps people take you seriously.

Pick a Business Structure

Most solo operators start as sole proprietors. It’s simple, low-cost, and enough to get going. If you want more protection later, like keeping your assets separate, you can switch to an LLC.

Register Your Business Name

If you’re using your personal name, you might not need to register it. But if you pick a company name, you’ll need to register it with your state or local authority. Make sure the name isn’t already taken. Keep it short, clear, and easy to remember.

Also Read: 100 Creative Landscaping Business Names for Your Inspiration

Secure a Domain and Set Up Your Online Profiles

Buy a domain that matches your business name. Set up a basic website, a Facebook page, and your Google Business Profile. These help people find you and check if you're legit before they call.

Get a Business License

Some cities or states require a landscaping or lawn care license. The rules vary depending on the services you offer, especially if you apply pesticides or handle irrigation. Check your local government site to see if you need one.

Open a Business Bank Account

Open a separate checking account so you can track income, expenses, and stay organized for taxes. It also makes you look more professional when you send invoices or accept payment.

Get Basic Insurance

Liability insurance covers you if something gets damaged or someone gets hurt while you're working. It’s not required everywhere, but some clients and platforms won’t hire you without it. Start with general liability. Add more coverage later if needed.

7. Land Your First Five Paying Jobs

Once you’ve got your skills and pricing in place, it’s time to start landing clients. Your first few jobs are crucial for building your reputation and confidence. These early jobs can come from people you know, local communities, and simple offers. 

• Ask a few people you know if they need help with mowing or cleanup. Keep it small and treat it like a paid job.

• Post in local Facebook groups and on Marketplace. Include what you offer, your price, and one clear photo.

• Print a simple flyer with your name, number, and services. Leave it on nearby porches or tape it to mailboxes.

• Take a photo before you start and after you finish. Use those to show people what you can do.

• After the job, ask for a short review or a referral. Both help you get the next one.

Once you’ve tapped your local network, it helps to have a steady source of leads. GushPro sends verified landscaping jobs from homeowners in your area, so you don’t have to rely on word of mouth alone. Claim your first 3 free leads from GushPro

8. Scale Up Your Landscaping Business

Once you have steady work, it’s time to think about growing your business. Scaling means adding more services, investing in better tools, and hiring help when needed. Focus on what works, and expand carefully as the demand for your work increases.

Invest in Better Equipment

As your business grows, you’ll need tools that can handle more work. Invest in a better mower, trimmers, and blowers as the jobs get bigger. 

You don’t need to go overboard, but better equipment will make your work more efficient and help you tackle bigger jobs with ease.

Read More: 5 Effective Landscaping Advertisement Strategies

Add More Services

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider offering additional services like tree trimming, irrigation, or hardscaping. 

These require more skill, but they can increase the value of each job and attract more clients. Start small, and add what makes sense based on your experience and tools.

Consider Hiring Help

When you’re booked solid and can’t keep up with demand, it’s time to look at hiring help. Start with part-time workers or seasonal labor to manage the workload. 

Don’t stretch yourself thin; hiring the right person can help you take on more jobs while maintaining quality.

Related: How Top Mowing Companies Earn, Grow, and Scale Revenue

Bottom Line

A landscaping business starts with doing one job right, then doing it again. If you’ve learned the work, priced it fairly, and stayed consistent, you’re already ahead of most.

As you grow, you’ll need a way to consistently bring in leads. Start with local marketing, test small ads, or use a lead service that matches your pace.

Start Your Business With Your First 3 Free Leads

Once you’ve got the skills and tools in place, getting steady work is the next step. GushPro helps you get real jobs—without setting up ads or chasing random leads.

Here’s how it works:

• Verified landscaping leads from homeowners within 15 miles of where you work

• No monthly fees, no contracts, only pay for the leads you want

• The first 3 leads are free, so you can test it with zero risk

You handled the hard part. Let GushPro handle the lead. Connect Now