Starting a lawn care business in the UK can be incredibly rewarding. With relatively low startup costs, flexible hours, and strong demand for professional lawn services, it's one of the most accessible trades to enter. This guide covers everything you need to know to launch successfully in 2025.

Is Lawn Care a Good Business to Start?

Before diving in, let's look at why lawn care is an attractive business opportunity:

Low startup costs - You can begin with under £2,000 in equipment
Recurring revenue - Lawns need regular cutting, creating predictable income
Scalable - Start solo, grow to a team as demand increases
Flexible schedule - Work around your life, not the other way around
Growing market - More homeowners outsourcing garden maintenance

Good to Know

The UK lawn care market is worth over £1 billion annually, with steady growth as homeowners increasingly prefer professional services over DIY maintenance.

Step 1: Legal Requirements and Business Setup

Register Your Business

In the UK, you have two main options:

Sole Trader (Recommended for starting out)

Register with HMRC for Self Assessment
Simple setup, minimal paperwork
You're personally liable for business debts
Keep all profits after tax

Limited Company

Register with Companies House (£12 online)
More paperwork and accounting requirements
Limited personal liability
More tax-efficient at higher profits (typically £40k+)

Pro Tip

Start as a sole trader. You can always convert to a limited company later when your turnover justifies the additional admin. Most lawn care businesses switch around the £30-50k profit mark.

Essential Insurance

You'll need at minimum:

Insurance Type	What It Covers	Typical Cost
Public Liability	Damage to customer property, injuries to third parties	£100-200/year
Employers' Liability	Required if you hire staff	£80-150/year
Tool/Equipment	Theft or damage to your equipment	£50-150/year
Vehicle	Commercial use of your van/truck	Varies

Public liability insurance is essential - most commercial customers and some residential customers will ask for proof before hiring you. Get at least £1 million coverage, though £5 million is increasingly standard.

HMRC Registration

As a sole trader, you must:

Register for Self Assessment with HMRC
Submit an annual tax return (deadline: 31 January)
Pay Income Tax and National Insurance on profits
Register for VAT if turnover exceeds £90,000 (2024/25 threshold)

Step 2: Essential Equipment

Starter Equipment List

Here's what you need to begin offering basic lawn mowing services:

Must Have (Day 1)

Professional petrol mower (21" cut minimum) - £400-800
Strimmer/brush cutter - £150-400
Leaf blower - £100-300
Basic hand tools (rake, edging shears, trowel) - £50-100
Safety equipment (ear defenders, safety glasses, steel toe boots) - £100-150
Fuel cans and basic supplies - £30-50

Total Minimum Investment: £830-1,800

Add Later (Months 3-6)

Hedge trimmer - £150-350
Second mower (backup/larger jobs) - £400-800
Trailer or larger vehicle - £500-2,000
Aerator (for lawn treatments) - £200-500

Watch Out

Don't over-invest in equipment before you have customers. Start with the basics and upgrade as your business grows. Many successful lawn care businesses started with just a domestic mower and upgraded within the first season.

Equipment Buying Tips

Buy commercial-grade when possible - Domestic equipment isn't designed for daily professional use
Consider refurbished - Ex-demo or serviced equipment can save 30-50%
Factor in running costs - Petrol, maintenance, blade replacements
Keep receipts - All equipment is tax-deductible

Step 3: Pricing Your Services

Getting your pricing right is crucial for profitability. Too low and you'll struggle to cover costs; too high and you'll lose jobs to competitors. For a deep dive, see our complete guide on how to price your lawn care services.

UK Average Lawn Mowing Prices (2025)

Lawn Size	Typical Price Range
Small (up to 50m²)	£20-30
Medium (50-150m²)	£30-45
Large (150-300m²)	£45-70
Very Large (300m²+)	£70+ or quote

Hourly Rate Calculator

Find your ideal hourly rate based on income goals

Desired Annual Income

Annual Business Expenses

Billable Hours Per Week

Working Weeks Per Year

Your Hourly Rate

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Factors That Affect Pricing

Location - London and South East command 20-40% higher prices
Garden access - Difficult access (narrow gates, steps) adds time
Garden condition - Overgrown gardens need premium pricing
Frequency - Regular customers get better rates than one-offs
Additional services - Edging, strimming, blow-cleaning add value

Pro Tip

Always quote based on the specific property, not just lawn size. A 100m² lawn with difficult access and lots of obstacles takes longer than a simple 150m² rectangle.

Pricing Strategy for New Businesses

When starting out:

Research local competitors' prices (check their websites, call for quotes)
Start at or slightly below market rate to build your customer base
Increase prices as you fill your schedule and build reputation
Offer package deals for regular customers (e.g., 10% off weekly service)

Step 4: Getting Your First Customers

This is where most new lawn care businesses struggle. Here's what actually works:

Immediate Actions (Week 1)

1. Google Business Profile (Free)

Create your profile at Google Business
Add photos, services, hours, and contact info
Critical for appearing in local searches

2. Door-to-Door Flyers

Target streets with well-maintained gardens (these homeowners care about their lawns)
Include a first-cut discount or free quote offer
Drop 200-500 flyers in your target area

3. Facebook Marketplace & Local Groups

Post your services in local community groups
Respond quickly to any gardening-related posts
Join Nextdoor and local Facebook groups

Week 2-4 Actions

4. Ask Friends and Family

Offer discounted or free first cuts in exchange for referrals
Word of mouth is powerful - one happy customer leads to more

5. Partner with Related Businesses

Estate agents (garden tidy-ups for house sales)
Window cleaners (cross-referrals)
Property management companies

6. Vehicle Signage

Even a magnetic sign with your name and number generates enquiries
Your van is a mobile billboard - use it

Good to Know

The most successful lawn care businesses report that 60-70% of new customers come from referrals and word of mouth. Deliver excellent service and the marketing takes care of itself. For more strategies, read our guide to growing your lawn care business.

Building Your Online Presence

In 2025, you need a basic online presence:

Google Business Profile - Essential for local search
Simple website - One page with services, area, contact info
Facebook page - Many customers check here for reviews
Review collection - Ask every happy customer to leave a Google review

Quick Poll

How did you find your first lawn care customers?

Step 5: Managing Your Business

Essential Admin Tasks

Running a lawn care business isn't just cutting grass. You'll need to:

Quote and invoice customers - Professional invoices build trust
Track jobs and schedules - Know where you need to be and when
Record expenses - Essential for tax returns
Manage customer information - Contact details, property notes, service history

Simplify Your Admin

Use business software from day one. TradeSender's free CRM is designed specifically for lawn care businesses - track customers, send professional invoices, and manage your schedule from your phone.

Record Keeping for Tax

Keep records of:

All income received
Business expenses (fuel, equipment, insurance, etc.)
Mileage (if claiming vehicle expenses)
Invoices issued and received

You need to keep these records for at least 5 years for HMRC.

Step 6: Scaling Your Business

Once you've established your customer base, here's how to grow:

Adding Services

Expand your offerings to increase revenue per customer:

Service	Additional Revenue	Equipment Needed
Hedge trimming	+£20-50/visit	Hedge trimmer (£150-350)
Lawn treatments	+£30-80/treatment	Spreader, products (£200+)
Leaf clearance	+£30-60/visit	Blower, bags
Garden tidy-ups	+£50-150/job	Various hand tools
Pressure washing	+£100-300/job	Pressure washer (£200-500)

Hiring Your First Employee

When you're turning away work, it's time to consider hiring:

Signs you're ready:

Fully booked 2-3 weeks ahead
Regularly turning down jobs
Consistent monthly revenue of £3,000+
Systems in place (scheduling, invoicing, customer records)

First hire considerations:

Start with a part-time helper on busy days
Pay market rate (£12-15/hour for experienced)
Ensure Employers' Liability insurance
Register as an employer with HMRC

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' errors:

Underpricing - Calculate your costs properly. A £15 lawn cut might be losing you money after fuel, travel, and equipment wear.
No insurance - One claim could bankrupt you. It's not optional.
Poor record keeping - Makes tax returns stressful and could lead to HMRC penalties.
Trying to cover too large an area - Travel time kills profitability. Start local.
Not getting reviews - Online reviews are essential. Ask every happy customer.
Ignoring the off-season - Plan for reduced income in winter or diversify into winter services.

Register as self-employed with HMRC
Get public liability insurance
Buy essential equipment
Create your Google Business Profile
Start telling everyone you know

The lawn care industry rewards those who deliver consistent, reliable service. Start small, do great work, and growth will follow.

How to Start a Lawn Care Business in the UK (2025 Guide)