business plan for lawn mowing service

Successful Lawn Care Business Plan: A Comprehensive Guide.

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Successful Lawn Care Business Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to my comprehensive guide on creating a successful  lawn care business plan . As a professional in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to have a thoughtful and well-crafted plan in place before starting your business. In this guide, I’ll be sharing my expertise and providing you with all the necessary tools and advice to help you create an effective  lawn care business plan .

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or a novice entrepreneur, this guide will provide you with the guidance and direction you need to succeed in the lawn care industry. We’ll cover everything from  market research  to financial projections, so you’ll be fully equipped to create a strong and sustainable business plan.

Key Takeaways:

• Having a well-crafted  lawn care business plan  is crucial for success in the industry.
• This comprehensive guide will provide all the necessary guidance and tools to create an effective plan.
• We’ll be covering  market research , financial projections, and everything in between.

Starting a Lawn Care Business

If you’re considering starting a lawn care business , you’re in the right place. As someone who has been building and selling lawn care businesses for over thirty years, I know firsthand the challenges and rewards of this industry. Here are some important steps to consider as you begin your journey:

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Do Your Market Research

Before you start your business, you need to know your market.

Who are your potential customers? What landscaping needs do they have? What are their pain points? By conducting thorough  market research , you’ll be able to identify your target audience and tailor your services to meet their needs.

You should also research your competition. Who are they? What services do they offer? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Understanding your competition will help you differentiate yourself and develop a competitive advantage.

Remember that it is going to be a lot harder if you want to start a lawn care business in areas with a lower population. Whenever I work with lawn care businesses myself, I always prefer to target areas with a population of over ten thousand. I’m not saying that you cannot build a successful business in a low-population area. It just takes longer. 

Create a Unique Selling Proposition

Your unique selling proposition (USP) is what sets you apart from the other lawn care companies. It’s the reason why customers should choose your  lawn care service  over others. Your USP should address a specific customer need or pain point and highlight the benefits of working with your company.

Understand Legal Requirements

Starting a lawn care business requires various legal and licensing requirements, depending on your state and local laws. This may include obtaining a business license, registering for taxes, and obtaining insurance. It’s essential to ensure you have the proper legal documentation in place to avoid any legal issues down the road.

You can find out more about business structures here .

Starting a lawn care business can be a fulfilling and profitable venture, but it requires careful planning and execution. By conducting thorough market research, creating a unique selling proposition, and understanding legal requirements, you’ll be on your way to success. Stay tuned for the next sections of this comprehensive guide on writing a lawn mowing business plan, where we’ll explore additional steps to help you build a successful lawn care business.

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Developing Your Business Model

Before starting a  lawn mowing business , it’s essential to determine the right  business model  for your goals and resources . There are various business models to choose from, each with its pros and cons.

Here are some common business models used in the lawn care industry:

Ultimately, the right  business model  for your lawn care business will depend on your unique circumstances, goals, and resources.

Key components of a business model

When developing your business model, there are several key components to consider:

• Your target customers: Who are they, and what are their needs and preferences?
• Your value proposition: What sets your lawn care business apart from the competition?
• Your pricing strategy: How will you price your services to remain competitive while maintaining profitability?
• Your marketing strategy: How will you reach and attract your target customers?
• Your operations strategy: How will you manage the day-to-day operations of your business, including equipment and supply management, scheduling, and quality control?

Answering these questions will help you create a solid foundation for your lawn care business model. It’s essential to regularly review and adjust your business model as your business grows and the market evolves.

Creating a Lawn Care Business Plan

If you want to start a successful lawn care business, having a well-crafted business plan is crucial. A comprehensive business plan will help you define your goals, outline your strategies, and anticipate potential challenges. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a winning business plan for your lawn care business.

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Executive Summary

The executive summary is a brief overview of your lawn care business plan. It should give readers a clear understanding of what your business is about, what sets it apart from competitors, and what your goals are. This section should include your mission statement, company description, products and services, target market, and financial projections. Keep it concise and compelling.

Company Summary

The company summary section should provide more detailed information about your lawn care business. This includes your business structure, legal status, management team, and any partners or investors. You should also outline your business location and equipment needs.

Market Analysis

Your market analysis should showcase your understanding of the lawn care industry and your target market. This includes a description of your ideal customers, their needs and preferences, and how you plan to reach them. You should also analyze your competitors and identify what sets your business apart from theirs.

Services and Pricing

In this section, you should provide a detailed description of your lawn care services and how you plan to price them. You should also outline your pricing strategy and how it compares to competitors. Make sure to include any seasonal pricing changes or discounts you plan to offer.

Marketing Plan

Your  marketing plan  should define how you plan to promote your lawn care business to your target market . This includes your marketing channels, such as social media, email marketing, and advertising. You should also describe your branding strategy and how you plan to differentiate your business from others in the industry.

Financial Projections

Your financial projections should include your revenue and expense estimates, as well as your cash flow statement, balance sheet, and income statement. You should also include your break-even analysis and any funding requirements you may have.

Creating a comprehensive business plan can seem daunting, but taking the time to plan now can save you time and money in the long run. Use this guide as a starting point for creating a successful lawn care business plan.

Conducting Effective Market Research

For an aspiring  landscaping business  owner, I know that conducting thorough market research is a crucial step in creating a successful lawn care business plan. Market research helps you identify target markets, understand customer needs and preferences, and analyze your competitors.

To start, I recommend defining your target market. Consider factors such as demographics, geographic location, and income level. Additionally, think about what your potential customers value and what motivates them to hire a landscaping service. This information can help you develop a marketing strategy that resonates with your target audience.

Next, gather data on your competitors. Analyze their pricing strategies, service offerings, and target markets. This information can help you identify gaps in the market and develop a unique selling proposition that sets your  landscaping business  apart from others.

You can gather market data through surveys, focus groups, and online research. I suggest using a combination of these methods to obtain a well-rounded understanding of your target market and competitors.

Once you have collected data, analyze it and use it to inform your business decisions. Determine what services to offer, how to price them, and how to market them effectively. Remember to regularly revisit and update your market research as your business evolves and the market changes.

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Crafting an Effective Marketing Strategy

In order to attract and retain customers for your  lawn care service , it is essential to create a well-crafted  marketing plan . Your  marketing plan  should outline your unique value proposition and differentiate your business from competitors. Here are some key steps to consider when creating your marketing plan:

Identify Your Target Customers

First, you need to identify your target customers. This includes understanding their demographics, needs and preferences, and purchasing behaviour. Knowing your target customers will help you tailor your marketing messages and channels to reach them effectively.

Develop Your Branding Strategy

Next, you need to develop your branding strategy. This includes creating a unique brand identity, such as your business name, logo, and color scheme. Your branding should reflect your business values and convey a professional image to attract and retain customers.

Diversify Your Marketing Channels

When it comes to marketing your  lawn care service , it’s important to use a mix of online and offline channels. This may include social media advertising, Google Ads, local print publications, and direct mail. Experiment with different channels to determine which ones work best for your business.

Dont forget to have a section of the business plan that talks about how you will utilise your free Google Maps listing. It is pure gold when it comes to lawn care marketing. 

Emphasize Customer Service

Excellent customer service is essential for building a loyal customer base. Emphasize your commitment to providing exceptional service and communicate this message in all of your marketing materials. Consider offering referral or loyalty programs to incentivize your customers to refer new business to you.

Good old-fashioned service can be an excellent term to use in your business description. People love to work with small business owners who believe in good service. That is something that the lawn care industry seems to be missing these days and it’s a great selling point for your lawn company. 

Monitor Your Results

Finally, it’s important to track and analyze the results of your marketing efforts. Use tools such as Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and conversion rates. Ask new customers how they heard about your business to determine which marketing channels are most effective. Use this information to refine your marketing strategy and optimize your return on investment. If you don’t know what is working, then you don’t know where to spend your money. 

Managing Your Finances

One of the most crucial aspects of starting a  lawn care startup  is managing your finances effectively. Without a solid  financial plan  in place, you risk quickly burning through your available resources and failing to turn your business into a profitable enterprise. Remember, when your business is a sole proprietorship then the buck stops with you. 

Creating a  financial plan  is a critical first step in ensuring the financial stability and growth of your lawn care business. It involves estimating startup costs, projecting future revenue, and outlining a budget that will help keep your expenses in check.

When developing your  financial plan , consider all possible costs associated with your business, such as equipment purchases, marketing expenses, employee salaries, and maintenance costs. By accurately estimating your expenses, you can create a realistic budget, make a profit and avoid overspending.

It’s also essential to continuously track your finances and ensure you’re hitting your revenue and profitability targets. Tracking key financial metrics, such as your operating costs and cash flow, can help you make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement.

Remember, a well-executed financial plan is critical to the success of your lawn care business. Take the time to create a thorough plan and continually monitor your progress to ensure you’re on track to meet your goals.

Building a Strong Team

When starting a lawn care business, building a strong team is crucial for success. With a well-crafted  personnel plan , you can ensure that you have the right people in place to help your business thrive.

It’s important to hire individuals who are passionate about the  lawn service  industry and are willing to work hard to achieve common goals. Look for individuals with relevant experience, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude.

When building your team, make sure to also prioritize creating a positive work culture. A supportive work environment can lead to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, and even customer loyalty. Empower your team to share ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate on projects.

Overall, building a strong team is an essential component of creating a successful lawn care business. With a solid  personnel plan  in place, you can attract and retain top talent that will help take your business to the next level.

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Ensuring Efficient Operations

One of the key aspects of running a successful lawn care business is maintaining efficient operations. This involves managing equipment and supplies, scheduling and routing jobs, and ensuring quality control in every aspect of the business.

A  maintenance business plan  is crucial to achieving efficient operations. This plan should include detailed procedures for equipment maintenance, including regular servicing and cleaning. It should also outline a system for inventory management, with clear guidelines for ordering and restocking supplies.

Another important element of efficient operations is developing a scheduling and routing system that takes into account factors such as location, job requirements, and seasonality. This can help ensure that every job is completed on time and within budget.

To maintain the quality of services offered, a  lawn maintenance  plan should be implemented. This plan should outline quality control procedures, such as regular inspections and ongoing training for employees. It should also include customer feedback mechanisms to ensure that customer satisfaction is maintained.

Streamlining processes is another way to ensure efficient operations. This can include creating checklists for daily tasks, automating certain processes, and using technology such as GPS tracking to optimize routing and scheduling.

Overall, implementing efficient operations is key to the success of a lawn care business. By following a  maintenance business plan , developing effective scheduling and routing systems, and prioritizing quality control, entrepreneurs in the industry can build a strong reputation and ensure satisfied customers.

Financial Projections and Performance Evaluation

Creating financial projections for a  new lawn care business  is an essential step in creating a comprehensive business plan. These projections help you identify your expected revenue and expenses for the coming years, so you can develop a realistic budget and make informed decisions about your business. In this section, I will guide you through the key components of financial projections and performance evaluation for your lawn care business.

Business Plan Content

When creating financial projections for your business plan, it’s essential to include the following components:

Additionally, it’s crucial to include detailed explanations of your revenue streams, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and capital expenditures. These details help you analyze your revenue and expenses and make informed decisions about your business.

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New Lawn Care Business

When evaluating your lawn care business’s financial performance, it’s essential to consider key financial ratios, such as profitability, liquidity, and solvency ratios. Here are some of the most critical ratios to track:

• Gross profit margin: This ratio shows the percentage of revenue that is left over after deducting the cost of goods sold. It helps you assess your business’s profitability.
• Current ratio: This ratio shows your company’s ability to pay off short-term debts with short-term assets. It helps you evaluate your business’s liquidity.
• Debt-to-equity ratio: This ratio shows the proportion of debt to equity in your company. It helps you assess your business’s solvency and level of financial risk.

By regularly assessing your business’s financial performance, you can make informed decisions about pricing strategy, investment in equipment and personnel, and other aspects of your business that impact your bottom line. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as needed to ensure your business’s long-term success.

I have found that as a ballpark figure, our own running costs sit at around 40% of turnover so you may want to consider that when writing your business plan cashflow projection. 

Adapting to Market Trends and Innovations

As a  lawn and garden services business  owner, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with market trends and innovations to remain competitive.  Creating a lawn  care business plan can help to allow for flexibility and adaptation to changing industry demands is crucial for success.

One way to adapt to market trends and innovation is by embracing emerging technologies. From robotic mowers to irrigation sensors, new technology is transforming the lawn care industry. Investing in these tools can help boost efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality.

I have always said that if someone invented a no-grow lawn, I would be out installing it tomorrow. Dont get stuck in your ways and refuse to move with the times. 

Another trend to keep an eye on is the growing demand for sustainable lawn care practices. As more customers become environmentally conscious, offering sustainable solutions such as organic fertilizers, native plants, and water-saving strategies can differentiate your business from competitors. You could be known as the green lawn care company. 

Expanding your service offerings is also a way to stay relevant in the industry. Adding hardscaping, tree care, or outdoor lighting services to your business can attract new customers and increase revenue streams.

Continuous learning and adapting to changing customer demands are also critical. Attending industry conferences, workshops, and networking events can provide insights into emerging trends, best practices, and new opportunities for growth.

Creating a lawn  care business plan that takes into account industry trends and innovations can position your business for long-term success. By staying ahead of the curve, you can provide exceptional service, attract new customers, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

In  conclusion , creating a successful lawn care business plan is crucial for anyone starting a lawn care business. It sets the foundation for a well-thought-out and profitable business that can thrive in a competitive industry. By following the comprehensive guide outlined in this article, you’ll be able to navigate the initial steps of starting a lawn care business, developing a business model, creating a business plan, conducting effective market research, crafting an effective marketing strategy, managing your finances, building a strong team, ensuring efficient operations, making financial projections, and adapting to market trends and innovations.

As you embark on your journey to start and grow your lawn care business, remember that it takes hard work, patience, and dedication to succeed. There will be challenges along the way, but with a solid business plan, a strong team, and a commitment to providing exceptional service to your customers, you can achieve your goals and realize your dreams.

So go ahead, create that lawn care business plan, and watch your business bloom!

Thank you for reading this comprehensive guide on creating a successful lawn care business plan.

We hope you found it helpful and informative.

Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!

Q: What is the importance of having a lawn care business plan?

A: Having a well-thought-out lawn care business plan is crucial for success in the industry. It helps you outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections, providing a roadmap to guide your business decisions.

Q: What initial steps should I take when starting a lawn care business?

A: To  start a lawn care  business, you should begin by conducting market research to understand your target customers and competition. You should also create a unique selling proposition to differentiate yourself in the market. Additionally, make sure to meet all the legal requirements and obtain any necessary licenses for operating your business.

Q: What business models are available for a lawn care business?

A: There are different business models you can consider for a lawn care business, such as a solo operator, partnership, or franchise. Each model has its pros and cons, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your goals and resources. You should also consider pricing strategies and conduct a competitive analysis to position your business effectively.

Q: How do I create a comprehensive lawn care business plan?

A:  Creating a lawn  care business plan involves several key steps. You should include sections such as an executive summary, company summary, and management plan. Additionally, a marketing plan and financial projections are crucial components of a comprehensive business plan.

Q: Why is market research important for a lawn care business?

A: Market research helps you understand your target markets, customer needs, and preferences. It also allows you to analyze your competitors and identify opportunities for growth and differentiation. By gathering market data, you can make informed business decisions and tailor your services to meet the demands of your customers.

Q: How can I develop an effective marketing strategy for my lawn care business?

A: Crafting an effective marketing strategy involves identifying your target audience, choosing the right marketing channels, and creating a strong brand. You should also focus on customer acquisition strategies and customer retention techniques to build a loyal customer base for your lawn care services.

Q: How should I manage the finances of my lawn care business?

A: Managing your finances involves creating a financial plan, budgeting, estimating startup costs, and forecasting revenue. It’s important to track key financial metrics and conduct profitability analysis to ensure the financial health of your business. You should also seek professional advice when needed and make strategic adjustments to achieve your financial goals.

Q: What is the importance of building a strong team for a lawn care business?

A: Building a skilled and dedicated team is essential for the success of a lawn care business. It allows you to provide quality services and maintain customer satisfaction. Recruiting, hiring, and training employees should be a focus, as well as fostering a positive work culture and providing opportunities for growth and development.

Q: How can I ensure efficient operations for my lawn care business?

A: Efficient operations are crucial for maximizing productivity and customer satisfaction. This involves proper equipment and supply management, effective scheduling and routing, and maintaining quality control. Streamlining processes and providing exceptional customer service are also important factors to consider for efficient operations.

Q: How do I create financial projections and evaluate the performance of my lawn care business?

A: Creating financial projections entails estimating revenue, expenses, and profits over a specific timeframe. It helps you assess the financial viability of your business and make informed decisions. Evaluating performance involves tracking key financial ratios and making adjustments as needed to achieve your business goals.

Q: Why is it important to adapt to market trends and innovations in the lawn care industry?

A: Staying up-to-date with market trends and embracing innovations is essential for the long-term success of a lawn care business. It allows you to offer new services, incorporate emerging technologies, and adopt sustainable practices. Continuous learning and adapting to changing customer demands help you stay ahead of the competition and grow your business .

Get tips & tricks on how to grow a profitable lawn care business delivered to you inbox every week. 

About the author

Stuart Clifford is founder of Lawnmowing101 He has been building and selling lawn care businesses for over thirty years. These days he works with other independent lawn care business owners and helps them maximise returns and grow their businesses though his lawnmowing101 membership. https://www.skool.com/lawnmowing101

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How To Create A Lawn Care Business Plan in 7 Steps

From grass to gardens and everything in between, you understand what’s needed to keep a yard healthy and beautiful. Unfortunately, landscaping expertise doesn’t always translate to business know-how. Even if you provide a premium level of service, you might lose out to competitors who have a better business plan. A lawn care business plan is a guide that outlines the strategy, goals, and operational details for your lawn care business. Here’s a complete rundown of what you need to know on how to create a lawn care business plan:

1. Understand What A Business Plan Is

2. estimate your startup costs, 3. establish your initial service offerings, 4. run a market analysis, cost-plus pricing, value-based pricing, 6. implement effective marketing strategies, 7. create a financial plan, final thoughts.

A business plan is a roadmap for your business. It describes where you are now, where you want to be in the future, and how you plan to achieve those goals. You can create a lawn service business plan at any point in the lifespan of your company. If you’re starting a lawn care business, developing a lawn service business plan for a lawn care start-up is the best way to maximize your limited financial resources as you buy equipment and enter the market. Likewise, lawn mowing business plans are also useful even if your company is several years old. A plan helps you assess the current health of your business and prepare for the future. It’s also a great tool if you’re changing, expanding, or shrinking the focus of your business. Most lawn care service business plans and lawn maintenance business plans adhere (more or less) to the following format: • Title Page with Table of Contents • Executive Summary • Business Description • Description of Product or Service Provided • Market Analysis • Analysis of Your Competition • Organizational Logistics, Operation, and Management • Financial Components • Any Relevant Documents Although it involves a fair amount of work, creating a lawn service business plan provides two benefits. First, it’s a helpful way to stay organized and avoid problems. Also, a lawn care business plan is used to attract investors and other financial opportunities.

Launching a lawn care business typically requires relatively high upfront costs because you need to buy a wide range of lawn care equipment . However, the money you spend today helps you deliver quality services that will help your business grow quickly and steadily. As detailed in How to Start a Successful Lawn Care Business , here’s a general breakdown of what you’ll need to buy: • Motorized equipment like lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers • Manual tools and supplies like rakes, shovels, lawn bags, and protective gear • Permits, sales tax licenses, and other regulatory requirements for your city • Field management software for tracking invoices , developing marketing strategies and a clear marketing plan, and more Your exact needs will vary when preparing your business plan for a lawn care startup. Initially, you can save by only purchasing gear for the core services you plan to offer – which brings us to the next item in your lawn service business plan.

You can’t offer a full range of services right off the bat. Instead, your service offerings – at least initially – will depend on a few factors: • The equipment you own • The services offered by your competitors • The services requested by customers in your area

The range of services outlined in your lawn care and landscaping business plan might encompass:

• Basic Lawn Mowing
• Lawn Edging
• Lawn Aeration
• Lawn Dethatching
• Lawn Seeding
• Leaf Removal
• Fertilization
• Weed Control
• Pest Control
• Sod Installation
• Artificial Turf Installation
• Tree Trimming
• Bush/Hedge Trimming
• Yard Cleanup
• Snow Removal

It is recommended to start with a core selection of services and gradually expand your offerings. This approach will allow you to build expertise and establish a solid customer base, providing a foundation for your company’s future growth.

The next part of your lawn care business plan is developing a market analysis . It’s an evaluation of how well-suited the market is for your lawn care business. Creating a market analysis might seem complicated, but it’s essentially nothing more than answering a few fairly simple questions. Identify Your Potential Customers First, who is your target market? You might feel tempted to answer with something like, “Everyone with a lawn.” However, that’s far too general. Instead, try to narrow down your target market as specifically as possible. Do you mainly provide service for residential or commercial customers? Are your customers looking for the lowest prices, fastest turnaround times, or something else? Your target market will depend on a few factors, such as: • The demographics of your service area • The geography and environment • The equipment you own Determining the first two requires research and an understanding of your community. Additionally, the services you provide are limited by the type of equipment you own and the size of your team. You can provide more services as your lawn care business grows. Assess Your Competition Another major aspect of a market analysis involves taking a closer look at your competition. If you’re lucky, you’ll launch your business in an area without much in the way of established lawn care providers. However, most likely, you’ll have competition. Pretend you’re a customer looking for lawn care services. Hop online and check out what options are available in your area. When researching your top competitors, focus on two factors: • Their prices • The services they provide Why would someone choose your competitor over you? Identifying what your competition does well allows you to tailor the services you provide. You can either offer a superior alternative at a better price or focus on services the competition doesn’t offer.

5. Determine Your Pricing Strategy

How much should you charge for your lawn care services ? Your lawn maintenance business plan should contain detailed pricing information. When creating a pricing structure, you have two options : • Cost-Plus Pricing • Value-Based Pricing

Cost-plus pricing is the most straightforward type. It’s the cost of the product plus a margin for profit. With lawn care, cost-plus pricing involves the following factors: • Labor costs • Material costs • Overhead costs • Profit Add them together to get the price of each service. Cost-plus is commonly used for physical goods. Many services, including lawn care services, determine costs with value-based pricing. Determining cost-plus pricing is both easy and difficult. Usually, you’ll have minimal issues figuring out the cost of labor and materials for a given job. However, determining indirect costs is often more confusing. Your prices for all services have to cover overhead costs such as marketing, equipment maintenance, office rental, and more. Most lawn care business owners don’t determine these costs on their own. Instead, they hire an accountant or bookkeeper. You don’t necessarily need a full-time accountant on staff, but you want to consult with one while setting up your pricing plan (and about once a year afterward to help you stay on track).

Read More: The Only Lawn Care Estimator You’ll Ever Need!

Value-based pricing is more subjective. It’s based on the perceived value the service has to a customer. In lawn care, customers are often willing to pay more for what they consider premium work. You can influence the perceived value of your services in a variety of ways. First, commit to performing quality work. If you mow in neat rows, trim the edges of the yard with precision, and otherwise pay lots of attention to the little details, customers will often consider you a premium-level service provider. Additionally, your teams should arrive on time, in matching uniforms, and with a consistent commitment to friendly and prompt customer service. A clean appearance and a positive attitude go a long way toward creating the appearance of premium service. In many ways, value-based pricing is as much based on psychology as on the actual quality of the work. Pricing is one of the most complicated aspects of developing lawn mowing business plans. For help, check out How to Set Lawn Care Pricing and Quotes .

You don’t want to create your lawn care business and then turn your attention to marketing later. Instead, marketing strategies should be woven into your lawn-mowing business plan from the initial stages. Fortunately, many effective lawn care marketing strategies don’t require much money as long as you’re willing to do some work. Hanging fliers on doors around the neighborhood is often a surprisingly effective way to drum up business. After all, you can see the best leads right from the curb. Leave a flier on the door of any house with an unkempt, overgrown lawn. Additionally, advertise your lawn care business while you work. Place a small sign with your company name on the yard while your crew provides services. Offer the homeowner a discount on their bill if you can leave your sign in their yard after the work is completed. Uniforms and truck logos also offer inexpensive marketing opportunities. Make sure your company name is visible on the sides of your vehicles. When your vehicles are parked on the street, passersby can then easily identify your company name. Marketing might feel a bit outside of your area of expertise. If you want help, consider lawn care business software . It helps you develop and implement a wide variety of marketing and advertising strategies, including customer tracking and seasonal specials. 

Finally, you want to end your lawn care business plan with a financial summary. It includes the following:

• Overview of the Lawn Care Business Model
• Initial or Necessary Startup Capital
• Details of Existing Loans (Including Purpose, Amount, Duration, and Interest Rate)
• Overhead Expenditures
• Projections of Revenue
• Financial Position Statement
• Statements of Profit and Loss
• Statements of Cash Flows
• Costs Related to Staffing
• Budget Allocation for Various Expenses
• Statement of Personal Finances

You want to project incoming and outgoing costs for at least one year. Ideally, you want your financial plan to include projects for years two and even three. Your financial plan is an important document when applying for a loan or other types of financing.

Operating a successful lawn care company requires more than just the ability to deliver excellent service. Developing a lawn care business plan for a lawn care startup helps you stay on a steady course during the sometimes-rocky early stages of running your business. Additionally, you’ll want lawn care software to help develop not only your lawn mowing business plan but also run the day-to-day aspects of your business. Contact RealGreen today to schedule a free software demonstration, even if you’re still in the early stages of creating your lawn care business.

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Hosam Sayed is a Product Marketing Manager at WorkWave with extensive knowledge of B2B product and marketing positioning. When not in front of his computer, he can be found spending time with his family, enjoying outdoor activities, and working on perfecting the art of landscaping.

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Lawn and Garden Services Business Plan

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Fescue & Sons Yard Care

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Fescue & Sons Yard Care is a residential lawn care service targeting rural middle-class homes with large yards which the owners cannot care for well on their own. Over the last three years, the prices for homes in the nearby urban area have skyrocketed. Many families in our targeted income bracket have chosen to buy larger parcels in the nearby countryside, rather than spending huge amounts on small lots in the city. However, many of them are unprepared for the level of care such large lawns require, and end up with small gardens near the house, and overgrown acreage further away.

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will start out as a partnership, owned jointly and equally by Red and Kikuyu Fescue. For the last five years, Red has worked as head landscaper at ABC Landscaping. He now has the design and lawn-care expertise, as well as the management experience, to begin his own business. Kikuyu is a graphic designer and master gardener. Her skills will be extremely useful in creating the look of our marketing materials, from brochures to business cards to newspaper ads. She will continue to work in her current job while Red manages the day-to-day details of the company.

Over the first summer, Red will be the primary employee, with some part-time help from his son, Rye. Rye has worked with Red at ABC landscaping and will continue to help out at Fescue & Sons in the summers.

In the coming spring, we will hire an additional landscaper for seasonal work, and may hire another if demand warrants. In mid-summer of Year 2 we will purchase additional equipment, including a second trailer or used truck.

As a business with largely seasonal profits, we will use the high summer revenues to support the business through the winter’s leaner months. We will have a modest profit in the first year, but expect profits over $8,000 in the second fiscal year and over $10,000 in the third year.

1.1 Objectives

Our objectives for the first three years of operation are to:

• Create a service-based company whose primary goal is to exceed customers’ expectations.
• Obtain contracts for yard service in at least 30 different residential homes.
• Increase our number of clients served by 3% per year.
• Develop a sustainable home business, being maintained by its own cash flow.

1.2 Mission

The mission of Fescue & Sons Yard Care is to provide top-quality residential and commercial yard care service.  We will strive to attract and maintain customers by providing services in the most timely manner to provide 100% customer satisfaction. Our services will exceed the expectations of our customers.

1.3 Keys to Success

• Experienced landscaper with excellent customer-service skills
• Commitment to high quality and professionalism in every task and encounter
• Small size, allowing direct management oversight of every project and employee

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will offer residential and commercial lawn care service, including lawn cutting, trimming, edging, and removal of the clippings. Most of our customers will use our services once every week or every two weeks, depending on the amount of rain we get. In this area, lawn care needs vary greatly depending on the weather, and while this year is likely to be dry, future years will probably see a return to normal rain levels, meaning faster-growing grass and weeds and more frequent lawn care.

2.1 Company Ownership

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will start out as a partnership, owned jointly and equally by Red and Kikuyu Fescue. As the business grows, the owners will consider re-registering as a limited liability company or as a corporation, whichever will better suit the future business needs.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Fescue & Sons Yard Care’s start-up costs include:

• Home office equipment: file cabinet, computer system (including printer, scanner, and fax software)

Long-term assets:

• Vehicle: The owners are contributing a 1998 Toyota pickup to the business

Short-term assets

• Standard tool box with tools for simple repairs

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will provide residential lawn care service which includes lawn cutting, edging and trimming. Optional services will be available upon customers’ requests. The service is typically offered once a week in season, but we can create a custom schedule for clients if they have beginning of the season projects, or if the weather changes their lawn care needs.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will target rural middle-class families with larger lawns or parcels of property. This population is the most likely to use a lawn care service such as ours, since they often have more acreage than they can easily care for.

Red will be canvassing neighborhoods and posting flyers to develop a clientele. We will also place advertisements in the local rural newspaper to develop visibility for Fescue & Sons Yard Care.

In the second year, Red will expand service beyond the small rural town to the urban area located 15 miles east. 

4.1 Market Segmentation

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will be targeting families with annual income over $50,000. The median income of $50,000 and above is targeted because they tend to have more disposable income for the care of their lawn, whereas lower income families will tend to provide their own lawn care. 

Over the last three years, the prices for homes in the nearby urban place advertisements have skyrocketed. Many families in our targeted income bracket have chosen to buy larger parcels in the nearby countryside, rather than spending huge amounts on small lots in the city. However, many of them are unprepared for the level of care such large lawns require, and end up with small gardens near the house, and overgrown acreage further away.

By targeting customers with large lawns and parcels of property, we will fill the niche created by urban flight, as well as keep our margins higher than we could with small lawns. Transportation time and costs for all the equipment make it more profitable to do a few large lawns than many smaller ones.

By doing a superb job on these rural lawns in the first year, we hope to build a positive reputation which will carry over with recommendations to co-workers and friends in our customers’ former urban neighborhoods. Since we want to maximize lawn size cared for in both settings, our eventual outreach to urban dwellings will focus on high-end houses and lawns on large, often older, lots.

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4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

Initially, we will canvass nearby homes in our rural town. Red will be basing the business out of our home, very close to the target market. Red will start by speaking with his own neighbors. Although some people are put off by solicitors, Red is their neighbor, so they will be more comfortable with him and he will be able to make his sales pitch. We will also put some small signs on our own lawn advertising our service.

Once Red has built up a steady list of customers he will begin to run advertisements in the local paper to gain access in different neighborhoods. In the second year, we will continue running ads and begin outreach to the more affluent city customers with large lawns.

4.3 Service Business Analysis

Fescue & Sons Yard Care will be working in the lawn care industry. The industry includes both residential areas (individual homes) and commercial areas (apartment complexes, business parks, schools, etc.).

The commercial side is generally serviced by larger landscaping services. The residential side is serviced by both landscaping companies and basic lawn care service companies.

The lawn care business is made up of many small companies. This occurs because of the high labor intensity and low start-up costs of the industry. The industry is vulnerable to recession, as lawn care is a luxury. Lastly, the lawn care industry is seasonal, with the high season being spring through fall. There is usually little activity in the winter, but some can be achieved by acquiring a clientele that will utilize monthly maintenance through the winter months.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

The lawn care business can be divided into two types, residential and commercial. As a start up or one person business, it is much easier to enter into the residential market compared with the commercial market. The commercial market is dominated by larger, established companies.

Within the residential market, there are two competitors: full-scale landscaping companies and basic lawn care services. The full-scale landscaping companies will generally be handling jobs outside of Fescue & Sons’ range. They are servicing even larger homes that require other landscaping activities that need more equipment and multiple employees. The margins are therefore larger for the full-scale companies because they can charge more for the higher-skilled work. The other competitor is the basic lawn care services, not unlike Fescue & Sons Yard Care. In the residential market, the current competition is underwhelming and often lacks basic quality and professionalism.

The trend with the residential customers is that they are making their purchasing decisions based on referrals and perceived professionalism and quality of service.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Fescue and Sons will rely on Red’s knowledge of the local community and top-quality landscaping skills. Initial outreach will involve direct canvassing of the neighborhood. This will be supplemented by ads, showing properties we have worked on, and brochures and fliers hung up in local businesses.

We will also rely on word of mouth, so part of our strategy is to treat every job as if it were the most important client we have ever had. Phone calls will be returned promptly, services will be done professionally and on time, and customers will be treated with respect.

5.1 Competitive Edge

Fescue & Sons Yard Care’s competitive edges will be our high quality work and unflagging professionalism.

During the first summer, Red will do all of the lawn care and other work, with some help from his son, Rye. Starting in May of 2006, we will hire a second, part-time employee as a landscaper. Red, Rye, and the landscaper will always work as a team, allowing for direct supervision of all workers and direct involvement with the job at hand, to ensure customers receive the high quality they expect.

Fescue & Sons Yard Care’s second competitive edge is professionalism. In our business, this means returning customer inquiries promptly, showing up on time, bringing all necessary equipment, reserving breaks for times away from the customers’ yards, and cleaning up thoroughly after ourselves when we leave. To facilitate communication, Red will have a cell phone at all times, where he can be reached directly or receive messages, if he’s in the middle of a job. Cell phone reception in most of the town is quite good, despite being a rural area.

All of these sound like simple things, but they will help us stand out from the local competition.

5.2 Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy in the first year relies largely on face-to-face contact between Red and potential customers, and word-of-mouth from satisfied clients. In the second year, we will place more ads, and in different papers (such as in the nearby city), as well as trying to generate more word-of-mouth from our customers. 

5.3 Sales Strategy

Fescue & Sons Yard Care sales strategy will be based on one-on-one communications with potential customers. By going door to door in his own neighborhood, Red can become more familiar to these folks and take advantage of his outgoing personality. 

In the start-up period (the month of June), we will set up the office, and purchase the necessary lawn care equipment. At the same time, Red will spend three to four afternoons a week, especially on weekends, going around the neighborhood to scout out problem lawns and talk to potential customers. There are at least two weekends coming up that are likely to be scorchers, when potential customers will look outside and think that the last thing they want to do is go out and mow the lawn – these are our best days to canvass the neighborhood, offering a service many do not even realize they want.

After getting in the door, Red’s challenge will be to effectively communicate his experience and skills in lawn care and related work. He will bring a portfolio of some of the nicest lawns he has worked on in the past, when working as head landscaper for ABC landscapers, and photos of our own lawn, which is more similar to the ones in the neighborhood. He is also willing to offer a free estimate and cutting for those that are interested in a possible contract. Although some of the free cuttings will not turn out to be long-term customers, our competitive prices and superior service will turn most of the leads into customers.

By year two, the business will be ready to expand outside of the neighborhood. At that point, we will place more advertisements in the local paper to generate business. When people call with questions, Red will have already built up a loyal following of customers who can serve as an effective referral system.

5.3.1 Sales Forecast

In September, we will begin advertising our end-of-year garden prep and winter maintenance services, which will supply revenue over the winter. Since the climate here is mild, many gardeners put off their seasonal clean-up and garden prep until it is too late. Weeds continue to grow all winter, long past when gardeners want to be out in the yard, and uncompleted garden prep forces them to do much more labor in the spring to get the garden back in shape.

Winter maintenance includes things like trellis and shed repairs, helping gardeners organize their supplies and seeds, and fixing or building cold frames for early vegetables.

Direct cost of sales for all of these projects includes gas for powered equipment and transportation costs, most equipment repair and maintenance, and the cost of any items used up in the process, like mower blades or edging strings. Unlike most big lawn care services, we are tracking direct labor costs as operating expenses, not direct cost of sales. These amounts can be found in the Personnel plan, and are reflected in the Profit and Loss statement.

We also plan to do occasional tree stump removal, for which the direct cost of sales is higher, since it includes the cost to rent the equipment. If this becomes a larger part of our business, we may buy our own equipment.

5.4 Milestones

We have established some basic milestones to keep the business plan priorities in place. Red is in charge of all goals directly related to yard care and employee practices, while Kikuyu will oversee our marketing materials – brochures, business cards, ads, etc.

We have sketched out only a few milestones past the first year, as details of that implementation will become more clear in the spring of 2006. For now, we are focused on setting up the office and collecting customers.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Red and Kikuyu have been involved in landscaping and outdoor design for over 10 years. For the last five years, Red has worked as head landscaper at ABC Landscaping. He now has the design and lawn-care expertise, as well as the management experience, to begin his own business. Red will oversee the work of his son, Rye, and a second landscaper, to be hired in the spring of 2006.

Kikuyu is a graphic designer and master gardener. Her skills will be extremely useful in creating the look of our marketing materials, from brochures to business cards to newspaper ads. She will continue to work in her current job while Red manages the day-to-day details of the company.

6.1 Personnel Plan

Rye has worked part-time at ABC Landscaping alongside his dad for over a year now, and will help out the family business during his summer breaks. His strengths include topiary design, hedge work, and edging and trimming.

In the spring of 2006, we will hire a second landscaper, and possibly a third, depending on how busy we are. We are seeking someone with at least two years of experience in the lawn care industry, with attention to detail and a good work ethic. Rye is already talking to some of his friends about possibly applying for this job, and they are good candidates. This will probably be a seasonal position, unless winter work ends up having a higher demand than expected.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following sections will outline important financial information.

7.1 Start-up Funding

The owners are contributing a truck worth $3,500 as a long-term asset to the business, plus $1,500 cash toward purchasing the short-term assets needed (mowers, trimmers, safety equipment, etc.). In addition, we are seeking a loan of $11,000 to fund the rest of the start-up requirements. This loan will be backed by the Fescues’ equity in their home.

7.2 Important Assumptions

The following table highlights some important financial assumptions of Fescue & Sons.

7.3 Projected Balance Sheet

The following table indicates the projected balance sheet. As we retain earnings and repay the long-term loan, our net worth will increase from $1,200 at start-up to over $21,000 by year three.

7.4 Break-even Analysis

The Break-even Analysis indicates $3,830 is needed in monthly revenue to break even.

7.5 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts show our projected profit and loss. After paying reasonable salaries, we will make a modest profit in the first year, with increasing profits in future years. Our gross margins will remain around 91 or 92%. Our largest expenses as a service business are payroll and payroll taxes.

7.6 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table show our projected cash flow. We will repay the loan over ten years (interest payments can be found in the Profit and Loss, above). The table also shows planned purchases of additional equipment as long-term assets in the second fiscal year.

7.7 Business Ratios

The following table outlines some of the more important ratios from the Lawn and Garden Services industry. The final column, Industry Profile, details specific ratios based on the industry as it is classified by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code, 0782.

The major difference between our ratios and the industry standard is in gross margin. The Lawn and Garden Service industry is labor intensive, and most businesses include manual labor expenses in their direct cost of sales. As a small, family-owned business without a large staff of workers, I am treating these as operating expenses, instead. If personnel costs are included, our gross margin in the first year falls around 23%, and by year three it is up around 32%, roughly the industry average.

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How to prepare a lawn care business plan

If you consider yourself an expert on lawn care, starting a business only seems natural. However, creating a successful lawn care business involves more than just skill. You’ll have to consider equipment, licenses, and insurance, among other things. While entering the lawn care industry is not as easy as you might think, a bit of careful planning and execution will give you the best chances of success.

Coming up with a lawn care business plan can help you prepare for the future and tap into thousands of potential customers. You’ll learn all about how to write a lawn service business plan and why it matters.

• What you’ll learn in this guide

Before jumping into the planning process, here’s a closer look at what you’ll learn in this article.

Table of Contents

Why do you need a lawn care business plan, pros of starting a lawn business, traditional vs. modern business plans, how a lawn care business plan sets you up for success, executive summary, business overview, lawn care services, market analysis, business strategy, marketing and sales, personnel plan, financial plan, how do you create a lawn care business plan, how much is insurance for a landscaping business, how much do landscaping businesses make every year, is starting a landscaping business worth it, how do you get lawn care customers, final thoughts on lawn care business plans.

A comprehensive plan is necessary for all lawn care business owners. Not only does it help you stay organized, but it also allows you to set your goals, maintain focus, and pinpoint areas of improvement. 

A good plan outlines how you think about your work’s financial, sales, marketing, and technical aspects and how you can use them to succeed. They are also helpful for getting a better grasp of competitors and identifying unique opportunities to get ahead – remember, work within the landscaping industry is often seasonal, so being on top of your game is crucial.

Many people need their lawns mowed and gardens fertilized, so you can rest assured that starting a lawn care company is profitable! Plus, you’ll get to enjoy these benefits.

• Many service opportunities: Unlike other businesses with clearly defined responsibilities, the options with a lawn care service business are vast. For instance, you can work primarily in residential areas or expand your services into commercial spaces. Not to mention, you can work with all kinds of customers.
• Flexible costing: Being your own boss means you get to price your services accordingly. By considering your existing costs, equipment, the average time you spend on a project, and other factors, you can come up with numbers that make sense. 
• Choosing your own clients: Customizing your client list means working with dependable customers during good working hours and in areas not too far from your headquarters. You can also prioritize higher-paying or return customers for more stable income.

Traditional business plans are lengthier, more detailed, and present more concrete, plausible outcomes than the structures you see today. On the other hand, modern plans are more flexible and focus more on creating a vision than making a detailed financial model. 

While traditional plans include a detailed executive summary about the business involved, modern start-up plans offer a value proposition instead, outlining how to gain a competitive advantage in your target market. Start-up plans also require developing growth rates and revenue models from the ground up, especially if the business in question lacks historical data.

What type of business model best suits your lawn care company will depend on your goals and the most critical aspects of your potential growth.

Now that you know having a lawn care business plan is necessary, it’s time to take a closer look at the benefits you can gain from having one.

• Stable work: Depending on your geographical location, coming across yard work can be challenging. Fortunately, business plans can help you develop alternative ways to profit even with low demand for your particular service.
• Custom solutions: Business plans are easy to customize to your specific needs. You can alter your plan to suit goals like introducing new services, opening a new location, or providing options for commercial customers.
• Seasonal employees: Maintaining a regular workforce can quickly become time-consuming and expensive. The good news is, your business plan can cater to employees with seasonal professions like snow removal. 
• Flexible goals: Not sure where you want your business to go? Use your business plan to scale your goals accordingly. 

Key elements of a lawn care business plan

A complete lawn care business plan includes the following sections.

Your cover page should clearly state your company name and include your logo. You should also include your company role, business address, and other contact information.

As the title suggests, executive summaries should summarize your entire plan in a few short paragraphs. In it, you should include your mission and vision, business goals, factors that set you apart, and a brief company history. It is best to write your executive summary last when you have a complete understanding of what the entire document includes.

Your business overview is a look into all the aspects of your lawn care and landscape company. These include: 

• Ownership type: Determine whether your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other structure. Doing this will help you adhere to government regulations such as tax implications. 
• Assets: List out the equipment you already have, such as a lawn mower, a fleet, additional tools, or laptops, and list the assets you’ll need in the future. Include how much money you have already invested in your business.
• Start-up costs: Create an overview of what you spent to launch your business. Include items like the cost of office supplies, employee compensation (if any), rent, marketing materials, etc.

Provide a list of the services you want to offer according to your existing assets and current budget. Common lawn care services include: 

• Lawn mowing.
• Pest control application.
• Lawn fertilization application or weed control.
• Tree and plant services.
• Aeration or dethatching.
• Grass and leaf blowing.
• Landscape design.
• Tree trimming.

What you can offer will ultimately depend on your existing equipment, your competition, and what your customers need.

Creating a market analysis is similar to crafting a buyer persona. In this section, you’ll want to define your target market, what solutions they need, and how you fit into the equation. When taking a closer look at your target market, list their characteristics such as:

• Income level and occupation.
• Geographical location.
• Size of property.

Then, include an analysis of your top competitors. Consider factors like: 

• What services they offer.
• Who they cater to.
• What they charge for their services.
• What competitive advantages and disadvantages do they have.

This section of your business plan is where everything comes together. Think of it as a road map to success that outlines your:

• Financial objectives: Create financial goals that take into account your projected profits and investors.
• Pricing: You can’t expect to profit just by pricing your services high. You’ll have to consider your hourly rate, how much you’re paying your employees, overhead for equipment, taxes, and additional fees. You may need to consider pricing your services lower for your first few customers. Use this pricing formula to get started.

Operational objectives: Create short and long-term objectives that break down your mission and vision into actionable goals. For instance, if you want to increase brand loyalty, your goals might be to engage clients or improve customer service channels.

This part of your business plan should outline how you intend to market and sell your products and services. Ultimately, it should provide a summary of your:

• Marketing strategies .
• Pricing plans.
• Competitive advantage.
• Sales strategies.

You can also use this information to ensure you’re not spending more than you can afford. Once you’ve determined your financial goals, you can identify how many potential customers you’ll need to meet them.

Not sure where to start? Try these lawn care marketing ideas .

As your company grows, so will your need for more employees. In most cases, labor costs take anywhere between 30-35% of your revenue. To keep these costs down, you’ll need a strategy for improving productivity, efficiency, and communication. 

Before you start hiring more employees, you’ll want to consider: 

• How much you should pay yourself and your employees.
• How many employees you need to achieve your business goals.
• How much work load can one employee handle per day.

This stage of your business plan is where investing in lawn care software might come in handy. These programs can automate repetitive administrative tasks and keep everyone on your team accountable. This allows you and your admin team to focus on adding value to the business instead of doing menial, repetitive tasks. 

If maintaining regular employees ends up costing your business too much, you might want to enlist contracting services instead. Working with specialists on a contract basis can reduce your overall costs, as you’ll pay for labor only when you need it. 

Finally, it’s time to think about how you will bring revenue into your business. Especially if you are applying for a lawn care business grant, you’ll want to make this section as detailed as possible. Your financial plan should outline: 

• Financial statements (and an analysis of them).
• Sales forecasts.
• Personnel costs.
• Overall budget.
• Cash flow projections (incoming and outgoing costs).

Lawn care business plan FAQs

Starting a lawn care and landscape company from the ground up is no easy feat. Having a lawn mowing business plan in place can make the process far more manageable. You can create one by following these steps:

• Decide what kind of lawn care and landscape company you want to run. Knowing what kind of services you want to offer can help narrow your customer base and influence the rest of your decision-making processes. 
• Study your target market and direct competition. Consider whether you have potential clients in your area or if other services might suit them better. Be realistic about how many prospective clients you can serve per month. Then, create a competitor analysis and think about your competitive edge – what can you offer that they can’t? Where can you get ahead of the game?
• Think about how much work you can do in a day and how much you’ll charge for it. If you’re going into the landscaping industry as a sole proprietor, you may have to invest in legal and accounting services. If you’re not quite ready to hire regular employees, you can work with specialists on a contractual basis.
• Consider your potential income and expenses. Create best and worst-case scenarios for each month and what you’ll need to do to break even on your costs. Consider factors like business insurance, tax deposits, maintenance and storage fees, and accounting. 

How much you pay for business insurance will depend on the services you offer and the risks involved. For general liability insurance, which covers property damage and employee injuries, you can expect to pay an average of $45 per month. However, you may need to purchase more insurance depending on how you operate your business.

Some policies only cover claims on a per-occurrence limit, restricting coverage to only one incident. If your business is growing, you may have to expand policy limits. 

Furthermore, you’ll also have to get commercial auto insurance, which costs lawn care and landscaping companies an average of $150 per month. If you employ company-owned vehicles, this type of insurance is necessary. Otherwise, you can purchase hired and non-owned auto insurance for rented vehicles.

How much your lawn care and landscaping company can earn each year will depend on what type of services you offer and how broad your customer base is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , average landscapers’ salaries can range between $33,000 – 73,000. However, top performers can expect to earn up to $97,910 a year.

Whether or not starting a lawn care and landscaping company is worth it will rely on the pros outweighing the cons. For instance, if you’re operating out of an area that requires lawn care services year-round, starting a business might seem logical. However, some contractual landscapers choose not to start a business because of the seasonal nature of lawn care and the economic risks involved. However, creating a lawn care and landscaping company also comes with high earning potential. It all depends on how much work you’re willing to put into your business and how prepared you are.

There are many effective channels for generating potential lawn care leads. Some of the best ways to obtain potential clients fast are through:

• Paid advertising.
• Social media marketing.
• Referral systems.
• Subcontracting.
• Collaborating with key industry players.
• User-generated content and testimonials.
• Investing in organic search.
• Word-of-mouth.

If this is your first time looking for customers, don’t hesitate to ask your family and friends – they might even promote your business to other people who need your services. We’ve also put together some lawn care ad ideas to help you get started.

Starting a lawn care and landscaping company takes a lot of work. However, crafting a detailed lawn care business plan can help you get ahead of your competitors and stand out as an industry leader. Using these tips, you can worry less about how much starting a business will cost you and focus more on high-earning business tactics that will make your hard work pay off!

Take your lawn care business plan to new heights with Method:Field Services !

Image credit: Alvaro Reyes via Unsplash

About The Author

Sarah Iranca

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How To Create a Lawn Care Business Plan

A business plan is one of the most vital tools for any business that wishes to be successful within their industry. Whether you are the owner of a retail store, an e-commerce business, or a lawn care service provider, you will need a well-developed business plan, and we’ll show you how to create one.

Your business plan can help you gauge the current state and capabilities of your company, and establish a path for future growth. Drafting a business plan for your lawn care startup is considered a good business practice that will considerably increase the chances of longevity for your company down the road.

Even a simple lawn care business plan can take a small startup business to the next level. (That’s how we at Lawn Love grew from an idea to a plan to a company with lawn care pros and customers across the country.)

The purpose of a business plan is to lay down a path for your business to follow and help make decisions and eventually grow.

Your business plan will also be valuable if you ever need to look for potential investors. Entrepreneurs should not be intimidated by creating a business plan; there are dozens of templates available online to follow. Your plan can be simple and does not need to be outside of your abilities.

Your business plan can and should evolve over time. As your business continues to grow, the service you offer or the areas you serve may need to expand, thus your business plan will expand with it.

Key elements of a business plan

To create an effective lawn care business plan, several key elements should be included:

Company summary

Services offered, market analysis, company strategy, personnel plan, financial plan.

Each element contains a breadth of information that will ensure your company stays on a successful path. An effective lawn care service business plan will encompass each of these aspects.

Consider a sample business plan for lawn care services to see how to incorporate each of these aspects. A quick Google search for “free sample business plan” will show you tons of results and give you the inspiration you need to get started.

If you own a lawn care company, a business plan may be just what you need to grow your company.

An important element that should be incorporated into your business plan is a detailed summary of your company. In this section, it is important to highlight and identify the industry you intend to service, the company’s ownership, the finances and assets, and who runs the daily operations.

Documenting this information within your business plan will prevent a lot of issues that could arise in the future. For example, if you are going into business with a partner, a business plan can ensure you both start off on the right foot; as well as maintain the arrangements that were agreed upon.

This section of the business plan also outlines the company’s assets and start-up costs. For lawn care companies, this aspect is crucial as you should account for the costs of your equipment and any other tools you may need ahead of time.

Another aspect of a business plan that should be incorporated is a list of services you intend to provide to your clients, based on your equipment and the market. A sample lawn care business plan may include trimming, landscaping, gardening, and other types of yard work.

You also will want to analyze the area (or market) you intend to serve, as your services offered can change over time. In addition to researching your top competitors, business owners should also become familiar with the needs of the market and the customers you will be serving.

For example, it is recommended that business owners research their ideal customer and their demographics. Incorporating this information into your business plan will ensure your company maintains focus on the target market.

Another key element to include in your business plan is the company’s strategy. This aspect of the business plan notates how your company intends to progress forward and operate.

For example, a sample business plan for lawn care service may include the pricing of services and your marketing techniques. This section of your business plan will also reference how you intend to spread the word about your business.

You may also want to consider how you plan to interact with your customer base and obtain feedback.

You’re also going to want to incorporate a personnel plan. Before you start your company, it is recommended that you have an outline of your hiring needs. While you may save money by fulfilling several of the roles within your company, as time progresses you may need assistance to keep up with production.

For example, a sample lawn care business plan may include the need for additional staff members. Realizing the strength in numbers, this team will develop a higher production rate.

You also need a financial plan for your lawn care businessas. Your financial plan should include a sales forecast, your personnel costs, and a budget for your expenses.

Whether you project these figures for next year or the next five years, having a plan for the financial future of your company is a necessity.

The easiest way to do this is with a spreadsheet software like Excel or Google sheets. Contacting a financial adviser may be easiest for you if you don’t have experience with these tools.

Get help with your business plan

You also can look to other professionals for assistance with developing a solid business plan. Consider reaching out to a local business manager to have a business plan developed for your lawn care company.

From clothing retailers to lawn care companies, a business plan is an essential tool for successful companies. Even a simple lawn care business plan can help your company excel.

While many business owners may dread the task, there are a multitude of resources that will help simplify the process. For example, business owners can fill in their information on a lawn care business plan template.

A lawn care business plan example can provide you with a guide to follow.

Lawn Love also can help you plan and grow your lawn care business. Our platform serves up more jobs near you, so you can mow more lawns per day and spend less time behind your windshield and less gas going from job to job. We handle the scheduling, accounting, billing, and collections. too. Signup with Lawn Love is easy . With just a few clicks and a background check, you’ll get access to loads more mowing jobs in the area where you live and work.

Main Photo Credit: Pinnacle Pictures / Canva Pro / License

How to Start a Lawn Care Business

A lawn care business offers the services of cutting grass lawns, trimming around the edges, removal of debris, and maintenance of turf, which includes fertilization, weed control, and pest control. Most lawn care businesses offer regular service on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule depending on the maintenance needs of the customers. Services may be offered to residential customers, commercial customers, or both.

You may also be interested in additional low cost business ideas .

Learn how to start your own Lawn Care Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a lawn care business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Lawn Care Business
• Form your Lawn Care Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Lawn Care Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Lawn Care Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Lawn Care Business
• Get Lawn Care Business Insurance
• Define your Lawn Care Business Brand
• Create your Lawn Care Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your lawn care business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Lawn Care Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your lawn care business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a lawn care business.

The costs include obtaining a simple business license, equipment, supplies, promotional signage, flyers, business cards, a website, Internet connection, and having a pickup truck (monthly lease or purchase). You can have very modest liability insurance for this business; however, you will need to pay for worker’s compensation insurance if you hire employees. A typical start-up budget for an owner/operator business with no assistants is under $3,000 and consists of:

• Mower - $500
• Trimmer - $200
• Leaf Blower - $200
• Hand tools - $100
• Gasoline Can - $25
• Oil and Gasoline - $20 per tank needed.
• Promotional Signage (to put on sides of truck) - $100 for magnetic signs
• Flyers - $50
• Business Cards - $25
• Website Creation – Free to $500
• Internet Services (website registration, hosting, and Internet connection) - $50 to $75 per month
• Insurance $50 to $200 per month
• Pickup Truck Lease - Nothing down with good credit, $299 per month plus $100 per month for insurance

Read our lawn care business purchasing guide to learn about the materials and equipment you'll need to start a lawn care business, how much to budget, and where to make purchases.

What are the ongoing expenses for a lawn care business?

The ongoing expenses include labor cost, truck and equipment maintenance, and operating expenses. A typical monthly expense budget for a small operation with a home-based office (rent free) would be:

• Labor (per assistant) – Minimum wage up to $15 per hour.
• Employee Taxes - 7.65% up to about 15% of the wages paid (depending on the state)
• Telephone/Internet Connection - $50 to $100 per month
• Promotional Flyers/Business cards - $75 per month
• Insurance - $50 to $200 per month
• Truck - $299 per month
• Truck Insurance $100 per month
• Gas - $200 per month
• Equipment Maintenance - $50 per month

Who is the target market?

Long-term customers who are willing to sign up for ongoing automatic payments are the best. These customers allow you to plan your budget far in advance. Local businesses can also be excellent customers, as they typically are willing to pay more for your services than residential customers, and they are more likely to request regular service. Big operations with lots of lawns are excellent customers, such as hospitals, office buildings, shopping malls, and schools. However; many have their own lawn maintenance crews, and landing a big contract like that can be difficult, because this business is highly competitive.

How does a lawn care business make money?

These businesses charge a monthly service fee for the basic lawn maintenance service and earn additional revenues for any special services provided such as installing new grass sod, fertilization, and winter preparation.

There are many undocumented workers in the lawn care business, and, whether you like it or not, you will be competing against them. Such companies are usually undocumented, pay workers less than minimum wage, have no insurance, and do not pay taxes. Legitimate companies charge at least 150% minimum wage for the amount of time each worker is on their customer’s site. S,o for example, if the minimum wage is $10 per hour, the charges would be based on a rate of $15 per hour. A set charge per month is usually around $25 for a simple residential lawn that takes under two hours to cut. A commercial business might pay more because of the time needed to cut the lawn.

How much profit can a lawn care business make?

Lawn care alone, on a small scale, is not a highly profitable business. Competition is severe because of the low cost of entry and the lack of sophisticated skills needed for this business. Most of the small operators who work in this business do so in order to make a decent living when compared to taking a regular job instead. Typical owner/operators, who work alone and are successful, work very hard to make $30,000 to $50,000 per year. To make more money, a business owner needs to run more than a single crew, and offer additional services to existing customers.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Besides cutting and maintaining lawns, a lawn service business may offer additional services such as snow removal (in colder climate areas) and landscaping. Landscaping is a different, yet related business. It includes the installation of pavers, walkways, sidewalks, and retaining walls. It also includes installing water features (ponds, fountains, and waterfalls) and planting trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your lawn care business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

In most states, it is necessary to obtain a Lawn Service license. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Services Contract

Lawn care businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions.  Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your lawn care business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Lawn Care Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Lawn Care Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a lawn care business

Promotional signage on the truck(s) used for the business is important. If possible, when the truck is not in use, park it on a street with lots of traffic in a place that is highly visible. Using door-to-door distribution of discount promotional flyers to residences and business is also an effective way to advertise your business. Hand out your business cards to everyone you meet. If possible, put a promotional sign on all the lawns that you maintain that has your contact information on it. Make sure you have an attractive website that uses the best practices for search engine optimization (SEO) to have a good rank on the search engine results page for local searches.

How to keep customers coming back

Many new customers will come from word-of-mouth from your existing customers, so be sure to do a great job that pleases your customers. Show up on time according to the scheduled work and always clean up meticulously before leaving the job. Never leave a job partially finished or poorly maintained. Check in with customers regularly just to see if there is anything extra they need you to do.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

The people who succeed in this business enjoy working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. The temperature varies depending on the seasons. At times during the summer, it may be very hot in certain locations. This work requires enough physical strength and stamina to be able to lift heavy equipment in and out of a pickup truck and to push the lawn cutting equipment around the yard. People who are friendly and like to talk with people usually are more likely to get customers. It helps to have a good eye for details and to be meticulous in the maintenance work in order to do a good job that customers appreciate.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a lawn care business?

The days start very early. Before going to the customer’s job sites, the equipment needs to be inspected and to make sure it is in proper working order. Typical activities of this type are cleaning the mowers and sharpening the cutting blades. Additionally, all equipment that uses gasoline needs to be filled with a mixture of gasoline and the appropriate amount of oil required. After all the equipment has been checked, the trucks are loaded and the crews (if any) are assembled and given the day’s job orders that have been prepared in advance. The rest of the day is spent working at customers’ job sites. Naturally, any problems that come up, like truck breakdowns or equipment troubles, need to be dealt with. When the crew(s) return to the office, they should fill out a report of the work completed, making note of any special conditions or requests by the customers. This information is added to the system for billing purposes, and to help in the preparation of future job orders for those customers. At the end of the day, equipment should be cleaned and checked for damage to see if it needs repairs. For some owner/operators, these can be very long work days, until they can hire enough crew to reduce their workload.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful lawn care business?

One way to attract customers is to make your own lawn look spectacular. By practicing on your own lawn you will be able to learn the skills needed to keep a lawn in perfect condition. All of the information is readily available on the Internet, which enables any person interested in this business to be self-taught and to improve their skills.

What is the growth potential for a lawn care business?

Many operations start out with a single person, perhaps one helper, and a single pickup truck. The ability to expand depends on the acquisition of more equipment and being able to hire more crew members. There are very large commercial companies in this business that serve an expansive area. There are national companies as well. Realty Biz gives a list of the top 50 lawn care companies in the USA. TrueGreen is the largest lawn care company in America. They are headquartered in Memphis and serve over 1.7 million residential and commercial customers from multiple locations across the country. If you add landscaping services, ValleyCrest Landscape Companies is the biggest in the USA with international operations also. They have over 100 locations, more than 10,000 employees, and earn over US$1 billion in revenues each year.

Not sure if a lawn care business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a lawn care business?

Many people get their start in this business by simply cutting lawns for their neighbors. That makes this business the perfect entry-level business for young people. There are no educational requirements or certifications necessary.

How and when to build a team

Many start out as single workers and owner/operators and then add one assistant when the workload increases. You can hire additional crew if the jobs can be found and the necessary equipment is available. Expansion requires capturing more jobs, having available workers, sufficient equipment, and open work-time slots for scheduling. Make sure to hire documented workers because it is dangerous to use undocumented workers and there are hefty fines ($2,000 per person).

Useful Links

Truic resources.

• TRUiC's Lawn Care Business Purchasing Guide

Industry Opportunities

• National Association of Landscape Professionals
• Lawn Care Directory

Real World Examples

• Small Michigan-based lawn care business
• Large, national lawn care business

Further Reading

• Sample business plan
• Magazine catering to the turf and landscape industry

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

How to Start a Lawn Care Business: A Step-by-Step Guide [2023]

FieldRoutes helps field service companies simplify, scale, and grow.

How to Start a $133K/Month Lawn Care Business

• 12 months ago

Did you know starting a lawn care business could make you over $100K in your first year?

Mike Andes started Augusta Lawn Care when he was just a teenager, and today he has grown it into one of the top franchising companies in the U.S. In fact, his lawn care business model is so successful that the average Augusta Lawn Care business makes over $37K per month.

We’ll share marketing and business strategies that will help you build a successful lawn service company.

Click on any of the links below to learn about starting a lawn care company, or just read on.

Step 1. What to Know Before Starting a Lawn Mowing Business

Step 2. what type of lawn care business is right for you, step 3. write a lawn care business plan, step 4. consider lawn care names, step 5. how to start a lawn care business legally, step 6. set up your lawn care business finances, step 7. establish safety protocols for lawn care services, step 8. get equipment and software, step 9. develop a sales and marketing strategy, step 10. hire employees, step 11. a successful lawn care business documents processes.

Get ready to learn how to start your own lawn care business.

It’s helpful to understand the lawn care industry before entering it. Get ready to learn about lawn mowing.

Learn About The Lawn Care Industry

According to IBIS World, lawn care is part of landscaping under NAIC code 56173. The industry makes over $176.5 billion in revenue and $15.4 billion in profit, or an 8.7% profit margin. In addition there are more than 648,000 businesses with more than one million combined employees. 

Is There Money In Lawn Care Business?

Yes. According to Augusta Lawn Care, 93% of their franchises make over $10K in the first 60 days. The average landscaping company also makes nearly $273,000 in revenue per year (but you’ll need some employees to make that much because revenue per employee tends to be around $130K). 

When calculating your lawn care business income potential in your business plan (which we’ll cover in detail in a moment), keep the assumptions under $130K per employee. Lenders will question how your lawn care operations make more than that. Be prepared to explain how you expect to make more than the typical business owner when you start a landscaping business.

How Much Do Lawn Mowers Make?

The median wage for a lawn care professional is around $16.55/ hour, or $34.5K per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . In addition, business owners typically make an additional $11,310 in profit per employee, based on an 8.7% profit. 

Mike told us there are really 3 revenue thresholds that are hard to cross:

I don’t care how hard you work. You can’t make more than about $500K by yourself.

Check out our interview with him below.

The other two levels are $250K and $1M in revenue. Find out more about how to exceed those levels later in the article.

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Lawn Care Business?

You can start a lawn mowing business for less than $1,000. Mike told us:

When we started, we started with $1,000 to buy a blower, a weed eater, and a lawn mower.

We also asked him about starting a lawn care business with no money. He had great advice:

If I had zero dollars, I would walk down the street and I would look for the people who need work done that doesn’t need tools. Picking up leaves, picking up debris, and other stuff that we can [do to] make the thousand [to buy] the tools.

Skills For A Lawn Care Business 

Starting a lawn care business doesn’t require a lot of skills. You need to understand how to use lawn care equipment like a lawn mower, edger, and weedwacker—but all of these products are fairly easy to use. The most important skills are understanding safety.

IMPORTANT: If you want an in-depth tutorial on how to start a lawn care business, check out Mike’s course . He’ll walk you through setting up everything you need for a new business, including the automations and marketing to get more customers and save money. 

Lawn Care Education

Most lawn care businesses don’t require education, but if you’re starting a lawn care design business or offering arborist services , you’ll want to be educated on more than just offering landscaping services like lawn mowing, weed pulling, and tree trimming. You can learn more about plants by studying the native species in your area on sites like:

• Landscape Management
• AmericanHort
• Lawn & Landscape
• National Association of Landscape Professionals

Not-So-Technical Skills

The key to Mike’s success is how he measures success. He told us:

I went to Africa for 6 weeks when I was younger and saw how happy they were. That taught me to measure success by how happy I am and how happy the people around me are.

He adds value to his lawn care services by:

• Being personable
• Learning customers’ names
• Sharing lawn care tricks with customers

Just showing up and providing quality services is enough to get you further than most lawn care businesses.

Mike told us:

Customers prefer over-communication rather than under-communication.

Does starting a lawn care business sound like something you want to get into? Then keep reading because there are all types of lawn care companies.

Lawn care business owners have different options of what services they provide. You might want to consider some of these services as your core business:

• Landscape care and maintenance
• Lawn mowing
• Tree trimming
• Weed pulling
• Arborist services
• Fertilizing lawns
• Landscape installation
• Planting trees and shrubs
• Spraying lawns
• Landscape design
• Turf installation

Invoice Owl has a great blog about these lawn care services and more.

You can start a lawn care business from home and make great money, but a lawn care business plan is your roadmap to long-term success.

Business plan sections are pretty standard. Make sure to include:

• Lawn care insurance
• Competitive analysis of lawn care companies in your area
• Lawn care equipment
• Financial projections
• Your serviceable location
• Lawn care business licenses and permits
• Marketing plan
• Strategies to make money

And the best part is that UpFlip’s guide steers you through writing a business plan, including a free template to download. It’s worth your time to check it out. We even discussed business plans with Mike.

Writing the business plan, you’ll do lots of research on how to start lawn care business operations.

Perform Market Research

You can’t talk about how to start a lawn mowing business idea without talking about identifying ideal customers and creating a customer persona. 

Mike made it really easy for people to know the target market when you start lawn care business operations. It’s really simple. You need to target:

• Homeowners and commercial clients (Mike sticks to residential.)
• People who make over $100,000 per year
• People who live within a 5 mile radius

You can use the census.gov website to narrow down what areas can afford your standard and specialized services.

Choosing a business name is an exciting part of starting a lawn care business. Enjoy being creative, but consider the following points:

• Include  “lawn care”: You want people to know what you do. Augusta Lawn Care has it right in the name.
• Easy and clear: Potential customers may be put off by a name they struggle to spell or pronounce. Keep it simple.
• Location: Consider including your location to attract customers in your area and establish yourself within the local region.
• Branding: Mike explained how important branding is to a business name. “Augusta” is named after the golf tournament because he wants to allude to the high quality greens where the tournament occurs. He warned about being too particular about that because he used white uniforms like the golf caddies, and that was a big mistake. Check out our interview about branding below.

Make Sure The Business Name Is Available

Run your name through our business name generator , then click on the name to buy it directly from NameCheap. While you’re doing that, check out our guide on creating a website .

Lawn care services will need to comply with local, state, and federal laws. You’ll need the following:

• Limited Liability Company (or Other Business Structure)
• Business License
• Business Bank Account
• Business Insurance

Keep reading to find out more.

Business Structure 

There are several types of business structures you may want to use. You can file for most of them on the Secretary of State website for your state.

• S-Corporation : Best for high-earning companies that want to lower business owner taxes. Limited number of stockholders, provides personal liability protection, requires business owners to receive salary (and optional dividends), no double taxation.
• C-Corporation : Best for companies trying to change the world. Unlimited stockholders, provides personal liability protection, high compliance costs, and double taxation. Business owners can earn money through multiple income streams with different tax codes.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) : Best for companies that want to separate business entities from personal assets. A Limited Liability Company provides limited liability, pass-through income, and no double taxation.
• Sole Proprietorship : Best to just get started. Doesn’t provide liability protection or create a separate business entity, and is considered personal income. Don’t use a sole proprietorship if you hire employees.

To learn more about business formats, check out our blog on 11 business structures . 

Get a Lawn Care Business License

You’ll also want to get your business licensed. Some states let you do it all at once. 

Lastly, don’t forget to grab an employer identification number from the IRS . It’s like a social security number for your business.

Open A Business Bank Account

Every lawn care business needs to open a business bank account to separate your business and personal finances. Business bank accounts can be either online or from physical banks and credit unions.

Online banks tend to have better offers, but they might not offer the range of business credit card accounts you can open in the legacy banking system. If credit accounts or making cash deposits are important to you, go with the legacy banks. Learn more .

Lawn Care Professionals Need Business Insurance

You’ll want to get lawn care business insurance including:

• General liability insurance
• Property damage insurance
• Workers compensation insurance
• Cyber Security Insurance (since you have people’s credit cards, names, and addresses)

Consider Simply Business to get the most competitive business insurance quotes.

Let’s talk numbers. You already have a budget from your business plan, and know what the industry profit margins are. How are you going to get the money for starting lawn care business operations?

As a new business owner, you’ll need to cover your startup costs.  Landscaping businesses have a low barrier to entry with less than $1,000 to get started, but funding is an important step. Try business financing through one of our partners. Other landscaping businesses have started small businesses with:

• Credit cards
• Angel investors
• Crowdfunding
• Business partner(s)
• Grants for starting a lawn care business (Yes, there are some !)
• Home equity loan
• Friends or family
• Personal finance through savings or wages
• Rollover for business startups ( ROBS )

For those wondering how to start a lawn care business with no money, Mike offers a work-to-franchise opportunity. Work for an Augusta Lawn Care franchise for 2 years, and you can open your own landscaping business without paying a franchise fee.

Check out his explanation below.

Lawn Care Pricing Chart 2023

Lawn care professionals can charge based on a variety of factors:

• Lawn mowing prices per hour : $25-$65
• Lawn mowing prices per square foot : $.01-$.05

Jobber created a table that has the average cost of lawn care services. Some of the specialty services can run into the thousands.

Create a basic lawn care price sheet after you’ve decided how much to charge. Download our template .

Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) created a safety manual for lawn care business owners. It’s a great resource, and it would be wise to use it as a model for your lawn care service.

Equipment and supplies for lawn care businesses vary in price and utility. Let’s look at some of the tools you might need.

Necessary Equipment 

The right lawn care equipment will vary based on the services you offer. Most businesses will need:

• Work Vehicle: Mike recommends buying used trucks because lawn care business owners can lose a lot of money on lawn care company vehicles if they buy new. We’ll show you why in the costs section below.
• Small Lawn Care Trailer Setup : Make sure you have a truck or trailer large enough to carry all your equipment. Mike uses Ramprack .
• Lawn Mower : You can choose either a riding lawn mower or a push mower. A riding mower is easier to operate, but a push lawn mower is less expensive. Mike uses Greenworks .
• Blower : You’ll need something for blowing leaves.
• Trash bags : To collect the debris from your push mower.
• Trimming equipment : You’ll need trimmers if you trim bushes.
• Weed eater : Weed eaters and edgers are helpful for those hard to cut areas around fences and curbs.
• Specialty Equipment : Depending on the services you offer, you might need other equipment. As a seasonal business, you might supplement your income by performing jobs like snow removal or Christmas light hanging that require other tools.

For those of you who have never mowed lawns, please learn how to start a lawn mower before taking on jobs. It would be really embarrassing to get to jobs and then your customers review your business online with a review like this:

In addition to the tools to do the job, you’ll also need software to run the business.

For more advice on equipment and setting up a lawncare business, watch this interview with Mike: 

Software for Starting a Lawn Care Business

A lawn business will need some software to manage potential and existing customers. You might want to check into some of the providers that Mike uses.

• Service Autopilot : This is customer relationship management (CRM) software specifically for lawn care businesses.
• Clearent : You’ll need a payment processor, and since Clearent is built by the same company as Service Autopilot, they’ll work together seamlessly.
• Quickbooks: You’ll want accounting software. Most business owners go with Quickbooks because almost every software company integrates with them.  

When you start your own lawn care business, you should expect the following costs. These numbers were calculated by using the industry and sector numbers from IBIS World as benchmarks. I assumed there was 1 employee, the business owner.

As you can see, a lawn business can either have high profit margins or fail to become a profitable business if they fail to control three main expenses:

• Labor : Notice in the example above, the business owner is giving themselves a nearly $73K salary and not leaving any money for the business.
• Purchases : Looks like the business owner in the high model was spending on some extravagant tools, while the low cost model was managing business expenses.
• Other Costs : The other costs could include taxes, interest payments, and more. That’s why many business owners discourage loans.

You’ll want a sales and marketing strategy when you are pursuing residential or commercial customers for your lawn care company. You’ll want to implement some or all of the following tactics when starting a lawn mower business.

• Create a Lawn Care Business Website

Use Social Media

• Create Lawn Care Business Ads
• Sign Up With Registries for Local Businesses
• Create a Lawn Mowing Business Card
• Print Lawn Mowing Door Hangers and Mailers
• Ask for Reviews and Referrals

Your sales and marketing strategy will be the foundation for your automation. As Mike told us:

To get to $1 million in sales, you’ll have to automate processes.

Create a Lawn Care Website

We already mentioned creating a website, but make sure to implement search engine optimization to get better results. At UpFlip, we use SurferSEO and Ahrefs . You can also perform a quick test to check how your website is performing.

Instead of spending time scrolling through social media, make it work for your business! Create social media accounts and share your lawn care service prices, useful information, and information about how to care for lawns. Facebook and Instagram provide free insights for business accounts, plus you can create paid ads. 

Use Paid Ads

Mike told us he loves using paid ads on Google and social media platforms. Small business owners should definitely use them. He told us:

Paid ads are amazing because you can turn them on and off to control the flow of leads. When you have a period that looks like it will be low cash flow, turn [the ads] on and you’re making money again.

Register With Local Business Directories

When you’re wondering how to start a mowing business, you might not think about the sites you can register to get reputable backlinks and referrals to your business. You’ll want to list your services on:

• Google Business Profile

Check out Hubspot’s list of over 50 business directories .

Get Lawn Mower Business Cards

You’ll want to market your lawn care business and one of the easiest ways to do it is to give a couple business cards to clients so they can give them to their friends. Check out our blog about the best low-cost business cards .

Print Door Hangers and Mailers

Consider creating mailers, brochures, car magnets, flyers, t-shirts, and other promotional swag as a way of getting your name out there. Use an application like Canva to help. 

Several business owners we have talked to suggest leaving one on each of your client’s neighbors’ doorknobs or mailing them an offer to do their lawn next time you’re in the neighborhood.

Get Reviews to Feed the Crews

Don’t forget reviews! They’re a cost-effective way to appeal to customers online. Many companies like Housecall Pro automate asking for reviews to make it easy for customers to let people know they loved your service.

Mike emphasized that everything you do has the ability to bring in new customers. Make sure that you’re always doing everything you can to make the experience of working with you a positive one for customers.

Many lawn care entrepreneurs hire lawn care employees for their lawn care company to grow. Mike told us you will run yourself ragged by the time you make $250K if you don’t hire additional lawn care pros. He also explained:

To get to $500K, you need a second crew and admin team. The business owner needs to be full time sales.

Hiring is such a huge subject that I suggest checking out our blog about how to hire employees .

At this point you know how to start a lawn mowing business, but if you want really amazing results, then you’ll need to pay attention to the next step.

Establish good processes that scale easily and that others can follow. You’ll need them to scale your successful lawn care business. Use Lucidchart to document a process map . Mike told us:

At this stage the majority of my time is spent increasing awareness of the business. My team has to run everything so I had to create workflows that would make it easy for them.

Here are the basic steps for documenting a process:

• Decide what process to map.
• Document who performs each task.
• List all steps.
• Identify where you can save time.
• Determine the triggers, inputs, and outputs.
• Create the main path, then map out alternative flows.
• Implement the process.

Are You Ready to Start Your Own Lawn Care Business?

Now you know answers to questions like:

• How to start lawn care business operations
• How much does lawn care cost?
• Do I need a business license for lawn care?

Best of all, you’ve got insights from someone who knows how to do it and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the U.S.

How can we help you succeed at your goal to start a successful lawn care company? Let us know in the comments below!

Brandon Boushy

Brandon Boushy lives to improve people’s lives by helping them become successful entrepreneurs. His journey started nearly 30 years ago. He consistently excelled at everything he did, but preferred to make the rules rather than follow him. His exploration of self and knowledge has helped him to get an engineering degree, MBA, and countless certifications. When freelancing and rideshare came onto the scene, he recognized the opportunity to play by his own rules. Since 2017, he has helped businesses across all industries achieve more with his research, writing, and marketing strategies. Since 2021, he has been the Lead Writer for UpFlip where he has published over 170 articles on small business success.

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Lawn Care Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Lawn Care Business Plan

If you want to start a lawn care company or expand your current lawn maintenance business, you need a business plan.

You can download our Lawn Care Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

The following sample lawn care business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning lawn care business plan. It can be used to create a business plan for a landscaping business, a lawn mowing business plan and a landscaping design business plan.

Sample Lawn Service Business Plan

Below is a free sample of each of the key sections of your lawn care business plan.

I. Executive Summary

Business overview.

[Company Name] provides a professional all-season lawn care service for suburban residences in [Location]. It also offers its lawn maintenance services to various businesses in the area that need landscaping and lawn maintenance.

The company was founded by [Founder’s Name] in [Year established]. [First Name] started the company with a vision to help the local community see the beauty of professional landscaping and how important it is for the environment.

They are not only experts in decorative landscaping, but also in vegetable gardening and sprinkler systems. They also specialize in lawn problems; from weeds, crab gass, or dry grass in summer.

Products Served

Below is [Company Name]’s initial services list:

• Landscape design
• Arborist Services
• Tree Trimming and Stump removal
• Commercial Landscaping
• Residential lawn care
• Weed control
• Vegetable Gardening
• Lawn Sprinkler Services

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will serve the residents of [location] and will soon expand to the surrounding cities. The area we serve is mostly populated by moderate to high income families that live in residential houses who are in need of proper landscape maintenance. These residents are able to pay for quality lawn care and landscaping services any time of the year.

The location is also a prime spot for big hotels, resorts, golf clubs (clubhouses), recreational spaces, and companies that will need our services as well.

Management Team

The [Company Name] was founded by [Founder’s Name]. [First Name] has started working in the Landscaping industry at a very young age. His/her love for the environment and for design has pushed himself/herself to study at [insert university] and become a professional landscape architect. [First Name] also just finished taking up a second degree in business management.

Success Factors

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• [Company Name] will fill a specific market niche in the growing community we are entering. In addition, we have surveyed the local population and received extremely positive feedback saying that they explicitly want to make use of our services when launched.
• Our location is in a high-wealth area where customers are in need of lawn care services and have the disposable income to pay for these services.
• The management team has a track record of success in the lawn care business.
• The local area is currently under served and residents rely on independent lawn caretakers.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is seeking total funding of $295,000 of debt capital to launch. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, purchasing equipment and materials needed, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Store design/build: $180,000
• Equipments and Materials: $115,000
• Working capital: $100,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] is cash-flow positive

II. Company Overview

You can download our Landscaping Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Who is [Company Name]?

[Company Name] provides a professional all-season lawn care service for suburban residences in [Location]. It also offers its services to various businesses in the area that need landscaping and lawn care services.

[Company Name]’s History

[Founder’s Name], the founder of [Company Name] started very young in the landscaping and lawn care business. Ever since [First Name] was still in his college years, he was working part-time in a small landscaping company and earning a few bucks off of the lawnmower he has borrowed from his neighbor. Only in [Month and Year established], did he realize that this is what he wanted to pursue, to start his own lawn care business that cares for the environment and the community.

Through years of hard work and practice, he/she was able to grow his/her business to be one of the most popular all-season landscaping businesses in [Location] and is looking to expand to surrounding areas in the coming years.

Since incorporation, the company has achieved the following milestones:

• Developed the company’s name, logo and website located at [Add Website]
• Built a local office in [Insert location]
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Gathered local contacts and potential clients
• Employed a team that handles all the administrative and marketing aspects of the business.
• Employed full time expert landscapers

[Company Name]’s Products/Services

Iii. industry analysis.

The Lawn Care industry is dependent on the health of the housing and property markets, both of which have grown steadily over the past five years. Additionally, because landscaping services are often discretionary, industry demand is dependent on levels of per capita disposable income and, thus, the high-income demographic, which generates a healthy portion of its revenue. The industry also relies on demand from institutional and commercial clients, which generally lead to higher per-service revenue.

Steady growth in the domestic housing market has underpinned the industry’s growth over the past five years. A healthier housing market has encouraged current homeowners to invest in their properties to increase their value amid growing disposable income.

Over the next five years, favorable economic conditions will benefit the industry, such as rising per capita disposable income that will boost households’ ability to purchase industry services. Nonresidential construction activity is expected to climb steadily, making this market a point of emphasis for growth

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name] will serve the residents of [location] and will soon expand to the surrounding cities. The area we serve is mostly populated by middle to upper-class families that live in residential houses who are in need of a lawn mowing business. These residents are able to pay for quality lawn care and landscaping services any time of the year.

Customer Segmentation

The company targets the following customer segments:

• Homeowners and Renters: The majority of the population in (location) lives in residential houses with yards and lawns. Since most of these people have disposable income, they don’t usually do their lawn maintenance themselves and usually spend their money for services like ours. We expect to regularly acquire new customers from referrals.
• Businesses and Public Spaces: [Location] is known for being a city that values the environment. That’s why most, if not all of the establishments here have green spaces allocated only for plants and trees. We will get in touch with these companies and perhaps also the local government to propose our offer to take care of their landscaping needs. We expect to execute long-term contracts with these companies, thus having stable clientele.
• Recreational Spaces: The city is home to a lot of recreational spaces like resorts, hotels and golf clubs that depend highly on great landscaping. This is something [company name] specializes in and hence, can offer their services to these spaces as well.

V. Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors.

Lawn Man Established in 1970, Lawn Man is a locally owned and operated lawn care professional service providing environmentally responsible fertilization, weed control and integrated pest management services for customers in the Northeast. Services offered by Lawn Man Man include:

• Lawn Fertilization
• Weed Control Service
• Surface Insect Control
• Lawn Disease Control

H&K Landscaping

Founded in 1974, H&K Landscaping is a full-service lawn care, landscaping & irrigation company serving the East Coast. In addition to lawn care and irrigation installation, the company offers total lawn and landscape restoration and construction. Services offered by H&K Landscaping Landscaping include:

• Landscape Design and Installation
• Shrub & Tree Care
• Landscape Maintenance

Escamilla Landscaping

Escamilla Landscaping is a family-owned and -operated landscaping company that specializes in creating elegant outdoor living spaces. It offers a variety of services for both commercial and residential clients, providing quality work at affordable prices. Services include: Sodding, Irrigation, Tree trimming and Lawn maintenance.

Competitive Pricing

Competitor pricing is customized and highly dependent on property size and condition

Competitive Advantage

There are a lot of things that make [Company Name] at a vantage point from its competitors. These include:

• Open All-season: Most of the lawn care services in [Location] are only seasonal. [Company name], on the other hand, is open All-Season, as it is one of the companies that are well equipped to handle lawn services and landscaping all throughout the year.
• Expert Employees: We at [Company Name], assure all our clients that we only employ individuals who are excellent in what they do. Our landscapers are experts and can handle any lawn situation that our clients may have.
• Management: Our management team has years of business and marketing experience that allows us to market and serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than our competitors.
• Great Deals: Our company offers high-quality services at a reasonable price and we also have special offers for all our contract-based clients.

VI. Marketing Plan

The [company name] brand.

The [Company Name] brand will focus on the Company’s unique value proposition:

• Convenient location
• Expert landscaping and lawn maintenance services
• Year-round service
• Moderate price point
• Client-focused
• Environmentally conscious

Promotions Strategy

Social Media/ Online Marketing With the majority of the people now online, the company will invest resources in online ads for different social media platforms to reach potential clients. We will create ads that will successfully create positive conversions. A company website will also be developed. This website should be able to direct traffic from search engines as much as possible. In order to do this, the company will use highly-focused, specific keywords to draw traffic to its website, where potential clients will find a content-rich site that presents [Company Name] as the trustworthy, well-qualified landscaping service provider that it is.

Publications [Company name] will place print advertisements in key local publications, including newspapers, area magazines, and local sport programs. Additionally, the Company will print brochures and place them in specific locations frequented by target individuals, such as supermarkets and real estate offices.

Major Publications We will make careful use of advertising in selected larger publications. [Publication or newspaper name] has a circulation of xyz and we can expect to reach a wider geographic region of customers on a limited basis. Advertisements with major publications will be used selectively, based on cost effectiveness. These ads will include discount coupons so that response to the ads can be tracked.

Commute Advertising We will drive attention toward [Company name] by hiring workers to hold signs alongside [route or highway]. Advertising on heavily traveled commute routes are an opportunity to alert large numbers of working individuals with disposable income of our opening.

Direct Mail [Company Name] will blanket neighborhoods surrounding its locations with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on [Company Name], offer discounts and/or provide other inducements for people to purchase our services.

Ongoing Customer Communications [Company Name] will maintain a website, social media accounts, and publish a monthly email newsletter to tell customers about new events, products and more.

VII. Operations Plan

Functional roles.

The Company intends to employ [X] landscape experts, [Y] administrative assistants, and [Z] landscape teams. The company may have to add more people during peak seasons. [Company name] anticipates having [X] customers on a weekly basis.

In order to execute on [Company Name]’s business model, the Company needs to perform several functions. [Company name] anticipates using the services of X employees, divided into the following roles:

Service Functions

• Lawn care and maintenance (cutting, edging, and trimming)

Administrative Functions

• General & administrative functions including legal, marketing, bookkeeping, etc.
• Sales Manager
• Customer service

[Company name]’s long term goal is to become the number one landscaping provider in the [location] area. We seek to be the standard by which other providers are judged. We also would want to expand our reach by extending our services to nearby cities. We seek to do this by ensuring customer satisfaction and developing a loyal and successful clientele.

VIII. Management Team

Management team members, hiring plan.

[Founder’s Name] will serve as the company CEO and president. In order to launch the business we need the following additional personnel:

• Landscaping and lawn care experts
• Marketing and Admin Staff

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue and cost drivers.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come primarily from landscaping services, especially from fixed contracts with bigger companies. Labor expenses are the key cost drivers. [Founder’s Name] and all of the company’s employees will earn a competitive base salary with good benefits.

The next largest cost for the company is the office lease and the monthly equipment maintenance check and possible repairs. The Ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for [Company Name].

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

5 Year Annual Income Statement

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

Comments are closed.

Business Plan for Investors

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Lawn Care Business Plan Sample

JUN.26, 2017

Do you want to start a Lawn Care business plan?

People are giving more attention than ever to the greenery in and around their houses. Well-maintained and booming gardens have finally become an essential aspect of every residential space. Offices, residential areas, and parks are all trying to improve their green spaces. And this is where lawn care and gardening service comes in. 

Starting a lawn care business is relatively simple as long as you have good know-how about plants and greenery. This is the perfect business to start for people who are enthusiastic about gardening. You can learn how to build a lawn care business by researching your area and investigating ways to start a business there. You can also consult business plan experts for better and more focused guidance. 

However, if you want to do it on your own, you can read through the samples of business plans related to your business that are available on the web. This can include plans of businesses that are preparing to succession for agriculture or gardening centers. We are also providing a sample business plan for lawn care called ‘Green All the Way’ here that you can follow.

Executive Summary

2.1 our mission.

Green All the Way will be a lawn care and gardening business setup that will aim to provide the best professional business service throughout Phoenix, Arizona. Our team will make sure that all your gardening needs are met in the best way possible. Our customers will be able to leave all their worries about their lawns and gardens up to us and relax as we get everything done. 

2.2 Team and Management

Green All the Way will be owned and operated by Tim Harris. His right-hand and second manager for the company will be Janet Giovani. The business will make sure that it provides efficient and good-quality lawn services to its customers. To ensure the best management, a comprehensive management plan for finances and human resources will be prepared beforehand to learn how to run a lawn service.

In this lawn care business plan sample, we are describing all the important aspects you need to consider when starting your business.

2.3 Our Customers

The customers of Green All the Way will belong to all domains and backgrounds as shown by the lawn and garden services business plan. However, the key customers for the business will be:

• Residential Communities
• Offices with Gardens
• Educational Facilities with Open Spaces

2.4 Business Target

The main target of the business is to provide a reliable and good-quality lawn care service that our customers can trust. We will make this possible through a well-researched business plan for a landscaping company.

The financial goals for the first three years of our operation are described below:

Company Summary

3.1 ownership and company history.

Green All the Way will be owned by Tim Harris. Tim completed his bachelor’s in environmental science a year ago after which he immersed himself in research. He researched finding ways to contribute to environmental health through optimized gardens. Doing this, he got the idea to start a business that could help in this regard. 

3.2 Mission Statement

Tim noticed that people wanted to improve their impact on the environment but what they were lacking was proper support and instruction. Therefore, he decided to utilize his knowledge and research to solve this problem by starting his lawn and gardening service to show the benefits of business continuity planning .

3.3 How the Lawn Care company will be started

Step1: Write a Business Plan

Before you get started with anything else, you will need a business plan for a garden service company. And the best way to create a useful business plan is through complete and thorough research into your market and competition. Such research will show you how to start up a lawn mowing business that is better than the already established ones.

Step2: Define the Business

The next step is to define your business in a way that is attractive to customers. You can achieve this by creating an image or brand around the business with values that appeal to your customers. For example, brand marketing of an organic farm business plan will revolve around helping people improve their health and the environment. 

Step3: Find a Location 

Tim decided to rent out a small two-room shop in a market center in Phoenix. He will start the business by finding the right team and getting the right materials for company services. 

Step4: Company Name and Registration

An important part of starting a business is deciding on a name that can be used for registration purposes as well as marketing. For his business, Tim decided to use the name Green All the Way and register it by following the licensing requirement mentioned in a lawn care business plan example. 

Step5: Online Presence

Tim wanted to make sure that his services were accessible to all. Therefore, he decided to invest in creating a simple website for his business as well as setting up social media accounts on different platforms. 

Step6: Market it All

The final step mentioned in any lawn care business plan sample pdf is marketing. Tim decided to create a marketing plan as part of his business plan.

A crucial part of any business plan lawn care service is its services and their details. These details help in writing the lawn care business proposal template that you then present to the investors. 

The landscape maintenance business plan written for Green All the Way will be somewhat similar to a fruit farm business plan due to the resemblance in some of the services. 

As Tim decided to offer a wide variety of services, this business plan can be used for writing lawn care business plans of any type. 

The services that Tim decided to offer through his company include:

• Lawn Mowing Service

Green All the Way will make sure that the lawns and gardens of their customers are well kept and healthy through a regular mowing schedule. This will not only include mowing grass but also making sure that the soil is healthy. 

• Fertilization Services

Our company will also provide proper fertilization services for your plants, turf, and trees to ensure that they stay healthy throughout the season. 

• Tree Services

The company will also provide services related to tree and flower plantation as well as management. We will make sure that all flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs are well-maintained. 

• Pest Control

Through pest removal and control, our company will make sure that no insects on your property can hurt your garden

Marketing Analysis of Lawn Care Company

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

Starting a lawn maintenance business is just as hard as any other business. You need to do a lot of research to ensure that the business can thrive in the market. One of the best ways to do helpful research is to write up a business plan for gardening services. A lawn care business model helps you understand the market and how to penetrate it. 

All good lawn care business plan examples include details about the market, the customers, and the competitors of the business.  And all of this is usually a part of market research. Market research in a grass cutting business plan will study the market conditions of the present, past, and future. 

In this garden services business plan pdf, we are describing the marketing plan for Green All the Way that was developed to attract customers and attain success. 

5.1 Market Trends

According to Statista, the landscaping industry in the US has a market size of $105.35 billion. And according to NALP, the market has been growing at an average rate of 2.5% per year for the past decade and will continue to do so in the future. This ensures that businesses in this industry have the opportunity to thrive in the future as well.  

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

The customers of Green All the Way according to this free lawn care business plan template include:

5.2.1 Residential Community

Our main target customers will be residential communities of Phoenix as they usually have front yards as well as back yards that need maintenance. These communities also often have small parks which make them likely to need our business. 

5.2.2 Offices with Gardens

Our second potential customer group will be office areas that have gardens to offer a better environment for the mental health of their employees. They are expected to use our company for plantations as well as maintenance. 

5.2.3 Educational Facilities with Open Spaces

The third category of customers will be educational institutions that are built with open areas and green spaces for their students to walk in, relax, and play. These spaces require regular maintenance according to seasonal changes, so we expect business from them as well. 

5.2.4 Parks

Lastly, we also expect the local parks and gardens to use our service for maintenance and pest control.

5.3 Business Target

• Become the best lawn care service in Arizona.
• Provide different regular packages for different customers.
• Earn a profit margin of $20k per month by the end of the third year.
• Maintain customer satisfaction score above 95%.

5.4 Product Pricing

As shown by our lawn care business plan pdf, the prices for our services will be a little higher than the competitors. But in the same price range, we will be offering more maintenance and pest control services.

Marketing Strategy

To develop a good cleaning and gardening services business plan, you need to understand who your competitors are and how you can look better than them. To do this, Tim decided to develop a marketing strategy as a part of his landscaping business plans. 

In this example garden service business plan, we have described the marketing strategy for Green All the Way. You can follow this lawn care business plan template free to write the business plan for your company. 

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• We provide organic solutions to greenery problems.
• All our services and plans are backed by scientific research.
• Our customers can contact us through our website, social media, or directly through our store.
• We use eco-friendly pest control options as compared to our competitors.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We provide regular maintenance packages with all our services.
• We will offer discounts to our returning customers.
• We will advertise our services through posters and social media.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 Sales Yearly

6.5 Sales Forecast

Personnel plan

An essential aspect of every business is its employees. This is an important part of every business plan; be it a nursery business plan or a business plan for a lawn care startup . Tim also included the details about his team in his business plan for a lawn care company. You can follow this example or the lawn care business plan templates available on the web to develop the team structure for your company. 

7.1 Company Staff

• 1 Co-Manager to help in overall operations
• 5 Trained Landscape Gardeners
• 1 Technician to upkeep the machinery
• 1 Web Developer for developing and handling the website
• 2 Sales Executives to organize and promote sales
• 1 Accountant
• 1 Receptionist

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan.

The success of a business isn’t just determined by its profits. Every aspect of the business needs to be managed to make sure that the success is sustainable. For a sample lawn care business plan , you have to manage the profits in a way that the cost of starting a lawn care business is balanced. This needs to be done no matter what your business is. It is even a part of mushroom farm business plan. 

You can manage your finances by conducting a financial analysis of your processes so that you can not only earn enough to balance the lawn care start up cost but also expand the business. For this, Tim included an analysis of the company’s expenses as well as monthly and yearly profits. The detailed financial analysis for Green All the Way can be seen for more information.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 profit monthly.

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

8.6 business ratios.

• How do I write a lawn care business plan?

You can write a business plan for your lawn care business by following the lawn care business plan template detailed above.

• Is lawn care a good investment?

Yes. However, the success of a lawn care business depends on the cost to start a lawn care business in your location, the competition in the market, and your service quality. 

• How much do most lawn care companies make?

Many lawn care companies can earn up to $50,000-$250,000 a year depending on the scope of their services. You can estimate these details by developing a lawn care company business plan like the one above.

Download Lawn Care Business Plan Sample in pdf

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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Am Raphael from Uganda, Africa. A recent Graduate from Makerere University. This business plan content is perfect for the business I want to start here in my home country. Though I need to customize it a bit to fit in Uganda. Great thanks to you

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• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Start a Lawn Mowing Business

Last Updated: January 9, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Grant Wallace . Grant Wallace is a Landscaper and Owner of Grantlanta Lawn in Atlanta, Georgia. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in lawn maintenance and landscape installation. In 2012, he earned his BA from the University of West Georgia. Grant has been profiled in Shoutout Atlanta, Canvas Rebel, and Voyage ATL. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 55,745 times.

Practically any able-bodied person can earn money by moving lawns. But lawn care is actually an extremely competitive business. But with a desire to provide great service, a small investment and solid marketing plan, you can not only start a lawn-mowing business, but also make it successful.

Purchasing Equipment

• If you find you don't have enough capital to purchase it, you can also lease equipment with fewer start-up funds, although that will cost more in the long run. Leasing equipment does have its perks, however, since you generally get the most modern equipment that requires minimal maintenance, and the costs can be tax deductible. You might decide to lease in the short term while you raise capital to purchase at a later date.

• If you don't have enough money to start with new equipment, you can even purchase a used lawn mower to use as you start earning money to reinvest into your business. Check online and local classified ads and yard sales.

Licensing and Accounting

• If possible, insure yourself, your equipment and your customers. Collision, liability, and damage insurance will protect your vehicles and equipment. Business liability insurance will cover damages that may occur to your customers' properties during your gardening services.

Setting Rates

Skillfully Mowing Lawns

• Be sure to cut the grass around flower beds, trees, and any areas the mower is unable to reach at approximately the same height as you set the mower. Be careful not to damage the bark at the base of the trees, don't cut the grass too low, and definitely don't chop anyone's prized petunias.

Marketing Your Business

• Common methods of advertising a local lawn-mowing business include Facebook pages, classified ads, mailers, phone calls, door-to-door sales, referrals from existing customers and appearances at local or community events.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about starting a lawn mowing business, check out our in-depth interview with Grant Wallace .

• ↑ Grant Wallace. Landscaper. Expert Interview. 23 November 2022.
• ↑ https://success.hindsitesoftware.com/field-service-software-blog/bid/216368/7-tips-for-starting-and-growing-your-lawn-maintenance-business
• ↑ https://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/how-to-start-a-lawn-care-business
• ↑ https://landscaping.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/things-to-know/101
• ↑ https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/lawn-care#legal
• ↑ https://www.wrightmfg.com/articles/3-steps-to-starting-a-successful-lawn-mowing-business/
• ↑ https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/190462
• ↑ https://www.turfmagazine.com/maintenance/trimming-and-edging-the-right-way/
• ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/g2527/9-mowing-tips-for-the-best-lawn-this-summer/
• ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/what-is-the-proper-mowing-height-for-grass-in-your-yard/
• ↑ https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/mow-your-lawn-correctly
• ↑ https://www.serviceautopilot.com/best-9-ways-to-market-your-landscaping-or-lawn-care-business/

About this article

To start a lawn mowing business, start by purchasing the proper equipment, such as a lawnmower, trimmer, and leaf blower. Alternatively, consider leasing equipment if you’re low on start-up funds, but keep in mind that leasing is more expensive over the long run. Then, check your city and state business license and insurance requirements, and complete the paperwork for your new business. After that, figure out how much to charge based on your costs and what people in your local market will pay. For tips on how to advertise your new business with mailers, in newspapers, and on social media, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Lawn Care Business Plan

Are you planning to put up a lawn care business? If so, how can you separate your business from your potential competition and ensure that it will stand out for all the right reasons? What kind of branding would you like to be incorporated in your business? What tactics and strategies will you use so you can get the attention of your desired market? For sure, there are more questions than these that are in your mind. If you want to be organized and well-guided when setting the direction for the lawn care business operations and its overall management, it is essential for you to have a simple business plan. Developing a lawn care business plan that is brief yet comprehensive and detailed is highly recommended.

• 19+ Simple Business Plan Examples
• 11+ Operational Plan For Cleaning Services Examples

Aside from having an idea about the content that you will include in your business plan discussion, formatting the document appropriately is also important. If you have a limited knowledge or awareness on how to format a lawn care business plan effectively, using templates can help you a lot. For references, download any of the lawn care business plan template examples that we have listed in this post.You may also see company plan examples .

Lawn Care Business Plan Example

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Business Plan for Lawn Care Start-Up Example

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Garden Service or Lawn Care Business Plan

Lawn Care Business Plan Content

Have you ever made a  management consulting business plan  or any other kinds of business documents? Being immersed or involved in processes or activities that require you to come up with a physical output can sometimes be overwhelming. With this, you need to ensure that you will be prepared in the development of any corporate material especially those that are in line with your job designation.

If you want to create a lawn care business plan that is effective and has a high potential of providing successes for the organization, one of the factors that you need to consider is the completion of all the information about your action plans, business strategies, marketing tactics, operational mission, and other details that are essential for the overall productivity and efficiency of your lawn care business. Listed below are some of the most important information that should be seen in the lawn care business plan that you would like to develop.You may also see free business plan examples .

1. Start with an executive summary that will allow you to present your business as it is. You have to ensure that your lawn care business plan executive summary is direct to the point, simple, and full of substance. In this manner, you can already get the attention of the people who will browse through the document.

2. Present your goals, objectives, mission, and vision. You can also include a brief discussion of the advocacy that you would like to champion as a corporate entity. It is important for your stakeholders to be aware of your current condition as well as your business aspiration. Knowing that you are guided with a corporate direction and vision can make it easier for them to trust you and the business.You may also see  strategic plan examples

3. Give an idea about the keys to successes that you adhere to. This can provide a reflection of your standards for quality. All the main points of your operations must be given focus with as these items can showcase the value of your business and how they can affect your relationship with the people involved in your lawn care business operations and processes.You may also see  network marketing business plan examples

4. Especially if you will develop the lawn care business plan for your partners, creditors, and/or potential investors; it will be a great help if you will have a company summary discussion which can include details about business ownership, your assets, your operational requirements, and several financial information that are necessary to be known by particular entities.You may also see  business plan executive summary examples

Lawn Care and Garden Services Business Plan

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Lawn Care and Beautification Management Plan Example

Business Plan for Family Gardening Service Example

5. Be particular with the services that you can provide to your clients. It will be helpful if you can present a service business analysis so that it will be clearer on why you have selected to limit the range or scope of your business offers. This segment can also be one of your support or foundation when it comes to presenting or proposing new services and items for your future lawn care business offers.You may also see business plan outline examples .

6. Have an in-depth or detailed summary of your market analysis . Your lawn care business plan must discuss the characteristics, activities, and quality of your target market segment or niche market. You also need to identify the procedures that you have done to come up with a relevant market segmentation. Knowing who your target market is and describing them in your business plan can help your partners, workforce, and/or investors to understand the factors that affect the purchasing activities and decisions of your customers.

7. Your lawn care business plan must contain a list not only of your strategies but also of your implementation summary. You need to make sure that the point persons who will be responsible of executing action plans are aware of the deliverable that they are expected to provide. You have to consider your competitive edge and actual marketing, sales , and operational strategies when developing this area or clause of our lawn care business plan.

8. Come up with a thorough management summary that can also showcase the milestones that you would like to achieve in a timely manner. Hence, it is essential for you to discuss the ways on how you will manage your workforce so that you can attain future successes. You also need to come up with a personnel plan and organizational structure so that it will be faster to visualize the flow of operational direction, decision-making, and communication lines.You may also see importance of business plan examples .

9. Show a financial plan that can ensure the sustainability of your operations. It will be best if you can attach financial documents like project cash flow, balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and business ratios presentation. In this manner, you can make sure that the allocation of your funds and resources are both efficient and realistic.

10. Lastly, identify all the threats and risks that you can face once you execute the content of your lawn care business plan . You can also provide an idea of the potential opportunities that you can grab or get based on the external factors that can affect your business operations.

Lawn Care and Garden Maintenance Business Plan Example

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Why Do You Need a Lawn Care Business Plan?

A lawn care business plan, like a  financial consulting business plan , contains important information that can guide you in finalizing corporate decisions or executing activities for your business and its stakeholders. If you truly want to guide your lawn care business to maximum successes for a particular time period, it is highly recommended for you to create a lawn care business plan. A few of the reasons on why it is essential for you to come up with a business plan for your lawn care services business include the following:

1. A lawn care business plan is a formal business plan that can help you secure financial help from investors and creditors. Developing this document is not solely for the purpose of guiding your workforce and management personnel as it can also be one of the ways on how you can get the attention of entities who can invest in your business or finance its needs.You may also see  bar business plan examples

2.  A lawn care business plan can help you develop more sound decisions that can positively impact your future lawn care business operations. Having this document at hand can help you point out elements and factors that are essential for the growth of your business and the efficient practice that you should follow to sustain your profitability. With this, it will be easier for you to come up with final decisions and assessments of your corporate undertakings.You may also see  market analysis business plan examples

3. A lawn care business plan can make it more efficient for you to focus not only on the internal factors that can dictate your successes. This document also helps in ensuring that you are fully aware of your external environment. The assessment of your competition, the industry where you belong, and the activities of your target market segment can help you become more prepared when conducting business operations.You may also see  business consulting business plan examples

4. A lawn care business plan can set the direction that can lead you toward the state where you would like your business to be at. If you will develop this document, you can make it easier for your stakeholders to understand your vision which can promote utmost participation and overall efficiency. This can solidify your intentions when it comes to executing plans of action for bridging the gap between your current and desired business conditions. You may also see  hotel operational business plan examples

Small Lawn Care Start-Up Business Plan Guide Example

Lawn Care Services Business Plan Format Example

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Importance of a Comprehensive Lawn Care Business Plan

Having a lawn care business plan, like using an  import/export business plan  or any other business plan examples, can be very advantageous for your business especially if you will prepare it appropriately and accordingly. This document can help you assess all the areas of your lawn care business, which is a great way for you to identify the things that you are good at and the areas of your business operations that you still need to improve on. Here are more of the reasons why a detailed and complete lawn care business plan is deemed important for your business operations and planning processes:

1. Using a lawn care business plan can allow you to target, acquire, maintain, and take care of the right customers. A lawn care business plan can help you plot the appropriate activities that can get the attention of your target audience while ensuring that you are disseminating the right message and showcasing the correct branding of your business .

2. Making a lawn care business plan can help you select the appropriate platforms and mediums that you can use to connect with your stakeholders. Knowing the touch points that will work in every situation can ensure that your stakeholders are aware of your business operations and other items that they are concerned about or involved in.You may also see  risk plan examples

3. Developing a lawn care business plan touches not only your business management and operational decisions. This document also deals with marketing, sales, financial, auditing, and customer service processes which enable you to be more well-rounded as a business entity.You may also see  implementation plan examples

4. Creating a lawn care business plan can give you more varieties when it comes to ways on how you can prepare for threats. This is due to the fact that you can be more aware of your key performance indicators and how internal and external factors affect your business. Being able to master the development and implementation of a lawn care business plan can give you a lot of benefits from the beginning of your operations up to the planning of your future activities.You may also see  bookkeeping business plan examples

A lawn care business plan can help you maximize the usage of your strengths and resources within your daily operations. It will allow you to focus on the needs of the business and the ways on how you can supply these needs to satisfy your stakeholders. Are you still thinking on whether to develop a lawn care business plan or not? Try to create the specified document now with the help of the references that we have enlisted in this post.You may also see  network marketing business plan examples

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Home » How to Start a Successful Lawn Mowing Business from Scratch

How to Start a Successful Lawn Mowing Business from Scratch

• By yoursmallbusinesscoach
• July 2, 2023

If you’re looking to start your own lawn mowing business in Australia, there’s never been a better time to do it. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, there are more opportunities than ever before for entrepreneurs to enter the market and carve out a successful niche for themselves. That said its never easy starting a business so make sure you do your research and consider seeking advice from a qualified business coach . Read on to learn more about how you can approach your business today.

Understanding the Lawn Mowing Industry in Australia

Market demand and trends.

From our research and observations it seems the demand for lawn mowing services in Australia is strong and growing. As the population continues to increase, more and more households and businesses are looking to outsource their lawn maintenance. This presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start their own lawn mowing business.

In recent years, there has also been a trend towards more environmentally sustainable lawn care practices. This presents an opportunity for businesses that can offer eco-friendly solutions to their customers. For example, using electric-powered mowers can significantly reduce emissions and noise pollution. Additionally, incorporating drought-tolerant grasses into landscaping designs can help conserve water and reduce the need for irrigation.

Regional Differences and Opportunities

It’s worth noting that the lawn mowing industry can vary significantly depending on the region of Australia you’re operating in. Factors such as climate, soil type, and population density can all impact the demand for lawn care services.

For example, in more arid regions such as Western Australia and the Northern Territory, there may be a greater need for irrigation systems and drought-resistant plants. In urban areas with high population density, there may be more demand for commercial lawn cytomel generic maintenance services. By researching the unique characteristics of your local market, you can tailor your business strategy to best meet the needs of your customers.

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Another factor to consider is the seasonality of the industry. In some regions, the demand for lawn care services may be highest during the spring and summer months, while in others, it may be more evenly distributed throughout the year. Understanding these seasonal trends can help you plan your business operations and staffing needs accordingly.

Competitor Analysis

Before launching your lawn mowing business, it’s essential to analyse the competition in your local market. Who are the established players in the industry? What services do they offer, and at what price point?

Identifying gaps in the market or areas where you can differentiate yourself from your competitors will be key to the success of your business. For example, perhaps there are no other lawn care companies in your area that offer eco-friendly solutions. By offering these services, you can set yourself apart from the competition and attract customers who are looking for environmentally responsible options.

However, it’s important not to view your competitors solely as adversaries. By studying their business models and customer service practices, you may be able to identify best practices that you can adopt in your own business. Additionally, developing relationships with other local businesses in the industry can lead to valuable partnerships and referrals.

Overall, the lawn mowing industry in Australia presents a wealth of opportunities for entrepreneurs who are willing to do their research, understand their local market, and provide high-quality services to their customers. By staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, you can position your business for long-term success.

Creating Your Lawn Mowing Business Plan

Starting a lawn mowing business can be a lucrative venture for those who love the outdoors and have a passion for landscaping. However, like any other business, it requires careful planning and preparation to ensure its success. In this article, we’ll explore some key steps to creating a business plan for your lawn mowing company.

Defining Your Target Market

One of the first steps in creating a business plan for your lawn mowing company is defining your target market. This will help you to determine the types of services you’ll offer, the price point you can charge, and how you’ll market your business to potential customers.

Consider factors such as age range, household income, and geographic location when defining your target market. For example, you may want to target affluent households in suburban areas who value professional and reliable lawn care services. Alternatively, you may decide to focus on commercial clients, such as property management companies or business parks.

By understanding your target market, you can tailor your services and marketing efforts to appeal to their specific needs and preferences.

Setting Your Pricing Strategy

Setting a competitive and sustainable pricing strategy is essential to the success of your business. You’ll need to consider factors such as the cost of materials, equipment, and labour, as well as the mark-up you’ll need in order to turn a profit.

It’s also worth researching what your competitors are charging for similar services. While you don’t necessarily need to match their prices, you’ll need to ensure that your pricing is competitive enough to attract customers and sustain your business over the long term.

In addition to your base pricing, you may also want to consider offering add-on services, such as fertilization or weed control, for an additional fee. This can help to increase your revenue and provide additional value to your customers.

Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Once you’ve defined your target market and pricing strategy, you’ll need to determine the most effective ways to reach potential customers and promote your services. This may include online advertising such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads, social media marketing, and local print advertisements.

You may also want to consider offering special promotions for new customers, such as a discounted first service or referral bonuses. Building a strong online presence, through a website or social media profiles, can also be an effective way to showcase your work and attract new clients in the digital age.

Networking with other local businesses, such as garden centers or landscaping companies, can also help to increase your visibility and attract new customers.

Financial Projections and Budgeting

As with any business, it’s important to create a detailed financial plan and budget for your lawn mowing company. This may include forecasting your monthly and yearly revenue and expenses, as well as determining how you’ll invest in your equipment, marketing, and staffing needs.

Developing a clear roadmap for your business finances can help you to identify potential issues before they arise and make informed decisions about how to best allocate your resources to achieve your goals.

It’s also important to set aside funds for unexpected expenses, such as equipment repairs or emergency staffing needs.

By following these steps and creating a comprehensive business plan, you can set your lawn mowing company up for success and achieve your entrepreneurial goals.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

Starting a lawn mowing business in Australia can be a lucrative and rewarding venture. However, before you can start operating, it’s important to ensure that you have all the necessary registrations, licenses, and permits in place.

Registering Your Business

One of the first steps in starting a business is to register your business name. This will ensure that no one else can use the same name and will help to establish your brand in the market. Additionally, you’ll need to obtain an Australian Business Number (ABN) and register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) purposes.

The process for registering your business name, obtaining an ABN, and registering for GST will vary depending on the state or territory you’re operating in. It’s important to research the specific requirements in your local area and ensure that you have all the necessary registrations in place before launching your business.

Obtaining Necessary Licenses and Permits

In addition to registering your business, you may also need to obtain specific licenses or permits in order to operate legally. For example, if you’ll be using commercial machinery to mow lawns, you may need to obtain a license to operate that machinery. If you’ll be operating your business from home, you may need to obtain a permit from your local council.

Be sure to research the specific requirements in your local area and ensure that you have all the necessary licenses and permits in place before launching your business. Failure to obtain the necessary licenses and permits can result in fines or legal issues down the line.

Insurance and Liability Considerations

Protecting your business from potential legal or financial liabilities is critical to the success and longevity of your lawn mowing company. One of the most important steps you can take to protect your business is to obtain a general liability insurance policy.

This type of insurance can provide coverage in the event that a customer or third party suffers injury or property damage as a result of your business operations. Depending on the size of your business and the types of services you offer, you may also want to consider additional types of insurance, such as workers’ compensation or equipment insurance.

Taxation and Record-Keeping

As with any business in Australia, you’ll need to ensure that you’re meeting all tax and record-keeping requirements. This includes keeping accurate records of your income and expenses, preparing and lodging relevant tax returns, and complying with any applicable superannuation requirements.

By staying on top of your financial reporting and taxation obligations, you can avoid potential fines or legal issues down the line and ensure that your business remains in good standing with the relevant authorities. It’s also a good idea to seek the advice of a qualified accountant or financial advisor to ensure that you’re meeting all of your obligations and maximizing your tax benefits.

Starting a lawn mowing business in Australia can be a rewarding and profitable venture, but it’s important to ensure that you’re meeting all legal and regulatory requirements. By taking the time to research and comply with these requirements, you can set your business up for success and avoid potential legal or financial issues down the line.

Purchasing Equipment and Supplies

Choosing the right lawn mowing equipment.

The equipment you use for your lawn mowing services will play a critical role in the success and quality of your work. Depending on the size and scope of your business, you may need to invest in a range of equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, blowers, and other landscaping tools.

When choosing your equipment, factors such as reliability, ease of use, and durability should be top of mind. Purchasing high-quality equipment may require a significant up-front investment, but can ultimately save you time and money in the long run by reducing the need for repairs and replacements.

It’s also important to consider the type of lawn you’ll be mowing. For example, if you’ll be working with a lot of hills or uneven terrain, a self-propelled mower may be a better option than a push mower. Likewise, if you’ll be working with larger lawns, you may want to invest in a ride-on mower to help you cover more ground in less time.

Another important factor to consider is the type of grass you’ll be mowing. Different grasses have different growth patterns and require different types of mowers. For example, Bermuda grass is best mowed with a reel mower, while St. Augustine grass is best mowed with a rotary mower.

Vehicle and Trailer Considerations

In addition to your equipment, you’ll also need to consider your vehicle and trailer needs for transporting your equipment and supplies to each job site. The size and weight of your equipment will impact the type of vehicle you need, as well as any trailer or storage solutions.

When choosing a vehicle, factors such as fuel efficiency, maintenance costs, and safety should all be taken into account. Investing in a reliable and efficient vehicle can help you to streamline your operations and better serve your customers.

It’s also important to consider the type of trailer you’ll need. A flatbed trailer may be sufficient for smaller equipment, but larger mowers and other tools may require an enclosed trailer for protection during transport. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that your trailer is properly hitched to your vehicle and that you have all necessary safety equipment, such as reflective tape and safety chains.

Maintenance and Repair Costs

As with any type of equipment, your lawn mowing tools will require regular maintenance and occasional repairs. Budgeting for these costs in advance can help you to manage your expenses and ensure that your equipment is always in top working order.

When choosing your equipment suppliers, be sure to research their after-sales service and warranty policies. Investing in high-quality tools that come with robust warranty protections can help to minimise your repair and maintenance costs over time.

Regular maintenance tasks may include sharpening blades, changing oil and air filters, and cleaning or replacing spark plugs. It’s important to stay on top of these tasks to ensure that your equipment is running efficiently and effectively.

Stocking Up on Essential Supplies

In addition to your equipment, you’ll also need to purchase a range of supplies such as fuel, oil, and replacement parts. Keeping a regular inventory of your supplies and purchasing in bulk where possible can help you to reduce your costs and streamline your operations.

It’s also important to consider the environmental impact of your supplies. Choosing eco-friendly options such as biodegradable oil and recycled fuel can help you to reduce your carbon footprint and appeal to environmentally-conscious customers.

Finally, don’t forget to stock up on safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection. These items can help to keep you and your employees safe while on the job.

Hiring and Managing Staff

Finding skilled and reliable employees.

If your business is growing and you need to scale up your operations, you may need to start hiring additional staff to help with the workload. Finding skilled and reliable employees who share your values and work ethic can be a challenge, but is essential to the success of your business.

One way to find skilled and reliable employees is to leverage your network. Reach out to colleagues, friends, and family members to see if they know anyone who may be a good fit for your business. You can also attend job fairs and industry events to meet potential candidates and learn more about the latest trends in your field.

Consider advertising your job vacancies through local job boards or social media channels, and be sure to conduct thorough interviews and background checks to ensure that your staff are a good fit for your business and have the necessary skills and experience. It’s also important to provide a clear job description and competitive compensation package to attract top talent.

Training and Development

Once you’ve hired your staff, it’s important to invest in their training and development to ensure that they can work effectively and safely. This may include training on the proper use of equipment, as well as workplace health and safety practices.

Consider offering ongoing training opportunities for your staff to help them stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. You can also provide mentorship programs and career development plans to help your employees grow and advance within your organization.

By investing in the skill development of your team, you can improve the quality of your work and foster a strong team culture that will benefit your business over the long term. It can also help to reduce turnover rates and increase employee satisfaction and engagement.

Employee Scheduling and Task Allocation

Managing your staff schedules and allocating tasks effectively is critical to ensure that your business operations run smoothly. This may involve designing a rota or scheduling system that maximizes your team’s productivity and minimizes downtime between jobs.

Consider using scheduling software or apps to help you manage your staff schedules and tasks. This can help to reduce errors and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Additionally, be sure to communicate clearly with your staff about their specific duties and responsibilities, and provide ongoing feedback and support as needed to help them succeed in their roles.

Workplace Health and Safety

Finally, ensuring that your workplace is safe and healthy for your employees and customers is a key responsibility for any business owner. This may involve developing policies and procedures to manage risks such as manual handling injuries, slips and falls, and exposure to hazardous materials.

Consider conducting regular safety audits and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and develop strategies to mitigate them. You can also provide safety training for your staff and encourage them to report any safety concerns or incidents as soon as possible.

By prioritizing workplace health and safety, you can not only protect your employees and customers from harm, but also safeguard the reputation and longevity of your business over the long term. It can also help to reduce insurance costs and improve overall productivity and morale.

Growing Your Lawn Mowing Business

Expanding your service offerings.

As your business grows and you build a loyal customer base, you may want to consider expanding your service offerings beyond lawn mowing to include a range of landscaping and garden maintenance services. This can increase your revenue streams and add value to your existing client base.

Additionally, you may want to consider branching out into related industries such as pest control, fertiliser application, or irrigation system installation. By diversifying your service offerings, you can attract a wider range of customers and differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Building Customer Loyalty and Referrals

Another key strategy for growing your lawn mowing business is building customer loyalty and generating referrals. You can achieve this by providing consistently high-quality work, offering exceptional customer service, and developing personal relationships with your customers.

Consider implementing a loyalty program that rewards repeat customers with discounts or other incentives. Additionally, asking satisfied customers for referrals and Google Reviews can be an effective way to attract new business and build your reputation in your local community.

Networking and Partnerships

Finally, building strong relationships with other businesses and professionals in the landscaping and gardening community can be valuable for attracting new business and learning best practices.

Consider attending industry events and joining professional associations and trade groups. Additionally, forming partnerships or referral agreements with related businesses, such as garden centres or landscape designers, can be an effective way to expand your reach and offer a more comprehensive range of services to your clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting A Lawn Mowing Business

How much does a lawn mowing business make in australia.

Starting a lawn mowing business in Australia can be a lucrative venture, with potential earnings ranging from $20,000 to over $100,000 depending on the size of the business. The amount of money you can make will depend largely on the size of your customer base and how efficient your operations are.

When pricing out services for customers, it’s important to factor in both the cost of materials and labour for each job, as well as the overhead costs associated with running your business.

Do I need a license to start a lawn mowing business?

In most cases, you won’t need a licence to operate a lawn mowing business in Australia. However, it is important to ensure that you are adhering to relevant laws and regulations, such as those related to workplace health and safety.

Additionally, you may need to obtain a business name registration or an ABN (Australian Business Number) if you plan on operating as a sole trader in Australia.

What equipment do I need to start a lawn mowing business?

The most essential piece of equipment for starting a lawn mowing business is a reliable mower. You should also consider investing in other necessary tools and equipment, such as trimmers, edgers, hand tools, and protective gear. Additionally, it may be beneficial to purchase a trailer or vehicle to transport your equipment from job to job.

What specific insurance types are required for a lawn mowing business in different regions or states, and what are the typical costs associated with these insurances?

The specific types of insurance required for a lawn mowing business can vary depending on the region or state in which you are operating. Generally, a lawn mowing business should consider general liability insurance , which covers property damage and personal injuries related to the business’s operations. There may also be a need for commercial vehicle insurance if you use a vehicle for your business, and workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. The costs for these insurance types can vary widely based on factors such as coverage limits, location, and the size of your business. It’s best to contact local insurance agents or brokers to get accurate quotes tailored to your specific business needs.

How can a new lawn mowing business owner effectively identify and analyze their competition in a specific local area to find a competitive edge?

Identifying and analyzing competition for a new lawn mowing business involves several steps. First, conduct online searches to find other lawn mowing services in your area, and pay attention to their range of services, pricing, and customer reviews. You might also want to conduct in-person visits to local competitors if they have physical locations or observe their teams working in the neighborhood. Gathering this information will help you understand your competitive landscape and identify any gaps in the market that you can exploit. You can then use this information to tailor your services, pricing, and marketing strategies to differentiate your business from others in the area.

What are the long-term growth strategies for a lawn mowing business, including diversification of services and potential franchising opportunities?

Long-term growth strategies for a lawn mowing business could include diversifying services beyond just lawn mowing to include landscaping, garden maintenance, hedge trimming, and pest control, which can help attract a broader range of clients and increase revenue. Developing strong relationships with clients and encouraging word-of-mouth referrals can also support growth. Additionally, investing in marketing and branding efforts can help increase visibility and attract new customers. As the business grows, exploring franchising opportunities or expanding into new geographic areas could be viable strategies to further increase the business’s footprint and profitability. Each of these strategies requires careful planning and execution to ensure they align with the business’s goals and capabilities.

Starting a lawn mowing business in Australia requires careful planning, dedication, and hard work. However, by understanding the needs and preferences of your local market, creating a sound business plan and strategy, and focusing on quality and customer service, you can build a successful enterprise that provides you with both financial stability and personal satisfaction.

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Better Business Bureau” Tip: Finding the right landscaping and lawn care pro can save you time, money

• April 24, 2024

Home » Press Releases » Better Business Bureau” Tip: Finding the right landscaping and lawn care pro can save you time, money

Milwaukee , Wis.  – A beautiful lawn can be both appealing and environmentally friendly, but it can take a lot of work and be a tricky project, and the best of circumstances can still be challenging; extended periods of extreme weather, dull lawnmower blades, bugs, pests, and heavy foot traffic can all lead to a lawn that needs extra care. 

Lawn care generally falls into three categories: landscaping, lawn maintenance, and sprinkler systems. Before selecting a business, evaluate your needs. Some businesses specialize in one area, while others offer various services.

LANDSCAPING : Landscaping businesses design landscapes for designated areas, select the appropriate plants, and provide and install the plants.

LAWN MAINTENANCE : Services generally include mowing, edging, weeding of flower beds, treating for insect disease, weed control, trimming of shrubs, irrigation systems checks, and fertilizing.

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS/IRRIGATION : Services provided by sprinkler system businesses include design installation, general maintenance, and repair. Check with your state or province to see if special licenses are required to do this work.

There are many things that your lawn might need depending on the season. This includes pH testing, aerating the soil, fertilization, filling in bald spots, trimming overgrowth, and planting seasonal flowers and plants. While many consumers choose to make lawn maintenance a do-it-yourself project, some prefer to leave it to the professionals. Hiring a landscape contractor or lawn maintenance service gives homeowners the professional help they need.  

The BBB offers the following tips when considering hiring a lawn care professional:  

• Research and gather information.  Once you have decided what services you need and your budget, get recommendations from friends and neighbors with lawns you admire.You can search for a business’s BBB Business Profile at  BBB.org  to get free information on their history of complaints, read customer reviews, and see if they are a BBB Accredited Business. You can get a list of  BBB Accredited lawn maintenance companies . Always look for the BBB Seal. It’s  the Sign of a Better Business.  
• Ask for a lawn inspection.  Services that quote a price without seeing your lawn cannot be sure what your lawn might need. Businesses will sometimes charge you to discuss specific landscaping ideas to protect themselves against clients who want to get their ideas and implement them themselves. They often credit you for the initial fee if you contract with the business.   
• Have a clear scope of work before asking for estimates.  This includes defining the area to work on and what you want to be done. When getting bids, don’t compare apples with oranges. Make sure that each business has included the same services. Also, be sure that each business breaks the cost down similarly (per visit, month, year, etc…).    
• Ask for references and pictures of other jobs they installed or maintained.   Ask the landscaper to provide references from previous clients. If possible, visit these locations to get a first-hand view of the quality of their work. Ask the references about their experiences with the landscaper’s services, professionalism, and the quality of work performed. Also, inquire about the landscaper’s expertise and experience. Ask about their training, qualifications, and any other certifications related to landscaping or horticulture.   
• Get specifics on prices and be clear on what services are included.  Are you paying for a specific project or ongoing maintenance? Discuss your specific landscaping needs and make sure the landscaper offers the services you require, whether it’s lawn care, design, installation, maintenance, or other specialized services. Do you pay by the mow or by the month? Many businesses allow you to pay after each treatment and may offer a discount if you pay the annual cost upfront. What happens if it rains the day someone is supposed to come to mow your lawn? Does mowing include edging? Who bags and disposes of the clippings and other refuse? Find out what happens if you have a problem between contracts. Will the service calls be free, or is there a charge? If you are maintaining the landscaping yourself, ask for detailed instructions and be prepared to follow them.  Also verify the landscaper’s clean-up process. A reputable landscaper should leave your property in a clean and orderly condition.  
• Check if the lawn care provider needs a license to work in your area.   Confirm that the landscaper holds the necessary licenses and insurance. This protects you and the landscaper in case of accidents, injuries, or damage during the project. In particular, they may need a license to apply pesticides. Ensure that the business provides liability and workman’s compensation insurance to protect you in the event of an accident. Ask for a certificate of insurance from the business’s insurance agent.    
• Look for membership in a professional organization.  A service’s membership in one or more professional lawn care associations and active participation in the local community are positive signs. Professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals ( NALP ), keep members informed on new pest control methods, safety, training, research, and regulation developments. Most associations have a code of ethics for members to follow. Affiliation with a professional group is one indication that a company strives for quality in its work.    
• Ask about materials and plant choices.  If your project involves plantings, inquire about the types of plants, trees, and materials the landscaper plans to use. Ensure they are suitable for your climate and preferences.  
• Get everything in writing and read all agreements and contracts carefully.  Make sure the contract contains all topics discussed and promises made. Document the duration and expected results of the lawn care service. Some consumers are unaware that contracts can be open-ended, meaning they renew until the client specifically terminates. A consumer reported to the BBB in the summer of 2018 that “I never agreed to any White Grub control in addition to my regular lawn service, nor did they leave me a message saying anything about this. Instead, I just got billed for it. I called and they said that the service this year is the same as the service last year.”  Ensure you understand how that works and how you can cancel. The contract should list the quantity, size, and types of plants and other materials. Look for guarantees and refund policies. Some services may offer a guarantee of performance. Others may offer refunds if they fail to meet your expectations. Get copies of anything you sign.  
• Ask about timing and safety.   Will the work be done while you are home or away? Are there safety precautions you need to take during or after work? If pesticides are used, do you need to protect your family or pets? Is the timing of the application good for the weather conditions? A consumer reported to BBB in 2019 that “[…] the last herbicide had been applied when the weather was too hot (85 degrees or above) and that it burned the grass.”   
• Discuss payment and warranties.   Discuss payment terms, including the deposit, payment schedule, and accepted payment methods. It’s better to pay by check or credit card, but if you make full payment in cash, be sure to obtain written verification from the business with a list of labor and material charges covered by the payment. Also, ask if the landscaper offers any guarantees or warranties on their work. This can give you peace of mind that they stand behind the quality of their services.

By following these tips, you’ll better understand the landscaper’s qualifications, services, and approach to your landscaping needs. Choosing a BBB Accredited landscaper ensures you work with a professional who values integrity, transparency, and customer satisfaction.

For more information

Learn more  tips on hiring a contractor  working in or around your home. 

Need help with your project? Find trusted, vetted  landscape pros  near you  and get a quote.

See BBB’s  landscaping HQ  for more tips and resources.

View the online version

For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at  www.bbb.org/wisconsin , 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on  Facebook ,  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  YouTube .

ABOUT BBB:  The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2022, people turned to BBB more than 250 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on about 12,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 

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The 5 best riding lawn mowers of 2024

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For those after the best lawn mower , no matter how lightweight or fast the self-propel feature is on a push mower, they're no match for yards bigger than half an acre. Instead,  a riding lawn mower is necessary for getting a large mowing job done in a shorter time without causing undue stress or strain on your body. Riding lawn mowers may seem intimidating, but they're a great investment that will make cutting your yard a better experience, and keep it looking freshly manicured. 

Ride-on lawn mowers can vary in how they're powered (gas or electric), how fast they can go, or whether they can be used on slopes. We gathered the best riding lawn mowers on the market, many of which were tested to determine how well they cut and their ease of use. The John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower , a zero-turn riding mower, is precise in its movements, can go up to 7 mph, and is battery-operated, handling up to two acres on a single charge. Riding lawn mowers aren't as affordable as push lawn mowers. However, for just under $2,000, you can get the Craftsman T100 36-in 11.5-HP Gas Riding Lawn Mower , a tractor-style gas-powered lawn mower that can mow in reverse as fast as it mows forward and has a 36-inch cutting deck. 

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products .

The best riding lawn mowers

Best overall: John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower - See at Lowe's 

Best budget: Craftsman T100 36-in 11.5-HP Gas Riding Lawn Mower - See at Lowe's

Best for extra large lawns: Toro Titan 60 - See at The Home Depot

Best small: Cub Cadet CC30H Riding Lawn Mower - See at The Home Depot

Best lawn tractor: EGO TR4204 Power+ 42" T6 Lawn Tractor - See at Lowe's

Best overall

Among lawn care brands John Deere soars to the top, so it's no surprise that we fell in love with the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower. This battery-powered zero-turn mower quickly cuts small to large yards because it turns at zero degrees, allowing you to maneuver more easily and cut faster. In fact, whether you go with the 42-inch or 48-inch cutting deck, you can mow up to two acres on a single charge.

As one of the best electric lawn mowers , it's far quieter than gas-powered riding mowers and more eco-friendly too. It took our top spot over a gas-powered ride on lawn mower because nothing is sacrificed — not power or precision cutting. It has a maximum speed of 7 mph, making it one of the faster riding mowers on the market. Many thoughtful features about this mower make it easy to use, like how the mower locks in place when you move the handles out, and the front and side LED headlights can illuminate the ground when there is little sunlight.   

One of the most interesting aspects of this John Deere riding lawn mower is that it doesn't require a separate charger, as it is built into the mower. All you need to do is plug it into an outlet with an extension cord, and it begins charging. Another major highlight is that you can wash this lawn mower with a hose without being concerned that water will damage the mower. The battery is completely sealed.

The chair is incredibly comfortable, especially since it comes with armrests. There's plenty of legroom and even a storage compartment with a USB charger. A five-year battery warranty is not bad, either.

Best budget

Riding lawn mowers are not cheap by any means, but the Craftsman T100 36-inch 11.5 HP Gas Riding Lawn Mower is comparatively affordable. This tractor-style riding lawn mower is better equipped to mow medium to large yards, even those with some obstacles. Easily mow and mulch up to one acre with the 1.3-gallon fuel tank. It may lack the zero-turn capability and have an 18-inch turn radius, but that's pretty typical of most tractor-mowers. The Turf Saver wheels will help protect your yard on turns.

The 7-speed transmission levers are easy enough to use, allowing you to shift between gears and thus different cutting speeds. There is also a lever to change between the five different deck positions. You can mow forward and in reverse at a maximum of 5.5 mph. That's not the fastest on the market, but fairly average.

The low-back seat isn't the most comfortable, but the headlights will make it easier to mow in low-light situations.

Best for extra-large lawns

Time is obviously a big factor when it comes to mowing oversize lawns, and the Toro Titan 60 's forward and reverse speed are a big reason we chose it as our top pick in this category. 

The hydrostatic rear-wheel transmission allows you to reach speeds up to 9 mph and 3 mph in reverse. This mower's large, 22-inch rear tires are also designed to protect your grass from divots and provide enough traction to keep you moving — even on uneven ground. It also features 15 quarter-inch deck adjustments, adjusted with a spring-assisted foot pedal, making it quick and easy to customize the deck height as you mow.

I'm most impressed by the heavy-duty frame, which is constructed of square tubular steel. This design not only makes it durable enough to handle the wear and tear that comes from tackling large jobs and heavy use, but it also provides the sturdy foundation a large mower like this needs. This focus on durability also extends to the deck, which is made of 10-gauge steel and coated with a corrosion-resistant finish. 

In my experience, open frame mowers like this one are great, not just for how easy they are to jump on and off, but because they are much easier to perform maintenance and repairs. The Toro Titan 60 also has a hinged floor pan, which makes it easier to access the deck and engine.

Whether you have little storage space or just a small yard, the Cub Cadet CC30H Riding Lawn Mower is one of the smallest, most compact riding lawn mowers you'll find. It's outfitted with a 30-inch deck and a 1.3-gallon fuel tank, allowing you to mow one to two acres easily.

This riding mower is best suited for flat terrain with some obstacles thanks to an 18-inch turning radius. While you can go up to 4 mph forward, you can only cut up to 2 mph when in reverse. Adjust the cutting height between five different deck positions and keep it clean with the deck wash adaptor.

The 15-inch chair offers a comfortable seat while you mow, and the LED headlights will make it easier to see the ground when there is little light. Among riding lawn mowers, this Cub Cadet is also on the more affordable side.

Best lawn tractor

EGO has been a leader among battery-powered riding lawn mowers, and they continue that legacy with the EGO TR4204 Power+ 42" T6 Lawn Tractor. For having a 42-inch deck, it's not an excessively large tractor and yet it is still capable of mowing up to 1.5 acres on a single charge. Various features contribute to a quick cutting session such as cruise control, LED headlights, and a 6 mph forward mowing speed. It's even capable of mowing on hills and inclines, which you don't always find among tractors.

You can adjust between three different driving speeds, three blade settings, and whether or not you want to cut while in reverse. The screen keeps track of the battery life, and the mower adjusts the power output automatically when the battery is nearly drained so that you can get the mower near the charger before it dies.

If you know how to drive a car, it'll be easy enough to drive this riding tractor throughout the yard, though you'll have to use two feet for speeding and braking. The seat is comfortable and adjustable, and there are numerous storage spaces, including two cup holders and a USB port.

How we chose the best riding lawn mowers

Alex Rennie spent many years using, maintaining, and repairing lawn mowers as a landscaper at a national park, which informed selections for this guide. Alex Temblador is a home and product reviewer who tested the John Deere and EGO ride on lawn mowers for a few weeks on her half-acre yard. Whenever possible, we tried to get hands-on experience with various models. Richard Blake, owner of McCoy's Lawn Equipment Center Inc. , in Austin, and Elizabeth Chavez, the client relations manager of Crockett Service Center , a power equipment store based in Dallas, also spoke with us to learn more about what to look for when shopping for a riding lawn mower. 

Here are the criteria we used to help curate our list and compare potential options:

• Warranty: We looked at the length of the warranty offered by the brand as well as if there were any hourly limitations attached. 
• Engine volume: For gas-powered engines, we paid close attention to their CC (cubic centimeters) metric, which measures the capacity of the piston's cylinder and is a rough indicator of its power output.  
• Cutting height settings : Being able to adjust the height of your blades will allow you to produce the grass height you prefer, which is essential for certain grass types. The more height options, the more precise you can set your deck.
• Durability : We based our evaluations on the mower components that we've had durability issues with in the past and considered deck thickness and material as well as any plastic elements that could have a tendency to crack or fail over time. 

What to look for in a riding lawn mower

Here's what the experts we interviewed had to say about selecting and purchasing a riding lawn mower:

• Consider a zero-turn mower: Blake recommends choosing a zero-turn mower, explaining that it's easy to make turns with them, they don't require shifting, and you can control the ground speed. This lets you finish quicker. Zero-turn mowers take a little getting used to and are a bit pricier, but they're primarily what landscaping pros use for cutting lawns. 
• Consider whether you want a gas or electric mower: Gas mowers typically let you cover more ground before running out of gas and are safer around wet lawns, but they require more maintenance and are not environmentally friendly. Electric models match the performance of traditional gas counterparts, without the noise, fumes, or on-going maintenance or fuel needs. Our FAQs cover more of their differences. 
• Check the maintenance and warranty: Blake said the most important thing to ask yourself is, "the place you are buying your lawn equipment, will they be the place to help you in the future with service and parts?" This is especially important if you don't have any small engine or machine maintenance experience and want to make sure a professional is in charge of keeping your expensive machine running smoothly. I've personally spent many hours handling messy grease guns and banging bent mower decks back into shape and would much rather have had someone else do the job if that were an option. 
• Look at a lot of options: Since you will have different priorities or features that mean the most to you, take the time to look at a range of options. "Take your time, read all the reviews and specifications, and your investment will pay with service and a great-looking yard," said Blake. We also recommend physically climbing in and out of as many options as possible, so you can get an even better idea of what it's going to feel like to ride on for extended periods of time. 

Riding lawn mower FAQs

What's the difference between a riding mower and lawn tractor.

Riding mowers and lawn tractors can look the same — and they both cut grass — but the main difference is the jobs they're able to perform effectively. Riding mowers are designed primarily for cutting grass, and their front-mounted decks make them well-suited for it. This design allows you to easily maneuver around obstacles and makes it easier to see exactly what you're cutting.

Lawn tractors, on the other hand, have their deck mounted farther back in the center of the machine. This design results in a larger turning radius that can struggle with tight turns but also makes it easier for them to be used as a multifunctional machine. They can be customized with snowplows or blowers on the front and can easily pull spreaders or dump carts behind them.

What is a zero-turn mower?

Instead of using a steering wheel like tractor-style mowers, zero-turn mowers use two separate steering levers. These levers allow the driver to control either side of the mower independently, and when one is pushed forward and the other backward, you can execute an almost zero-radius turn. These tight turns are a real time-saver and reduce the chances of ending up with small patches of grass left over.

What size mower should I get?

It's up to you how big of a mower you're comfortable handling or paying for, but the general rule of thumb is, the larger your lawn, the wider you probably want your mower deck to be. This is because the wider your deck, the more grass you'll be cutting with each pass, and the fewer passes you'll need to finish the job.

That being said, extra-wide mowers can sometimes struggle with hills and steep inclines and can have trouble maneuvering around landscaping features, ponds, and garden beds. A mower with a smaller deck might be a more practical choice in these cases, and even though they cut less grass on each pass, their superior mobility could get the job finished quicker in the end.

This can be a lot to think about, which is why Blake mentioned the importance of consulting with an experienced outdoor power dealer, explaining that "whether you have 1 acre or 20, let your dealer help you with size so you don't buy too small or too big, since you want your choice to last you for years."

Are gas or battery riding lawn mowers better?

A few years ago, I would have said that gas-powered riding lawn mowers were better than battery-powered riding lawn mowers, but technology is evolving quickly, and now they're neck and neck. Admittedly, if you have over 2 acres, you should go with a gas-powered riding lawn mower, as there are not many battery-powered riding lawn mowers that can last longer than two acres on a single charge. That said, if you have 1-2 acres, there is no reason why you shouldn't invest in a battery-powered riding lawn mower. They're more eco-friendly, require less maintenance, and cut just as well. Even now, we're seeing battery-powered riding mowers with speeds that are on par with gas-powered riding lawn mowers. 

How long is the average life of a riding mower?

A riding mower can last up to 10 or even 15 years if it's taken care of properly and not regularly pushed past its limits. Just like a car, proper maintenance needs to be performed (oil changes, lubricating small components, replacing air filter and spark plugs annually) in order to ensure that your mower will last as long as possible.

You should also make sure to sharpen the blades at least once a season to ensure that you're not placing unnecessary strain on the engine. Make sure to thoroughly review your mower's use and care manual when you bring it home and consult with your retailer if you have any questions.

Can you use a riding lawn mower on steep hills and inclines?

Some riding lawn mowers can be used on steep hills and inclines that are between 15 and 30 degrees, but it should only be done with incredible caution. If a riding mower should tip over, it could cause serious injury or death. Always check to make sure that the mower has some kind of traction-supporting features, a low-profile design that makes it less likely to tip over, or a roll over protective structure (ROPS). When using a riding lawn mower on a slope, make sure to turn on a flat surface, don't get too close to ditches or drop-offs, and always have an escape plan.

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