Landscaping business for sale and landscape company listings near me
A landscaping business for sale is usually priced on seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), and the single biggest driver of the multiple is how much of the revenue repeats. A lawn care company with signed weekly maintenance contracts sells for more than a design and build shop of the same size that has to win every job again next spring. Small owner operated landscape companies commonly trade at roughly 2 to 3.5 times SDE, and maintenance heavy companies with crews and a manager in place can go higher. On CompanyBrokers every landscaping listing shows revenue, SDE, asking price, the implied multiple and the split between maintenance, installation and snow work, and the customer list, contracts and equipment schedule sit in a data room you open after an NDA and a proof of funds step.
- NDA signed
- Proof of funds
- Data room
Landscaping business for sale near me
Set a deal alert for landscaping and lawn care companies by state, price range and minimum SDE, and new listings reach your inbox the day an owner or a broker publishes them. Good maintenance companies in the Sun Belt and in fast growing suburbs often sell within a few weeks, so an alert beats checking a search page once a week. Every inquiry passes an NDA e-sign and proof of funds before the seller releases customer names, which is why owners are willing to list without telling their crews. You can also browse every business for sale near me, or compare a landscaping company with a pool route for sale, the other recurring outdoor service business buyers often weigh against it.
No matching businesses yet
Nothing matches these filters right now. Create a deal alert and we email you when a matching company is listed.
How much is a landscaping business worth
Most landscape companies under about $2 million in revenue are valued on SDE: net profit plus the owner's salary, owner perks, interest, depreciation and one time costs. Larger companies with a general manager and supervisors are valued on EBITDA instead, where M&A advisors commonly quote 3.5 to 5 times or more. Equipment is part of the price in most asset sales, so check its age and the debt against it. The table shows how revenue mix moves the multiple for companies with similar earnings.
| Company profile | Revenue | SDE | Typical multiple | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo lawn care route, residential mowing | $260,000 | $95,000 | 1.8x to 2.5x SDE | $171K to $238K |
| Residential maintenance plus seasonal installs | $850,000 | $210,000 | 2.5x to 3.2x SDE | $525K to $672K |
| Commercial maintenance contracts, 3 crews | $1,600,000 | $380,000 | 3x to 4x SDE | $1.14M to $1.52M |
| Design and build, project revenue only | $1,200,000 | $300,000 | 2x to 2.8x SDE | $600K to $840K |
These rows are worked examples to show the math, not listings. Put your own numbers into the business valuation calculator to see a range for a specific company, and read the full method in the business valuation formula guide.
What buyers check before buying a lawn care business
- Recurring share: what part of revenue comes from maintenance agreements billed monthly or per visit, and how many of those are signed contracts rather than handshake accounts
- Customer concentration, especially when one HOA, property manager or commercial park pays more than 15 percent of revenue
- Route density and drive time between properties, because fuel and windshield hours eat margin faster than wages
- Equipment list with age, hours, liens and replacement cost for mowers, trucks, trailers and skid steers
- Crew stability, foremen who stay after the sale, and whether the company relies on H-2B seasonal workers
- Snow and ice revenue in northern states, which smooths winter cash flow but swings with the weather
- Licenses the state requires, such as a pesticide applicator license for fertilizer and weed control, and whether the license holder stays
- How much of the selling price depends on the owner's personal relationships with property managers
Commercial landscaping business for sale or a residential lawn care company
Commercial maintenance companies serve office parks, retail centers, HOAs and municipalities on annual or multi year contracts. Revenue is predictable and customers rarely churn mid season, but contracts are rebid and margins are thinner, so check renewal dates before you sign a letter of intent. Residential lawn care companies have hundreds of small accounts, higher prices per visit and very low concentration, but more cancellations and more billing work. Buyers who need SBA financing often prefer a mix, since lenders like diversified customers and contracted revenue in the same file.
Financing a landscape company purchase
Landscaping companies with clean tax returns are regular candidates for an SBA loan to buy a business, with 10 percent or more down and the equipment counted as collateral. Sellers often carry part of the price on a note, and earn-outs tied to contract renewals show up when a large share of revenue rests on a few commercial accounts. Showing proof of funds or a lender letter at the inquiry stage gets you the data room first, and on a well run maintenance company that often decides who gets to make the first offer. The buy a business guide walks through the letter of intent, due diligence and closing steps.
Selling your landscaping company
Owners who want to sell my business at the top of the range move handshake accounts onto written agreements, put a foreman in charge of daily scheduling and separate personal vehicles from company equipment a year before they list. Prepare three years of tax returns, a customer list by service type and an equipment schedule, then decide whether to list it yourself on the Owner Listing plan or get matched with business brokers who sell service companies in your state. See pricing for the listing plans.
Is buying a landscaping business a good investment
For a buyer who wants customers and crews on day one, it usually beats starting from zero, because the hardest part of the trade is filling the schedule. Returns depend on recurring revenue, crew retention and equipment condition, so a cheaper company with old mowers and no contracts can cost more in the first year than a pricier one.
How much does a lawn care business sell for
Small residential lawn care companies commonly sell for about 1.8 to 3 times SDE, and maintenance companies with commercial contracts and a manager can reach 3 to 4 times SDE or more. A company earning $200,000 a year for its owner would typically be priced somewhere between $400,000 and $700,000 including equipment.
Can I get an SBA loan to buy a landscaping company
Yes, if the company shows enough documented cash flow to cover the loan payments and you meet the lender's experience and down payment rules. SBA 7(a) loans are common for landscape companies, and the equipment and the customer contracts support the file.
Do I need a license to own a landscaping business
Most states do not license basic mowing and maintenance, but many require a pesticide applicator license for fertilizer and weed control, and some require a landscape contractor license for hardscape, irrigation or work above a set dollar value. Check your state board and confirm the licensed person stays after the sale.
Where do landscaping businesses for sale get listed
They are sold through business brokers who specialize in service companies, general business marketplaces, industry associations and quiet sales to competitors. On CompanyBrokers you can set an alert by state so new landscape company listings reach you the day they are published, with the numbers already structured.