Landscape Business Startup Checklist

Legal & financial setup

• Form LLC (single-member is fine to start)
• Get EIN from IRS (free, takes 5 min online)
• Open business checking account
• Register for state sales tax if your state requires it on labor
• Get a business license from your city/county
• Apply for a state contractor license if required (varies)
• Set up bookkeeping (QuickBooks, Wave, or a spreadsheet)
• Set aside 25–30% of every payment for taxes

Insurance

• General liability — $1M minimum, ~$50/mo
• Commercial auto on every truck
• Workers comp once you hire (legally required in most states)
• Tools/equipment rider

Equipment essentials (year 1)

• Reliable truck (used 3/4 ton is fine)
• Open trailer (6x10 or 6x12)
• Commercial mower (used 48" walk-behind to start)
• Trimmer, blower, edger (stick to one brand for batteries)
• Hand tools: shovels, rakes, pruners, wheelbarrow
• Safety gear: glasses, ear protection, work boots, gloves

Pricing your first jobs

• Know your burdened hourly cost before you quote
• Always send written proposals — never text-message quotes
• Use Good/Better/Best tiers
• Collect 50% deposit on jobs over $1,000
• Don't compete on price — compete on professionalism

First 10 clients

• Tell every friend, neighbor, and family member
• List on Google Business Profile (free, do this week 1)
• Door-hangers in 3 nice neighborhoods (~$50 print, free distribution)
• Yard signs after every job ($15 each)
• Ask every happy client for a Google review
• Offer $50 referral credit to any client who sends a new customer
• Join 2 local Facebook groups, answer questions, don't spam

Software setup

• Phone with mobile hotspot for proposals on-site
• Proposal tool (AcreDraft, obviously)
• Calendar app with reminders
• Mileage tracker (MileIQ or similar) — tax deductible