How to Get a Landscape Contractor (Commercial) License in Illinois
Illinois requires a landscape contractor (commercial) license to offer professional services. State fees are $50, which is well below the $251 national average.
Last verified: 2022-03-01 · Source: Institute for Justice, License to Work 3
Quick Facts
- License Required
- Yes
- Licensing Fees
- $50(well below the $251 national average)
What This Means for Your Home Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Business
Illinois makes it possible to run a home landscape contractor (commercial) business, but there's a licensing path to follow first. Illinois is one of 47 states that require licensing.
The good news: Illinois's $50 fee is below the $251 national average. The real investment is time, not money.
Once licensed, Illinois offers advantages: no sales tax on services, reducing complexity. Plus, LLC formation is just $150. Your total non-training startup can be under $1,000.
Important detail: Even though you're working from home, you'll still need a shop license from the Illinois licensing board. Your home workspace must meet their sanitation and safety standards. This is separate from your personal landscape contractor (commercial) license and is something many first-time home-based landscape contractor (commercial)s overlook.
How to Start Your Home Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Business
Follow these steps to legally launch your business in Illinois. Most people complete this within 2-4 weeks.
Complete Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Training
Enroll in a Illinois-approved landscape contractor (commercial) school.
Tip: You must apply for your exams within a set timeframe after completing your education — don't wait.
Pass the Required Exam ($50)
Once you've finished training, register for the required exam through the Illinois licensing board.
Form Your Illinois LLC ($150 state fee)
Register your business with the Illinois Secretary of State. An LLC protects your personal assets if something goes wrong — a client injury, a lawsuit, or unpaid bills. It also makes you look more professional to clients and helps with taxes.
Fast track: Services like ZenBusiness can form your Illinois LLC online for $0 + the $150 state filing fee. They handle the paperwork and registered agent service.
Get a Home Occupation Permit & Shop License
You need two things to legally operate from home:
- Home occupation permit — from your county clerk or zoning office. This confirms your neighborhood allows a business from your home. Fees vary by county ($25-$100 typically).
- Shop license — from the Illinois licensing board. Your home workspace must meet their sanitation standards, including proper ventilation, sanitary station setup, and waste disposal.
Get Business Insurance
General liability insurance protects you if a client has an allergic reaction, slips in your home, or claims damage. Most policies for home-based landscape contractor (commercial)s cost $15-$40/month. It's not legally required in Illinois, but going without it is a real risk when you're working with clients in your home.
Register for State & Federal Taxes
Illinois does not charge sales tax on personal services. So you won't need to collect sales tax from clients. However, you still need to:
- Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — free, takes 5 minutes online
- Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue for state income tax
- If you sell products (shampoo, styling products), you will need to collect Illinois's 6.25% sales tax on those product sales
Book Your First Clients
You're legal and ready. Start building your client base:
- Set up an online booking system (Square Appointments, Booksy, or Vagaro are popular with home-based landscape contractor (commercial)s)
- Create a Google Business Profile so local clients can find you
- Post your work on Instagram — before-and-afters are the #1 way home landscape contractor (commercial)s attract clients
- Ask early clients for Google reviews — reviews are critical for home-based businesses without storefront visibility
Total Estimated Startup Costs
| Exam fees + license | $50 |
| Illinois LLC formation | $150 |
| Home occupation permit | $25 - $100 |
| Business insurance (first year) | $180 - $480 |
| Total (excluding training/school) | $405 - $780 |
* School tuition varies widely. Some community colleges offer programs under $5,000. The apprenticeship path avoids tuition entirely.
Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Earning Potential in Illinois
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2024), here's what landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Illinois. There are approximately 35,120 employed in the state.
Median Hourly
$20.73
Median Annual
$43,120
Entry Level
$14.68/hr
Top Earners
$26.93/hr
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $14.68 | $30,534 |
| 25th | $17.38 | $36,150 |
| 50th (median) | $20.73 | $43,120 |
| 75th | $22.84 | $47,507 |
| 90th (top earners) | $26.93 | $56,014 |
Note for home-based operators: BLS wage data reflects employed (W-2) workers. Self-employed landscape contractor (commercial)s working from home often charge 20-40% more since they set their own rates and don't pay salon/shop rent. At the median rate, working 30 hours/week would gross roughly $42,040/year as an independent operator.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
Illinois Business Setup Costs & Details
Here's what you need to know about setting up any home business in Illinois — beyond the landscape contractor (commercial) license itself.
Compare Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Requirements in Nearby States
See how Illinois's requirements compare to neighboring states.
Key takeaway: All of Illinois's neighbors require a landscape contractor (commercial) license. If cost is your main concern, Wisconsin has the lowest fees at $30.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a landscape contractor (commercial) license in Illinois?
Can I run a landscape contractor (commercial) business from my home in Illinois?
Do I need to collect sales tax as a landscape contractor (commercial) in Illinois?
How much does an LLC cost in Illinois?
More Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Resources for Illinois
Landscape Contractor (Commercial) Salary in Illinois
BLS wage data, percentiles, and state rankings
License Cost Breakdown
Complete cost analysis: fees, training, exams, LLC
Best States for Landscape Contractor (Commercial)s
All 50 states ranked by wages, fees, and costs
No-License Jobs in Illinois
Occupations you can start without a license
Pricing Calculator
Figure out how much to charge clients
Startup Cost Calculator
Personalized budget for your home business
Sources & Disclaimer
Data Sources
- License data: Institute for Justice, License to Work 3 (2022). Independently verified dataset covering licensing requirements across all 50 states + DC.
- LLC and tax data: Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois Department of Revenue.
Disclaimer: This guide was last verified 2022-03-01. Licensing laws and fees change — always confirm current requirements directly with the Illinois licensing board before making business decisions. This site provides general information for educational purposes and is not legal advice.