Starting a lawn care business is not complicated, but turning it into a consistent and profitable venture requires careful planning and management. The good news is that you don't need much to get started. All you need are the proper steps.

This guide walks you through registering your business, setting prices, getting the right tools, and finding your first jobs.

1. Register and Insure Your Lawn Care Business

Starting your lawn care business the right way means setting it up legally and protecting yourself from day one. Here's how to get the paperwork and protection in place.

Choose a Business Structure

The structure you choose decides how your business is taxed and how much liability protection you have.

• Sole proprietorship – simple to set up; best if you’re working alone.

• Partnership – for businesses run by two or more people.

• LLC (Limited Liability Company) – protects your assets and is a common choice for small teams.

An LLC gives you protection if something goes wrong on a job and separates personal and business finances.

Register Your Business Name

Pick a business name that reflects your service area and work. Check if the name is already in use in your state. Once it's available:

• Register the name locally or with your state government

• Secure the matching domain for your website

• You can also trademark the name to prevent others from using it

Also Read: 100 Creative Landscaping Business Names for Your Inspiration

Apply for an EIN 

Most lawn maintenance businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to report taxes, hire employees, and open a business bank account. You can apply for one free through the IRS website.

Get a Business License

You need a license to operate your lawn care business legally. Licensing requirements and fees vary by location. To determine exactly which license you need, contact your local Chamber of Commerce or visit the Small Business Administration (SBA) website.

In the United States, business licensing and registration typically cost between $50 and $200 per year, depending on the region.

Check if You Need a Pesticide License

If you plan to apply any product registered as a pesticide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including weed killers, you will need permission or certification.

Many states require you to complete a pesticide safety education program before issuing the license. 

Check with your state’s Department of Agriculture for rules based on your service list.

Get the Right Insurance

Accidents and property damage are part of the job. Insurance protects your business from major financial risks, and it’s often required to land commercial jobs.

Here’s what most lawn maintenance businesses need:

• General liability insurance to cover any property damage and personal injury

• Commercial auto insurance protects your work vehicle if it’s involved in an accident

• Workers’ compensation insurance to cover employee injuries on the job (required in most states if you hire)

• Equipment insurance to cover theft, damage, or breakdown of your tools and machines

• Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) – a bundled plan that includes several of the above at a lower rate

Pro Tip: When comparing insurance quotes, ask for a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) that includes both general liability and equipment coverage. This often brings down costs and keeps your policy simple.

2. Decide What Services to Offer

Choosing the right services and pricing them properly helps you start without overspending and ensures your first few jobs are profitable.

Begin with services that are easy to deliver and in steady demand.

You can offer:

• Mowing, trimming, and edging – These are standard for most homeowners. You only need a mower and a string trimmer to get started.

• Weeding and yard cleanup – Light clearing and edging for driveways or sidewalks.

• Seasonal cleanups – Offer spring and fall yard work, leaf removal, or snow services depending on your location.

• Fertilization and weed control – These add value to regular maintenance. Licensing may be needed depending on the product and the state.

Once you have steady clients and positive cash flow, you can expand your service list. Some common additions include:

• Lawn aeration or dethatching

• Mulching and garden prep

• Tree and shrub care

• Lawn pest control (requires certification in most states)

• Sod installation or turf repair

Add services based on what clients ask for most and what you can handle with your current equipment.

3. Set Competitive Prices That Cover Your Costs

Start by listing your basic costs. That includes:

• Labor (your time or your crew’s)

• Fuel and travel

• Equipment use and wear

Next, research local competitors. Review 3 to 5 other providers in your area that offer similar services. This gives you a sense of the going rate and helps you stay competitive.

You can use one of these pricing models:

• Flat rate per service – Best for recurring jobs like mowing.

• Hourly rate – Useful when job size varies or the scope is unclear.

• Per-square-foot pricing – Common for large or commercial properties.

Pro Tip: Track how long each job takes in the first few weeks. This helps you adjust prices based on real-time spent and avoid undercharging.

Lawn Care Pricing Table (Simplified)

4. Choose the Tools to Start Your Lawn Care Business

To get started, you only need a few essential tools. These are enough to handle most lawn care jobs:

• Push mower or self-propelled mower – $300 to $700

• String trimmer – $100 to $300

• Leaf blower – $100 to $400

• Hand tools – rake, shovel, pruners (under $150 total)

• Fuel cans and safety gear – gloves, ear protection, safety glasses (around $50–$100)

That covers mowing, edging, trimming, and general yard cleanup. Stick with tools you’ll use every week.

As your business grows, you can offer more services with the right equipment. These tools help you take on seasonal or specialized work:

• Lawn aerator

• Dethatcher or power rake

• Spreader or sprayer for fertilizer and weed control

• Hedge trimmer or small chainsaw

• Mulching tools or garden prep tools

You can rent these tools when needed. Many hardware stores offer hourly or daily rates, which helps you avoid upfront costs for tools you don’t use regularly.

5. Set Up Business Banking, Budgeting, and Accounting

Open a business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate. This helps you track income clearly, stay organized for taxes, and keep your books clean as you grow.

You’ll need a business account so you can:

• Report your income and expenses accurately

• Build credit under your business name

• Monitor how much cash is coming in and going out

• Simplify your bookkeeping

Once your account is open, set a basic monthly budget. This should include your pay, fuel, insurance, tools, supplies, and marketing costs. You can adjust this as you take on more jobs.

Set up a simple system for accounting. You can track payments and expenses in a spreadsheet or use free tools. If you're handling higher volume or want invoicing features, consider paid software for accounting.

Record all payments you receive and keep track of expenses, receipts, and mileage. This helps you calculate your profits, manage your cash flow, and prepare for tax filing..

6. Build a Basic Marketing Setup

To start attracting customers, focus on simple, effective marketing tools:​

• Choose a business name, phone number, and email address.

• Set up a voicemail that clearly states your business name.

• Create a Google Business Profile with your services, contact info, and service area.

• Print and distribute flyers or door hangers in local neighborhoods.

• Place yard signs with your phone number at job sites.

• Add a magnet or sign to your vehicle for visibility while driving.

• Set up a basic website listing your services and contact information.

• Create a Facebook or Instagram page to share photos of your work

Also Read: How to Effectively Market Your Landscaping Business

7. Managing Growth and Scaling

As your lawn care business grows, managing operations becomes just as important as landing new jobs. Staying organized early helps you avoid bigger problems later.

• Gather customer feedback early: After each job, send a quick thank-you text with a request for a review. Positive reviews help you win future work and spot any service gaps.

• Hire carefully and at the right time: If you are booked out more than three weeks, it might be time to bring in part-time help. Set clear expectations for tasks like mowing, edging, and cleanup from the start.

• Use simple tools to stay organized: Use a basic calendar app to schedule jobs, and create a template for invoices and service quotes. As you grow, you can move to more advanced scheduling and billing tools if needed.

  • Use tools like Jobber to manage scheduling, quoting, and invoicing for lawn care and landscaping jobs.

  • Try QuickBooks for accounting and payment management

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

8. Operational Challenges and Solutions

Even well-run lawn care businesses face challenges in their first few years. Planning for common problems now helps you stay profitable later.

• Handle seasonal slowdowns with flexible services: Offer fall leaf cleanups, winter snow shoveling, or seasonal yard prep to keep cash flow steady when mowing slows down.

• Simplify your early admin work: Instead of quoting every job from scratch, use a service menu with base prices for standard yard sizes (like lawns up to 5,000 square feet).

• Track your profitability closely: Review how much time and labor each service takes. If a job consistently runs longer than expected or requires two workers, adjust your pricing to cover the actual cost.

Also Read: How Top Mowing Companies Earn, Grow, and Scale Revenue

Final Thoughts

Starting a lawn maintenance business is a solid move if you’re willing to put in the work. With the right tools, a few steady jobs, and a simple setup, you can start earning on your terms.

Getting your first job is often the hardest part. If you want verified leads without doing the legwork, try GushPro. Here’s how GushPro helps grow your lawn care business:

• We find homeowners actively searching for lawn services through paid media

• Every lead is called, screened, and matched to your service area

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• You only pay per lead, and the first 3 are free

No tech to manage. No ongoing fees. Just real job leads in your area.

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