Landscaping is a huge industry, and when you own your own landscaping business, you can be the one to create that beautiful yard or garden. Of course, starting a business takes time and plenty of effort. Here are some steps to help guide you as you start your new landscaping enterprise in New York:
To start a landscaping business in New York, it’s important to know everything about the industry. You should organize your business, choose a landscaping specialty, get the right licensing, permits and insurance, legal paperwork, finances, taxes, and restrictions, and network with others in the industry.
Organizing your business
Choose a business structure
When choosing a business structure, you have three options: sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. The first is the easiest and most common choice for beginners, as it doesn’t require you to draw up contracts or file formal paperwork with the government—and if you’re just getting started with your landscaping business, that’s probably all you need right now!
Choose a name for your landscaping company
Your new landscaping company must have an appropriate name that establishes credibility and professionalism in customers’ eyes. You might consider taking one of these options:
- Using your last name as part of the company name (for example, John Smith Landscaping)
- Take out any personal references from your business name to feel more professional (for example, JTM Landscaping)
Constructing a proper business plan
Choose a landscaping specialty
When deciding what kind of landscaping business to start, it’s important to consider your interests and skills. You’ll spend a lot of time on this business, so you must be passionate about your work. Your specialty can also be based on your skill set—for example, if you’re great with plants and like working outside, then maybe starting an organic landscaping business would be right for you.
Or maybe something else sparks your interest: You love making people happy by helping them create their ideal outdoor space? Or perhaps the prospect of working outdoors appeals to your independent streak?
Another thing to think about when choosing a specialty is whether or not there will be many customers available for whatever service it is that makes sense for your situation. Some areas may have more people interested in certain types of landscaping than others; if so, then those will likely be good places for someone who specializes in those services to set up shop because they’ll have plenty of clients looking for them!
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Get the right licensing, permits, and insurance
To start a landscaping business, you’ll need to take care of the licensing and permit requirements. The right licenses, permits, and insurance can protect your customers, employees, and business. In New York City, for example:
- You need a business license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)—formerly the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA. The DCWP provides information on how to apply for a business license online or by phone.
- You must purchase liability insurance that covers your company’s operations in case something goes wrong while an employee is working on a client’s property—or if an employee causes damage to property through negligence or poor performance at work. The required amount varies depending on the size of your company; call your insurance company for details about finding coverage that fits within this requirement.
Legal Paperwork
Before starting your landscaping business, you must have all the legal paperwork (some startups use websites like LegalZoom). The following is a list of the most common documents you’ll need:
- Business license or permit
- Zoning certificate (if applicable)
- Local tax certificate or permit (if applicable)
- Health department certification (if applicable)
- Client contracts
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Finances
The first step in starting a landscaping business is to estimate your costs and revenue. The more you know about the financial aspects of your business, the better prepared you will be for success.
Before starting landscaping work, whether a small or large-scale job, it’s important to ask yourself how much money you need to begin operating. Remember that no matter what type of project you’re doing, materials will always be involved, such as tools, plants, and chemicals, so don’t forget these when figuring out how much money will be required at each stage along the way!
Once this initial cost has been determined, consider whether additional expenses might come up later, such as advertising costs or extra equipment purchases needed for expansion during those first few years.
Taxes
If you’re not a tax professional, here’s a quick primer on how taxes work in New York:
- You have to pay taxes. The government will likely want their share if you make money on the side, whether a landscaper or an architect.
- Keep good records. As with any business, keeping good records is essential to staying out of trouble with the IRS. Keeping track of expenses and income is only half the battle—you also need to know what kind of deductions are available for your industry (for example, landscapers can deduct some costs associated with maintaining their lawnmowers). Hiring an accountant early on can help ensure that your business is set up properly from day one and save valuable time when filing taxes becomes more complicated and nuanced.
- Get yourself a tax ID number! This may seem obvious, but many people forget about this step when starting their businesses; don’t let yourself be one of them!
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Restrictions
Sometimes, you may need to acquire a permit before starting your business. You will need a permit if you work in a residential or commercial area zoned for landscaping. If the property is public, such as government buildings or parks, you will likely have to have a permit.
If you are unsure whether you need a permit, it’s best to check with your local government. With so many regulations in place, keeping track of what is required when starting your business can be challenging. If you need help navigating through the process and getting started on time with all your legal requirements taken care of, contact an attorney who specializes in landscaping law.
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Network with others in the industry
To build your network, you must join an association in the field. Many associations can help you meet other people working in landscaping and grow your business. For example, you can join the National Landscape Association (NLA) or the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
These organizations offer networking opportunities, local chapters, and conferences where you can meet other professionals. You can also find information about what your peers are doing for inspiration and ideas for your own business.
Other organizations include:
- Landscapers Association of New York (LANY)
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
Once you’re a member, it’s important to participate in your trade group’s activities and attend events outside of it. You never know what opportunities will arise through networking!
Start your landscaping business off on the right foot by following these steps
Before you can start your landscaping business in New York, you’ll need to make sure that you have the following:
- Proper licensing and permits
- Adequate insurance coverage
- Financing in place for your equipment and materials
You may also want to consider whether special permits are required for your work. For example, if you’re planning on working near streams or wetlands, then there may be additional requirements that need to be met. When working around trees, you must have proper training and certification so that no damage is done during the removal process.
It would help if you also kept an eye out for any zoning restrictions in your area; some areas might require certain types of equipment while others could mean different hours of operation are possible than normal.
Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), networking with other businesses within the industry is key when trying not only to find jobs but also to get referrals from trusted sources which will help build up word-of-mouth advertising over time!
As you can see, starting a landscaping business in New York is not difficult. It would be best if you did some research, made a plan, and got started. Once you’re up and running, it will be easier to grow your business into something big!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find good jobs for my landscaping company in New York?
You can find jobs for your landscaping company in New York by doing a job search for “landscaping jobs” in New York. You can also post ads on local websites and talk to friends who might know of any good opportunities.
How much does it cost to start a landscaping business in New York?
Starting a landscaping business in New York can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000. This will depend on the equipment you need, how many customers you want to serve, and other factors.
What is the average yearly salary for a landscaper in New York?
The average yearly salary for a landscaper in New York is $33,302. The salary range for a landscaper in New York can be anywhere from $25k- $59k annually. This is $640/week or $2,775/month.
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.