Starting a Landscape Design Business: A Firefighter's Roadmap

Question: I'm a full-time firefighter; my dad owns a wholesale landscape supply business. I want to bid, design, and oversee landscape projects but have zero experience. What education/training do I need?

Answer: A Multi-Year Plan for Serious Entry

Don't jump in lightly—mistakes waste clients' money. Rarely does anyone succeed as an owner/designer without years of groundwork.

Essential Knowledge Areas

• Plants: Sun/shade, water, soil, companions, growth habits, spacing.
• Hardscapes: Material coverages (tons/cubic yards per area/depth).
• Codes & Permits: Local landscaping regulations.
• Costs: Labor, overhead, equipment rental (skid steer, backhoe), subcontractor network & rates.

One-Year Learning Plan

1. Take local horticulture/soils classes (tech college, master gardener, garden clubs).
2. Spend weekly hours at a nursery learning plant requirements.
3. Work 3–6 months at a reputable nursery (spring/summer), then 3–6 months on a landscape installation crew (fall). Log task times, equipment, crew sizes.
4. Study contract law, estimating (RSMeans guides), local permitting, mechanics liens. Use AIA contracts.
5. Understand pricing: typically 2–3× wholesale plant cost installed; adjust for job size/competition.

After a year, take on tiny jobs. Watch HGTV/YouTube for exposure. Build a solid foundation before launching.

—Sean J Murphy, LEED AP, RLA, ISA | seanjmurphy.com