How much does it cost to start a landscaping business in Burnaby?

A lean solo start typically lands between $1,000 and $4,000 all-in: registration (~$40–$70), the Burnaby licence (~$100+/yr), insurance, and equipment ($1,500–$4,000 (mower, trimmer, blower, trailer or truck setup)). The brand, website and booking system is the variable — Prontco's full launch starts at $997.

How much do landscaping businesses make in Burnaby?

Common rates are $50–$80/hr, or maintenance contracts from $150–$400+/month per property. With a steady calendar, $5,000–$10,000+ per month solo in season, with recurring maintenance smoothing the off-season is a realistic solo range — results vary with niche and area.

Can I run it from home?

Usually yes — Burnaby permits home-based service businesses with a home-occupation licence since clients don't visit your home. We handle the application as part of every launch.

What's the fastest way to get landscaping clients in Burnaby?

Approach strata property managers about common-area maintenance contracts in new developments. Market mature-garden care (pruning, hedge programs) around Deer Lake — skilled work prices above mow-and-go.

Start a Landscaping Business in Burnaby, BC (2026)

Q: Do I need a licence to start a landscaping business in Burnaby?

Yes — you'll need a BC business registration plus a Burnaby municipal business licence (~$100+/yr). No certification required for general landscaping; pesticide application requires a licence. We prepare and file the applications; the city grants approval.

The short version — launching in Burnaby

Register as a sole proprietor or incorporate with BC Registries (~$40–$380)
File your Burnaby business licence (~$100+/yr)
Get general liability insurance
Set your rates ($50–$80/hr, or maintenance contracts from $150–$400+/month per property)
Build a brand, website, and online booking
Set up card payments and simple bookkeeping
Launch a Google Business Profile focused on Burnaby

Burnaby's yards come with the territory — fast-growing tower communities around Brentwood and Metrotown alongside established 1960s–80s single-family neighbourhoods — and that terrain shapes the work. Deer Lake and Heights properties with mature landscaping need skilled recurring care, while new strata developments contract out common-area maintenance. The skills are the easy part; the business wrapper — registration, a Burnaby licence, insurance, a real brand, and online booking — is what wins the job.

Why Burnaby specifically

Burnaby splits between mature gardens around Deer Lake needing genuinely skilled care and new strata developments contracting out every square metre of common green space.

For a landscaper, that means a split book: skilled mature-garden care plus strata common-area contracts.

Where the work is: Deer Lake and Heights properties with mature landscaping need skilled recurring care, while new strata developments contract out common-area maintenance. Neighbourhoods like Brentwood, Metrotown, Burnaby Heights each have their own client base — your Google Business Profile and local pages should name them.

Startup costs in Burnaby

Item	Typical range
BC business registration (sole prop)	~$40
Name request fee	~$30
Burnaby business licence	~$100+/yr
General liability insurance	$500–$1,200/yr
Equipment & supplies	$1,500–$4,000 (mower, trimmer, blower, trailer or truck setup)
Branding, website & booking setup	$0 DIY – $3,000+ agency

Government fees change — confirm current amounts with BC Registries and the City of Burnaby. Burnaby issues home-occupation licences for service businesses; if you also work regularly in Vancouver or Surrey, the Metro West inter-municipal licence ($300/yr) can replace buying separate city licences.

Realistic earnings

Around Metro Vancouver, $50–$80/hr, or maintenance contracts from $150–$400+/month per property is the going range. Keep the calendar full and $5,000–$10,000+ per month solo in season, with recurring maintenance smoothing the off-season is achievable solo — though your niche, service area, and how professional you look all move the number. No certification required for general landscaping; pesticide application requires a licence.

The fear that stops most people

Let's name it

Before the tactics, the mindset blocker worth naming out loud. “What if equipment damages a client's property, or the weather kills my schedule?” A weather-delay clause, a liability waiver, insurance, and recurring contracts smooth both — and every Prontco launch includes the paperwork done properly.

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Landscaping Pricing Calculator

Work out what to charge before you quote your first job in Burnaby. Set the job size, condition and the hourly rate you need to earn, and get a defensible number in seconds.

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Your first clients in Burnaby — the landscaping playbook

Approach strata property managers about common-area maintenance contracts in new developments.
Market mature-garden care (pruning, hedge programs) around Deer Lake — skilled work prices above mow-and-go.
Bundle spring cleanup + season contract offers in March; Burnaby's mixed housing means both segments buy.

The shortcut

Every step above is DIY-able if you have the evenings to spare. The alternative: Prontco builds it all in roughly 10 business days — Burnaby licence filed, brand and website live, booking and payments connected, books set up — then stays with you for 30 days of launch support. From $997, and you own everything.

Book a free launch call See pricing

How to Start a Landscaping Business in Burnaby, BC