Notice · INFO
No Sales Tax on Materials
Montana has no sales tax. Pavers, plants, mulch, stone—all tax-free. This lowers your material costs and gives you a margin advantage over competitors in taxed states.
Start a Landscaping Business in Montana
Design, install, and maintain landscapes in Montana.
Startup cost range — full setup
Landscaping · MT
$4,800
–
$23,800
$1K
$10K
$100K
$1M
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Profit margin
- 35-55%
Overview
Montana landscaping focuses on drought-tolerant, cold-hardy plants that survive brutal winters and dry summers. Billings, Missoula, and fast-growing Bozeman are the viable markets. Bozeman's affluent transplant population expects professional landscape design and installation—they'll pay $10,000-50,000+ for complete landscape projects. Native plant landscaping and xeriscaping are increasingly popular. Hardscaping (patios, fire pits, retaining walls) is high-demand because it's low-maintenance and survives winter. No sales tax on materials. The $70 LLC fee is affordable. Season runs May-October in most areas.
Heads-up
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Important Notices
Notice · WARNING
Bid Projects, Don't Quote Hourly
Never quote landscaping by the hour—you'll always underbid. Estimate materials + labor, add your markup, and present a fixed project price. Clients want predictability.
Notice · WARNING
Plant Warranties Cost Money
Offering a 1-year plant warranty builds trust but can cost you if plants die. Use quality nursery stock, plant correctly, and educate clients on watering. Budget 5-10% for warranty replacements.
Cost breakdown
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Startup Costs
| Item | Low | High | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck or Vehicle 3/4 ton truck for towing trailer and hauling materials | $4,750 | $14,250 | |
| Trailer Open landscape trailer, 6x12 minimum with ramps and tool racks | $1,425 | $3,800 | |
| Commercial Mower Zero-turn or walk-behind for maintenance contracts | $2,850 | $7,600 | |
| Hand Tools & Power Tools Shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, trimmer, blower, edger, chainsaw | $475 | $1,900 | |
| Hardscaping Tools Plate compactor, levels, saw for pavers. Rent larger equipment as needed | $285 | $1,425 | |
| LLC Filing (Montana) Montana Secretary of State | $70 | $70 | |
| General Liability Insurance $1M coverage. Essential for work on client property | $570 | $1,425 | |
| Marketing & Website Google Business Profile, portfolio website with project photos, yard signs | $190 | $760 | |
| Initial Plant/Material Stock Mulch, soil, starter plant inventory for first projects | $475 | $1,900 | |
| Design Software Free options available. Paid software for 3D renderings helps close sales | $0 | $475 | |
| Startup range | $4,800 | $23,800 |
The line items above are the main cost drivers, not an exhaustive sum. Several are alternatives rather than additions — a mobile setup or a storefront, a rented kitchen or a build-out — so they are not added together. The startup range is the figure used across this page.
Related guide
Complete Landscaping startup guide
National costs, equipment lists, pricing strategy, step-by-step instructions.
Read
What's required
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Contractor License & Requirements
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LLC or Business Entity
$70File with Montana Secretary of State. LLC protects personal assets from job-site claims.
-
General Liability Insurance
$570-$1425/yrMinimum $1M. Commercial clients and HOAs require proof of insurance.
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Business License
$50-300City/county license. Some Montana cities require contractor registration.
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Pesticide Applicator License
$50-200Required if applying pesticides/herbicides. Montana Department of Agriculture.
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EIN (Tax ID)
FreeApply at IRS.gov. Required for business bank account and hiring employees.
Markets
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Major Markets in Montana
| # | City | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Billings Largest city. Dry climate. Irrigation required for most landscapes. | Largest city. Dry climate. Irrigation required for most landscapes. |
| 02 | Missoula University town. Eco-friendly native plant designs popular. | University town. Eco-friendly native plant designs popular. |
| 03 | Great Falls Windy and dry. Windbreak planting and tough species. | Windy and dry. Windbreak planting and tough species. |
| 04 | Bozeman Premium market. Wealthy transplants pay top dollar for design/install. | Premium market. Wealthy transplants pay top dollar for design/install. |
Cross-state
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Landscaping Costs in Other States
Operator notes
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Montana Landscaping Tips
Tip · 01
Bozeman Luxury Installations
Bozeman buyers from out-of-state expect California/Colorado-quality landscapes. Complete design-build projects ($15,000-50,000+) are common. Position as a design firm, not just a contractor.
Tip · 02
Before/After Photos Close Sales
Professional before/after photos of completed projects are your best sales tool. Take photos of EVERY project. Post on Google, Instagram, website. Visual transformation sells landscaping better than any ad.
Tip · 03
Maintenance Funds Installation
Use recurring maintenance contract income to fund equipment purchases for larger installation projects. Steady cash flow from maintenance makes design-build growth possible without debt.
Tip · 04
Seasonal Upsells
Spring mulching, summer planting, fall cleanup, winter pruning—every season has an upsell opportunity. Existing maintenance clients are the easiest to upsell. Seasonal services can add 30-50% to revenue.
Process
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Steps to Start
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Define Your Services
Choose: maintenance only, design-build, or both? Maintenance provides recurring revenue. Design-build offers higher per-project income. Most Montana landscapers start with maintenance and add design.
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Register Your Business
File LLC with Montana Secretary of State ($70). Get EIN. Open business bank account. Choose a professional name that conveys quality.
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Get Insurance
General liability ($1M minimum) is essential—you're operating heavy equipment near expensive property. Add workers' comp when you hire. Commercial auto for business vehicle.
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Invest in Core Equipment
Start with truck, trailer, commercial mower, and essential hand tools. Rent specialty equipment (skid steer, compactor) for individual projects until volume justifies purchase.
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Build a Portfolio
Do 3-5 projects for friends/family at cost to build a photo portfolio. Before/during/after photos are essential for selling future projects. Quality portfolio closes sales.
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Set Pricing
Research Billings market rates. Maintenance: per-visit pricing based on property size. Installation: materials + labor markup (50-100%). Always bid projects, never hourly.
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Create Online Presence
Google Business Profile with project photos generates most leads. Portfolio website showcasing your best work. Instagram for visual marketing. Houzz profile for design clients.
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Secure First Clients
Start with maintenance contracts (steady income), then add installation projects. Door hangers in target neighborhoods. Real estate agent partnerships for new homeowner landscaping.
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Build Recurring Revenue
Weekly/bi-weekly maintenance contracts provide predictable base income. Upsell seasonal services: spring cleanup, mulching, fall leaf removal, winter prep.
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Scale to Design-Build
Once you have steady maintenance income, invest in design skills and tools. Complete landscape design-build projects ($5,000-50,000+) are the highest-margin work in landscaping.
Common questions
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Montana Landscaping FAQ
Q.01 How much does it cost to start a landscaping business in Montana?
A landscaping business in Montana costs $4,800-$23,800 to start. Major costs: truck, trailer, commercial mower, hand tools, insurance, and LLC filing ($70).
Q.02 How much can I earn landscaping in Montana?
Solo landscapers in Montana earn $38,000-$76,000/year from maintenance. With design-build projects and a crew, $142,500+ is achievable. Profit margins typically run 35-55% for landscaping businesses in Montana.
Q.03 Do I need a license to landscape in Montana?
Basic landscaping requires a business license and LLC in Montana. Pesticide application requires a separate applicator license. Some cities require contractor registration for hardscaping.
Q.04 Should I start with maintenance or installation?
Start with maintenance—it provides recurring revenue and requires less equipment. Add installation projects once you have steady income and a portfolio. Maintenance funds growth into design-build.
Q.05 How do I price landscaping projects?
Calculate total materials cost, estimate labor hours, add overhead, and apply your markup (50-100%). Present as a fixed project price, never hourly. Always walk the property before bidding.
Q.06 What equipment do I need to start?
Minimum: reliable truck, open trailer, commercial mower, trimmer, blower, edger, and basic hand tools. Total equipment investment: $4,750-$14,250. Rent specialty items until volume justifies purchase.
Related
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