What will I be doing?

Landscaping services do much more than just cut the grass. They are paid for designing, selecting, installing and maintaining lawns, shrubs and other landscape components. Some specialize in the design and hire contractors to do the dirty work while others prefer to get dirty rather than design. Those who do both well have greater potential for profits.

What will I need to start?

A landscaping service owner must have an extensive knowledge of plants and their care. He or she must know how to select hearty plants and keep them so. In some cases, a landscaping service is called in to correct problems.

To start a successful landscaping service you must be trained and experienced in the field. Most people in the business have developed experience working for someone else for at least five years. One season of cutting lawns isn’t enough. Many in this trade have some formal or self training in landscape design.

You may or may not need many tools for this business, depending on whether you expect to get dirty. Landscape designers can work with pencil and paper or computer. Installers and maintainers will need the standard array of tools: shovels, rakes and trimmers, as well as a lawnmower.

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your landscaping service include homeowners, apartment owners and managers, general contractors, retail businesses, manufacturers’ offices, schools and churches. If you have more experience working with one of these customer groups, focus on them until your business is built up. Of course, if there’s already too much competition in your area for one type of customer, look to others.