The biggest problems facing landscapers in 2026
The evolving world of business shows no signs of slowing down.
That means that landscaping businesses, like many others, need to contend with plenty of challenges, new and old, this year.
Make sure you have a plan to tackle all of these, and more, in the months ahead.
Seasonal demand
You are likely well aware that demand is lower right now, in the bleak winter months where people aren’t looking to spend time outdoors. Many people simply don’t give their gardens as much thought over the colder months.
That can mean it’s difficult to find enough work at certain times of the year. But there are other trends that your business may be able to tap into.
For instance, February and March are the best months to list homes for sale. And sellers will want their house, and its garden, looking their best. Consider advertising that targets prospective sellers and you could be able to drum up extra business out of season.
Weather dependency
Tied to the time of year is the ever-unpredictable weather. With global warming causing more and more unusual weather events, it’s tough to know whether we’ll have a stormy spring, a blazing summer, or a rain-soaked autumn.
Those conditions are something that can have a significant impact on your operations and your employees. From disrupting schedules and damaging work to even posing health risks to your team, it’s important to be aware of how the weather affects your business and have plans in place to prepare for any eventuality.
Customer expectations
It might surprise you to learn that customer expectations have actually fallen in recent years. Ending an upwards trend from 1994 to 2014, they are now at lower levels than the mid 90s. But that doesn’t mean business can get complacent.
While overall levels may be down on previous years and decades, the nature of those expectations is constantly evolving.
Customers expect business to respond quickly through multiple channels, provide bonuses for loyalty, and be transparent about their sustainability and values.
It’s important to undertake a regular assessment of your customer journey. Is it easy to find information about your business through multiple social media channels? Can customers request quotes without having to make a phone call? Do you display reviews and certifications that build trust in your reliability?
If your business fails to tick all these boxes, chances are that a lead will simply move onto one of your competitors. After all, there are plenty of them out there…
Competition
The landscaping market is predicted to keep growing steadily for the next few years. And that means more people than ever are looking to get themselves a slice of the action. With so many options, how can you expect customers to choose you?
It can’t simply be a race to the bottom, where you slash prices so much that it erodes your margins. Instead, you need to stand out with your brand. Create unforgettable experiences, encourage word-of-mouth marketing, and catch the eye with clever, personable social media.
People are choosing brands, not just services, and you need to give them a compelling reason to choose you.
Equipment
Creating beautiful landscapes and scenery in line with your clients’ visions requires not just labour but equipment as well. With this of course comes maintenance costs, inventory tracking, and much more.
Fail to stay on top of what you’ve got, where it is, and what condition it’s in, and you risk downtime and project delays when you don’t have the right rolls on demand.
Quieter winter months can be the perfect opportunity to take stock of your equipment, make any necessary repairs and replacements, or simply just clean everything up to deliver a great first impression when you arrive on site.
Coordination
Your team has a variety of skills, and you are likely to need different people at different times during a project. That can be a logistical nightmare unless you have an efficient way to organise your employees.
Findmyshift’s intuitive employee scheduling allows you to drag and drop shifts to create rotas in minutes. It’s never been easier to keep your team in-sync, on time, and there when you need them.