So, you’ve decided to start a landscaping business, and you can’t wait to start providing quality services to your clients, or maybe you’ve started already, congratulations!
It’s no doubt that being a landscaping contractor can be very exciting because the market size of landscaping businesses happens to have increased by almost 2.3% in 2024; the market is currently valued at $128.8bn and is expected to increase further in the coming years.
However, as a landscaping contractor, you need to obtain a license to extremely benefit from this large market size.
Although, you can easily neglect this license aspect of your business if you don’t know why it’s important.
So, what are the reasons why landscaping contractors need to be licensed? In this article, we’ll look into 5 essential reasons why you should get a license for your landscaping business, today.
Before then, let’s briefly understand what landscaping contractors do.
What Do Landscaping Contractors Do?
Landscaping contractors are professionals who are responsible for designing and maintaining outdoor spaces, such as gardens, lawns, and other areas of a property. They may work on both residential and commercial properties, below are some of the tasks they usually do.
- They design and plan the layout of a landscape, including the selection of plants, trees, and other features that are appropriate for the location and climate.
- They also install hardscapes, such as walkways, retaining walls, and patios.
- Planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants, and caring for them as they grow.
- Mowing lawns, raking leaves and performing other basic maintenance tasks.
- Installing irrigation systems to ensure that plants and grass are properly watered.
- Providing recommendations for pest and weed control, and implementing these measures as needed.
- A professional landscape contractor consults with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and works with them to create a customized landscape plan that meets their goals.
Landscaping contractors may also be responsible for managing a team of workers, including laborers and other professionals, and ensuring that all tasks are completed safely and efficiently.
5 Essential Reasons Why Landscaping Contractors Should Be Licensed
If you have ever been asked to obtain a license for your landscaping business, you may want to ask why it is important or what the advantages are, for your business.
Worry not as we’ve outlined the most important reasons why you should obtain a license below:
1. Earn Professional Credibility
A license helps you earn credibility as it illustrates that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform customers’ work to a high standard.
It also shows that you are committed to upholding industry standards and regulations.
Being credible can also earn you a good reputation – which will make you well-respected among others in your field. If you’ve not handled a landscaping project before (that is, if you’re just starting), this professional credibility will make it seem as though you have handled numerous projects successfully.
And, what should you expect? You will be able to attract new clients to your business.
A contractor who is credible and reliable is more likely to be trusted by clients. This is particularly important when it comes to large or complex projects – where clients may be investing a significant amount of money and time.
2. Customer Protection
As a licensed landscape contractor, a customer that wants to hire you to handle a landscaping business will have confidence that the work you’d do for them will be completed safely and to the highest quality.
Customers would not be skeptical that they want to do business with you if you’re licensed.
However, it’s worth noting that customers might do some things that are likely to ruin your business such as filing complaints or seeking compensation. Below are some of the ways to tackle that and protect your customers:
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Provide clear and accurate estimates
By providing a detailed and accurate estimate of the costs involved in the project, the contractor can help the client to understand exactly what they are paying for and what to expect.
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Utilize contracts
Contracts can help to clearly outline the terms of the project, including the scope of work, timelines, payment schedules, and any other important details. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both parties are on the same page.
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Provide ongoing communication
Good communication with your customers is essential to ensure that the project is completed to their satisfaction. Contractors should be responsive to any questions or concerns that the client may have and should keep them informed of any changes or developments throughout the project.
This guide will help you improve the trust they have for you already and also ensure that the projects are completed successfully.
3. Quality Assurance
A licensed contractor is held to a higher standard of quality, as they are required to meet certain criteria to maintain their license.
It will help to ensure that the work is done correctly and that any issues or problems that might arise can be addressed in a timely and effective manner.
It will also help to minimize disruptions and delays and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
This can help to build trust and confidence in the contractor and their ability to deliver quality work, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Likewise, it will give customers peace of mind that they will receive high-quality work.
4. Insurance Coverage
A landscaping business without insurance coverage is likely to fail, many licensed landscaping contractors carry insurance to protect both themselves and their customers in case of accidents or injuries on the job.
This is because insurance is most likely to be part of the requirement for you to obtain a license for your landscaping business.
For the sake of clarity, if a landscaping contractor damages a client’s property while performing their work, they may be held liable for the cost of repairs.
So, would that not cause damage to the landscaping business owner’s finances?
Insurance coverage is what will then cover these costs, protecting the landscaping contractor’s financial well-being.
Just so you know, some clients (especially commercial clients) might want to work with a contractor that has insurance coverage only.
This is because the client may probably want to ensure that they will not be held responsible for any accidents or damages that may occur during the project.
5. Low Competition
Having read some of the important reasons that were elaborated above on why a landscaping contractor should be licensed, you should have realized the advantages of a contractor who is licensed over one who is not.
These advantages also set you apart from other landscaping contractors as someone who knows what he does.
So, obtaining a license will let you have very few competitors in your business – as you’d be seen as a thought leader in the field.
Instead of looking at how you can gain clients just like some other contractors; you’d be the one that most other landscaping contractors that are not licensed will be looking up to.
After all, it’s less likely for unqualified or unethical contractors to outrun licensed professionals.
What Are Required To Obtain A Landscaping Contractor License?
Whether you’re just getting started with a landscaping business or you’ve started for a while, having read this article to this stage; you should have known that a license is one of the criteria to become a professional landscaping contractor and get happy customers.
Even though a license may not be required before you can establish your business as a landscaping contractor in some states, it’s still very much needed for the growth and sustainability of your landscaping business.
However, to get a license for your business, you also need to possess some things; that is, there are requirements to get a license.
Although it varies, depending on the country and state you live in.
Thus, there are no specific answers to what is required to get a license for your landscaping business, but the basic tasks include a demonstration of your skill and expertise, and also your years of experience in the field.
In addition to meeting the requirements, you may also need to pay any fees associated with obtaining a license in your states, such as application fees and others.
However, it is important to check with the licensing agency in your state or jurisdiction to find out what the specific requirements are for obtaining a landscaping contractor’s license.
Working with a landscape contractor company such as Inside Advisor Pro is always a better option as contractors easily get access to resources and services to grow your small business.
How Much Does A Landscaping Contractor Make?
Landscaping contractors make a lot of money in a year, however, the amount of money a particular contractor makes may vary depending on their level of experience, expertise, and education.
The salary range of landscaping contractors, according to a report, is between $53,569 and $74,723.
Conclusion
Landscaping is a profession that deals with people’s property, thus, it’s very important for anyone that wants to start a landscaping business, to take the necessary measures to prevent damage.
This is why a license is also essential, not only to ensure customer safety but sustainability and growth of the business, most especially; to increase your revenue.
