If you like working outdoors, hate being stuck behind a desk, and want a side hustle that can grow into a full-time business, starting a yard cleanup and leaf removal company is a fantastic choice.
It’s seasonal and flexible, needs relatively low upfront investment if you keep it simple, and solves a recurring problem for homeowners and property managers.
This guide walks you step-by-step through why it’s a great side hustle, how the business actually works, what you’ll need to get started, how to price your services, how to find clients, what you can realistically expect to earn, common problems and how to avoid them, and finally… how to scale.
Read it like a checklist; you can jump to the sections you need and come back for the parts you’ll implement next.
Why a Yard Cleanup & Leaf Removal Business Is a Great Side Hustle
Leaves fall every year, and for lots of homeowners, yards fill with debris fast, especially in temperate climates.
That predictable, seasonal demand makes leaf removal and yard cleanups an ideal side hustle: the busy window is relatively short and intense (fall primarily, with spring cleanup opportunities), so you can focus your time and energy for high return.
And because yard cleanup requires basic equipment that many people already own or can borrow, you can often start small, build a reputation, then reinvest profits to grow.
Beyond leaves, yard cleanup work often leads to recurring services such as mowing, gutter cleaning, mulching, hedge trimming, and spring/fall cleanup contracts which helps smooth income beyond the peak season.
The landscaping and lawn-care market is huge, which means plenty of potential customers if you pick the right neighborhoods and market yourself well.
Another reason this business makes sense is that it doesn’t take years to learn.
Unlike plumbing or electrical work, you don’t need special certifications. As long as you’re willing to show up on time, do the physical work, and deliver a yard that looks noticeably better, you’ll have happy clients.
It also appeals to people who prefer being outdoors and don’t want to be chained to a desk.
Instead of clocking in at an office, you can build a flexible schedule around your life, while still making solid money during peak demand.
How the Business Works:
Services, Seasonality, and Profit Potential
At its core, the business is simple: you offer to remove leaves and yard debris, haul it away or chip/mulch it, and leave the property tidy.
But within that simple framework, you can structure your services in different ways to appeal to different customers.
Some clients just want a one-time cleanup because they’ve let their yard go and need it tackled before the holidays or before selling their home.
Others want seasonal packages, such as fall and spring cleanups twice a year.
Property managers and homeowners associations often want regular, scheduled work to keep multiple properties looking good.
And still others might start with leaves but then ask if you handle gutters, shrubs, or mulching, which gives you the chance to upsell.
Seasonality plays a big role.
Fall is the busiest time, particularly in neighborhoods with lots of deciduous trees.
Spring is another lucrative season because homeowners want to clear out winter debris, fallen branches, and dead leaves left behind under the snow.
The summer months tend to slow down unless you add lawn maintenance or landscaping, but that’s also a chance to branch into new services.
Profit potential depends on efficiency, marketing, and pricing.
Solo operators can make a few hundred dollars in a single day during busy weeks.
Small crews handling multiple properties can pull in thousands in a week.
Because overhead is low you’re mostly paying for fuel, disposal fees, and equipment upkeep and profit margins are often very strong.
Many people use leaf removal as their entry into the lawn-care industry because it builds a client list and generates cash flow quickly.
Setting Up the Business Legally and Professionally
If you’re just raking a neighbor’s lawn for cash, you don’t need a lot of setup.
But if you want to attract steady work and look professional, it’s smart to put some structure in place.
Customers are far more likely to hire someone with a business name, insurance, and a professional image, especially if they’re paying a few hundred dollars or more per job.
First, choose a business structure.
The simplest is a sole proprietorship, but an LLC provides legal protection and makes you look more established.
Register your business name with your state or county, and if possible, pick a name that’s easy to remember and clearly communicates what you do.
Something like “Quick Leaf Cleanup” or “Green Yard Solutions” will stick in people’s minds better than something generic.
Next, check on local license requirements.
Some cities require a business license even for small service providers.
Others require permits for hauling yard waste.
None of these steps are complicated or expensive, but getting them right will save headaches later.
Insurance is worth the investment.
General liability insurance protects you if you accidentally damage property or someone gets hurt.
Even if you’re a one-person operation, insurance shows clients you take your work seriously.
Many homeowners associations and property managers will only hire insured contractors, so this step opens the door to bigger, more profitable jobs.
Finally, open a separate bank account for your business.
It keeps your personal finances separate, makes taxes easier, and helps you see clearly how much money your business is making.
What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need a giant investment to get started.
In fact, many people launch their business with tools they already have.
A rake, some heavy-duty lawn bags, and a tarp might be all you need for your first jobs.
From there, you can reinvest your profits to buy better tools.
At the most basic level, you’ll need:
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Rakes and leaf scoops
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A leaf blower (handheld or backpack style)
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Heavy-duty lawn bags or containers
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Tarps for moving large piles
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Gloves, safety goggles, and ear protection
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A way to transport debris (pickup truck, trailer, or even a hatchback car to start)
Transportation is one of the biggest considerations.
If you live in a city that offers curbside pickup for bagged leaves, you can leave debris at the curb and save yourself hauling costs.
But if not, you’ll need to plan for disposal, whether that means hauling to a compost site, landfill, or recycling center.
That’s where a trailer or truck really helps.
Time is another resource you need.
If you’re doing this as a side hustle, weekends and evenings are prime time.
If you’re going full-time, you’ll want to plan routes efficiently so you’re not wasting gas driving across town for a single job.
Essential Tools for the Job
Once you’re earning steady money, investing in quality equipment pays off.
A good backpack leaf blower can cut your job time in half compared to a handheld one.
A mulching mower lets you shred leaves into fine mulch instead of hauling them, which saves on disposal costs.
Having multiple tarps and rakes means you can work with helpers and move faster.
Below is a more complete list of tools you’ll eventually want to add.
Just remember that quality matters. Sometimes you have to get the best and not the cheapest if you want something to last, especially if you’re using it more than a normal person would on just their lawn.
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Backpack leaf blowers with enough power for large properties
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Mulching mower or bagging mower for shredding leaves
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Push cart or wheelbarrow for moving heavy loads
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Gas-powered hedge trimmers to expand into additional services
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Pressure washer for patios and decks (a great upsell after cleanup)
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Lawn vacuum systems for faster debris pickup on large properties
- Reusable Leaf Bags for easy collection
The trick is not to buy everything at once.
Start with the basics, see which services customers ask for most, and upgrade strategically.
Every tool you buy should either save you time or allow you to charge more.
Marketing and Finding Clients
Marketing doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent.
Because yard cleanup is a local service, your best clients are usually within a few miles of where you live.
Focus on visibility in those neighborhoods, and you’ll get business.
Word of mouth is powerful.
Tell friends, family, and neighbors what you’re doing.
Early customers often come from personal connections, and if you do good work, they’ll refer you to others.
Flyers and door hangers work especially well in suburban neighborhoods.
Print simple flyers with your name, phone number, and a clear list of services.
Deliver them right before fall cleanup season or after storms, when people are thinking about their messy yards.
Social media is another easy win.
Post before-and-after photos on Facebook and Instagram, and share them on community groups or Nextdoor.
People love seeing transformations, and these posts often lead to quick calls and messages.
Setting up a Google Business Profile is free and powerful.
When people search “leaf removal near me,” your business can show up.
Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews, good reviews build trust and get you more calls.
Finally, don’t overlook partnerships.
Property managers, real estate agents, and HOAs are always looking for reliable contractors.
If you can land even one of these clients, you can fill your schedule quickly.
Pricing Your Services
Pricing can be tricky at first.
Charge too little and you won’t make enough for your time.
Charge too much and customers may hesitate.
The good news is that you can experiment and adjust as you go.
The three main pricing models are flat rate, hourly, and per bag or load.
Many businesses use a flat rate based on the yard size, tree coverage, and estimated hours of work.
For example, a small yard might be $100, a medium yard $200, and a large yard $300 or more.
Hourly pricing (often $25 to $50 per worker per hour) can work well if you’re unsure how long a job will take.
The downside is that some customers don’t like open-ended costs.
Per bag or per load pricing is less common but useful in areas with high disposal costs.
For example, you might charge $10 per bag filled or $100 per trailer load hauled away.
When quoting, consider factors like disposal fees, distance to the client, and whether you’re working solo or with helpers.
Always be transparent with clients about what’s included.
A simple written estimate, even in a text or email, helps avoid misunderstandings.
Expected Revenue and Profits
Let’s talk numbers.
If you charge $200 for a medium-sized yard and complete two jobs per day on weekends, that’s $400 for one day’s work.
Work both Saturday and Sunday during peak fall season, and you could make $3,200 in a month just from weekends.
If you go full-time and add a helper, you might handle four jobs a day at $200 each, which equals $800 daily.
Work five days a week, and that’s $4,000 per week.
Over a six-week fall season, that’s $24,000 gross revenue.
Before you go spending a bunch of money, make sure you text it and grow to those numbers.
Those numbers only work if you have a steady flow of jobs.
Also, you’ll need to subtract equipment, gas, and disposal costs, and you could clear 60 to 70 percent in profit.
Spring cleanups can add another wave of income, and if you expand into lawn care or snow removal, you can smooth out the income across the whole year.
Some entrepreneurs build six-figure businesses starting from simple leaf removal.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
No business is perfect, and yard cleanup has its share of challenges.
The most common issues are weather, disposal, competition, cash flow, and physical strain.
Weather is unpredictable.
Rain or early snow can derail your schedule.
The best solution is flexibility and communication.
Let clients know you’ll reschedule as soon as conditions allow.
Disposal is another headache.
Some towns won’t take leaves in regular trash, and compost sites may charge fees.
Always factor disposal costs into your quote so you don’t lose money.
Competition can be stiff as well.
Lawn care companies sometimes offer leaf removal as a side service.
To compete, focus on reliability and responsiveness.
Many big companies don’t return calls quickly or show up when promised so if you do, you’ll stand out.
Cash flow is sporadic because work is often seasonal.
Budget your peak season earnings so you’re not stressed in slow months.
Consider offering additional services to create year-round income.
Finally, the work is physically demanding.
Invest in quality tools to make it easier, stretch before jobs, and pace yourself.
A good backpack leaf blower is a great investment to make the job much easier.
Just remember, the cheapest isn’t always the best.
If you plan to scale, bringing on helpers will protect your health in the long run.
Expanding Beyond Leaves
Many entrepreneurs find that once they have a client base, customers start asking for other services.
This is your chance to expand and earn more per client.
Popular add-ons include gutter cleaning, mulching, hedge trimming, lawn mowing, pressure washing, and even snow removal in colder climates.
By saying yes to these requests, you increase your average revenue per customer and reduce the need to constantly find new ones.
You also position yourself as the go-to yard care provider, which builds loyalty and referrals.
Tips for Growing and Scaling the Business
If you want to go beyond a side hustle, there are clear steps to scale.
Hiring seasonal help is one of the fastest.
Even one helper doubles the number of jobs you can handle.
College students, part-time workers, or local laborers can be great during peak seasons.
Investing in efficiency also helps.
Professional equipment means faster jobs, and faster jobs mean more revenue per day.
A truck with a trailer and high-powered blowers can transform how quickly you work.
Building repeat contracts is another growth strategy.
Offer seasonal packages where clients pay in advance for spring and fall cleanups.
This creates predictable income and keeps your schedule full.
Targeting commercial properties and HOAs can also scale your business quickly.
Instead of one yard at a time, you’re handling dozens of units or entire complexes.
The work is steady, and the paychecks are bigger.
Finally, focus on branding and reputation.
A simple logo, business shirts, and even a magnetic sign for your truck make you look more professional.
Online reviews build trust and can set you apart from less organized competitors.
Final Thoughts
Starting a yard cleanup and leaf removal business is one of the most approachable and profitable service businesses you can launch with minimal investment.
It’s in demand, easy to start, and full of opportunities for growth.
With basic tools, smart marketing, and reliable service, you can build steady seasonal income or grow into a full-fledged landscaping company.
If you’re willing to put in the work, there’s no limit to how far you can take it.
The leaves will always fall, and that means the opportunity will always be there—you just have to be the one ready to rake in the profits.
Other Interesting Articles:
How to Start a Pressure Washing Business
Make Money w/Glamping and Camping
How to Start a Landscaping Business
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