Create budgets and bid plans Meeting with clients to discuss the project Plan and work with garden designers or landscape architects Order the supplies Prepare the interior soil or the outdoor grounds Preparing and correctly installing hydraulically accurate irrigation systems Seed and turf lawns Prune and plant shrubs and trees Plant new plants Install features such as rock gardens, water features, paving, and pathways Construct gardens with water and rock borders
You may also specialize in interior landscaping such as shopping centers or office buildings. [5] X Research source
Remember that there’s no substitute for experience so if you can’t find something paid immediately, try volunteering your time in exchange for a learning opportunity.
Make sure you have the time and money to complete the program. You can also take classes part-time. Most employers and clients will expect some level of knowledge and experience in horticulture. Depending on your location, you may be able to get a diploma in a variety of Horticultural subjects at a local college. Look into accelerated curricula and schools with strong job placement networks, such as local community colleges and trade schools. [8] X Research source It’s easier to get formal education to understand design drawings, improve your knowledge of plants, and learn how to manage projects. You must learn these skills in addition to field practice if you are pursuing a career in landscaping. [9] X Research source
For example, you may receive a Tree Care Industry Association Certificate if you are focusing on safety, regulations, and professionalism for tree care. The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) also offers a certification for numerous areas of landscaping including managers, interior/ exterior specialists, and technicians. If you are in the US, look into getting state licensed. Many states now have strict requirements for licensing that supersede any certification you may receive. Check your state’s licensing requirements to see if you qualify. Depending on your location, you may get certified in Practical horticulture or horticulture. [11] X Research source
Be diligent about thinking ahead and staying organized during a project. This is extremely helpful for completing a job efficiently and effectively. Those skills will bolster your reputation and bring you more work in the future.
Make sure that you learn skills in garden design, how to understand garden design drawings, gain knowledge about the environment, deep knowledge of plants, how to meet deadlines, how to keep organized, how to work with tools, how to work with others and on your own, and how to work as part of a business or become self-employed. [14] X Research source
Look into factors such as licensing, liability and workman’s compensation insurance requirements, tax breakdowns, and local governing boards and registrations for landscapers.
Some larger, more expensive pieces of equipment can be leased. Look into renting equipment such as trenchers, skid steers, and excavators for individual jobs instead of buying these outright.
For example, if you live somewhere with cold climates, you may only want to rent your more costly equipment so they don’t collect dust during the winter. You may also want to adapt to year round service by offering driveway shoveling or Christmas tree delivery and disposal. Two thirds of the U. S. has downtime during the winter so you must market aggressively to maintain a healthy April through October. The winter will shift to services including raking leaves, winterizing lawns, installing holiday lighting, setting up seasonal greenhouses and hanging baskets, and establishing new clients and revenue streams.
Work with your local tool store or dealer to get a line of credit or an account. Talk to your supply company rep extensively for recommendations regarding the best tools for your work and your region, and see what resources they can provide to help you as you get started. Make sure to do your research to purchase quality tools and equipment. You don’t have to purchase top of the line equipment unless you have the capital and know that you will be able to cover the cost within a reasonable amount of time. Find equipment and tools that are durable and capable of accomplishing what you need. You don’t want to waste money on extra functions that will never be used. For example, you won’t need to purchase a riding mower if your clients don’t have large properties. A walking mower is significantly cheaper, easier to transport, and cost less to maintain. [18] X Research source Make sure to get damage waivers on any equipment you rent. This way, you won’t be financially responsible for things like equipment failures or flat tires. Don’t purchase expensive office equipment. Instead, direct your funds to things you’ll use everyday. You may use your home printer or commit to working out of a shared office space once a week. Landscapers are expected to be constantly on location so don’t worry about leasing an office space or setting up an elaborate home office. You’ll basically need a computer, printer, and a filing system to organize invoices and other administrative collateral.
There are certifications and even degrees that you can achieve. Depending on your location, you may need certifications to handle things like heavy machinery.
Like any service industry, your landscaping business will be built on your reputation. If you work hard and put your clients’ needs first, you can reap the rewards of referrals and sustained business. Clients can be particularly demanding in this industry, asking you to focus solely on them and make time during their days off. Be polite but firm when you cannot accommodate them, and suggest alternatives to meet their needs. If, for example, they want to talk on your day off, let them know that you will not be in the office that day, but you can meet them on Monday during their lunch hour.
While you think you can work through the pain to make money in the short term, you may lose everything in the end if it develops into chronic pain that’s debilitating. There are official workplace protocols that may need to be followed when operating heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals. Make sure you completely understand the proper procedures and follow them exactly as stated. Always prioritize the safety of you and your employees, especially when dealing with something for the first time. You not only want to avoid injury to yourself but you also want to avoid damage to your client’s property.
While trial and error can work, you don’t want to waste valuable time and resources especially when working in a competitive market.
Potential landscaping clients will include: homeowners who want you to design their landscaping because they don’t have the tools or creativity that you possess, new homeowners who want to update their landscape, homeowners who are looking to sell and want to enhance their home’s curb appeal, both residential and commercial builders without an in-house landscaping team. Potential lawn care clients include: homeowners who travel frequently, retirees who don’t have the capacity to care for their lawn themselves, “snowbirds” who leave for warmer climates during the cold months, golf course managers, rental property or condominium association managers who need property upkeep, and facilities managers of public green spaces. Public green spaces include cemeteries, universities, government entities, and universities.
Services may include: lawn maintenance/mowing, hydroseeding, sod installation, landscape care, weeding, fertilizing, landscape maintenance, pest control, landscape design, landscape architecture, or contracting services. Most begin with mowing and begin to add other services as they gain more experience.
You may ask friends and family to contact competitors to see how much they offer their services for and then set your prices to compete. You may also figure out how much it would cost you to complete a project and then divide the price of the materials with the amount of hours it would take you to complete the project. You may also figure out your rates based on how much you want to make in a year. For example, if you want to make $40,000 to start, this will roughly be $3,334 a month. Next, divide that by the number of hours you want to work in a month. So if your want to work 35 hours a week in a four week month you would be working 140 hours with a rate of $23. 81/hour. You can add a profit margin. The cost of doing business, including tools, administrations, and materials, is billed to your clients on top of your hourly rate. Your rate must, at the very least, cover the bills of your business and personal expenses including food, mortgage, medication, etc. This will allow you to survive but will not give you any profit for savings or investing back into your business.
You must determine what your costs will be including material and labour. Then you can add your profit margin after you have covered the resources. Materials may include topsoil, mulch, and plants. You may be able to find these at wholesalers that will give you greater value. You can then mark up the price to gain a profit. You may also work with subcontractors and rent equipment if it allows you to work with more clients and offer different services. Keep in mind business overhead as well. For example, take into account the cost of gas as you must drive from location to location. Your estimate includes the exact services that you will be providing, the materials needed, and any other details specific to the project. It is the landscaping industry standard to provide an estimate as a free service. Try to avoid the trap of selling your next job to pay for the one you are finishing now. Be diligent about appropriately planning your budgets and estimates to cover the cost of the job.
Rake up a light layer of leaves and go over them with your lawn mower. Leave the discards on your lawn to limit popping up weeds as the leaves break down.
There will be a charge to send the sample. Be sure to contact them before hand to ensure you know the proper procedures and wait time.
For example, only use fertilizer on Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
For example, nurseries still sell purple loosestrife. It is inexpensive and produces a lovely flower but will spread and choke out your other plants.
Learn about creating irrigation systems and hydraulic theory. Look into classes on planning and installing irrigation systems. This can help you plan systems that will help maintain a landscape without you having to be there frequently to water it. Remember to check water restrictions during extreme heat.
For example, purple and yellow work well together.
