Exploring New Markets: Residential vs. Commercial Lawn Care Opportunities

The world is your oyster when you’re a lawn care service provider. You can tend to residential lawns, tackle commercial lawns, or take care of lawn care-related tasks like hedge trimming and garden tidyups.

However, branching out or changing direction can require forethought and planning. If you’re considering exploring new markets and are unsure if residential or commercial lawn care is a better option, consider the following information.

Residential Lawn Care

Residential lawn care is a service provided to homeowners and tenants. Private property dwellers can contact you to book lawn mowing and other related services so they don’t have to tackle these tasks themselves! There are many advantages and challenges to consider before entering the residential lawn care market, including the following:

Advantage: Large Customer Base

There are undoubtedly more residential properties than commercial ones. As a result, there’s potential for you to build a much larger customer base when working for residential customers.

Challenge: Seasonal Demand

The colder months of the year can be challenging for some lawn care service providers. Demand for lawn mowing and other services can drop, meaning you must get creative and offer additional services to retain consistent income. Fortunately, many seasonal activities can help fill your days, such as leaf clearing, gutter cleaning, water blasting, and garden tidyups.

Advantage: Service Flexibility

Residential customers don’t always just want a lawn mowing service. They also often request other yard services like hedge trimming, tree trimming, garden tidyups, and water blasting. Every day can be varied when you’re catering to a broad range of residential customers.

Challenge: Price Challenges

Many residential clients can be more sensitive to pricing than business customers. You may be required to offer the sharpest possible price, even if it means you have a much smaller profit margin. However, most customers also see the value of your service reflected in the quality of your workmanship. The more detail-oriented you are, the less price-sensitive your customers might be.

Advantage: Flexibility

Lawn care, in general, is a flexible industry. As your own boss, you can work your own hours and enjoy being able to attend activities that may not be possible if you worked a standard 9-5 job. However, residential lawn care tends to be more flexible than commercial lawn care. In most cases, you can schedule jobs at any time of the day. Commercial lawn care service providers often have to schedule them around when a business is or isn’t open.

Commercial Lawn Care

Commercial lawn care involves providing lawn care and related services to commercial companies, businesses, and organizations. You typically undertake all tasks related to ensuring the outdoor environment of business premises is well-maintained and beautifully landscaped.

There can be several advantages and challenges to consider before entering the commercial lawn care industry, including:

Advantage: Income Stability

Many commercial customers hire lawn care service providers on a long-term agreement. You can enjoy consistent, regular income for the period of that contract. This can provide much-needed peace of mind that you’ll always receive a set sum of money, even if your other customers’ needs fluctuate.

Challenge: Competition

Competition is fierce among well-established commercial lawn care providers. It can sometimes be challenging for newcomers to take a slice of the market. Fortunately, sound marketing practices can help with that. If you work for a reputable company and prioritize digital marketing, you may find it easier to make a name for yourself and, subsequently, land some of those coveted commercial jobs!

Advantage: Consistent Demand

There is generally consistent demand for commercial lawn care. Businesses want their premises to look tidy year-round, not just during the warmer months. Your workload may not be reduced in the colder months as it sometimes is with residential lawn care.  

Challenge: Licencing and Insurance

Some commercial clients require anyone working for their business to have special insurances and licences to work on their premises. While likely not challenging to obtain, these insurances and licences can add another cost to your lawn care business. However, they can also help you stand out from other lawn care providers.

Advantage: Opportunities for Referrals

Some business companies can be so happy with your workmanship that they refer you to other business owners they know. What can begin as one commercial relationship can blossom into multiple. Before you know it, you can have several commercial businesses on your books with minimal marketing effort.

Are You Ready to Explore Commercial and Residential Lawn Care?

Many advantages and challenges can be associated with residential and commercial lawn care. If you’re unsure which side of lawn care you’d be interested in, review the information above. The more you know about what to expect, the easier it might be for you to make an informed decision about the type of lawn care business you’d like to buy or start.