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If you don’t plan and track your lawn and landscaping budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for lawn and landscaping businesses, we saw a lot of business owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial revenue.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your lawn and landscaping business's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for landscaping services
Most landscaping service providers don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for landscaping services
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a lawn and landscaping service, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Rent | Lease for office and storage space | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for office and equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Water | Water usage for plants and cleaning | $100 | $1,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $100 | $1,200 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $50 | $600 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $200 | $2,400 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Landscape Designer | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Foreman | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Laborers | 4 | $2,000 | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| Office Assistant | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $24,000 |
3. Equipment & Supplies
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of mowers, trimmers, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Fuel | Gasoline for equipment and vehicles | $600 | $7,200 |
| Plants & Materials | Sod, mulch, plants, and other materials | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Tools & Supplies | Hand tools, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and safety gear | $200 | $2,400 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $500 | $6,000 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, pesticide applicator permits, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
Some landscaping services make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best landscaping services in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a lawn and landscaping service?
Be mindful of these potential pitfalls. Here are five major costs every lawn and landscaping service owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Equipment and toolsThese are essential for your operations but can be a significant expense. From mowers and trimmers to leaf blowers and edgers, the costs add up quickly. To keep these expenses in check, invest in high-quality, durable equipment and maintain it regularly. You can also consider leasing equipment or buying used tools in good condition. Overspending often happens when you purchase the latest models with features you don’t really need.
- Labor costsYour team is crucial for delivering quality service, but wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need a skilled workforce to handle various tasks efficiently. Optimize labor costs by scheduling wisely, cross-training employees, and monitoring productivity. However, avoid underpaying or overworking your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service quality.
- Fuel and transportationGetting to and from job sites requires reliable vehicles and a steady supply of fuel, which can be expensive. To manage these costs, plan your routes efficiently to minimize travel time and fuel consumption. Regular vehicle maintenance can also prevent costly breakdowns. Overspending can occur if you have more vehicles than necessary or if they are not fuel-efficient.
- MarketingPromoting your services is essential, but advertising can be costly, whether through online ads, social media, or traditional methods. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective strategies like the ones we recommend. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Materials and suppliesThis includes everything from plants and mulch to fertilizers and pesticides. These costs can fluctuate based on seasonality and supplier pricing. To manage these expenses, buy in bulk when possible, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. Overspending often occurs when you purchase more materials than needed or opt for premium products that don’t add significant value.
How to spend less with your lawn landscaping service?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a lawn and landscaping service owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Equipment Costs | Purchase high-quality, durable equipment and consider leasing options to reduce upfront costs. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize crew hours and reduce overtime. |
| Fuel | Plan routes efficiently to minimize travel time and fuel consumption. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your landscaping service and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Supplies | Buy supplies in bulk and train staff on efficient use to reduce waste. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular equipment checks and servicing to extend the lifespan of your tools. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location for your storage and office needs. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging for any products you sell and offer discounts for customers bringing their own containers. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources to keep your team updated on best practices. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle green waste where possible. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional landscaping tools and utilize management software for scheduling and invoicing. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital invoicing and scheduling systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage of perishable items. |
| Pest Control | Schedule regular pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Client Entertainment | Host local community events or workshops during off-peak times to engage with potential clients. |
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Expenses that are just useless for a lawn and landscaping service
Yes, some expenses for your lawn and landscaping service are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving customer satisfaction.
| Landscaping Expense | Reason It's Unnecessary |
|---|---|
| Excessive Landscaping Tools | Having too many specialized tools can be a drain on your budget without significantly improving service quality. |
| Premium Fertilizers | Unless you are catering to high-end clients, most customers are satisfied with standard, effective fertilizers. |
| Overly Complex Designs | Complex landscaping designs can increase costs and maintenance without necessarily adding value for the customer. |
| High-End Mowers | Top-of-the-line mowers are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your landscaping service. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for industry magazines or software often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Plants | Using rare plants can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Outdoor Furniture | High-end outdoor furniture is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Materials | Personalized materials like brochures are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Watering Systems | Most customers are content with standard irrigation systems, making expensive options unnecessary. |
| Extra Service Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating equipment and tools can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Garden Ornaments | Elaborate garden ornaments are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Tools | Luxury tools are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Marketing Materials | Frequently redesigning marketing materials is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Landscaping Equipment | Specialized landscaping equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your lawn landscaping service!
Managing a budget for a lawn and landscaping service when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can overwhelm you.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to invest in your business.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of lawn and landscaping services just like yours. Get them now!
Make your lawn landscaping service more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best landscaping services in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
