Payment Processing for Landscaping Companies
Quick answer: Landscaping companies should use a mobile terminal for on-site card payments, card-on-file recurring billing for weekly/bi-weekly maintenance clients, customer financing for large hardscaping projects ($5,000+), and ACH payments for commercial property management accounts. Interchange-plus pricing saves 15-30% vs Square.
Landscaping businesses have diverse payment needs: small weekly maintenance charges, mid-range seasonal services, and large hardscaping/installation projects. Each needs different payment tools, and most landscapers overpay by using the same flat-rate processor for everything.
Payment Methods by Service Type
Weekly/bi-weekly maintenance ($50-200/visit)
Card-on-file recurring billing automates payment collection. Client provides their card once, and you charge automatically on the scheduled service day. Pre-charge notifications keep clients informed. Card updater services prevent failed payments from expired cards.
Seasonal services ($200-2,000)
Spring cleanups, fall leaf removal, snow removal — these are one-time or seasonal charges. Send text-to-pay links after completing the job, or accept card payment on-site with a mobile terminal.
Hardscaping and installations ($5,000-50,000+)
Large projects need customer financing. Offering Buy Now Pay Later through Affirm increases project acceptance by 20-40%. The homeowner pays over 6-24 months while you receive full payment upfront.
Commercial property management
ACH payments cost 0.5-1.5% — much cheaper than credit card rates for large monthly invoices. Combined with invoicing with payment links, commercial accounts can pay via bank transfer on net-30 terms.
Cost Savings Example
A landscaping company processing $25,000/month across all service types:
- Square: $660/month (2.6% + $0.10)
- Interchange-plus: $440-500/month
- Annual savings: $1,920-2,640
Seasonal Volume Considerations
Landscaping is highly seasonal. Your processor must accommodate volume swings without triggering alerts:
- Spring: volume increases 2-3x as maintenance contracts start
- Summer: peak volume with maintenance + projects
- Fall: seasonal services add to maintenance volume
- Winter: volume drops significantly (unless snow removal)
Unison understands seasonal service businesses and does not freeze accounts during normal volume fluctuations. Notify your processor before the season ramp-up.
Equipment for Landscaping Crews
- Clover Go — clips to a crew leader's phone, lightweight for job site use
- PAX A920 — standalone with receipt printer, good for the office or truck
- Virtual terminal — browser-based for office staff taking phone payments
- Text-to-pay — send payment links via SMS from any phone
Contact Unison for landscaping payment processing, or see contractor payment solutions.