Learn about trends in the landscaping services industry and find more information on how to start your own landscaping business. Don’t forget you can receive free or low-cost training and free professional business advice, from your local Small Business Development Center!
View our related business report here: Cleaning Services Business
Get a free Landscaping business plan template on our Business Plan page.
Landscaping Services Business Forecast
The landscaping service industry is seeing significant growth despite ongoing economic challenges. According to Landscape Management’s State of the Industry Report, the majority of respondents reported that the landscaping market is moving in a positive direction, with local markets showing significant growth. However, despite this optimism, inflation and labor shortages continue to create challenges for industry professionals and can have a direct impact on their finances. In fact, a recent industry report found that inflation was among the industry’s top concerns. Rising prices can discourage consumers from spending on lawn cares services, potentially shifting demand between do-it-yourself and do-it-for me options. Higher operating costs can also limit landscaping companies’ ability to invest in new equipment. Beyond inflation, labor shortages continue to challenge the industry, with a significant share of businesses identifying workforce availability as a growing issue.
Looking ahead, landscaping businesses are also responding to consumers’ growing interest in emerging landscape design trends. For example, sensory gardens that incorporate fragrant and textured plants are becoming more common. Other popular features include wind chimes, water fountains, and native plants, which can create a more engaging and natural outdoor environment. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on calming garden designs that promote relaxation and wellness. Clean, modern aesthetics are also gaining popularity as consumers look to create outdoor spaces that feel inviting and functional. As a result, landscaping businesses are increasingly incorporating these contemporary designs into their services. These trends reflect changing consumer preferences and are contributing to new opportunities within the growing landscaping market.
Here are some additional business resources specific to the industry:
- National Association of Landscape Professionals – Programs & Resources for Landscape and Lawn Care Contractors
- National Association of Landscape Professionals – Landscape Industry Research and Publications
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration – Landscape and Horticultural Services
Landscaping Services Business Overview & Trends
NAICS Code: 561730, SIC Code: 0782
Landscaping service businesses are an important contributor to the U.S. economy. The most recent National Association of Landscape Professionals industry statistics reports that the landscape services industry has a market size of $153 billion, employing over 1 million people.
This landscaping services industry summary is from First Research which also sells a full version of this report.
- “Companies in this industry provide landscape care and maintenance services, as well as landscape design and construction. Major US companies include Asplundh Tree Expert, BrightView Landscapes, Davey Tree, and TruGreen. Outside the US, major companies include Active Tree Services (Australia) and Idverde (France).
- Landscaping services market was valued at about $330 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach about $730 billion in 2037 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, according to Research Nester. Global demand is driven mainly by factors such as housing starts, employment, and consumer spending.
- The US landscaping services industry includes more than 105,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $77 billion.
- Competitive Landscape: Demand is driven partly by construction spending and partly by the economy’s overall health. Because management and equipment costs are mainly fixed, the profitability of individual companies depends on demand volume and operations’ efficiency. Small companies can easily compete with big ones, except in providing services to large customers. Big companies operate mainly through local branches or offices that have operations almost identical to those of local companies. The US industry is highly fragmented: the top 50 companies generate about 15% of revenue.
- Products, Operations & Technology: Landscaping services include commercial and residential landscape maintenance, landscape construction, irrigation systems, tree services, chemical lawn care and pest control, and “line-clearing,” or branch removal around utility lines.”
Landscaping Services Business Technology
Technology is an increasingly vital component of the lawn care industry. Landscaping service providers are actively adopting tools such as automated robots, AI-powered solutions, and battery-powered equipment. Many professionals are now utilizing robotic lawn mowers to supplement traditional mowing operators. Some businesses are allowing robotic mowers to handle a majority of the mowing. For professionals relying on traditional crews, many are transitioning from gas-powered tools to battery-powered equipment to reduce daily inefficiencies. These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also increase consumer satisfaction.
Here is information on technology usage in landscaping service businesses:
- Robotics in landscaping industry – National Association of Landscape Professionals (1)
- The benefits of smart tech in lawn care – Green Industry Pros
- How technology enhances efficiency in landscaping services – Landscape Industry Careers
For additional information on technology, visit our AI for Small Business Guide.
Landscaping Services Business Customer Demographics
Major customer segments for landscaping services are reported by IBISWorld, which offers full version of the report for purchase here.
- Landscaping businesses provide services to residential, commercial, public sector and nonprofit clients.
- Commercial clients, at 50%, account for the largest segment driving industry revenue. The category includes clients such as hotels, retail centers and other office spaces. For customers in this segment, services are provided to building exteriors as well as to interior green space. These commercial entities show a demand for professional landscapers that can make an area both aesthetic and functional to appeal to customers and guests.
- Residential clients provide the second largest industry revenue at 42.2%. This segment includes single- and multi-family homes. Growth in this segment comes from suburban areas where developers frequently construct new developments and renovate existing properties. These consumers’ financial stability allows them to spend significantly on yard improvements and maintenance.
- Public sector clients provide 6.2% of industry revenue. Organizations included in this segment are schools, municipal parks, community centers and other government-owned spaces – which rely on aesthetic appeal and functionality of the landscape. These public spaces must have regular maintenance and enhancements to stay accessible to the community. Spending from this sector is dependent on federal support for government budgets, which allows for continuous investing in upkeep and development on the landscape.
- Nonprofit organizations account for 1.6% of industry revenue. This segment includes churches, homeowner associations, and other small community venues that may hire out for basic lawn maintenance and landscaping. Spending from this market is declining as nonprofit budgets tighten.
Additional information on landscaping customers can be found in a variety of trade associations and publications, including:
- Profile of Home Buyers – National Association of Realtors
- Landscape Industry Statistics – National Association of Landscape Professionals (2)
- Time and money spent gardening – Lawn & Garden Retailer
Landscaping Services Business Startup Costs
Establishing a landscaping services business requires an understanding of the startup costs involved in order to develop a sound financial plan.
According to a cost breakdown reported by Entrepreneur Magazine, landscaping business related costs are as follows:
- “Startup Costs: Under $2,000
- Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
- Franchises Available? Yes
- Online Operation? No”
Additional landscaping business startup cost information can be found at:
- “How Much Does It Cost to Open a Landscaping Business from Profitable Venture:
- The operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $60,000.The cost for start-up inventory and landscaping tools and equipment (lawn mower, walk-behind mower, back pack blower, string trimmer, edging Shears, turfing iron, half-moon cutter, brooms, besom, weed eater, hand tools, leveling rake, spring–tined rake, switch, wheelbarrow, and weed chemical supplies) – $50,000.The cost for the purchase of trucks/vans for conveying workers and equipment to sites – $45,000.The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750.
- Total Cost of a Small Scale Landscaping Business: $5,000 to $15,000”
- “List of Expense Items to Start a Landscaping Business from Chron (1):
- “Reliable Lawn Mower
- Gas-Powered Edger
- Array of Gardening Tools
- Leaf Blower to Remove Grass and Leaves
- Basic Lawn Fertilizer
- Safety Gear and Equipment”
- “Lawn Care Service Startup Costs from Entrepreneur Magazine:
- “Startup Costs: Under $2,000
- Home Based: Can be operated from home.
- Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
- Franchises Available? Yes”
Lawn Care Services Business Plans
The following are sample lawn care business plans for reference. For additional business plan samples, visit our Business Plans Guide.
- How to Write a Business Plan for Landscaping – Chron (2)
- Lawn Landscaping Business Plan – Bplans
- Lawn and Garden Services Business Plan – Bplans
- Landscaping Business Plan – Profitable Venture
- Landscaping Business Plan Template – Growthink
Landscaping Services Business Associations
Trade associations often are excellent sources of information on an industry. Here are some relevant landscaping services industry associations:
- National Association of Landscape Professionals
- American Hort
- Ecological Landscape Alliance
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- American Society of Consulting Arborists
- Tree Care Industry Association
- Association of Professional Landscape Designers
- Organic Landscape Association
Lawn Care Business Regulations
Although there is no one agency regulating landscaping businesses, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides resources for employers in the landscaping industry. The resources covered include professional standards and a guide to identify hazardous chemicals oftentimes used in the industry.
Landscaping Services Publications
- Landscape Management
- Lawn and Landscape
- Green Industry Pros
- Horticulture Week
- Landscape Online
- Garden Design
- Landscape Architecture Magazine
- The Edge Magazine
- American Gardener
For resources to help market your assisted living start up, visit our Digital Marketing Guide, Social Media Marketing Guide, and our Website Design Guide.
Landscaping Services Business Employment Trends
Understanding employment trends in your industry is important when opening a landscaping services business. Landscaping businesses rely on a range of roles to operate effectively. Depending on the services offered, this could include lawn care, weeding, fertilizing, mowing, or trimming trees. The following are insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook into Grounds Maintenance Workers. A more specific breakdown of other landscaping occupations is available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- “Pay: The median hourly wage for grounds maintenance workers was $18.50 in May 2024.
- Work Environment: Most grounds maintenance work is done outdoors in all weather conditions. Some work is seasonal, available mainly in the spring, summer, and fall. The work may be repetitive and physically demanding, requiring frequent bending, kneeling, lifting, or shoveling.
- Job Outlook: Overall employment of grounds maintenance workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 171,600 openings for grounds maintenance workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
Additional Small Business Resources
Already in business or thinking about starting your own small business? Check out our various small business resources:
- View more business reports here: Small Business Snapshots
- View small business help topics here: Small Business Information Center
- View industry-specific research here: Market Research Links
- View business plans samples here: Sample Business Plans
Remember, you can also receive free professional business advice and free or low-cost business training from your local Small Business Development Center!