There are thousands of franchise opportunities in the United States and Canada. How are you supposed to choose the best franchise under $100K?

We’ll discuss the top franchises under $100K to help you understand the services they offer, the initial investment involved, and other considerations you need to look at before you get a $100K franchise.

First, we’ll look at our picks for top franchises under $100K, then review cleaning franchises, service businesses, food franchises, and other franchises.

[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"] Read about all your options, or click any link to jump to a specific section, where you’ll learn about companies that are a good fit for your initial investment in a business franchise.

• Best Franchise Opportunities Under $100K
  • #1. Wise Coatings
  • #2. MaidThis
  • #3. Spray-Net
  • #4. Brown’s Pressure Washing
  • #5. EverLine Coatings
• Cleaning Franchises for $100K
• Best Service Business Franchises: Top Franchises Under $100K
• Top Food Franchise Under $100K
• Additional Food Franchises Under $100K
• More Best Franchises to Own (Under $100K)
• How did we choose the top franchises under $100K?
• Which franchise under $100K is most appealing to you?[/su_note]

Best Franchise Opportunities Under $100K

Upflip has partnered with specific companies that are committed to providing new business owners with the franchise tools they need to become profitable franchises. The best franchises we’ve interacted with, and our top recommendations, are:

• Wise Coatings
• MaidThis
• Spray-Net
• Brown’s Pressure Washing
• EverLine Coatings

We’ll discuss these first.

#1. Wise Coatings

Brandon Vaughn used just $15,000 to start Wise Coatings. The majority of the initial investment went to marketing and learning how to work with the unique concrete floor coating materials. There are currently eight franchises and 140 applicants (and growing). Wise Coatings helps its franchisees navigate the marketing and systems needed to run the business right. This franchise opportunity requires:

• Franchise Fee: $50,000
• Total Investment: $117,400-$160,000 (including 3 months working capital)
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: 2-4 employees (suggested)
• Territories: Discounts for buying more than 1
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through Benetrends. Learn how to qualify.

Check out our interview with Brandon below.

#2. MaidThis

Neel Parekh started MaidThis just over 10 years ago, and now the company is making over $166,000 a month. It currently has 17 franchisees and is making a name for itself by helping small business owners start their own remote cleaning companies.

• Franchise Fee: $39,000
• Total Investment: $50,400-$72,650
• Royalty Fee: 7%
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: Work it yourself or hire employees.
• Territories: You can buy more than one territory if they are available in your area.
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through third-party financing services.

Learn more about starting a remote cleaning business franchise below.

#3. Spray-Net

Carmelo started Spray-Net because he realized the residential painting space needed modernization to speed up the house painting process. Today, Spray-Net has 40 franchisees and owns patents on its processes so nobody else can offer them.

• Franchise Fee: $45,000
• Total Investment: $170,825-$241,825
• Royalty Fee: 8%
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: Hire employees or subcontractors to do the cleaning.
• Territories: You can buy more than one territory if they are available in your area.
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through third-party financing services.

Learn more about starting a painting franchise in our exclusive interview.

#4. Brown’s Pressure Washing

A pressure washing franchise is among the easiest to operate. You don’t need any special skills or a big team, and the initial investment is low.

When you buy a Brown’s franchise, you’ll get extensive training and comprehensive support, making it even easier to turn your investment into long-term success.

• Franchise Fee: $20,000
• Total Investment: $50,000-$100,000
• Royalty Fee: 10%
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: Hire employees or use subcontractors.
• Territories: Multiple territories are allowed.
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through third-party financing services.

You can learn founder Joshua Brown’s successful business strategies in The 7-Figure Pressure Washing Blueprint, or hear his story in this interview:

#5. EverLine Coatings

John Evans started the Canadian company EverLine Coatings and has received the Canadian Franchise Association Awards of Excellence two years running. The average EverLine parking lot repair franchise makes nearly $900K in its first year. To get started you’ll need:

• Franchise Fee: $49,500
• Total Investment: $164,744 - $332,443
• Royalty Fee: 9% or $500 per territory + 3%—whichever is greater
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: Hire employees to provide the services.
• Territories: You can buy more than one territory if they are available in your area.
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through third-party financing services.

Learn more about EverLine Coatings in our interview below.

Cleaning Franchises for $100K

#6. Augusta Lawn Care Services

Mike Andes is a brilliant entrepreneur who founded Augusta Lawn Care Services when he was a teenager, and today it’s one of the top 500 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. Their franchise opportunities offer low barriers to entry and flat fees instead of the standard percentage model. Here’s what it takes to become an Augusta franchise:

• Franchise Fee: $6,999-$25,000
• Total Investment: $12,999-$82,500
• Royalty Fee: $699-$1,200/mo.
• Space Needed: 100-2,000 square feet
• Employees: Solopreneur or hire other employees to work for your franchise.
• Territories: You can buy more than one territory if they are available in your area.
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Yes, through the Franchise Forgiveness Model.

Learn more about starting a lawn care franchise below.

#7. Maid Brigade

The main benefit of franchise business models is having a well-known and established brand reputation to build from.

This is what puts Maid Brigade among the top 10 franchises in the cleaning industry. It’s regularly ranked as one of the Top 100 Franchises for less than $100,000 by Entrepreneur (#44 in 2023).

It’s also a good fit for veteran and minority franchisees, ranked among the top 50 for vets by USA Today and a top 25 franchise for Hispanics by the World Franchising Network.

• Franchise Fee: $27,700-$40,700
• Total Investment: $85,150-$113,850
• Royalty Fee: 3.5%-6.9%
• Space Needed: None (can be home-based)
• Employees: Average of 4 employees per franchise
• Territories: Franchisees get an exclusive operating territory
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

#8. Scoop Soldiers

Scoop Soldiers is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to start an in-demand franchise in the yard clean-up sector. With Scoop Soldiers, you ensure homeowners and businesses have clean outdoor spaces by offering pet waste removal solutions.

The unique franchise business model is built to scale while being a good fit for franchisees with busy lives. You can start to operate within 60 days—much faster than many franchises.

Aspiring entrepreneurs also get the option of building from the ground up or moving into an established market. If you want a flexible, corporate-tested franchise under $100K, Scoop Soldiers is one of the top franchises to consider. 

• Franchise Fee: $39,500
• Total Investment: $68,300-$118,300
• Royalty Fee: 8%
• Space Needed: None (can be run from home)
• Employees: None needed
• Territories: Exclusive territories available in all 50 states
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

You can learn more by listening to our interview with Scoop Soldiers’ founder:

Best Service Business Franchises: Top Franchises Under $100K

#9. Century 21 Real Estate

If you’re interested in the top franchises in the property management sector, Century 21 is among the best cheap franchises to invest in. Investing in a franchise lets you join a community of more than 14,000 franchisees across 86 countries. You’ll get to leverage brand recognition and Century 21’s strong track record of success as a franchise company.

• Franchise Fee: Up to $25,000
• Total Investment: $24,700-$459,250
• Royalty Fee: 6%
• Space Needed: 30 square feet per agent
• Employees: 1-3 on average
• Territories: Exclusive territories available worldwide
• Franchising Funding Assistance: In-house financing for startup costs

#10. Dog Wizard franchise

Dog Wizard is the best franchise opportunity for animal lovers. This unique opportunity provides mobile dog training services or a full kennel, meaning franchisees get multiple ways to grow their businesses.

Investing in a franchise gives you access to a four-part comprehensive training program to ensure your services meet the company’s high standards. If you’re dedicated and passionate about animals, this is among the best franchises to explore.

• Franchise Fee: $50,000
• Total Investment: $81,500-$98,250
• Royalty Fee: 8%
• Space Needed: Varies (mobile, retail, and boarding options available)
• Employees: Solopreneur or run with a team
• Territories: Protected territory with 200,000 population (and you can expand your territory easily)
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

#11. Kumon

Educators seeking the best franchises under $100K may find a Kumon franchise suits their interests.

Kumon provides tutoring services, and franchisees get full access to training, too. This starts with eight days of training in the Kumon Instructor Development Program, followed by hands-on training in the Kumon Curriculum and Kumon Method.

• Franchise Fee: $2,000
• Total Investment: $68,428-$146,640
• Royalty Fee: $36-$40.50 per student per month
• Space Needed: Recommended minimum of 1,000 square feet
• Employees: 2-3
• Territories: Available across the United States, Canada, and Mexico
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Subsidies up to $37,100 and a $10,000 veteran’s incentive

#12. HomeWell Care Services

In-home care for seniors is increasingly in demand. The home care solutions and services you’ll offer with a HomeWell Care franchise set you up for big growth potential, and it’s among the top franchises for entrepreneurs with healthcare experience.

The minimum investment in a HomeWell franchise is only $5,000, so this is also one of the best franchise opportunities for people with limited financial resources.

• Franchise Fee: Up to $49,500
• Total Investment: $52,400-$230,800
• Royalty Fee: 5%-10%
• Space Needed: 500-1,000 square feet
• Employees: Can run as a solopreneur or with a small team
• Territories: Available in 47 states, exclusive territories and site selection support available
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available, 20% discount for veterans

#13. Signal Security

Signal is a world-class security brand with a reputation for excellence. It’s among the best franchises under $100K for veterans and law enforcement professionals and is Entrepreneur’s #1 security franchise brand.

• Franchise Fee: $50,000-$200,000
• Total Investment: $57,450-$273,150
• Royalty Fee: 4%
• Space Needed: None (can be run from home)
• Employees: Average of 2-4 per location
• Territories: Available worldwide
• Franchising Funding Assistance: In-house and third-party financing available

Top Food Franchise Under $100K

#14. Cinnabon

Cinnabon is the only food or, more specifically, bakery franchise under $100K with global brand recognition. It also has a relatively low minimum investment for a food franchise, and franchisees get complete training and marketing support.

• Franchise Fee: $5,500-$30,500
• Total Investment: $60,300-$621,400
• Royalty Fee: 6%
• Space Needed: 600 square feet on average
• Employees: 5+
• Territories: Exclusive territories available in the U.S. and around the world
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

Additional Food Franchises Under $100K

#15. Carvel

This iconic ice cream franchise has been around for more than 80 years, and that staying power is part of what puts it among the top franchises in the food industry.

Franchisees get complete support in multiple facets of their businesses, from menu development to cost optimization, as well as access to a top-notch in-house marketing team.

• Franchise Fee: $10,500-$30,500
• Total Investment: $67,875-$536,400
• Royalty Fee: $2.88/gallon
• Space Needed: 100-1,600 square feet
• Employees: 2-6
• Territories: Exclusive territories available
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

#16. Champs Chicken

With its low minimum investment and no franchise fee, Champs Chicken is one of the best businesses in the food industry for entrepreneurs with limited financial resources.

They also offer excellent franchisee support, with continual training and a strong investment in the growth of their owners.

• Franchise Fee: $0
• Total Investment: $9,000-$349,000
• Royalty Fee: None
• Space Needed: Varies depending on format
• Employees: Minimum of 2
• Territories: Available in 11 U.S. states
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

More Best Franchises to Own (Under $100K)

Investing in any of the following franchises could be a great way to start a successful business, whether you want a brick-and-mortar store in your community, a mobile business, or a lucrative creative outlet.

#17. The UPS Store

Buying a UPS Store franchise gives you the power of a recognized brand with a track record of franchise success. The extensive ongoing support and training are what consistently make UPS one of the top franchises to own and manage.

• Franchise Fee: $9,950-$29,950
• Total Investment: $101,819-$476,993
• Royalty Fee: 5%
• Space Needed: 800-1,800 square feet
• Employees: 3-5
• Territories: Over 5,000 locations available worldwide
• Franchising Funding Assistance: In-house financing for all franchisees as well as 10% off for veterans

#18. Cornwell Quality Tools

Cornwell Quality Tools has been a leading name in high-quality, professional equipment for over 100 years, and it is the best franchise to own in the mobile tool and repair industry.

Additionally, it’s a very accessible franchise business, with relatively low up-front costs, excellent training, and strong franchisee support. It’s one of the few all-mobile franchise opportunities, which is one reason it requires such a low initial investment.

• Franchise Fee: $0
• Total Investment: $54,525-$298,825
• Royalty Fee: 7%
• Space Needed: None (mobile franchise)
• Employees: Can be run as a solopreneur
• Territories: Available in 48 states
• Franchising Funding Assistance: In-house financing for equipment and startup costs

#19. Minuteman Press

Minuteman Press is the #1 printing and marketing franchise business. It’s among the best franchise opportunities in any industry, offering franchisees multiple revenue streams and local support.

As a full-service marketing provider, you can establish strong recurring revenue streams quickly with a Minuteman Press franchise. There’s a reason it’s one of the companies highlighted by Entrepreneur’s franchise list, appearing among their top franchises for 20 years in a row.

• Franchise Fee: $32,500-$48,500
• Total Investment: $78,241-$219,529
• Royalty Fee: Up to 6%
• Space Needed: 1,000 square feet
• Employees: 3
• Territories: Available in all 50 states
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

#20. Big Frog

For aspiring entrepreneurs who want to get into the custom clothing sector, Big Frog is one of the best franchises to open.

• Franchise Fee: $39,500-$60,000
• Total Investment: $180,750-$235,700
• Royalty Fee: 6%
• Space Needed: Under 1,200 square feet
• Employees: 2-4 required per location
• Territories: Available markets in 47 U.S. states and Canada
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Veteran discount and third-party financing

You can make great money with this established brand. Since becoming a Big Frog franchisee in 2008, Sanford Booth has consistently made more than $40,000 a month. Hear his story in this interview:

#21. YESCO Sign & Lighting Service

First founded in 1920, YESCO is a family-run company that builds custom signs in addition to providing sign and lighting repair and maintenance services.

You can start a franchise for $100K or less without needing a brick-and-mortar space for the repair side of the business.

• Franchise Fee: $50,000
• Total Investment: $65,000-$389,200
• Royalty Fee: 6%
• Space Needed: None (can be run from home)
• Employees: 3
• Territories: Available in 39 states and Canada, exclusive territories available
• Franchising Funding Assistance: 10% veteran discount and in-house financing available for equipment and franchise fee

#22. Duct Doctor

With over 30 years as a leader in the duct cleaning services market, investing in a Duct Doctor franchise gives you access to their well-known brand and strong marketing and advertising program.

The company also provides extensive training and ongoing support, so you don’t need any special educational background or skills to get started as a franchisee. Another benefit is the growth potential, with ample opportunities to expand beyond your initial market.

• Franchise Fee: $25,000
• Total Investment: $44,100-$201,500
• Royalty Fee: 5%-8%
• Space Needed: None (can be home-based)
• Employees: 2
• Territories: Worldwide exclusive territories available and option to operate multiple units
• Franchising Funding Assistance: Third-party financing available

How did we choose the top franchises under $100K?

We use a variety of factors to select the companies we recommend to a potential franchisee. Some of the factors include:

• Initial investment
• Franchisee support
• Profit margins
• Limited competition
• Search engine optimization

Initial Investment

Potential business owners are looking for “Franchise $100K” opportunities, and for this list, we took that specific number into consideration. We use the franchise fee or the total initial investment to judge the franchise up-front costs.

In scenarios where the initial costs are more than that amount, there are other factors that we use when comparing the companies, for example…

Franchisee Support

While costs are important to a franchise business, the main benefit of a franchise is the ability to book clients faster. You don’t have to spend countless hours researching the best strategies to operate your business if the franchise has good business systems.

When it comes to our top five picks, we have personally interacted with the business owners and established that the costs, profit margins, and approaches to finding clients are worth the investment.

Profit Margins

We look for business owners who have created highly automated business structures because the more automation a business uses, the fewer costs (as a percentage of revenue) they have to find and support clients.

Higher profit margins lead to faster business growth and increased personal wealth, which you can then invest in other businesses like rental properties.

Limited Competition

A business that takes a novel approach tends to have less competition, higher revenue, and an easier time finding clients. Combining highly automated business processes with high-demand local businesses reduces the time to recoup costs.

Search Engine Optimization

Every business today needs to take search engine optimization into account. We have to include certain businesses in some blogs (including this one!) because readers (like you!) expect to see them.

Dog Wizard is the only franchise in this blog that our primary SEO tool, SurferSEO, expected us to include. All others were chosen because of our research or personal experience with how the business owner operates their franchising company.

Which franchise under $100K is most appealing to you?

Everyone considers franchise opportunities differently. Some people care most about the initial investment, while others are most concerned with ongoing support. That’s why it is important to do your own research before making the minimum investment in any of the best franchises under $100K.

Which franchise under $100K is most appealing to you? Let us know in the comments.

Did you know there are over 56K nail salons in the U.S.? You need a great nail salon name to make your business stand out.

We’ve compiled a list of over 400 nail salon name ideas to help you find inspiration for your nail business name. In addition, we provide naming tips and information about how to register your nail salon business name once you’ve chosen one.

[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"] Click on any of the links below to jump straight to the nil salon name ideas you want to see.

• What Makes Good Nail Salon Names?
• 30 Nail Salon Names
• 30 Nail Salon Name Ideas
• Nail Salon Names And Logos
• 30 Good Nail Salon Names
• 22 Funny Nail Salon Names
• 30 Press-On Nail Business Names
• 30 Nail Art Salon Names
• 30 French Nail Salon Names
• 26 Classy Nail Salon Names
• 30 Catchy Nail Salon Names
• 30 Cool Nail Salon Names
• 26 Creative Nail Salon Names
• 30 Professional Nail Salon Names
• 32 Personal Nail Salon Names
• 30 Location-Based Nail Salon Names
• How to Register Your Nail Salon
• Next Steps After Naming Your Nail Salon [/su_note]

What Makes Good Nail Salon Names?

Good nail salon name ideas normally include some or all of the following:

• Use a memorable name: The easier it is for potential customers to remember your nail salon name, the more people are likely to contact you.
• Make it personal: Choose names that appeal to your client base and how their nails will make them feel.
• Include keywords: Including words like nail, salon, studio, gel, boutique, and other words relating to your nail business can help with SEO and an immediate understanding of what your company does.

Keep reading for lots of nail business name ideas.

30 Nail Salon Names

Consider some of these nail salon name ideas before you name your nail business.

Pro Tip: Using an adjective like perfect, artistic, glamour, whimsical, elegant, or beautiful along with nail, nails, or salon can be a great way to come up with good nail business name ideas.

30 Nail Salon Name Ideas

There are plenty of other nail business name ideas. Consider some of these.

Pro Tip: Once you find nail business names you like, make sure they are available as web domains and trademarks.

Nail Salon Names And Logos

The best nail business name will also work well with a logo. Think about what the logo would look like for each of your potential nail salon names.

Your nail business name and logo will be used on everything from your website to invoices and will help potential customers remember your company. 

30 Good Nail Salon Names

You might want to choose a good nail salon name idea from the list below.

22 Funny Nail Salon Names

Nail salons can sprinkle some humor into the name for their nail services. Consider some of these funny nail salon business name ideas.

Pro Tip: Nail business name ideas can incorporate some humor by using puns or alliteration. Figuring out what works for you and your clients’ senses of humor can make picking a name an even more exciting venture.

30 Press-On Nail Business Names

When your nail business is a pressing matter, you might consider a company name from this salon name ideas list.

Pro Tip: Including keywords related to press-ons in your nail names is a great way to let people know that your nail artists focus on providing quick service.

30 Nail Art Salon Names

Nail art is one of the most complex types of nail services in the competitive beauty industry. Consider some of these unique nail salon names to let people know you specialize in artistic nails.

Pro Tip: Nail businesses specializing in nail art should use a unique nail business name that includes words relating to art like artistic, brush, canvas, or whatever style of art you specialize in.

30 French Nail Salon Names

French nails provide an elegant look, and you should have an equally unique nail salon name, especially if you specialize in French tips. Consider some of these nail company names for your French nail services.

Pro Tip: Everything sounds just a little sexier when you use the French language. Consider beautiful French words to give your nail salon name some mystique.

26 Classy Nail Salon Names

Nail business names can reflect class to help present a high-end reputation. Consider some of these classy nail business names.

Pro Tip: Once you have the perfect cute nail salon name, consider how you will make the atmosphere a match.

30 Catchy Nail Salon Names

Unique nail salon names should stand out from the pack. Consider some of these catchy nail salon business names.

Pro Tip: The best nail salon names are colorful and catchy. Think about your brand identity and brand values when considering nail name ideas. Then use fun adjectives to make the name unique and memorable.

30 Cool Nail Salon Names

26 Creative Nail Salon Names

30 Professional Nail Salon Names

32 Personal Nail Salon Names

If you never intend for your nail business to expand beyond yourself, your name might be the best nail salon name. Alternatively, you could name your salon after a loved one or person who’s inspired you. Consider some of these examples:

Pro Tip: Nail shop names with your first or last name in them might create an expectation that you’ll be working with all the clients. If you intend to sublet to other nail technicians, you might not want to use your own name.

30 Location-Based Nail Salon Names

Good names for nail salons can be as simple as providing a location indicator. Just be careful when choosing a name for nail business operations. If you get too specific you might have to change the name if your shop front moves to another location.

Pro Tip: Including the city, county, or references to local landmarks can be a good way to indicate your new nail salon is a local business. Make sure to check keyword volumes to see what people are searching for before choosing the best local indicator.

How to Register Your Nail Salon

After you have found some unique nail business names, you’ll need to:

1. Perform a Name Check: Check for available domain names, trademarks, and social media accounts.
2. Get an LLC: You’ll want to register your creative name as an LLC.
3. Get Your Business License: Your business will need a license to operate legally.

Learn more about starting a business.

Next Steps After Naming Your Nail Salon

There’s still a ton to do after brainstorming and choosing from your favorite nail names. You’ll want to make sure you’re licensed and insured, find a great location, and start marketing to your target audience.

What kind of nail name ideas do you like?

Do you love being outside and working with your hands? How about the idea of being your own boss?

If your answer to these questions is a resounding “Yes!” then starting a landscaping business could be the perfect career for you. It certainly was for Mike Andes, the founder of Augusta Lawn Care.

Mike started Augusta Lawn Care as Andes Lawn Care to pay for college, but it became so successful that today it’s one of the fastest-growing franchises in the U.S. with over 93 landscaping business owners operating under his business model. The franchise office makes between $65K and $112K per month, and the average franchise makes approximately $37K per month.

[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"] We’re going to share everything you need to start a landscaping business, including:

• What Is a Landscaper?
  
• What Does a Landscaping Business Do?
  
• How to Start a Landscaping Company
  • Step 1: Get Landscaping Experience
    
  • Step 2: Choose Your Niche and Services
    
  • Step 3. Plan for Landscaping Services Success
    
  • Step 4: Choose a Landscaping Business Name
    
  • Step 5: Establish Your Company
    
  • Step 6: Purchase Landscaping Equipment
    
  • Step 7: Build Your Team
    
  • Step 8: Attract Customers With Marketing Efforts
    
  • Step 9: Deliver Quality Work
    
• Start Your Own Landscaping Business!

Click on any of the links above to jump ahead to the information you want about how to start a landscaping business. [/su_note]

What Is a Landscaper?

A landscaper is someone who uses their understanding of horticulture, building practices, and artistic design to beautify land. Landscape professionals perform tasks like:

1. Leveling land
2. Selecting plants and other materials that will thrive in the local climate
3. Creating a layout that will create specific emotions, paths to follow, or lighting conditions
4. Planting and caring for the landscape

What Is the Difference Between a Landscaping and Lawn Care Business?

A landscaping company is focused on the design and transformation of an outdoor area through planning, construction,  arrangement, and planting of trees, shrubs, grass, and other decorative elements like paths and water features.  

Lawn care services focus on mowing lawns, pest control, fertilizing land, and spreading seeds or sod. 

Lawncare and landscaping are similar, and many companies provide both services. 

What Does a Landscaping Business Do?

Augusta Lawn Care is a lawn care company that provides landscaping services as well. Their list of landscaping services includes:

• Mowing: Cutting Grass
• Landscaping: Leveling services, design, planting new greenery
• Hardscaping: Creating pathways to encourage people to use when traveling through the lawn
• Lawn Care: Performing upkeep of customers’ lawns on a regular basis
• Property Cleanups:  Removing weeds and leaves, plus trimming bushes
• Snow & Ice Removal: Removing snow and ice from pathways

Another landscaping services list might look like the list below.

• Garden and lawn maintenance (mowing, fertilizing, weeding, etc.)
• Maintaining and trimming trees and hedges
• Grooming golf courses
• Laying sod and lawn planting service
• Planting flowers, trees, and bushes
• Corporate/company landscaping
• Designing gardens to customer specifications
• Laying out and constructing walkways
• Installing retaining walls
• Building decks and patios
• Irrigation system design

Basically, anything involving the land around a home or business is the domain of a landscape professional. While larger landscaping companies will provide all of these services, others specialize in one area, like lawn maintenance or flower bed design. 

Now that you know what landscapers do, let’s look at how to start a landscaping business.

How to Start a Landscaping Company

Starting a landscaping business is as simple as:

1. Get Landscaping Experience
2. Choose Your Niche and Services
3. Plan for Landscaping Services Success
4. Choose a Landscaping Business Name
5. Establish Your Company
6. Purchase Landscaping Equipment
7. Build Your Team
8. Attract Customers With Marketing Efforts
9. Deliver Quality Work

Step 1: Get Landscaping Experience

Mike didn’t just wake up one day and decide to start Augusta Lawn Care. He grew up less than affluent and knew he would need to earn the money to pay for college. So he started mowing lawns at age 11 and kept doing it through his bachelor degree and MBA (He started college at 13!). 

Eight years later, he was making over a million per year and started building out his landscaping business. He told us the biggest difference in his business now is:

[su_quote]As you grow your landscaping business, you’ll be less hands on. At first you’ll be mowing lawns and working with customers. Then you’ll start being the sales person, then you’ll literally just be supporting your employees.[/su_quote]

Check out our interview with Mike below.

Mike found podcasts and YouTube videos were one of the best ways to learn from other landscaping businesses. It gave him the knowledge and tips he needed to start his successful landscaping business. 

You might want to start providing lawn maintenance services to learn more about the lifestyle and gain some experience. Lots of people like the idea of working outdoors, but the reality is often less than pleasant.  

The workday usually starts between 6 and 7 AM, and the weather can be tough to adapt to. You never know whether you are built for starting a landscaping business until you’ve spent 4 hours moving rocks on a hot summer day.

Mike’s Courses and Franchises

Mike offers a business course to help you get into the landscaping industry. It provides lessons on:

• Starting a Business with $15,000
• Landscaping Business Basics
• Marketing Strategy
• Bookkeeping and Accounting
• Growing to $250,000 / Year
• Adding Retail Products
• Pay for Performance (P4P)

Plus, the course includes done-for-you templates and access to previous videos. It’s effectively providing you the same information he provides the franchisees, but you build your own brand. Check out what Mike has to say about the difference between his course and franchises.

Check out Mike’s Landscape Business Course!

Step 2: Choose Your Niche and Services

As you saw above, landscaping covers a wide range of construction and lawn maintenance services. For a small landscaping business today, it’s often best to focus on just one specialty, like lawn care or landscape design, rather than trying to start off as a full service landscape company. Mike told us:

[su_quote]I tend to focus on the parts of the landscaping market that are easiest and most profitable.[/su_quote]

A new landscaping business will reduce startup costs and business expenses if they specialize. You’ll only be purchasing equipment that you need for the jobs you do. You’ll also need fewer skills, which means a smaller crew to get the job done.

Common niches in the landscaping industry include:

• Landscape maintenance: Rather than building or installing landscapes, you’ll be the one pruning hedges, mowing the lawn, and watering the flowers to keep them looking beautiful. Maintenance companies require the lowest initial investment because they require less equipment. On the other hand, you won’t be able to charge as much per hour as you could for more creative and labor-intensive services.
• Fertilization, weeding, and pest control: This is a specialized form of maintenance that focuses on keeping plants and lawns healthy. It requires expert knowledge of plant and grass care. You’ll also be working with potentially dangerous chemicals, so you may need to obtain extra permits or training.
• Sod and lawn installation: Businesses in this niche lay sod, spread grass seed, and install lawns for customers. This often means more one-time contracts than the recurring services offered by maintenance companies.
• Deck and patio construction: Those who have skills with building and construction can put them to great use in a landscaping business. Along with installing the deck and patio, you’ll beautify the area around it. Since this often involves new construction, you’ll need an intimate knowledge of your region’s building codes and other regulations.
• Landscape architecture and design: Businesses in this niche both design and install landscape features for clients. This can include labor-intensive projects like building retaining walls, building terraced gardens, or contouring the landscape. Designers work with customers, using their input to create attractive, livable outdoor spaces, so creativity and vision are key tools of the trade. You’ll also need to have some horticultural knowledge so you can arrange plantscapes that last and thrive.

Mike sticks mostly to the first three tasks, but he’ll occasionally do pathways and more detailed landscaping jobs.

Commercial vs. Residential Landscaping

Along with deciding which specific services you’ll offer, it’s also a good idea to consider what kind of customers you’ll work with. Mike focuses on residential landscaping for two key reasons:

1. Lower up-front costs: Residential landscaping companies typically take a deposit at the start of the project that covers the cost of the materials. In commercial landscaping, you often don’t receive your pay until the job is finished, so you’ll have to pay for the materials out of your company’s funds.
2. More creative freedom: In commercial landscaping, you’re typically working from a plan provided by the company. Even if this plan has flaws, you don’t get any freedom to make changes or improve it. With residential landscaping, you can work with the customer and make recommendations, giving you more control over the quality of the end result.

Commercial landscaping also has its advantages. You can have fewer clients, since commercial projects are often larger both in regard to the area and the client’s budget. It can also provide a more consistent revenue, especially in the maintenance and lawn care niche.

Create a Basic Lawn Care Price Sheet

One of the hardest things for new landscaping businesses is knowing how much to charge for services. Mike’s advice:

[su_quote]Do a lot of research.[/su_quote]

Different regions have standard price ranges for landscaping services, so that’s the first thing you should look up when you’re deciding on your prices. Each project is unique, though. Many new landscaping businesses have a tendency to under-bid for projects. They want all the work they can get and don’t want to be turned down by the client. 

Another business owner, Brian Linson, told us:

[su_quote]Go out and get your numbers down when you’re bidding projects. Don’t be afraid to walk around and measure everything out. Just take your time when you’re bidding because the last thing you want to do is go back to a client and tell them you need more money to finish their project. That’s something no one wants to hear.[/su_quote]

Check out the rest of the interview with Brian below.

Check out Home Advisor’s list of costs for landscaping services: 

• Lawn mowing/maintenance: $130
• Removing a tree stump: $349
• Leaf removal: $400
• Sealing asphalt: $527
• Tree and shrub maintenance: $800
• Deck sealing and waterproofing: $919
• Concrete removal: $1,081
• Patio or path repair: $1,454
• Deck repair: $1,987
• Installing sod: $1,997
• Driveway repair: $1,714
• Resloping/contouring: $2,116
• Fountain installation: $2,673
• Pond installation: $3,352
• Landscape installation:  $3,300
• Patio and path installation: $3,900
• Landscape design: $4,569
• Installing a retaining wall: $5,933
• Building a deck: $7,650

Step 3. Plan for Landscaping Services Success

A landscaping business owner needs to have a plan if they want their small business to be successful. It’s a seasonal business, so don’t forget to plan for reduced cash flow during the winter months.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Landscaping Business?

Initial expenses for a landscaping company vary widely, depending on the size and scope of your operations. If you’re a one-person operation that only performs basic maintenance and mowing services, you can get started with as little as $1,000. Mike told us:

[su_quote]When we started, we started with $1,000 to buy a blower, a weed eater, and a lawn mower.[/su_quote]

That said, most landscaping businesses will require a larger investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 and $20,000 if you’re starting from scratch.

There are ways to lower these start-up costs, though. Buying used rather than new equipment can cut down significantly on your expenses. Mike specifically suggests buying your work vehicle used because they get damaged easily and the business asset will be devalued more if you buy it new.

You can also rent much of the equipment from home improvement stores, typically for around $100/day. While this is less cost-effective in the long term, it can be an excellent way to save on initial expenses if your financial resources are limited.

If you don’t want to start a business from the ground up, your other option is to buy a franchise. While this often takes more money up-front, it can be a good option for a first-time entrepreneur since you won’t need to do as much leg work to get it off the ground.

How Much Does a Landscape Business Owner Make Per Year?

The short answer, again, is “it depends.” According to Lawn & Landscape Magazine’s State of the Industry Report, the average annual salary of a landscape company owner ranges from around $31,000-$69,000 per year.

Mike hasn’t shared his salary, but with $699 to $1200 monthly franchise fees from 93 franchises, it’s fair to say he’s making decent money.

Writing a Landscaping Business Plan

A business plan is a living document that plans for the future of your company. You’ll definitely need one if you plan to apply for small business loans or other financing, since both bankers and investors will ask to see it.

Even if you’re opening the business with your own savings, a business plan is a helpful document. It’s where you’ll outline your company’s mission statement and long-term goals, along with detailing your initial and ongoing expenses.

If you’ve never written a business plan before, take a look through a sample business plan to get more guidance on what to include and how to write it. Among the things, your business plan should include:

• The business’s mission and objectives
• A description of the company
• The services you’ll offer
• An analysis of the market
• A summary of your sales and marketing strategy
• The business’s organizational and management structure
• Initial budget figures and financial projections

Mike even recorded a whole video about planning your own company. Check it out below.

[su_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Seac5PbUZXk"]

Step 4: Choose a Landscaping Business Name

It’s important to put some thought into choosing the name of your company. Your landscape business name is the first impression customers will get, so make sure the name explains what you do.

Once you’ve picked business names for a landscaping business, it’s a pain to change them, so that’s more motivation to get it right the first time. If you’re having trouble coming up with landscaping business names, a business name generator can help you get started. 

The best landscape business names are short, simple, and tell people exactly what your business does. It should be easy to remember but also unique enough to stand out from the competition.

Keep in mind that much of a business’s presence in the modern day is online. Check to see if the business names you’re considering are available as domain names so you can get one that matches. You can use the WhoIs LookUp to see if a domain is available with the business name you want. 

Step 5: Establish Your Company

Once you’ve determined what kind of services you’re going to offer, you’ll be better able to do the logistical work of establishing a company. This includes:

1. Creating a Business Structure
2. Getting a Landscaping Business License
3. Opening a Business Bank Account
4. Getting Landscaping Insurance

Keep reading for more information on how to start a small landscaping business.

Create a Business Structure

Creating a separate business entity for your landscaping company separates your business assets and your personal assets. Most local landscaping companies choose to use a limited liability company (LLC), but there are other business models that will protect your assets. To create a business entity, just go to your Secretary of State business portal. 

Find out more about business entities.

Landscaping Business License Requirements

Every new business has to be registered before they can legally operate. First, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is your business’ federal tax ID, which you’ll need to open a bank account, hire employees, or apply for local permits. You can apply for an EIN through the IRS website.

You’ll also need to register with the county clerk’s office for local business licenses. Depending on your state’s laws, you may also need to apply for a sales tax permit. Each state is different, so check with your local SBA.

The specific licenses and permits required for a landscaping business vary depending on your state. Check with your state’s business licensing association to find out what’s required in your area.

Get a Business Bank Account

Go to a local bank and open an account. That way when your clients pay an invoice, it goes straight into your bank. Then you can pay yourself, your business expenses, and your employees. Learn more about business bank accounts.

Get Business Insurance

Potential customers expect landscaping companies to be insured to cover job sites if they damage something while on the job. That means you need to have at least property damage and general liability insurance. Commercial clients might have other requirements. 

If you’re using your personal vehicle, don’t forget to get commercial driver’s insurance. 

Step 6: Purchase Landscaping Equipment

The types of landscape services you’re going to provide will determine which specific equipment you’ll need. After you’ve decided on a niche, create a landscaping tools list.

If your start-up budget isn’t enough to cover everything on your list, you don’t need to fret. Start by renting more expensive tools, then buy them as you go. This was Brian’s approach when BL Landscapes was first starting. Even now, he says,

[su_quote]We buy the tools we need for the job, and when you sign another job you take some of that money and buy the tool you need for that job, and that way you just keep building up.[/su_quote]

This can cut into your profits, of course. If you spend $500 on equipment for a $1,000 job, you’re not going to have much left over at the end. It’s worth it in the long run, though, because the next time a job calls for that tool, it’ll be pure profit.

Generally speaking, it’s better to buy fewer pieces of high-quality equipment than try to buy a full range of tools right off the bat. All tools wear out over time, but a well-made shovel with a fiberglass handle will serve you well for longer than the cheapest option on the shelf. 

Craigslist can be a good place to find used equipment if you want to save some money. For new tools, you can check hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes, as well as nurseries and farm supply stores. 

Landscape Tools List

Here is some of the equipment you’re likely to need as a landscaping business, along with each tool’s approximate cost:

• Manual gardening tools (shovels, rakes, shears, trowels, etc.): $10-$50 each
• Push mower: $200-$1,000
• Riding lawn mower: $1,000-$5,000
• Leaf blower: $100-$500
• Lawn spreader: $100-$500
• Sprayer (for fertilizer, pesticides, etc.): $50-$200
• Trimmer: $50-$300
• Edger: $80-$350
• Water saw: $500-$4,000
• Plate compactor: $300-$5,000
• Trailer: $1,500-$5,000
• Heavy-duty truck: $10,000-$50,000
• Portable generator: $500-$2,000

Check out this blog by Spyker to learn more about each tool.

Step 7: Build Your Team

Other landscaping companies might be one-man operations, but for larger jobs you’ll need some help. Hiring employees is one of the most difficult aspects of owning a business, and while you can find plenty of advice on the topic, there’s no substitute for experience.

Offering competitive pay is a good way to attract top talent to your company. There are a few approaches you can take:

• Mike uses Pay for Performance, which means the more effective the employee is, the more money they make.
• BL Landscapes pays $25 per hour.
• You can combine the two and give a minimum hourly wage plus commission.

You can find quality employees at a variety of places:

• Job marketplaces like LinkedIn and Monster
• Trade Schools and Colleges 

Sometimes, you’ll even meet them at lunch. We talked to a recruiter to find out how to hire. 

Step 8: Attract Customers With Marketing Efforts

You’ve started your own business, but how do you find potential customers?

You’ll want to create a marketing plan that identifies your target market and how you’re going to communicate with them. 

You’ll also want to make sure you have:

• A Business Website 
• Landscaping Business Cards
• Uniforms
• Truck Decals 
• Social Media
• Paid Ads

Mike told us:

[su_quote]Paid media allows you to control your lead flow. Just spend 1-2% of revenue for paid media when you’re slowing down. Painting trucks, uniforms, and brochures are also marketing. Everything we do is a form of marketing.[/su_quote]

The first thing Brian did when he started BL Landscapes was reach out to local real estate agents. He also built relationships with his local suppliers, like nurseries and home improvement stores. As a low-cost marketing option, Brian says,

[su_quote]When we started, we had some cheap landscape business cards made. Go put them [out in your community], and start telling people and throwing your name out there. Really that’s the biggest thing, is just to get your name out there to anyone you can. Make yourself a Facebook business page and start going at it.[/su_quote]

Mike encourages landscapes to share as much about their existing business as possible. The more you share what landscapers do, the more capable you are of benefiting from word-of-mouth marketing.

Step 9: Deliver Quality Work

The absolute best advertising for a landscaping company is a well-completed project. If you consistently deliver long-lasting, beautiful landscapes, that will secure repeat business and bring in new clients when those happy customers tell their friends.

Make sure to make it easy for clients to recommend you. Give them some business cards, and provide the link to your Google reviews on your invoice. Don’t be afraid to ask. You can book clients for routine maintenance, too.

About 50% of BL Landscapes’s business comes from repeat customers. Continuing service and after-installation coverage is a huge part of this. They cover their work with a warranty, and will often help fix issues for customers even after this period has expired.

As Brian says:

[su_quote]Whether it’s a mistake we made or a product that failed, we try to go back and make it right.[/su_quote]

This approach has paid off for him. In their six years of business, BL Landscapes has a 100% customer satisfaction rate. His customers know they can count on him to use high-quality materials that will stay beautiful for years to come.

Start Your Own Landscaping Business!

We’ve answered your questions about landscaping companies, including:

• What do landscapers do?
• How much do landscapers make?
• How much to start a landscaping business?
• How to start a landscaping business with no money
• How to find what landscaping license you need
• How to come up with business names for landscaping

It doesn’t take a huge investment to start a lawn care company, and the revenue potential is high. As you can see from Mike’s success, the best way to financial success is to plan ahead and provide your company with a strong foundation.

Whether you start your own company or buy one that’s already up and running, the ultimate key to long-term success is to provide quality services. Starting a new business is never easy, but the effort you put in can yield fantastic results if you follow Mike’s advice about how to start a lawn mowing business.

What’s keeping you from getting started?