How Much Does It Cost to Start a Landscaping Business?
Last updated: May 2026
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
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.
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