How to Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Growing your lawn care business demands hard work and smart planning. You have to manage daily tasks, attract new customers, and keep the current ones happy while making a profit. It can feel like a lot to handle.

But by taking the right steps, you can make your lawn care business bigger and better.

In this article, we’ll explain how to grow your lawn care business. We’ll explore the common hurdles you might face and lay out a roadmap of growth strategies to overcome them.

You’ll learn how to fine-tune your operations for better efficiency and smart ways to handle your finances to keep your business thriving.

Finally, we’ll wrap up with actionable tips you can put into practice right away.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your lawn care business to the next level, this guide is packed with valuable insights to help you grow.

What Are the Challenges Faced by Lawn Care Businesses?

You know you’re ready to grow your lawn care business, but perhaps you’re a little nervous to move forward. The good news? The lawn care industry is booming.

In 2024, lawn care services are expected to be worth about $58.69 billion in the U.S. alone, according to one analysis. By 2029, that number could reach $75.71 billion. This growth is steady at about 5.20% every year.

Landscaping and lawn care businesses are also resilient. Even when people were quarantined in 2020, the industry kept growing.

People started spending more time and money on their landscaping since they were spending more time using them. This trend has continued even as restrictions were lifted.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 13 Lawn Care & Landscaping Industry Trends

This upward trend in demand doesn’t mean running a lawn care business is easy. Here are some challenges you might face:

Pressure to Lower Prices

Everyone wants a great deal. This means you often have to keep your prices low to stay competitive. It’s tough to balance making a profit and providing good value for customers’ money.

Tied to Property Markets

A big part of your business growth depends on homeowners wanting lawn care. If the housing market is slow, your business might slow down, too.

Small Jobs Limit Growth

Big national companies often don’t do small lawn care jobs. This service gap means local businesses like yours can compensate by taking more small jobs. However, too many small jobs can lead to slower business growth.

High Competition Among Small Businesses

While there aren’t many big companies to compete with, there are many small businesses like yours. You have to work harder to stand out.

Keeping Up with Demand

With more people wanting lawn care, you need to prepare to meet this demand. This might mean hiring more people or buying more equipment—two things that require an upfront investment

Weather Dependence

Demand for your work changes depending on the weather. Too much rain or a drought can affect your income.

What Are Some Growth Strategies for a Lawn Care Business?

Adding customers to your roster allows you more flexibility when facing challenges. When looking to grow your lawn care business, there are some high-impact strategies you should consider:

Always Deliver Quality Services.

This one might seem obvious, but quality job performance really is key. When neighbors see a well-kept lawn, they’ll ask who did the work. That’s free advertising for you.

To ensure top quality:

Train your team and keep up with innovations and best practices.
Use the best equipment you can afford.
Check each job before you leave to make sure it’s perfect.

Market Your Business.

Marketing is imperative to success. Promote your services to attract new customers. You can:

Create a website showcasing your best work.
Use social media to share before and after photos.
Hand out flyers in local neighborhoods.
Offer a discount to current customers who refer new ones.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Market and Grow Your Landscape Business

Diversify Your Services.

Offering a single service, like mowing lawns, limits your business seasonally. Providing more services can bring in business all year. Consider expanding to offer:

Seasonal cleanups in spring and fall
Planting flowers or shrubs
Providing snow removal in winter if you’re in a snowy area
Offering lawn treatment services like fertilization and weed control

Set the Right Prices.

Finding the right price point is a balance. You want to be competitive but also make a profit.

To set your prices accurately:

Research what the competition in your area charges.
Calculate your costs for each job, including time, materials, and overhead.
Don’t forget to factor in a profit margin.

Focus on Customer Service.

Happy customers are loyal customers. Don’t give them a reason to go elsewhere.

To improve customer service:

Always be polite and professional.
Address complaints quickly and fairly.
Follow up with customers to ensure they’re satisfied.

Ask for Customer Feedback.

Feedback helps you grow and improve your business. It also signals to the customer that their opinion matters to you.

After completing each job:

Ask the customer if they’re satisfied.
Provide a simple way for them to give feedback, like a short form or online survey.
Act on the feedback to improve your services.

Partner with Other Businesses.

Local networking can help you form partnerships with other business owners. Try to:

Build relationships with related businesses, like garden centers or hardware stores.
Consider package or referral deals with these partners.
Attend local business events to meet potential partners.

Keep Learning and Adapting

The lawn care industry is always evolving. If you don’t stay abreast of new trends and technologies, you may lose business to competitors who do. To stay ahead:

Attend industry workshops and seminars.
Subscribe to lawn care magazines or online forums.
Experiment with new equipment or techniques, including more sustainable or environmentally friendly options.

How Do I Increase Operational Efficiency for a Lawn Care Business?

Keeping your lawn care business running smoothly can supercharge your growth. When operations are efficient, you can do more work in less time and save money, too.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 6 Tips & Tricks to Effectively Manage a Landscaping Business

Here’s how you can boost operational efficiency:

Streamline Scheduling.

Use smart technology to schedule jobs. You’ll waste less time driving back and forth. Here’s how to do it:

Use a digital calendar to see all your jobs in one place.
Try to book jobs in the same area on the same day. You’ll spend less time on the road, which allows you to book more jobs. It also reduces fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear.

Use Lawn Care Software.

Software created specifically for lawn care businesses can make management a lot easier. It can help you:

Keep track of your customers and their preferences.
Send and track bills digitally.
View upcoming jobs so you can prepare.

Train Your Team.

Your lawn care business is only as good as your team. Make sure everyone knows how to:

Use your equipment the right way.
Do each job quickly but proficiently.
Deliver exceptional customer service

Automate What You Can.

Automating tedious management tasks saves time and reduces the risk of errors. You can:

Set up automatic reminders for your customers’ next service.
Use software that sends out bills automatically.
Implement a system that automatically tracks equipment inventory so you always know what you have and what you need to replace.

Delegate Tasks.

If you try to do everything yourself, you will create bottlenecks that slow down operations. Instead:

Give team members certain jobs they’re in charge of.
Have someone who is good with numbers handle the billing.
If someone is great with people, they could take charge of customer service.

Keep Your Equipment in Top Shape.

Broken equipment can result in downtime and unsatisfactory job performance. To avoid this:

Inspect equipment regularly to make sure it’s working right.
Clean your tools after each job. They’ll last longer.
Have a plan for quick repairs if something breaks down.

Financial Management for Lawn Care Businesses

Having a solid financial plan is crucial for the long-term success of your lawn care business.

One primary reason small businesses fail is not having a clear idea of how much they make from their services and, ultimately, not bringing in enough money to meet daily needs.

Also, trying to beat competitors by setting prices too low can backfire if it means you’re not making enough money to cover your costs.

FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Grow a Landscaping Business

Here’s how you can manage your finances:

Create a Budget.

Make sure you budget how you’ll spend money. This includes setting amounts for marketing, maintaining your equipment, and paying your team.

Price Your Services Right.

You want to ensure your prices are fair while also making a profit. A simple way to think about pricing is to add up all your costs per job and then add enough to make a profit. That extra bit is what you get to keep for your business.

Monitor Your Cash Flow.

Always know how much money you have coming in and going out. This can help you make informed financial choices, like when to buy new equipment or hire more people.

Save for Slow Times.

Sometimes, business might be slow, like during the winter. It’s smart to create a financial reserve during your busy season, so you have enough to get through the slower months.

Ask for Advice.

If you’re not sure about something, it’s okay to ask for help. Talk to a financial professional or another business owner who has been through the same thing.

Top Tips on How to Grow Your Lawn Care Business

Here are some tips you can start using today:

Analyze Customer Feedback.

Review customer feedback to gain insight into your performance. Identify common themes or suggestions for improvement. Then, consider integrating them into your services.

Check Your Finances.

Do a detailed analysis of your financials to ensure each job is profitable. Calculate which services yield the highest profit margins. How can you increase the volume of these jobs?

Allocate a Marketing Budget.

Establish a marketing budget with a focus on return on investment. Identify the most effective marketing channels to reach your target audience. This might be through local advertising, social media campaigns, or paid ads.

Optimize Your Digital Footprint.

Audit your online presence. Make sure your website is mobile-responsive and user-friendly. Active and engaging social media profiles can also enhance your visibility, so check yours.

Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. This is essential for local search visibility.

Try Lawn Care Software.

Investigate various lawn care business management software options to streamline your operations. These tools help with scheduling, invoicing, and customer management. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the potential return on investment.