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How to Start a Landscaping Business

What it takes to legally start a landscaping business in the US — licensing, structure, EIN, taxes, insurance, and your first customers. The steps are the same everywhere; the forms and fees depend on your state, so pick yours below for the exact links.

Typical startup cost
$8,000–$35,000 (mowers, trailer, truck, equipment)
Licensing
state + local — varies
Best structure
LLC for most
First customers
referrals + local search

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  1. Check the licensing for landscaping work

    Design/install often needs a landscape or general contractor license above a dollar threshold; applying pesticides or fertilizer commercially requires a state applicator license. This is the part that varies most by state — some require a state license or registration before you can advertise, others leave it to the city or county. Confirm both your state board and your local government before you take a job.

  2. Decide what the business needs to open

    Landscape design, installation, and maintenance for residential and commercial properties. The setup areas that usually matter for a landscaping business: Contractor/landscape license where required, Pesticide applicator license (if spraying), Equipment and trailer, Route density, Seasonal pricing. Typical cost to get operational: $8,000–$35,000 (mowers, trailer, truck, equipment).

  3. Pick a structure — sole proprietor or LLC

    You can start as a sole proprietor with no filing, or form an LLC (usually $50–$300 depending on your state) for liability protection. For hands-on trade work where something can go wrong on a customer's property, most owners choose the LLC.

    LLC filing fee and steps by state ↗

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  4. Get a free EIN from the IRS

    An Employer Identification Number is free and takes a few minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire.

    IRS — Apply for an EIN ↗

  5. Register for state taxes and get insurance

    Register with your state's tax agency if you'll collect sales tax, then line up general liability insurance — most contracts and license boards require proof of coverage.

  6. What landscaping businesses charge

    Maintenance by the visit or monthly contract ($120–$400/mo residential, more for commercial). Design/install bid per project with 30–50% material markup. Seasonal cleanups and mulch are add-on revenue. Spring rush (cleanups, mulch, planting), summer maintenance, fall cleanup, then a winter gap unless you add snow removal or holiday lighting. Maintenance contracts carry the slow months.

  7. Get your first landscaping customers

    Neighborhood route-building, Google + reviews, and HOA/property-manager outreach. Maintenance contracts pay the bills; design/install jobs are the upside. HOAs and commercial properties give route density.

    Getting customers for a landscaping business ↗

  8. The mistake most first-year landscaping owners make

    Taking every job across a wide area. Route density is the entire profit model — 15 properties on one street beats 15 spread across the county, because drive time between stops is unbillable and it's most of your day.

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Frequently asked

How do I start a landscaping business?

Check the licenses for landscaping work in your state, pick a structure (sole proprietor or LLC), get a free EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes, open a business bank account, get general liability insurance, then set up a Google Business Profile and line up your first jobs. The order and the exact forms depend on your state.

Do I need a license to start a landscaping business?

Design/install often needs a landscape or general contractor license above a dollar threshold; applying pesticides or fertilizer commercially requires a state applicator license.

How much does it cost to start a landscaping business?

Plan for $8,000–$35,000 (mowers, trailer, truck, equipment) to get operational, plus $50–$300 if you form an LLC (varies by state). An EIN is free, and general liability insurance runs a few hundred dollars a year for most solo operators.

What should I charge for landscaping?

Maintenance by the visit or monthly contract ($120–$400/mo residential, more for commercial). Design/install bid per project with 30–50% material markup. Seasonal cleanups and mulch are add-on revenue.

How much do landscaping businesses make?

It depends on your rates, your utilization, and your area. See the income and pricing breakdown for a landscaping business for typical owner take-home and what to charge.

How much does a landscaping business license cost?

It depends on your state and exactly which license applies — a state professional license commonly runs $50–$300 plus any exam or renewal fee, and a local city/county business license is often another $25–$100. That's separate from the $50–$300 LLC filing fee if you form one. Use the License Finder tool with your state for the exact fee for landscaping work.

How much does landscaping business insurance cost?

General liability insurance for a solo landscaping operator typically runs $300–$800 a year, more with commercial auto coverage or a higher liability limit. Most contracts, landlords, and license boards require proof of coverage before you can start.

Where do the first landscaping customers come from?

Neighborhood route-building, Google + reviews, and HOA/property-manager outreach.

Official sources

Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed September 2026 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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AI-generated guidance is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Disclosures · Trust center