A typical landscaping business in Europe that's still open after three years brings in $14.1k a month ($169k a year) and keeps about $17 of every $100. That leaves about $28.8k a year.
The top 10% make more than $39.3k a month. The bottom 10% make under $5.1k.
Thinking of starting a landscaping business?
- Typical cost to start
- $10.8k
- Still open after 3 years
- 67%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $3,100 | $5,900 | $11,300 | $20,000 |
| Year 3 | $8,200 | $14,100 | $24,200 | $39,300 |
| Year 5 | $10,300 | $18,300 | $32,600 | $54,500 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $10,800.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Used van or pickup | $5,900 |
| Mowers & tools | $3,000 |
| Insurance | $900 |
| Marketing | $600 |
| Software & payments | $500 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
67% are still trading after three years, and 57% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Sold year-round maintenance contracts before one-off jobs
- Took 30% deposits on build work
- Added snow clearing or tree work for winter
How to start one, step by step
Verified landscaping businesses on HumDays
Hedgerow Landscapes
“Maintenance contracts carry the winter. Build jobs pay for the vans.”
De Groene Hovenier
“We sell the winter pruning contract in October, before anyone thinks about their garden.”
Why Mow Better Lawns closed: 90 customers in June, 11 in December
Mow Better Lawns earned well from April to September and almost nothing from November to February. With no winter work and no savings plan, Jake Lowe ran out of cash every January and borrowed to restart in spring. After the third winter he stopped.
Fernway Lawn Care Raleigh
“The brand brings the phone calls. Keeping the crews busy in February is still my job.”
Questions people ask
Is a landscaping business profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical landscaping business in Europe keeps about $17 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $28.8k a year. 33% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a landscaping business?
The typical cost to start is $10.8k. The biggest items are used van or pickup and mowers & tools.
How long until a landscaping business makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 3 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do landscaping businesses fail?
The most common reason owners give is “winter cashflow gap” (30% of closures), followed by “staff reliability” (22%).
Is a landscaping business seasonal?
Busiest April–October. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask landscaping owners
Hedges, leaf clearing and garden build jobs fill our winter. We book them in the autumn while customers still see us every week.
I didn’t, and that is why I closed. Sell yearly plans billed monthly so money comes in all year.
The brand brought leads and a booking system, which saved me most of a year of marketing. You still pay the brand every month, so check what your area can really earn first.