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How to Become a Professional Landscaper
The landscaping industry in the United States grew an average of 3.3% annually between 2015 and 2020. As of last year, the industry’s size by revenue is valued at $98.7 billion.
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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the market size for landscaping services actually increased in 2020, as more people were forced to stay at home. This led to many looking to improve their garden. But there’s more to landscaping than simply increasing the aesthetic appeal of a home. It also improves its market value for potential buyers. This makes it an attractive prospect for those looking to become a professional landscaper.
If you’re interested in getting into the landscaping market, we’ve laid out a few things you need to do to get started.
Get Certification
To start a career in landscaping without work experience, it would be best to acquire qualifications to show that you know how to practice your craft. Though bachelor’s degrees and licenses are highly recommended for those who want to take up the more technical fields of landscape architecture, such as the engineering side of things, there are many short-term online courses and extension programs for individuals interested in learning the basics of landscape design.
Once you’ve undertaken the necessary training, it’s time to apply for certification. Doing so proves your expertise and shows clients that they’re in good hands.
Decide On Your Services
The first order of business is to decide on what you want to offer, as landscaping covers a fairly broad range of services. Will you focus more on the layout design, which involves curating the landscape and increasing curb appeal? Or will your business be more geared towards maintenance, such as plant care, garden maintenance, and cleanup?
Choosing what you want to do early on will inform the rest of your business plan, such as your equipment, business license, labor force, service charges, and client guarantees, among others. Keep in mind too, that business licensing requirements may vary per state, and some services like pesticide application and irrigation may need you to secure additional permits.
If you lack the capital to pay for startup costs and tools, government assistance and small business loans may be available in your area to help you hit the ground running. Once you start raking in more profits, you can eventually expand your employee base and repertoire of services.
Choose a Business Structure
When starting a landscaping company, you can choose from various business structures depending on your needs. In a sole proprietorship model, a single person owns the business and is responsible for all of its legal liabilities, including taxes and debts. Though this structure is easier and less expensive to start, it comes with risks that you should consider.
Meanwhile, many landscape firms opt for a limited liability company or LLC setup, where the business itself becomes its own entity, separate from the owners. In other words, the owners’ personal assets are shielded. Though there are annual costs and upfront fees, the LLC structure can be an attractive option for owners who want to separate business liabilities, like lawsuits and debt, from their personal finances. For those with little landscaping experience, this would better protect them in case anything goes wrong.
Market Your Landscaping
Business When you’re all set, you can start getting the word out to attract potential customers. You can go the traditional route, via flyers, posters, and brochures. Alternatively, you can use the internet to build business recognition.
Social media pages such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram can be a good start for reaching possible clients and making it easier for them to contact you. These sites can also double as a portfolio to show off your work or to post feedback from satisfied customers. If you have the budget for it, you can even hire graphic designers to create your logo and produce engaging content to post.
Though most industries have been impacted by the pandemic, it’s clear that there are untapped opportunities available for those interested in starting a landscaping business. With enough grit, know-how, and perhaps a little bit of luck, it could prove to be a lucrative venture.
About the Author Laura Bennett
Hello, I’m Laura Bennett. I love nature especially when it comes to flowers and different kinds of plants. I started a very small garden behind my house and I named it Humid Garden. So, I created this blog to provide aspiring and inspiring thoughts about gardening for gardeners and anyone who has the intention of keeping a garden.
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