How Much Does It Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Mississippi?

Compare in another state:

Starting a Landscaping Business in Mississippi typically costs between $8,500 and $102,000, with a median estimate of $34,000. Mississippi’s cost of living is 15% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Mississippi costs $50 to file. Most landscaping business businesses take 2-8 weeks to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Landscaping Business startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Landscaping Business in Mississippi?

Low

$8,500

Medium

$34,000

High

$102,000

National average: $10,000 – $120,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Landscaping Business in Mississippi

Budget:

Truck & Trailer

$17,000

Landscaping Equipment

$10,200

Insurance

$3,400

Business License & Pesticide License

$425

Uniforms & Safety Equipment

$850

Marketing & Customer Acquisition

$2,125

Working Capital Reserve

$5,100

Irrigation & Sprinkler Equipment

$1,700

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$40,800

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$40,800

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Truck & Trailer	$4,250	$17,000	$51,000	A reliable used pickup truck costs $8,000-$20,000. An enclosed trailer runs $3,000-$8,000. Used equipment significantly reduces startup cost.
Landscaping Equipment	$2,550	$10,200	$34,000	A commercial zero-turn mower costs $5,000-$15,000. Commercial string trimmers run $300-$700 each. Budget $500-$1,000 per worker in tools.
Insurance	$1,275	$3,400	$10,200	General liability is essential — a rock thrown by a mower through a window creates significant liability. Budget $1,500-$5,000/year.
Business License & Pesticide License	$85	$425	$1,700	Pesticide application requires a state license (exam + fee, $100-$500). Many lucrative contracts require licensed pesticide applicators.
Uniforms & Safety Equipment	$255	$850	$2,550	Branded uniforms are low-cost marketing — your crew is walking advertising in every neighborhood they work.
Marketing & Customer Acquisition	$425	$2,125	$6,800	Door hangers in target neighborhoods cost $0.05-$0.20 each and can generate 2-5% response rates.
Working Capital Reserve	$1,700	$5,100	$17,000	Lawn care has seasonal revenue patterns — strong spring/summer, slower fall/winter in northern climates.
Irrigation & Sprinkler Equipment (optional)	$425	$1,700	$5,100	Irrigation services command premium rates and create recurring service revenue.
Total Startup Cost	$10,540	$39,100	$123,250	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Mississippi

General Business License

Mississippi does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Mississippi Secretary of State and register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for sales tax purposes. Individual cities and counties in Mississippi issue their own business licenses — Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, and other municipalities have their own licensing programs. Mississippi offers an online business registration portal through the Secretary of State's website.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Establishment Permit — Mississippi Department of Health — Bureau of Environmental Health
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Mississippi State Board of Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Shop License — Mississippi Board of Cosmetology
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Mississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Facilities Licensure
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Retailer's Package License — Mississippi Department of Revenue — Alcoholic Beverage Control
Cost: $400-$2,000 • Renewal: Annual
Gaming Operator License — Mississippi Gaming Commission
Cost: $5,000-$50,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Business Registration — Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Mississippi are regulated by local city and county ordinances. Mississippi's many rural areas outside incorporated municipalities generally have no restrictions on home-based businesses. Cities like Jackson and Gulfport allow home occupations with standard restrictions on commercial signage, customer visits, and business activities that could disturb neighbors. Mississippi's cottage food law supports home-based food production and direct consumer sales.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Landscaping Business:

Low

$2,000/mo

Medium

$7,000/mo

High

$20,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$40,000 – $500,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

15-35%

Break-Even Timeline

1-6 months

How Mississippi Compares to Neighboring States

Mississippi is one of the more affordable states for launching a Landscaping Business, with a cost-of-living index of 84.7 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($36,800 median startup cost), Mississippi offers lower costs for a Landscaping Business.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Mississippi (current)	$34,000	$50
Tennessee	$36,800	$300
Alabama	$35,200	$200
Louisiana	$36,800	$100
Arkansas	$35,600	$45

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Starting without general liability insurance — one window breakage or property damage claim can exceed startup investment
2
Underpricing lawn care — $30-$50 for a small lawn is not competitive in most markets; price at $45-$80 minimum
3
Not building recurring service contracts — one-time jobs are less profitable than weekly or bi-weekly clients
4
Not learning irrigation system installation — irrigation is a high-margin specialty in the landscaping market
5
Starting without sufficient equipment — trying to maintain 15 lawns with a residential mower destroys productivity

Next Steps to Launch Your Landscaping Business

1
Form your LLC in Mississippi — landscapers work on client property with heavy equipment; liability protection is essential (filing fee: $50)
2
Obtain a Mississippi pesticide applicator license if applying herbicides, fertilizers, or pesticides — required in all 50 states; study for and pass Mississippi exam
3
Get general liability insurance ($500–$1,500/year) and commercial auto insurance for your truck and trailer
4
Register as a Mississippi landscape contractor if your state requires it — check Mississippi Contractors License Board requirements
5
Purchase core equipment: zero-turn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower, and enclosed or open trailer to transport equipment
6
Set up scheduling and invoicing software (Jobber or LMN) specifically designed for landscaping businesses with route optimization
7
Establish accounts with local plant nurseries and mulch/soil suppliers for material discounts — typically 15-25% below retail
8
Offer seasonal contracts for lawn maintenance — monthly automatic billing provides predictable cash flow vs. one-time jobs

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a landscaping business costs $10,000 to $120,000. A solo landscaper with a personal truck and basic equipment can start for $5,000-$15,000. A 2-crew operation with a dedicated truck, trailer, and commercial equipment typically costs $30,000-$70,000. A full-service landscaping company with multiple crews and installation capability can exceed $120,000.

Solo landscapers with 15-20 weekly clients gross $60,000-$120,000/year. A company with 2 crews of 3 workers each can gross $300,000-$500,000/year. Net margins range 15-35% depending on efficiency and service mix. Landscape installation projects (patios, irrigation, planting) have 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 ($50-$200) 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: (1) door hangers in target neighborhoods ($0.05-$0.20 each), (2) yard signs on every job site (free advertising), (3) Google Business Profile for local searches, (4) Nextdoor neighborhood app postings, and (5) 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 in Mississippi

Cleaning Business

Home Services

$1,500 – $37,000

View in Mississippi →

Pest Control Business

Home Services

$10,000 – $120,000

View in Mississippi →

Handyman Business

Home Services

$2,000 – $33,000

View in Mississippi →

Painting Business

Home Services

$5,000 – $80,000

View in Mississippi →

General Contracting Business

Construction & Trades

$20,000 – $130,000

View in Mississippi →

Start a Landscaping Business in Other States

See the national overview for Landscaping Business or browse all businesses you can start in Mississippi.