How to create a landscaping business plan

Turn your green thumb into a different kind of green with a budding local landscaping business. Whether you’re starting your own or formalizing one you work for, begin with a business plan. Like starting any company, a business plan for your landscaping business will focus your mission, identify your clients, and help you grow. And growing things is already your specialty. With a sound landscaping business plan, feel more confident in your company’s launch and its future. 

Manicure with a mission

The first step in creating a landscaping business plan is to craft a mission statement. This is a short summary of why you do what you do. 

Good mission statements do the following:

• Say a lot with a little – The mission statement includes your objectives and values in an easily digestible sentence or two that clearly states what your company does and why. This will be important, and something you’ll want to be easy to remember and impactful enough to share with others, in-person and on your website.
• Inspire with action and specifics – Stating how your business will fill a need in your community is a crucial component in your local business plan. Include what makes you different and what you plan to accomplish.
• Revisit for revisions – As your landscaping service grows, your mission statement may too. Be prepared to return to it every few years to make sure it’s aligned with company values and culture as you grow.

Located in Weaverville, NC, Lawn-N-Order Landscaping’s website emphasizes its company’s mission: “At Lawn-N-Order, we approach a problem with your entire property in mind. We consider all the effects of our work on your property to ensure a beautiful solution which proves its functionality for years to come.”

Share your edge with an executive summary

An executive summary gives potential investors a look into your services and financial projections. As an outline for the rest of the business plan, the executive summary should wow while hooking investors to continue reading.

The best executive summaries generally include the following:

• Management structure and overview – Are you an LLC or sole proprietor? Do you have mid-level management? Thinking through these key structural questions can help you project taxes and profits. Include details of your experience and background, as well as other owners or prominent people in your company.
• Market analysis – To demonstrate to potential investors that your landscape business is or will be profitable, include an analysis of the market you’ll be operating. Identify current trends as you make future projections for how and why you expect to grow. Pair your specialty with relevant market insights to show why you offer the services you do based on projected demand for them.
• Financial needs – If you plan to raise capital or take out a loan, include the amount of money you need, plus your repayment plan. The exact amount you end up borrowing may change, but this will give potential investors an idea of your financial standing. 

According to venture capitalist and business planner Dave Lavinsky, this last component is especially important when seeking a bank loan. “Banks will want to review your business plan,” writes Lavinksy. “Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.”

Bolster with a business description

Although you preview your landscape business’s values and services in your mission statement, this section goes into more depth on what your company is, who it serves, and why.

Strong business descriptions generally include the following:

• Company background and story – Include your landscape business’s founding story. Has your landscaping business been in the family, or did you start it straight out of school from the ground up? Share the details of how you got where you are today.
• Products and services – Landscape businesses come in all shapes and sizes. While some specialize in commercial landscaping, for instance, others specialize in garden installation and sodding. Be clear about the products and services you provide. Even if you offer a wide range of services, list all of them so that potential investors and clients know what to expect from your business.
• Growth strategy – You know a thing or two about growth, now apply that to your business projections in the next 6 months, year, and beyond. If you’re planning to expand to more neighborhoods or grow your team, share estimations for when and how. Even if you don’t hit every objective, having a growth strategy will move you forward and give you benchmarks to check in on.

Your business description will have use beyond your business plan. Share it on your website along with your products and services.

Jason's Five Star Landscape & Design in Watertown, WI, states its services clearly on their website to make it easy for potential clients to know exactly what to expect when they call Jason’s company.

Cultivate trust with a financial and marketing plan

Here, you’ll include a thorough analysis of your area’s market and an overview of the industry. Entrepreneur and investor Ajaero Tony Martins shares that researching industry trends can even be the first thing you do:

“Before setting up a landscaping business, entrepreneurs should thoroughly investigate the industry and be certain that the location they intend to start their landscape business is ready for their service offerings.”

Include the following in your business plan:

• Pricing trends
• Industry regulations
• Projected national growth
• Target demographics
• Popular landscape trends
• Competitor breakdowns 

Finally, share how you plan to market your business. Start by setting up your landscaping business with a free Nextdoor business page to connect with clients in your immediate neighborhood and build awareness beyond. Spread the word through social media, email, and through word-of-mouth business with a client referral program.

Include Nextdoor in your landscaping business plan 

Your landscaping business will bloom growing and marketing it as the local business it is. Tap into the power of your neighbors on Nextdoor where 72% have been influenced by a recommendation and 71% have shared them. With your landscaping business plan in place and access to your local community unlocked when you sign up with Nextdoor, grow your business neighborhood-by-neighborhood, lawn-by-lawn.