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Landscaping & Lawn Care Industry Update – Q1 2025

Sell Your Landscaping or Lawn Care Business in Texas | Lion Business Brokers

Valuation Trends, Buyer Demand, and Exit Planning Insights for Green Industry Business Owners

Market Snapshot: Steady Growth, Strong Buyer Interest

As we wrap up Q1 2025, the landscaping and lawn care industry across Texas and the Southeast continues to show strong fundamentals — especially for businesses with recurring contracts, equipment-backed teams, and defined service routes.

Rising demand for outsourced property maintenance and facility management is fueling acquisition interest from:

  • First-time business buyers leaving corporate jobs

  • Trade operators (HVAC, pest control, etc.) looking to cross-sell

  • Regional landscape groups and investor-backed roll-ups

🔍 Companies with systems, foremen, and commercial clients are at the top of every buyer’s list.


What Are Landscaping Businesses Selling for Right Now?

Here’s what we’re seeing in the M&A market for green industry companies:

Business Type Valuation Multiple Notes
Residential Maintenance (SDE-based) 2.0x–3.0x SDE Route density helps; solo owner-operators see lower end of range
Commercial Maintenance (EBITDA-based) 3.5x–5.0x EBITDA Recurring contracts + low churn = premium offers
Design/Build Only 1.5x–2.5x SDE Project-based income = more risk for buyers
Hybrid Model (Install + Maintenance) 2.5x–4.0x EBITDA Higher margin but owner involvement matters

Extras that improve valuation: GPS routing, CRM systems, branded fleet, long-tenured crews, and multi-year maintenance contracts.


What Hurts Value?

Even great landscaping businesses can lose value if they’re not ready to sell. Here are the most common issues that turn off buyers:

  1. Owner dependency – If you’re still the estimator, crew scheduler, and salesperson, the business is harder to transfer.

  2. No recurring contracts – One-time installs or unpredictable cash flow limit buyer confidence.

  3. Untracked expenses – Fuel, materials, and labor must be accurately reported to validate margins.

  4. Unlicensed or 1099-only crews – Increases buyer risk and regulatory concerns.


What Buyers Are Looking For in 2025

The ideal landscaping or lawn care business for most buyers has:

  • Recurring monthly or seasonal maintenance contracts

  • Commercial clients (HOAs, schools, medical offices, etc.)

  • Crew leads or foremen managing routes

  • Clean books and route management systems

  • An owner willing to stay on for 30–90 days to ensure a smooth transition

💡 Even if you’re a solo owner-operator today, preparing systems and delegating now can drastically improve your business’s value when you’re ready to sell.


Texas Hot Spots for Landscaping M&A in Q1

We’re seeing the most activity in:

  • Austin Metro & Hill Country – Strong demand for residential and estate maintenance businesses

  • San Antonio – Investor interest in multi-crew operators

  • DFW Suburbs – Buyers looking to consolidate routes and teams

  • Houston – High opportunity in commercial-focused or HOA-service firms


Should You Sell Your Landscaping Business in 2025?

If you’re starting to think about retirement, reducing your workload, or planning for a future transition, now is the time to get educated and start preparing.

Even if your ideal timeline is 1–2 years out, beginning the process now gives you the chance to:

  • Maximize valuation

  • Reduce deal risk

  • Exit on your timeline — not someone else’s


🎯 Start with a Conversation — No Pressure, Just Clarity

Whether you’re ready to sell in the next 6 months or simply planning for the next phase, we’re here to help you understand your options.

👉 Schedule a Free Confidential Exit Consultation
📩 Or email us directly at info@lionbusinessbrokers.com


Lion Business Brokers helps founder-led service businesses across Texas sell with confidence, clarity, and a strategy that honors the work they’ve built. Stay tuned for our Q2 2025 Landscaping & Lawn Care Market Update.