Joel Libava
Thinking about starting your own lawn care business?
Great choice.
Because lawn care is a solid industry, always in demand, and a fantastic way to build a steady income.
In this post, I’ll go over why starting a lawn care business may be a wonderful way for you to be your own boss.
Why Do More People Want to Be Their Own Boss?
A lot of people today are looking for ways to be their own boss. Why?
Maybe you’re tired of answering to someone else.
Or…
Maybe you want the flexibility to set your own schedule.
Or…
Maybe you’re just looking for a way to make more money doing something you may actually enjoy.
But here’s the big question: should you go solo and start from scratch, with a lawn care business, or should you buy into a lawn care franchise business?
It’s a big decision. And it’s one that can make or break your success.
Let’s talk about why a franchise business might just be the better choice.
A Lawn Care Business: When is Harvest Time?
In case you didn’t know, —January and February are the perfect months to “harvest” in your lawn care franchise. Not actual grass, of course. But customers. As in, signing new customers up for lawn service.
That’s right. You need to sign prospective customers up for your lawn care services when their yards are covered with snow. Before your competitors do. How?
With Direct Mail Marketing.
It’s still the best form of marketing in this sector of home services.
The good news is if you’re a franchisee, your franchisor will provide it for you.
But, if you decide to go the more difficult independent business route, you can hire one of these firms to help you do it.
Your Lawn Care Equipment
Let’s talk gear. Because if you’re doing lawn care, you’re going to need it.
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That said, if you go the freelance route, you choose and buy every single piece of equipment. And lawn care gear isn’t cheap. A high-quality lawn mower, weed trimmer, leaf blower, and maybe even a trailer to haul it all? That adds up fast. We’re talking thousands of dollars.
Oh, and don’t forget maintenance. Gas. Repairs. Replacements when something inevitably breaks down. It’s all on you.
Unless you go with the non-lawn cutting business model in lawn care.
Now, with a franchise, experience tells me that things get easier. Why?
Because you often get access to discounted equipment, thanks to bulk buying power. Plus, some franchises even help finance/lease the equipment cost, so you’re not shelling out thousands upfront.
And when something breaks?
You’ve got support from franchise headquarters.
But, if you’re an independent, you’ll have to scramble to find the best deal on new equipment at the last minute.
Lawn Care Business Marketing: Who Finds the Customers?
Although I mentioned (Direct Mail) marketing above, the marketing you do is so critical to the success of your business, it’s worthy of another discussion.
I’m going to share a secret with you.
You could be the best lawn care provider/expert in town. But if no one knows about you, it doesn’t matter. That’s where marketing and advertising comes in.
And if you’re an independent lawn care business owner you need to do it all yourself. That means designing flyers, running social media ads, and maybe even physically knocking on doors. It’s a full-time job just trying to get (and keep) customers. But Franchise owners?
They get a marketing plan handed to them.
The truth is, most franchises have national ad campaigns, Direct Mail strategies, and digital marketing set up-and instantly ready to go.
And right now (January-February of every year), franchise owners are sending out Direct Mail reminders, locking in customers before the busy season starts.
Independents, on the other hand, may be spending time at Staples figuring out how to design a decent flyer. And price out postage!
Brand Trust: Who’s Getting the Call?
Let’s be honest—people trust brands they recognize. Companies they may have read about or heard about.
When a homeowner needs the weeds and/or bugs in their lawn taken care of, they’re way more likely to call a name they’ve seen before. A branded truck. A recognizable logo. A company with reviews and a track record.
Independents, however, need to build that trust from scratch. That means gathering reviews, networking, and proving yourself over and over again. And that can take years.
Building a reputation as a solo entrepreneur is slow. You need time, patience, and a lot of word-of-mouth marketing. But even then, customers will still hesitate before choosing an unknown business.
With a franchise, that trust is already built. You’re stepping into a business that people may already know and trust.
Lawn care Business Support: Who’s Got Your Back?
Independent business ownership can be lonely.
That means when you run into a problem—whether it’s pricing, licensing, or an upset customer—you have to figure it out alone.
And without support, the costs start adding up.
Need extra training? That’s on you.
Mess up a client’s yard and need legal help? That’s on you, too.
Bluntly, mistakes can be costly, and without a safety net, those costs can sink your business fast.
Franchisees, on the other hand, have a built-in support system.
Specifically, training, resources, and people who’ve been there, done that…including other franchisees. It’s like having a mentor on speed dial whenever you need help. That kind of guidance can save you from making expensive mistakes.
Fairly Predictable Income vs. Feast-or-Famine
Lawn care freelancers live with uncertainty. Some months, business is booming. Other months, not so much.
The fact is, without regular renewable contracts, every new year feels like starting from scratch. And that can be super stressful. Don’t beleive me?
Ask any independent home services provider. Especially the ones with 1-2 person businesses. They* have it the worst.
*At least they are their own bosses.
Franchises are a different story.
That’s because they have systems in place to keep income steady. Many offer year-round contracts, so you know money is coming in—even in the off-season.
And that direct mail marketing in winter? It’s how franchise owners secure clients ahead of time, while freelancers are still hoping the phone rings come spring.
Scalability: Who Can Grow Faster?
Expanding an independent lawn care business means more hours, more work, and a whole lot of trial and error. The kind of trial and error that costs a lot of money until you get things tight.
For example, you’ll need more equipment, a bigger vehicle, maybe even employees. And every single one of those things costs money—money that independent owners often don’t have upfront.
As a matter of fact, many independent lawn care business owners reach a point where they need to scale up just to survive.
But hiring extra help, upgrading equipment, and taking on more jobs all require big investments. That usually means a trip to the bank to get more credit extended to them.
Franchises, though? They’re built to grow.
In most cases, franchisees can add new territories, new employees, more vehicles, or even a second or third location without reinventing the wheel.
Additionally, you’re not guessing. You’re following a tested and proven growth strategy. And that makes a huge difference when you’re trying to turn your business into something bigger.
The Bottom Line
So, should you start a lawn care business on your own or go the franchise route?
If you like doing everything yourself—buying your own gear, figuring out marketing, handling all customer service, and starting from scratch—starting an independent lawn care service is the way to go.
But if you want built-in brand trust, support, marketing help, and a clear, proven path to growth, a franchise is the better bet.
The choice is yours.
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