Landscaping Services

The 114,800 landscaping services firms in the US provide planting, fertilizing, mowing, leaf and snow blowing, edging and trimming, construction, cleaning, and pest removal services for commercial and residential customers. Landscaping for commercial properties makes up 53% of industry sales. Residential areas account for 33% of sales, but are often the sole focus of small landscaping firms.

Ongoing Equipment Costs

Landscaping firms need money to purchase, maintain, and repair quickly depreciating equipment.

Worker Documentation

Landscaping services rely on unskilled, low-wage workers to keep overhead low.

Sep 19, 2026 - Job Candidates Evaluate Employers Before Accepting Offers

• Job candidates are evaluating landscaping companies' organization, reputation, workplace conditions, and hiring practices before accepting positions, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). A disorganized yard, a poorly structured on-site interview, a lengthy hiring process, or weak communication can discourage applicants. Candidates also research employers' websites, online reviews, social media presence, benefits, and employee treatment, and some contact industry peers before applying. NALP notes companies commonly lose candidates after a second interview or during the offer stage. Landscaping firms competing for workers may need to view every part of recruiting, from facilities and communication to compensation discussions, as part of their overall employer reputation.
• The New York Times reports that wealthy property owners are increasingly spending heavily on full-grown oaks, palms, baobabs, and other mature trees rather than waiting years for new plantings to grow. Specialized companies are moving specimens as large as 50 feet tall and weighing 100 tons, and industry experts say what was once a niche mature-tree business is booming. The work can involve sourcing, uprooting, transporting, and reinstalling exceptionally large trees. Growing demand for mature specimens can create premium project opportunities for landscaping companies with arboriculture, transplanting, heavy-equipment, and large-site capabilities.
• Turf Magazine reports that smart irrigation controllers are becoming essential as customers seek convenient, app-based control and contractors look to improve service efficiency. Modern systems emphasize simple operation, easy installation, modular expansion, weather and flow sensing, automated alerts, and remote troubleshooting. Contractors can use mobile apps to transfer system access, map irrigation zones, diagnose problems before service calls, and adjust watering based on rainfall and local conditions. For lawn and garden equipment manufacturers, growing adoption of smart irrigation could increase demand for connected controllers, sensors, modular components, and other technology-enabled products while encouraging manufacturers to prioritize interoperability and ease of use. Contractors also benefit from carrying fewer controller models, reducing truck inventory, shortening service visits, and offering customers more proactive support.
• The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has updated its Decarbonizing Specifications guide to help landscape architects reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity, and meet the organization's goal of zero-emission projects by 2040. The revised guide adds or updates sections covering playground and sports equipment, exterior maintenance, synthetic surfacing, site furnishings, vegetated roofs, paving, soils, plants, turf, and other specifications. Developed by the ASLA Climate and Biodiversity Action Committee, the resource outlines seven design principles and 24 specification areas intended to support lower-emission design and construction decisions. The broader climate plan calls for increased carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, touting the economic benefits of eco-friendly spaces, and more equitable climate and biodiversity investments.

Industry size & Structure

An average landscaping service has 8 employees and generates $1 million in annual revenue.

• The US has about 114,800 landscaping firms that employ 911,100 workers and generate about $130.7 billion in annual sales.
• 86% of firms have fewer than 10 employees.
• Some companies operate as franchises, but most are operated independently.
• Segments include commercial, residential, construction, pest extermination, and design.
• Large companies include TruGreen, BrightView, Davey Tree Expert, Lawn Doctor, and US Lawns.