In 2019, the U.S. landscape services industry generated $99 billion. Since 2014, the industry has been recording an average annual growth rate of 4.4 percent.
If you’re looking to start a business and thriving industry, this is it!
However, just because the industry is generating billions of dollars doesn’t mean your new landscaping business will hit it big. After all, there are over 500,000 such businesses, all competing for a piece of these revenues.
What you need to do is build a landscaping business that can beat the competition and stand the test of time. Continue reading for a guide on how to start the business.
Industry the Local Industry
On a national level, the landscaping industry is doing well. But this doesn’t mean the growth is evenly distributed across the country. Some states are seeing more business than others.
As such, the first step to starting a successful landscaping business is to understand the state of the industry in your local region. Do extensive market research.
How many landscaping businesses are in your area? How long have they been in business? Are they thriving?
Ideally, you want to start your business in a location where there is a strong demand for landscaping services and low competition for clients. If the area you want to start the business doesn’t meet these conditions, it’s advisable to find another suitable location.
Draw a Business Plan
A business plan is the foundation of your company. This document fleshes out critical details about the upcoming business, including:
- Business name and address
- Business structure i.e. sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation
- Types/range of services offered, such as commercial or residential landscaping
- Sales and marketing strategy
- Startup and working capital requirements
- Income projections
With a business, you’ll have a clear picture of, for instance, how much money you’ll need to start the business and keep it going till it starts making a profit. You’ll also know how much money you’ll be pulling in. With this information, you’re able to raise an adequate amount of money before you open the business.
Build Your Team of Landscapers
Landscaping is a skilled job. You need landscaping designers (if you will be offering landscaping design services), arborists, agronomists, lawn care experts, and irrigation specialists.
You don’t have to hire all of these professionals at once, but you do need to build a team as soon as you open the business. If you’re not a recruitment specialist, you can outsource the task to a recruitment firm in your industry.
Build a Professional Business Website
The vast majority of American consumers now shop for products and services online. If you want your target customers to find you, you must set up a business website.
And not just any website. It’s should be user-friendly and optimized for search engines. Your service pages should be clear and engaging. Check out the website of Cherry Oak Landscaping to get an idea of how a professional site for a landscaping business should look.
Build a Lush Landscaping Business
Commercial and residential property owners will always need landscaping services. As such, landscaping businesses will always have a market. Now that you know how to set up a landscaping business, your task is to put this knowledge to work.
Good luck and keep reading our blog for more small business tips.
