As with most decisions in life, there are two sides to every option. Landscaping is no different. For every great reason to get involved in landscaping, there is an equally compelling reason not to get involved in this trade. Only you can weigh the pluses and minuses and determine what is best for you.
Four pros of landscaping jobs include – that there is ongoing work; it is a scalable business; the freedom to work outdoors; and it can benefit the environment. Four cons of landscaping jobs include – it is a competitive field; seasonal employment; work is outdoors; and paperwork needed for the business.
Before you decide which path to choose, carefully consider each reason that might cause you concerns and each idea that will cause you to start your mower. Continue reading for thoughts on the pros and cons of landscaping jobs.
Main Disadvantages Of Being A Landscaper
Pros
Continual Needs
Grass, plantings, and shrubbery need tending throughout their growing season. They also need care at the end of the season and before they begin to grow again in the spring. Once you have clients, and provide excellent services for them, you should have a consistent and continual flow of business.
Landscaping requires care regardless of whatever else is going on in the world. For most people, their yards provide a respite from the stressors of daily life. So, peoples’ sanctuaries must be maintained.
Most of your customers will want their lawns and yards maintained on a regular schedule. Therefore, your base income should be predictable during your busy season. If your budget is based on your steady, weekly lawn cutting and weeding or trimming business, then you can adjust to other fluctuations without hardship.
Scalable Business
Another positive aspect of landscaping jobs is that you can scale or build up/down your business as it fits your lifestyle, financial situation, and the time that you have available for work. Landscaping can be started as a part-time job. For your lifestyle demands, you can maintain lawns on the side for extra money. This would be an effective way to save money, so you can open your own business. Or if you need extra money for a financial situation, part-time landscaping can solve your problem.
To start a landscaping business, you can minimize your initial investment by starting with a few customers. You can also limit the services that you provide when you first open your business. This way you do not require a significant outlay of money to start, which can minimize or eliminate debt to purchase equipment.
Once you build your customer base, you can gradually add other services. Developing your business in a step-by-step approach lets you control your costs, how much equipment you need, and how many employees your business must hire.
Main Four Issues Landscape Architects Are Responsible For
Freedom of the Outdoors
If you are currently working at a desk and gazing out the window wishing you were outside, a landscaping job can put you in the great outdoors.
Spending time in nature or green space has the benefit of access to fresh air from the greenery. Increased oxygen has been demonstrated to improve people’s levels of serotonin, which is a chemical in your body. Boosts to your serotonin will improve your mood. Though you are working while you are outside, the fresher air and physical activity have been shown to have a calming effect.
Not only do you have the freedom to be outdoors, but that outside can be almost anywhere. You can choose to work in a residential area in any state that you want. Or you can opt to seek corporate clients and perform your landscaping services in cities or towns with office parks and complexes. You also have the freedom to focus your work on specialty areas, such as planting trees, transforming lawns into pollinator gardens, or installing backyard waterfalls.
Can Benefit the Environment
The work you perform in landscaping can work toward improving the environment. You can select products that will not negatively impact water quality, animal life, or human life. Seeds, fertilizers, and other treatments for lawns can be toxin and chemical-free.
Additionally, if you are going to offer gardening and planting services, you can help customers add noninvasive plants to their yards. Another benefit your business can provide is to remove any plantings that are not natural to the area. Plantings that regional birds and other animals need to survive can be added to the repertoire of landscaping jobs that you will perform.
Cons
Competitive Field
Since there are so many options for what to offer and how to start a landscaping business, you will encounter many competitors. Before you open your business, you need a thorough understanding of how many other businesses there are, what they charge, and what types of services they offer.
From exploring details about existing businesses, you must determine what demand remains. If there are services not being offered, this is a great niche for you to start working in. You may have to offer special incentives to entice customers to try your business. In a very crowded field, you will be asking customers to leave their current landscaper to try you and your business. This can be difficult for some people to do. Be sure you are comfortable in this role. Otherwise, continue exploring niche landscaping work.
What Is Involved In Landscape Architecture?
Seasonal Employment
The busiest season for landscapers is spring and summer, which can translate into working long hours. Summer is the season many look forward to for the beach, barbecues, and baseball. Often people take time off in the summer to travel and go on vacations. Unless you can create a schedule that maximizes your work hours, you may feel that you are missing activities in the summer while you are landscaping.
Also, since the bulk of landscaping work is completed in spring and summer that can alter your earnings. In the fall and winter, you may not be making as much money. You will still have many of the same bills to pay – health insurance, housing costs, car payments, etc. For the fall and winter, you will need to either expand your services or budget your money well.
Work is Outdoors
Hazy, hot, and humid days of summer sound great when you are heading to the pool or beach. However, if you are going to be maintaining lawns, weeding, or planting, the heat of the sun can be unrelenting. Your body can become dehydrated very quickly. If you are going to work in the hot sun, you need to be prepared. Hydration is important; sunblock is essential; take breaks from the sun. Wearing clothing with moisture-wicking and sun protection can be worth the investment.
Paperwork for the Business
Landscaping jobs can sound alluring – working outside in the fresh air all day. However, as the proprietor of the business, you will have paperwork to complete. One of your first steps will be to determine your pricing. In your calculations, you need to include –
- Labor
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Insurances
- Other overhead costs
- Profits.
After you have a pricing structure, you will need to prepare quotes for potential customers, invoices for customers, and pay your bills.
Additionally, you will need to work with banks or other lenders to obtain financing. When you first start your business, even if it is on a small scale, you will need money to purchase a lawn mower and a vehicle. If you can use the money you have saved, that is great. For most companies at some point, you will need to borrow money to grow your business, which involves paperwork.
You will also need to open bank accounts that are just for your business. Be sure to keep your business and personal finances in separate accounts.
5 Tips For Promoting Your Lawn Care Business
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EIN?
An EIN is an acronym for Employer Identification Number. This is also referred to as a federal tax identification number, which the IRS uses to identify businesses. Not all businesses need an EIN; other businesses must have an EIN to operate. Check on the IRS’s website to determine your needs.
Do I need a business license to operate my landscaping company?
Yes, you will need a business license to legally operate your landscaping company. Each state’s requirements vary. Your local office of the Small Business Administration, SBA, can assist you with the requirements in your state and the necessary paperwork.
Does a landscaping business need insurance?
To protect yourself and any employees make certain that you have all the insurances that you need. Some insurances to consider are – vehicle, liability, property, health, and workers compensation insurance. An insurance agent who works with small businesses can best assist you with your needs.
Is there software that can help me run my landscaping business?
Yes, there are software packages that assist you in the daily operation of your business. Depending upon your needs, you can purchase software that will help you with providing quotes, tracking accounts payable and receivable, scheduling employees, and other functions. These can be beneficial as you grow your business.
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.