Starting a Landscape Gardening company in Cornwall, UK.uk

Starting a landscape gardening company in Cornwall UK . Uploaded 20th Aug 2025.

Starting a landscape gardening business in Cornwall, UK can be both rewarding and profitable, especially given the region's natural beauty and strong tourism/hospitality sectors. Let’s break down how to build your business from scratch – covering essentials from branding to legal setup and marketing. (Ps. for additional advice why not email me: rowlandscapes71@hotmail.com)

🌿 1. Business Concept & Niche

Name Ideas (Optional):

Cornish Garden Co.

Trelawny Landscapes

Eden Roots Landscaping

Wild Coast Gardens

Specialisms to Consider:

Eco-friendly landscaping / permaculture

Coastal garden design

Wildflower meadows & pollinator gardens

Luxury garden makeovers for holiday homes

Hardscaping: patios, walls, decking

Ongoing maintenance packages

Target Market:

Holiday let owners (Airbnb/VRBO)

Retired homeowners

High-end clients with second homes

Local councils / heritage sites

Hospitality businesses (B&Bs, inns, pubs)

🛠️ 2. Legal Setup

1. Business Structure:

Register as a sole trader or limited company on GOV.UK.

2. Insurance:

Public liability insurance (essential)

Employers’ liability (if hiring)

Tool/equipment cover

Van insurance (business use)

3. Waste Carrier Licence:

If disposing of green waste, register with the Environment Agency.

4. Qualifications (Optional, but adds trust):

RHS Level 2 or 3

LANTRA training

CSCS card if working on construction sites

🚛 3. Equipment & Setup

Basic Kit:

Van or trailer

Petrol or battery-powered tools: mower, strimmer, hedge trimmer, blower

Hand tools: spades, forks, secateurs

PPE: boots, gloves, goggles

Landscaping Tools:

Cement mixer, wheelbarrow, levels, etc.

Software:

Accounting: QuickBooks, FreeAgent

Scheduling: Jobber, Tradify, or Google Calendar

Invoicing: Xero, Square, or Wave (free)

---

💸 4. Pricing Strategy

Garden maintenance: £20–£35/hr

Full landscaping projects: £2,000–£30,000+

Design service: £300–£1,000+ depending on complexity

Offer seasonal packages and retainer agreements for regular income.

---

📈 5. Marketing Plan

Branding:

Clean, professional logo & uniform

Branded van wrap or magnetic sign

Business cards & flyers (local shops, garden centres, tourist hubs)

Website (Essential):

SEO-optimised for “landscaping Cornwall” / “garden design St Ives” etc.

Portfolio gallery

Quote form / contact page

Google Maps location listing

Social Media:

Instagram (before/after photos, reels)

Facebook (for local groups, community engagement)

Pinterest (great for garden inspo)

TikTok (time-lapse builds, tips – optional but high reach)

Direct Outreach:

Partner with Airbnb/holiday cottage agencies

Leave flyers with estate agents & builders

Join local trade & networking groups

---

🤝 6. Scaling the Business

Year 1 Goals:

Build strong local reputation

Secure 3–5 long-term maintenance contracts

Complete 5–10 full landscaping jobs

Get 10+ Google reviews

Year 2 and Beyond:

Hire 1–2 staff or apprentices

Offer design-only services as an upsell

Partner with eco-tourism sites or B&Bs

Add a small retail section (plants/tools)

Build an email list for garden tips, offers

---

📋 Optional Extras

Offer seasonal garden planning workshops

Create an online booking portal

Sell native Cornish plants or garden décor

Apply for eco grants or business funding from Cornwall Council