The 2026 landscaping industry outlook shows plenty of healthy vital signs, which is good news for business owners and an opportunity for brokers to recalibrate.
In the United States, landscaping has experienced steady growth across the board. The industry has an estimated market size of $184 billion (as of 2025, per IBIS World) and grew at a 6% rate from 2020 to 2025. Demand is up, optimism is high, and businesses are exploring ways to expand their service offerings to grow revenue.
And this is happening against a backdrop of rising costs in both materials and labor. Industry trends indicate that labor costs can account for up to 50% of a landscaping company’s total revenue, particularly for year-round operations.
What does that mean for clients and their landscaping insurance policies? Do they need more coverage, better coverage, or perhaps both? Let’s take a closer look at how brokers can support clients with strong E&S submissions and landscape contractor coverage, including what underwriters look for during the submissions process.
Landscaping businesses now face additional exposures and risks
Clients who venture into year-round business are in line for E&S insurance, largely due to increased landscaping risks and operational challenges. Placing clients in the E&S market requires a thorough understanding of their business’s risk profile and the scope of their operations; for example, not every client (based on climate) will offer snow removal services.
Other clients may expand service into year-round residential, a category that represents one of the largest increases in demand. There’s also winter tree trimming, pruning, and removal, which requires specialized labor, and spring lawn preparation for both residential and commercial businesses.
“Year-round operations have several benefits for landscaping clients, but underwriters have a meticulous process and detailed checklist for E&S submissions. A prepared broker will make this process smooth sailing for clients.”
Michael Finati, LandPro Program Manager, NIP Group
Brokers can provide a valuable service to clients expanding operations, as the business will require an E&S submission due to increased risk exposures. Landscaping safety insurance can’t be a simple out-of-the-box solution. Detail is key.
Communication and detailed scopes are key when placing landscaping clients
Underwriters want details and as much information as possible before they begin the quoting process—there’s no denying it, and there’s no avoiding it. That’s why advance work and preparation are paramount to ensuring your clients get what they need within a manageable time frame.
Landscaping industry risk management puts many clients into the E&S environment. Underwriters will want to know the full scope of a client’s business operations, and for year-round landscaping businesses, the details of each service offered are critical to securing the proper insurance coverage.
For example, snow removal is a service many companies now provide, but it’s important to understand the full scope of what’s required to pull it off. Clients need equipment (plows, all-terrain vehicles) and supplies (salt), as well as around-the-clock staffing (to clear roads for morning commutes).
Winter is also the ideal time for tree pruning, especially for tree health, but winter tree trimming is more complex and dangerous due to extreme weather and other factors. Underwriting teams will want to know a) if your clients are winter tree trimmers and b) additional details like how many employees are on these jobs and what types of equipment they use while working.
It’s not enough to know just enough—your clients are counting on you to paint the full picture for underwriters to get them proper E&S insurance. Here’s how to make it happen.
What brokers need to consider to strengthen clients’ E&S submissions
A good rule of thumb is: the more services your landscaping clients offer and the more bandwidth that they require to execute them, the more intense the underwriting process will be.
There are a variety of new liability considerations that mandate detailed underwriting reviews, and while it’s understood that the process will take time, brokers can position clients for a smoother process by being prepared.
Brokers should be ready to provide underwriting teams with the full picture of operational details, including the scope of work, loss history, contract structures, potential snowfall exposure, and equipment. This allows underwriters to efficiently evaluate potential risk and exposures and provide your clients with more accurate coverage options.
One of the main complaints we hear from landscaping clients is that the underwriting process takes too long. Strong, comprehensive E&S submissions help reduce delays in the quoting process and allow you (the broker) to strengthen your clients’ position in the insurance marketplace.
LandPro is a trusted insurance partner for landscaping clients nationwide
If your clients are looking to expand into new markets, the right coverage is the first and perhaps most important step.
LandPro by NIP Group is the industry’s most trusted insurance solution. Our best-in-class program is an all-in-one package (including auto) that gives your landscaping clients full protection as they transition into new service seasons, including winter.
LandPro is backed by 35 years of expertise and a dedicated team that knows the landscaping industry inside and out. With LandPro coverage, your clients benefit from working closely with an insurance partner that understands snow removal, irrigation, hardscaping, and traditional lawn care and landscaping.
It’s a beneficial partnership for all parties. Brokers can place landscaping clients under a single policy that includes coverage for:
- Snow removal operations
- Irrigation services
- Field turf installation
- Highway median clearance
- Green roof and hardscaping projects
- Lawn care and landscaping services
To learn more about LandPro or to speak with a member of our team, contact us today.
