Garden cleanups and planting jobs

Homeowners preparing for a season or a sale, landlords between tenants, and property managers needing a quick tidy.

Quote per job or per day, with materials such as plants, soil and mulch charged at cost plus a margin.

• Planting, pruning and bed design basics
• Estimating time and materials for a quote
• Hard physical work and tidy finishing

• Commercial general liability insurance
• Check local rules on green waste disposal, yard waste fees and burning
• Check municipal rules before removing trees or large shrubs, as many cities protect them
• Strongly seasonal work, busiest in spring and fall
• Quote carefully so a large job doesn't run well over your estimate

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the tools you already own, how you haul green waste and the insurance you choose. Minimal kit is enough for one-off jobs.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many jobs you book and their size. Work is strongly seasonal, busiest in spring and fall, so plan accordingly.

Check local rules on green waste disposal, yard waste fees and burning. Check municipal rules before removing trees or large shrubs, as many cities protect them, and arrange commercial general liability insurance.