How Much It Costs to Start a Landscaping Business: Examples
Starting a landscaping business requires a significant investment, with costs varying based on the size, location, and services offered.
A small landscaping business may need around $42,000 to cover basic equipment, a used vehicle, and essential marketing efforts. In contrast, a larger, premium landscaping company with high-end equipment, specialized vehicles, comprehensive marketing plans, and extensive staffing can cost up to $168,500.
In this post, we explore real-life examples of landscaping business startup costs. We break down expenses for equipment, vehicles, permits, insurance, and marketing, providing both low and high estimates to give a clear picture of the investment required to start different types of landscaping businesses.
FREE LANDSCAPING BUSINESS BUDGET TEMPLATE
This is our free budget template built for entrepreneurs who need to estimate their startup costs for a landscaping business. We’ve included low and high estimate cost breakdowns. Free download.
10 Real Landscaping Businesses Examples
We’ve looked into 10 franchised landscaping businesses to see how much it really costs to set up such a business. Here’s what we found: It costs $181,000 on average to start a landscaping (franchised) business.
Here are a few comparables and their investment required. Note that all these 10 brands are landscaping franchises, and under US law they are required to disclose how much it costs to set up such a business (low and high estimates)
We are using these estimates to create the budget presented below.
Landscaping Business Startup Cost Breakdown
How much does it cost to start a landscaping business? Starting a landscaping business can range between $42,000 and $168,500, depending on factors like equipment quality, vehicle choices, location, and the size of operations.
- Low Estimate ($42,000): Covers essential equipment and tools, a used vehicle, basic marketing efforts, minimal staffing, and necessary permits and licenses. This budget is suitable for smaller operations focusing on residential clients with limited services.
- High Estimate ($168,500): Includes high-end equipment, new or specialized vehicles, comprehensive marketing strategies, larger storage or office spaces, extensive initial staffing, and additional permits or certifications. This budget supports larger or premium businesses aiming to serve both residential and commercial clients with a wide range of services.
| Cost Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment and Tools | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Vehicle (Truck/Van) | $15,000 | $50,000 |
| Trailer | $2,000 | $10,000 |
| Licensing and Permits | $500 | $2,500 |
| Insurance | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| Marketing and Advertising | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Office Supplies & Software | $500 | $3,000 |
| Training and Certification | $500 | $3,000 |
| Rent or Storage Space | $6,000 | $24,000 |
| Employee Salaries (3 months) | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| Total | $42,000 | $168,500 |
Now here’s a breakdown of the main costs discussed earlier:
Equipment and Tools
Starting a landscaping business requires a significant investment, with costs varying based on the size, location, and services offered.
A small landscaping business may need around $5,000 to cover essential equipment and tools necessary for basic residential services. In contrast, a larger or premium landscaping company with a comprehensive set of high-quality tools and specialized equipment can cost up to $20,000.
| Equipment Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn Mowers | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Trimmers and Edgers | $500 | $2,000 |
| Blowers and Vacuums | $300 | $1,500 |
| Hand Tools | $400 | $1,500 |
| Power Tools (Chainsaws, etc.) | $300 | $2,500 |
| Hoses and Irrigation Tools | $200 | $1,000 |
| Safety Equipment | $300 | $1,000 |
| Storage Solutions (Racks, Shelves) | $300 | $1,500 |
| Miscellaneous Accessories | $100 | $1,000 |
| Total | $5,000 | $20,000 |
Vehicles (Truck/Van)
Starting a landscaping business requires a reliable vehicle for transporting equipment and materials. The costs can vary significantly based on the type, size, and condition of the vehicle.
A small landscaping business may need around $15,000 to cover a used truck or van that meets basic transportation needs. In contrast, a larger or premium landscaping company with new or specialized vehicles equipped for extensive operations can cost up to $50,000.
| Vehicle Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Used Truck/Van | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| New Truck/Van | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Specialized Vehicles | $35,000 | $50,000 |
| Customization & Accessories | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Total | $15,000 | $50,000 |
Thought for 18 seconds
Certainly! Here’s a concise, SEO-optimized introduction and a detailed table focusing on the “Trailer” startup costs for a landscaping business.
Trailer
Starting a landscaping business requires reliable trailers to transport equipment and materials. Trailer costs vary based on type, size, and condition.
A small landscaping business might spend around $2,000 on a basic flatbed or enclosed trailer for essential equipment. In contrast, a larger or premium landscaping company could invest up to $10,000 for specialized or heavy-duty trailers to handle extensive operations.
| Trailer Category | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Flatbed Trailer | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Enclosed Trailer | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Heavy-Duty Trailers | $6,000 | $10,000 |
| Customization & Accessories | $500 | $1,000 |
| Total | $2,000 | $10,000 |
Rent or Storage Space
Starting a landscaping business requires secure rent or storage space to store equipment and manage operations. Costs vary based on location and size.
A small landscaping business might spend around $6,000 annually on a basic storage unit or small office space. In contrast, a larger or premium landscaping company could invest up to $24,000 for larger facilities or prime locations.
| Cost Component | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Unit Rental | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| Office Space Rental | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Utilities and Maintenance | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Total | $6,000 | $24,000 |
Employee Salaries (3 months)
Starting a landscaping business involves hiring employees to manage various tasks. Salary costs can vary based on the number of employees and the duration of their employment.
A small landscaping business might spend around $10,000 for initial salaries, covering a few employees for the first three months. In contrast, a larger or premium landscaping company could invest up to $40,000 for a more extensive team over the same period.
| Employee Role | Employees | Duration | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscapers/Gardeners | 2 | 3 months | $8,000 | $24,000 |
| Administrative Staff | 1 | 3 months | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Supervisor/Manager | 1 | 3 months | $0 | $8,000 |
| Total Employee Salaries | $10,000 | $40,000 |
