How to start a landscaping business

Starting a business in gardening or landscaping is more than just planting pretty flowers and mowing lawns, it’s about turning your green fingers into a successful business that turns a profit.

But before you start envisioning yourself as the neighbourhood’s go-to garden guru, there are a few key steps to get your business growing (see what we did there?)

From offering the right services to pricing your work and finding customers who actually pay on time, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.

So, grab your trowel, take a deep breath of fresh air and let’s dig into the exciting world of starting a landscaping business.

Should you start a landscaping (or gardening) business now?

Now could be the perfect time to launch a landscaping business as the UK’s green industry is booming, by 2030 it’s expected to generate a whopping £42 billion into the economy and support over 760,000 jobs. Impressive!

There are tons of opportunities for creative entrepreneurs with niches like sustainable gardening and UK-grown flowers on the rise, while unique concepts like pre-designed flower beds and edible landscaping offer plenty of business potential.

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and roses. You’ll need to find a way to stand out from an already well-populated crowd – and gardening is majorly impacted by the weather and seasons, meaning you’ll need to seriously plan for the winter months.

How to start a landscaping/gardening business in 5 steps

Whether you want to mow lawns, design stunning gardens, or build patios, this step-by-step guide will take you through everything you need to know to get started in the gardening/landscaping space.

1. Write a business plan

First of all, you need to take the time to plan out every aspect of your company in a business plan.

A business plan is a strategic document that will keep you focused on your goals, help you to secure funding if it’s required, and set you up for success. It should include:

• An overview of the services you will offer – for example, garden design, maintenance, garden structuring, de-weeding
• The target market for your gardening business – for example, homeowners, businesses, or even public authorities
• Pricing information – a pricing breakdown of what you will charge and how. For example, will you charge an hourly rate or a full project fee?
• Marketing plans – provide details on how you intend to attract customers to your business
• A financial plan – include your initial budget, startup costs, ongoing expenses, and earning potential

2. Register your business

To ensure you’re operating legally, you’ll need to register your business and ensure you have all of the necessary paperwork and permits.

Some of the steps you’ll need to take when launching a gardening business are:

• Register your business and business name, and decide if you want to operate as a sole trader or a limited company
• Take out public liability insurance which will protect you if a member of the publis is injured as a result of your business operations.
• Apply for a waste carrier’s license if you intend to dispose of garden waste
• Set up a business bank account and a business email address. This will help you stay organised, and make you look professional to potential customers

3. Source your tools and equipment

To deliver your services, you’ll need reliable equipment and tools. That includes specific supplies for each project, such as flowers, seeds, and soil.

Buying everything at once can be expensive so it’s a good idea to take a look at the services you plan to offer. You can then work out which tools are essential and which can be bought over time.

Lawnmowers for example will be pricey and a sit on machine will likely set you back around £1500. You might decide therefore to only start offering lawnmowing services once your business is more developed.

You’ll also need to find a good and reliable supplier. You can either opt for a wholesaler where prices may be cheaper, or a local garden centre.

Wholesale prices are usually considerably cheaper, with retailers often adding a markup between 30%-40% onto the cost of items.

If you opt for a wholesaler, don’t be afraid to haggle. This is a great way to ensure you get the very best price for your supplies, and helps keep your costs as low as possible.

Another way to save money when sourcing your tools and equipment is to buy second-hand. Check out reselling websites to see if they have what you need – just be sure to check that the equipment you buy is still in good condition.

4. Market your business

It’s all well and good setting up your business and sourcing your tools, but without customers, it will all be a waste of time.

A combination of online and offline marketing will help you build brand awareness and grow your customer base.

We’ve listed some examples of how you can do this below.

Create a professional website

A professional website is your digital storefront. It should be engaging, easy to navigate, and be designed in line with your branding.

Ensure it includes all of the information a potential customer needs, such as contact details, services, and a price list. It’s also a great place to showcase your work so make sure to build a portfolio page that includes high-quality before and after photos.

1. Set up Google Business profile

Setting up a Google Business profile will ensure you appear in local search results when people look for gardening services in their area. Fill out your location, opening hours, and services, and add images of your work. You can also build up Google Reviews from previous customers.

2. Use social media

Social media is a great way to showcase your projects and skills to potential customers. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok all offer the opportunity to connect with your audience. Why not share before and afters, your top gardening tips, or behind-the-scenes snippets from your latest project?

3. Ask for referrals

In today’s digital age, it can be easy to overlook word-of-mouth marketing – but it’s still a powerful way to attract customers to your gardening business. Encourage happy customers to refer you to a friend by offering small discounts on future services or by setting up a referral program.

5. Scale and grow your business

Once your landscaping business is up and running, it’s time to think about growth.

Scaling your business means more clients, more revenue, and maybe even more people joining your team.

The key to scaling your business is to keep a close eye on what’s working and what’s not. Are there some services that you can never sell? Do you get more clients via Google than social media ads? Keep track of everything to ensure you’re investing your time and money in the right places.

Here are our top tips for successfully scaling your landscaping or gardening business:

• Streamline your finances by using accounting software, like QuickBooks, to help you keep track of your cash flow easily
• Consider building a team as demand for your services increases. Part-time staff or subcontractors are both great ways to allow you to take on more work.
• Expand your service offering to attract new clients.
• Increase your spending on advertising, such as social media ads, Google ads, or local sponsorships, to expand your reach and grow your brand awareness.

What do you need to set up a landscaping/gardening business?

Before you start digging your flowerbeds, you’ll need the right tools and software to set up your gardening business. Here are a few of the things to add to your list:

• Tools of the trade – Invest in quality tools, such as a lawnmower, strimmer, spades, trowels, hedge trimmers, a wheelbarrow, and protective gear like gloves, boots, and ear defenders.
• A reliable vehicle – You’ll need a van or car with enough space to carry all of your equipment from one job to the next. Why not add your logo to the side for some free advertising too?
• Gardening materials – From plants and soil to gravel and compost, you’ll need to source the materials you need for each project.
• Business essentials – Don’t forget things like business insurance, licenses, accounting software and a job management system.

How much can you expect to pay?

Setting up a landscaping business in the UK is likely to cost anywhere between £2,000 and £10,000.

If you’re starting small you can keep costs lower – but if you plan to take on bigger projects straight away, you’ll have much higher equipment investment costs.

The biggest expenses will be:

• Tools (a good lawnmower alone can cost between £500 and £1500)
• A vehicle (you can expect to pay around £5,000 for a reliable second-hand van)
• Insurance (approximately £200 – £500 per year)

You’ll also need to remember to budget for things like fuel, marketing, and any licenses you need. For example, waste carrier license.

Final Thoughts

Starting a landscaping or gardening business isn’t just about trimming hedges and planting flowers – it’s about turning your passion into a thriving business you can be proud of.

While you need to take the time to plan accordingly, you’ll need to buy tools, create a solid service offering, and find the right suppliers. With the right set-up, you can be on the (garden) path to success.

Remember, keep it simple to start with and develop your business offering over time. Whether you’re offering basic lawn care or full garden makeovers, there’s plenty of room to carve out your niche.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands dirty and embrace the art of growing a garden and a business.