How to Start a Gardening Business

How to Start a Gardening Business
Looking to start a gardening business? Here’s a step by step guide on how to set up a gardening business along with requirements. Visit Square to know more.
by Square May 07, 2022 — 6 min read
How to Start a Gardening Business

The backyard is many Aussies dream, though as we find ourselves increasingly time-poor, this dream can turn into an inconvenience; a constant battle to mow the lawns, trim hedges and keep plants alive.

This all adds up to a real opportunity for anyone who enjoys working outdoors. Offering consistent, fulfilling work, and with a low barrier to entry, gardening might be the business opportunity for you.

Gardening businesses come in a couple of different forms. There are product-based businesses, like nurseries, and there are service based businesses, like gardening contractors, which we’ll focus on today. Below we look at how to start a gardening business, we’ll cover equipment, insurance, laws, permits and how you can get yourself paid.

Ready to learn how to start a gardening business? Read on to find out.

6 benefits of owning a gardening business

Why should you consider starting a gardening business? Here are six reasons:

Low barrier to entry: Gardening requires equipment that you might already have in your back shed. You also need little to no training, licences and permits, plus no shop front or warehouse. For most people, the upfront investment will be perfectly affordable.

Regular work: In Australia, plants grow all year round, so most clients will require your services regularly. Once you’ve built up a solid customer base you can consistently fill your week.

Greater autonomy: Owning a gardening business means you can set your own schedule and make your own money. Take on as much work as you’re comfortable with and take breaks whenever you need to.

Variety in your day: Say goodbye to the office cubicle, and say hello to a different, gorgeous, sun-drenched view every day. You get to travel around, meet new people and make gardens look beautiful.

No limits: If you have an overflow of work, bring someone else on board! You could eventually find yourself at the helm of your own large business or franchise – where your gardening journey goes is up to you!

A sense of accomplishment: As a business owner there’s a real sense of accomplishment in seeing your business grow.

Requirements to start a gardening business

The next step in how to set up a gardening business: knowing the requirements. What are the skills you’ll need to bring to the table, and the rules and regulations you’ll need to abide by?

Skills and knowledge

First and foremost you’ll need to know how to maintain a garden! While it doesn’t require any official course or qualification, there’s actually a little more to this than you might first think, as you’ll need to know:

There was a time when the owner of a gardening business would need to bring some basic knowledge of the machinery they work with in case of a breakdown, but as electric tools begin to take over the market, there are far fewer ways for your machinery to fail.

Licences

In Australia there’s no such thing as a gardening licence. You will need a driver’s licence to get you and your equipment to your customers though.

Business registration

As a fully-fledged business, you’ll need to register for tax. Thankfully the process of applying for an ABN is a surprisingly simple one. While most gardening businesses start out as ‘sole trader’ operations, those with visions of building an empire might choose to create a company or trust. If that’s you, you’ll need an ACN instead.

If you earn more than $75,000 in a year you’ll need to register for GST, at which point a professional accountant is advised (if you haven’t found one already.)

Insurance needed for a gardening business

Insurance is as critical for a gardening business as it is for any business as you’re undertaking physical work on another person’s property.

The most significant liability you face is injury or damaging property. Thankfully public liability insurance is built for these exact situations, with reasonably priced policies covering you for millions of dollars in damages. If you do commercial work for another business or a property manager, they may stipulate other types of insurance coverage.

Other forms of insurance that can apply to a gardening business include:

Essential equipment needed to start a gardening business

What equipment will your gardening business need? The following core items will get you on your way.

Market your business

It’s time to get to work! But where will that work come from? The reality is you need to go out and find it, which means that you need to market yourself. Marketing a small business is such a big subject it has its own guide, but the most effective strategies include:

How much can you charge customers?

The average hourly rate charged by Australian gardening businesses is $45-$50, though that can vary greatly – a gardening business in the Sydney CBD will obviously have higher costs than a business in a small country town, so will need to charge far more.

How Square can help gardening businesses

Starting your own gardening business is a big step, so at Square, we aim to make it a little bit easier, with a complete suite of affordable and easy-to-use business tools.

Payment systems

Invoicing

Online booking system

While Australians might be increasingly time-poor, their plants continue to grow. A service-based gardening business offers regular, satisfying work, and is easier to establish than a lot of other ventures, including a product-based gardening business (how to start a plant nursery business is a subject for another day!)

If you’re ready to capitalise on this green and growing industry, Square is ready to deliver the knowledge, tools and support you need!

***This article is only for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice. Make sure you consult a professional regarding your unique business needs.

Square
The Bottom Line is brought to you by a global team of collaborators who believe that anyone should be able to participate and thrive in the economy.

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