How Much Does It Cost to Start a Landscaping Business?
National Average
Low
$10,000
Medium
$40,000
High
$120,000
An outdoor maintenance and design business providing lawn care, tree trimming, garden installation, irrigation, and seasonal cleanup services.
Time to Launch
2-8 weeks
Profit Margins
15-35%
Break-Even Timeline
1-6 months
Interactive Cost Calculator
Select a state below to see state-adjusted costs.
Startup Cost Calculator
Landscaping Business in Nationally
Budget:
$20,000
$12,000
$4,000
$500
$1,000
$2,500
$6,000
$2,000
Options
Employees:
Startup Costs
$48,000
Monthly Costs
$7,000
First Year Total
$132,000
Form Your Business
A formation service files your paperwork and acts as your registered agent so you do not have to track deadlines yourself. The state filing fee still goes straight to the state either way, on top of any service fee.
compare business formation servicesThis is a paid link. If you sign up through it, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Startup Costs by State
| State | Low | Medium | High | LLC Fee | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $7,700 | $30,800 | $92,400 | $50 | 7.0% |
| West Virginia | $7,700 | $30,800 | $92,400 | $100 | 6.0% |
| Oklahoma | $8,000 | $32,000 | $96,000 | $100 | 4.5% |
| Alabama | $8,100 | $32,400 | $97,200 | $200 | 4.0% |
| Arkansas | $8,100 | $32,400 | $97,200 | $45 | 6.5% |
| North Dakota | $8,200 | $32,800 | $98,400 | $135 | 5.0% |
| Iowa | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Kansas | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 | $160 | 6.5% |
| Missouri | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 | $50 | 4.2% |
| South Dakota | $8,300 | $33,200 | $99,600 | $150 | 4.2% |
| Kentucky | $8,400 | $33,600 | $100,800 | $40 | 6.0% |
| Louisiana | $8,400 | $33,600 | $100,800 | $100 | 5.0% |
| Wyoming | $8,400 | $33,600 | $100,800 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Nebraska | $8,500 | $34,000 | $102,000 | $105 | 5.5% |
| Indiana | $8,600 | $34,400 | $103,200 | $95 | 7.0% |
| Michigan | $8,800 | $35,200 | $105,600 | $50 | 6.0% |
| Ohio | $8,800 | $35,200 | $105,600 | $99 | 5.8% |
| New Mexico | $9,000 | $36,000 | $108,000 | $50 | 4.9% |
| South Carolina | $9,000 | $36,000 | $108,000 | $110 | 6.0% |
| Wisconsin | $9,100 | $36,400 | $109,200 | $130 | 5.0% |
| Tennessee | $9,200 | $36,800 | $110,400 | $300 | 7.0% |
| Texas | $9,200 | $36,800 | $110,400 | $300 | 6.3% |
| Georgia | $9,400 | $37,600 | $112,800 | $100 | 4.0% |
| Minnesota | $9,400 | $37,600 | $112,800 | $155 | 6.9% |
| Illinois | $9,500 | $38,000 | $114,000 | $150 | 6.3% |
| Idaho | $9,600 | $38,400 | $115,200 | $100 | 6.0% |
| North Carolina | $9,600 | $38,400 | $115,200 | $125 | 4.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $9,600 | $38,400 | $115,200 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Montana | $9,700 | $38,800 | $116,400 | $35 | 0.0% |
| Utah | $10,000 | $40,000 | $120,000 | $54 | 6.1% |
| Delaware | $10,400 | $41,600 | $124,800 | $110 | 0.0% |
| Nevada | $10,500 | $42,000 | $126,000 | $425 | 6.8% |
| Virginia | $10,700 | $42,800 | $128,400 | $100 | 5.3% |
| Vermont | $10,900 | $43,600 | $130,800 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Arizona | $11,000 | $44,000 | $132,000 | $50 | 5.6% |
| Colorado | $11,000 | $44,000 | $132,000 | $50 | 2.9% |
| Florida | $11,200 | $44,800 | $134,400 | $125 | 6.0% |
| Oregon | $11,200 | $44,800 | $134,400 | $100 | 0.0% |
| Rhode Island | $11,200 | $44,800 | $134,400 | $150 | 7.0% |
| Maine | $11,400 | $45,600 | $136,800 | $175 | 5.5% |
| New Hampshire | $11,700 | $46,800 | $140,400 | $102 | 0.0% |
| Washington | $11,800 | $47,200 | $141,600 | $200 | 6.5% |
| Connecticut | $11,900 | $47,600 | $142,800 | $120 | 6.3% |
| Maryland | $12,100 | $48,400 | $145,200 | $100 | 6.0% |
| New Jersey | $12,500 | $50,000 | $150,000 | $125 | 6.6% |
| Alaska | $12,700 | $50,800 | $152,400 | $250 | 0.0% |
| New York | $13,900 | $55,600 | $166,800 | $200 | 4.0% |
| California | $15,200 | $60,800 | $182,400 | $70 | 7.3% |
| Massachusetts | $15,400 | $61,600 | $184,800 | $500 | 6.3% |
| Hawaii | $19,300 | $77,200 | $231,600 | $50 | 4.0% |
Cheapest & Most Expensive States
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi$30,800
- West Virginia$30,800
- Oklahoma$32,000
- Alabama$32,400
- Arkansas$32,400
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii$77,200
- Massachusetts$61,600
- California$60,800
- New York$55,600
- Alaska$50,800
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting a landscaping business is one of the lowest-overhead trades to launch. A solo landscaper with a personal truck and basic equipment can start in the low five figures. A two-crew operation with a dedicated truck, trailer, and commercial equipment requires meaningfully more — well into the mid five figures. A full-service landscaping company with multiple crews and installation capability requires materially more capital. Use the calculator on this page to model your specific scenario.
Solo landscapers with a steady weekly route grosses a strong middle-class annual income before expenses. A company with two crews of three workers each grosses a multiple of solo revenue. Net margins are healthy for the home-services category, with landscape installation projects (patios, irrigation, planting) carrying higher margins than maintenance mowing.
Most states don't require a general landscaping license, but tree work and pesticide application require specific licenses. A business license is required everywhere. Pesticide applicator licenses require passing a state exam. Irrigation contractors need a license in many states. Check your state's specific requirements.
The fastest methods: door hangers in target neighborhoods, yard signs on every job site (free advertising), Google Business Profile for local searches, Nextdoor neighborhood app postings, and referral programs (give existing clients a free service for each referral). Word-of-mouth from quality work grows quickly.
In northern states, landscaping peaks April-November and drops significantly December-March. Many landscaping businesses offer snow removal in winter to maintain year-round income. In southern states and warm climates, year-round lawn maintenance is possible. Budget for 4-6 months of reduced income in northern markets.
Related Businesses
Cleaning Business
Home Services$1,500 – $37,000
View national costs →
Pest Control Business
Home Services$10,000 – $120,000
View national costs →
Handyman Business
Home Services$2,000 – $33,000
View national costs →
Painting Business
Home Services$5,000 – $80,000
View national costs →
General Contracting Business
Construction & Trades$20,000 – $130,000
View national costs →