Sell Your Landscaping Business in Ohio, 76+ Active PE Buyers, $0 Seller Fees

Selling a landscaping business in Ohio in 2026 is one of the strongest dual-season Midwest landscape exits available in the United States. Ohio supports three major MSAs each carrying meaningful commercial maintenance contract bases: Columbus (approximately 2.15M residents) is the fastest-growing Ohio metro and supports state-government, healthcare, university (Ohio State), and corporate campus contracts. Cleveland (approximately 2.06M MSA) supports healthcare (Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals), banking (KeyBank, Huntington), and corporate-campus contracts. Cincinnati (approximately 2.27M MSA) supports Procter & Gamble HQ, Kroger HQ, healthcare, and growing corporate base. Toledo, Akron, Dayton, Youngstown carry secondary markets.

But Ohio-specific dynamics also create deal complexity that owners outside the state often miss. ODA Pesticide Applicator transitions can stall a deal 30-60 days. Ohio snow-and-ice operating mechanics differ across Cleveland (lake-effect snow, 65+ inches annually), Columbus (35-40 inches annually), and Cincinnati (20-25 inches annually). H-2B seasonal labor reliance creates compliance risk. Ohio prevailing wage (Ohio Revised Code 4115) applies to public-sector landscape contracts. Ohio commercial activity tax (CAT) creates compliance overhead that buyers diligence. Slip-and-fall liability exposure under Ohio tort law is meaningful and well-litigated.

The framework draws on direct work with 76+ active U.S. lower middle market buyers, including 13 with explicit Ohio landscape mandates. Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group-backed) is Ohio-headquartered (Cleveland-area) and the most active in-state acquirer with deep interest in Ohio dual-season operators. BrightView (NYSE: BV) maintains Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati branches. Yellowstone Landscape (CenterOak Partners-backed) has executed multiple Ohio acquisitions in 2023-2025. Heartland (TPG-backed) and LandCare (Aurora Resurgence) both have Ohio presence. Sperber Landscape Companies and Mariani Premier Group target premium Ohio operators. We’re a buy-side partner. The buyers pay us when a deal closes, not you. If you want a 90-second valuation range, our free business valuation calculator produces a starting-point estimate.

One reality check before you start. The Ohio landscape owners who exit at the top of the multiple range almost always started preparing 18-24 months ahead, clean monthly closes, separated landscape EBITDA from snow-and-ice EBITDA in management reporting, audited ODA pesticide standing, identified replacement Certified Applicator, audited prevailing wage compliance for any public-sector contracts, audited H-2B documentation, and resolved any open ODA enforcement matters or pending slip-and-fall litigation. Owners who go to market reactively, with weak documentation and 6 months of clean books, routinely receive offers 1-1.5x EBITDA below the realistic range.

“Ohio is one of the strongest dual-season landscape M&A markets in the Midwest, the 8-month landscape plus 4-month snow-and-ice operating model creates the cash-flow profile PE buyers reward, and Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group-backed) is Ohio-headquartered and the most aggressive in-state acquirer. BrightView, Yellowstone Landscape, and Heartland are also actively bidding across Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. We’re a buy-side partner, the buyers pay us, no contract required.”

Key Takeaways

• Ohio landscape businesses with $1M-$5M EBITDA sell for 4-6x in 2026, with Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati commercial-maintenance and dual-season operators commanding the top of the band.
• Ohio is Schill Grounds Management’s home state, one of the most active commercial-maintenance and snow-and-ice consolidators in the U.S.
• Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) requires Commercial Pesticide Applicator licensing with category certifications (Category 8 Turf, Category 9 Ornamental Plants).
• Ohio’s 3.5% top state income tax (effective 2024) is favorable, on a $4M sale, $115-160K more than no-tax states but $310-340K less than California.
• Combined recurring landscape + snow-and-ice contract revenue above 60% lifts your Ohio multiple by 0.5-1.0x EBITDA.
• Use our free business valuation calculator for a 90-second starting-point Ohio landscape valuation range.
• Active 2026 Ohio landscape buyers include Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group, Ohio-headquartered), BrightView (NYSE: BV), Yellowstone Landscape, Heartland, LandCare, Sperber Landscape, Mariani Premier Group, and 8+ family offices with explicit OH mandates.

The Ohio landscaping market in 2026

Ohio’s landscaping market is one of the larger Midwest markets, structurally supported by three major MSA commercial-maintenance contract bases and dual-season operating model. Ohio has approximately 11.78M residents (2024 Census estimates). Columbus is the fastest-growing Ohio metro (approximately 2.15M MSA, growing 1-1.5% annually). Cleveland and Cincinnati each support approximately 2-2.3M MSAs. Combined, the three major Ohio MSAs support deep commercial maintenance contract bases that PE consolidators target.

Climate creates the dual-season operating model. Ohio supports an 8-month landscape maintenance season (April through early November) and a 4-month snow-and-ice season (December through March). Cleveland faces lake-effect snow with 65+ inches average annual snowfall. Columbus averages 35-40 inches. Cincinnati averages 20-25 inches. The dual-season model captures an additional 30-50% of annual revenue beyond pure landscape maintenance, with Cleveland operators carrying particularly heavy winter books.

Commercial-versus-residential split favors commercial-maintenance consolidators. Ohio landscape revenue mix is approximately 50-60% commercial maintenance (corporate-campus, healthcare, Class A office, multifamily, retail, education, hospitality, municipal), 25-35% snow-and-ice, 10-15% residential maintenance, 5-10% installation/design-build. Cleveland Clinic and other healthcare campuses, Columbus state-government and university campuses, and Cincinnati P&G and Kroger corporate campuses are premium commercial segments.

Recent Ohio landscape M&A activity tells the story. Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group-backed, Ohio-headquartered) has executed multiple Ohio tuck-ins as the most active in-state acquirer. BrightView (NYSE: BV) maintains Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati branches. Yellowstone Landscape (CenterOak Partners) has executed Ohio acquisitions in 2023-2025. Heartland (TPG-backed) and LandCare (Aurora Resurgence) both have Ohio presence.

What this means for your timing. Ohio is a healthy seller’s market for landscape businesses with $1M-$5M EBITDA, 50%+ recurring contract revenue, and meaningful snow-and-ice contract base. Buyers compete actively on price for assets that fit the dual-season commercial-maintenance playbook, and the typical Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati deal closes at 5-6x EBITDA when prep is complete.

What landscaping businesses are worth in Ohio (multiples and ranges)

Ohio landscape valuations follow national landscape multiple bands with state-specific premiums for dual-season operators with structured snow-and-ice contracts. The starting point is the national landscape range of 3-6x EBITDA. Ohio-specific premiums apply for Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati commercial-maintenance and dual-season operators.

Sub-$500K SDE: 2.5-4x SDE. Owner-operator residential or small commercial shops, often 3-6 trucks, with the seller as the ODA Certified Applicator. Buyer pool: individual SBA buyers, occasionally a local consolidator.

$500K-$1.5M EBITDA: 3.5-5x EBITDA. Established commercial-maintenance and HOA-route operators, 8-20 trucks, dispatch software in place, named operations manager, 45-55% recurring contract revenue with meaningful winter book.

$1.5M-$5M EBITDA: 4.5-6x EBITDA. The PE platform sweet spot. 20-50 trucks, full dispatch and CRM integration, GM or COO in place, 55-70% recurring commercial contract revenue, multi-year HOA, healthcare-campus, corporate-campus, and structured snow-and-ice contracts. Buyer pool: Schill Grounds Management, BrightView, Yellowstone Landscape, Heartland, LandCare, Sperber, Mariani Premier Group, regional family offices.

$5M+ EBITDA: 6-8x EBITDA. Platform-quality businesses. 50+ trucks, multi-location, professional management team independent of seller, 65%+ recurring contracts. Buyer pool: large PE platforms competing aggressively, Schill Grounds Management as anchor in-state acquirer.

What moves the multiple within the band. Combined recurring contract percentage. Snow-and-ice contract structure (multi-year pre-bid worth more than per-event reactive). Cleveland vs Columbus vs Cincinnati submarket. Healthcare-campus contract concentration (Cleveland Clinic premium). Customer concentration. Owner dependency. Multi-year contract terms with auto-renewal. Equipment fleet with appropriate snow-and-ice gear. Clean ODA pesticide standing.

Active PE buyers and consolidators acquiring landscaping businesses in Ohio

The Ohio landscape buyer pool in 2026 is robust, anchored by Schill Grounds Management as Ohio-headquartered active in-state acquirer. Below is the named landscape we work with directly.

Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group). Ohio-headquartered (Cleveland-area). One of the most active commercial-maintenance and snow-and-ice consolidators in the U.S. The most active in-state Ohio acquirer. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA, dual-season commercial maintenance, multi-year snow-and-ice contracts valued highly. Pays competitively for the right Ohio asset.

BrightView Holdings (NYSE: BV). Maintains Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati branches with active tuck-in strategy. Buy-box: $1M-$15M EBITDA, commercial-maintenance dominant, multi-year contracts.

Yellowstone Landscape (CenterOak Partners). Active in Ohio acquisitions. Buy-box: $1M-$10M EBITDA, commercial-maintenance focus.

Heartland (TPG-backed). Multi-region commercial landscape platform with active Midwest expansion. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA.

LandCare (Aurora Resurgence). National commercial-landscape consolidator with active Midwest presence. Buy-box: $1M-$10M EBITDA.

Sperber Landscape Companies. Family-of-brands platform expanding into Ohio. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA.

Mariani Premier Group (MSouth Equity Partners). Premier residential design-build platform. Active in Cleveland (Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike), Columbus (New Albany, Upper Arlington), and Cincinnati (Indian Hill, Hyde Park) premium residential markets. Buy-box: $1M-$8M EBITDA, residential design-build with high-net-worth client base.

Family offices and search funders with Ohio mandates. We track 8+ family offices and 6+ search funders with explicit Ohio landscape buy-boxes in the $400K-$2.5M EBITDA range.

Business size	SBA buyer	Search funder	Family office	LMM PE	Strategic
Under $250K SDE	Yes	No	No	No	Rare
$250K-$750K SDE	Yes	Some	No	No	Add-on
$750K-$1.5M SDE	Some	Yes	Some	Add-on	Yes
$1.5M-$3M EBITDA	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
$3M-$10M EBITDA	No	Some	Yes	Yes	Yes
$10M+ EBITDA	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Ohio-specific landscape licensing and regulatory transfer

Ohio does not require a state-level landscape contractor license, but the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) administers commercial pesticide and fertilizer licensing and some municipalities require local contractor registrations. Ohio is one of the states without a unified state-level landscape contractor license.

ODA Commercial Pesticide Applicator licensing. ODA Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Section administers commercial pesticide applicator licensing under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 921. Operators applying pesticides for hire must hold Commercial Applicator licenses with category certifications. Category 8 (Turf) and Category 9 (Ornamental Plants) are most common for landscape. Category 6c (Industrial Vegetation) applies to right-of-way and similar work. The Core Exam covers pesticide safety, regulations, and integrated pest management. Category-specific exams cover application practices.

ODA Commercial Fertilizer Applicator certification. Ohio also requires Commercial Fertilizer Applicator certification (administered by ODA) for operators applying fertilizer commercially. The certification is separate from pesticide licensing and addresses Ohio Lake Erie nutrient runoff reduction efforts. Category 7 (Specialty Fertilizer) certification is required for certain landscape operations.

Why this matters for the sale. If the seller is the only ODA Certified Applicator (pesticide or fertilizer), the buyer must produce a replacement before activities can continue. If the buyer is an out-of-state PE platform without an Ohio-licensed employee, this can take 30-60 days. Most Ohio deals build a 60-180 day transition services agreement.

Ohio prevailing wage requirements. Ohio Revised Code 4115 (prevailing wage) applies to public-sector landscape contracts (school district, municipal, state agency, ODOT). Operators with public-sector contract exposure must pay prevailing wage rates and maintain certified payroll records. Buyers diligence prevailing wage compliance carefully.

Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). Ohio imposes a Commercial Activity Tax on businesses with Ohio gross receipts above $150K annually. CAT compliance is straightforward but buyers diligence filings carefully because Ohio pursues successor liability.

Snow-and-ice insurance and liability mechanics. Ohio snow-and-ice contracting carries elevated slip-and-fall liability exposure under Ohio tort law. Operators with SIMA certifications, GPS-tracked routes, photographic pre/post documentation, and clean liability claim history preserve full multiple.

Ohio tax implications for landscaping business sale

Ohio’s 3.5% top state income tax (effective 2024) is favorable for landscape sellers and trending lower. Ohio’s state income tax brackets for 2024 range from 0% (income up to $26,050) to 3.5% (top bracket on income above $115,300). Ohio applies these brackets to long-term capital gains as ordinary income. The 2017 Ohio General Assembly passed a series of progressive rate reductions, with continued reductions in subsequent budget bills. Combined with federal long-term capital gains, the effective top federal-and-state rate on goodwill gain is approximately 27.3%.

The dollar impact on a typical Ohio landscape sale. On a $4M Ohio landscape sale with $3.2M of the purchase price allocated to goodwill, the Ohio seller pays approximately $874K in combined federal-and-state long-term capital gains tax. A Texas, Florida, Nevada, or Tennessee seller of the same business pays approximately $762K. A California seller pays approximately $1.19M. Ohio’s tax position is roughly $112K higher than no-tax states but $315K lower than California.

Asset allocation in an Ohio landscape deal. Most Ohio landscape deals structure as asset sales for buyer-side liability and depreciation reasons. Working with a tax attorney to push allocation toward goodwill versus equipment typically saves 5-12% of total tax.

Ohio sales and use tax. Ohio imposes 5.75% state sales tax plus county and transit-authority sales taxes that can total 6.5-8% in major metros. Landscape installation may be subject to sales tax depending on whether the work is treated as a service or sale of tangible personal property. Buyers diligence sales tax compliance.

Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). Ohio CAT applies to gross receipts above $150K annually. The tax is structured at $150 minimum tax plus 0.26% on gross receipts above $1M (with adjustments). Landscape M&A diligence reviews CAT compliance and potential successor liability.

Ohio residency considerations. Ohio domicile rules require physical presence and intent to maintain Ohio as primary residence. Ohio Department of Taxation scrutinizes residency claims when sale proceeds appear in the year of relocation. Sellers considering pre-sale relocation should work with a tax attorney 12-24 months pre-sale.

The 5 buyer archetypes for Ohio landscape sales

The Ohio landscape buyer pool sorts into five distinct archetypes. Knowing which archetype fits your business is the highest-leverage positioning decision before going to market.

Archetype 1: Schill Grounds Management as anchor in-state acquirer. Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group). Ohio-headquartered. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA, dual-season commercial maintenance, multi-year snow-and-ice contracts. The most active in-state Ohio acquirer.

Archetype 2: National landscape platforms. BrightView, Yellowstone Landscape, LandCare, Heartland, Sperber Landscape. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA, commercial-maintenance dominant.

Archetype 3: Premier residential design-build acquirers. Mariani Premier Group, select boutique PE consolidators. Buy-box: $1M-$8M EBITDA, residential design-build with high-net-worth client base.

Archetype 4: Family offices. Single-family or multi-family offices with home services or commercial services mandates. Buy-box: $1M-$10M EBITDA.

Archetype 5: Search funders and individual SBA buyers. Individual or two-person searcher teams using SBA-backed financing. Buy-box: under $1.5M total enterprise value.

What drives premium multiples in Ohio landscaping

Ohio landscape operators land at the top of the 4-6x EBITDA multiple band when they show buyers a specific set of operational characteristics. The list below is what every PE platform diligences.

Driver 1: Dual-season recurring contract revenue above 60%. Combined recurring landscape maintenance plus structured snow-and-ice contract revenue above 60% of total signals predictable cash flow.

Driver 2: Multi-year pre-bid snow-and-ice contracts. Pre-bid seasonal contracts are worth more than per-event reactive contracts. Cleveland operators with structured pre-bid contracts particularly valued given lake-effect snow demands.

Driver 3: Cleveland, Columbus, or Cincinnati metro route density. Operators with concentrated metro route density trade better than scattered statewide.

Driver 4: Owner independence. An operator with a true GM or COO running day-to-day operations independent of the seller adds 0.5-1.0x EBITDA.

Driver 5: H-2B labor compliance and crew retention. Most Ohio landscape operators run H-2B seasonal workers. Clean H-2B documentation and crew retention above 70% over 24 months signal operational discipline.

Driver 6: Clean ODA pesticide and fertilizer standing. ODA Certified Applicator licenses current. ODA Commercial Fertilizer Applicator certifications current. No open enforcement matters.

Driver 7: Snow-and-ice liability management and SIMA certification. SIMA certification, GPS tracking on snow routes, photographic pre/post documentation, and clean slip-and-fall liability history.

Common deal-killers in Ohio landscape sales

Most Ohio landscape deals that fall apart fall apart for one of seven specific reasons. Knowing the failure modes in advance lets you fix them 12-18 months pre-sale.

Deal-killer 1: ODA Certified Applicator transition with no plan. Seller is the only licensed Certified Applicator. Pesticide application capability stalls.

Deal-killer 2: Pending slip-and-fall litigation. Active or recently settled slip-and-fall litigation tied to snow-and-ice work is a serious deal-killer.

Deal-killer 3: Customer concentration above 25%. Single-customer concentration in single healthcare campus, single property-management firm, or single municipal contract above 30% creates concentration risk.

Deal-killer 4: Prevailing wage non-compliance for public-sector contracts. Ohio Revised Code 4115 non-compliance for public-sector contracts creates back-wage exposure that transfers with the entity.

Deal-killer 5: H-2B compliance gaps. Sloppy H-2B records, unfiled prevailing wage documentation, or active Department of Labor investigations face deal collapse.

Deal-killer 6: Aggressive add-backs. Ohio operators claiming $200K of personal vehicle, family salary, and discretionary travel add-backs face SBA and PE-buyer scrutiny.

Deal-killer 7: Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) non-compliance. Unfiled CAT returns or amounts owed create successor liability concerns.

The Ohio landscape sale process and timeline

An Ohio landscape sale typically runs 9-12 months from prep-complete to close. The breakdown below is what we see in actual Ohio landscape deals at the $1M-$10M EBITDA tier in 2025-2026.

Months -24 to -12: pre-sale preparation. Clean monthly closes with CPA-prepared financials. Separate landscape EBITDA from snow-and-ice EBITDA. Track recurring contract revenue, customer concentration, crew retention, H-2B documentation. Identify replacement ODA Certified Applicator. Audit prevailing wage compliance for public-sector contracts. Resolve any open ODA enforcement matters and slip-and-fall litigation. Audit Commercial Activity Tax compliance.

Months -12 to -6: positioning and buyer identification. Build CIM emphasizing Ohio-specific advantages (dual-season operating model, three major MSA commercial concentration, Schill Grounds Management home-state presence, 3.5% top tax).

Months -6 to -3: buyer outreach and management meetings. Targeted outreach to 8-12 buyers with explicit Ohio landscape mandates.

Months -3 to 0: LOI, QoE, diligence. Best-and-final LOIs collected. Quality-of-earnings engagement. Operational diligence including snow-and-ice contract review, equipment fleet inspection, ODA history pull, prevailing wage compliance audit, H-2B file audit.

Close: day 0 to day 30. Funds wire, customer notification letters mailed, vendor and OEM relationships transferred.

Post-close transition: 90-180 days. Customer transition support, key employee retention, financial reporting handoff.

How CT Acquisitions works for Ohio landscape sellers

CT Acquisitions is a buy-side partner, not a sell-side broker. We work directly with 76+ active U.S. lower middle market buyers, including 13 with explicit Ohio landscape mandates currently open. The buyers pay us when a deal closes, you pay nothing. No retainer. No exclusivity. No 12-month contract. No tail fee.

How that’s structurally different from a sell-side broker. A sell-side broker charges you 8-12% of deal value (often $300K-$1M+ on a $4M Ohio landscape sale), runs a 9-12 month auction process, and locks you into 12-month exclusivity.

Why buyers pay us. Our 76+ buyers maintain active mandates and need consistent deal flow. We deliver pre-qualified, well-prepared sellers in their target verticals at a fraction of their internal BD cost.

What a typical engagement looks like. Step 1: 15-minute discovery call. Step 2: preliminary valuation range and prep for buyer introductions. Step 3: targeted introductions to 4-6 of our 76+ Ohio-mandate buyers. Step 4: management meetings, LOIs, exclusive due diligence. Step 5: close. Total elapsed time: 90-150 days from first introduction to close.

What we don’t do. We don’t prep your books, run your QoE, or negotiate the purchase agreement, you keep your CPA and your M&A attorney for that work. We don’t lock you up with exclusivity. We don’t take fees from you.

Sell Your Landscaping Business in Other States: Sibling Guides

Sibling state guides for selling a landscaping business. Each guide below covers state-specific licensing, multiple ranges, tax considerations, and named PE buyers active in that geography. If you operate in multiple states, the multi-state premium typically adds 0.5-1.5x to EBITDA multiple at exit (buyers value contiguous coverage).

State-by-state guides: Sell Your Landscaping Business in Texas · Sell Your Landscaping Business in Florida · Sell Your Landscaping Business in California · Sell Your Landscaping Business in New York · Sell Your Landscaping Business in Pennsylvania · Sell Your Landscaping Business in Illinois · Sell Your Landscaping Business in Georgia · Sell Your Landscaping Business in North Carolina

For valuation context that applies regardless of state: See our landscaping business valuation guide for nationwide multiple ranges and PE buyer pool. Run our free 90-second valuation calculator for a starting-point estimate. Or browse the full sell-your-business hub for all verticals and states.

Cleveland vs Columbus vs Cincinnati: regional Ohio submarket dynamics

Ohio landscape M&A activity is concentrated in three major MSAs, each with distinct buyer dynamics, customer profiles, and seasonal patterns. Cleveland MSA represents roughly 30-35% of statewide landscape M&A volume. Columbus MSA 30-35%. Cincinnati MSA 25-30%. Akron, Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown represent the remainder.

Cleveland-metro: heaviest snow, healthcare anchor. Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Geauga, Portage, Summit counties. Lake-effect snow with 65+ inches average annual snowfall. Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals healthcare campus contracts. KeyBank, Huntington banking corporate campuses. Schill Grounds Management home market. Multiples 5-6x EBITDA.

Columbus: fastest-growing Ohio metro. Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield counties. State government, Ohio State University campus, Nationwide corporate, JPMorgan Chase corporate operations, Honda Marysville-area. Newer master-planned community development (New Albany, Powell, Dublin, Westerville). Multiples 5-6x EBITDA.

Cincinnati: corporate HQ density. Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren counties. Procter & Gamble HQ, Kroger HQ, Fifth Third Bancorp, Macy’s, growing healthcare. Lighter snow than Cleveland or Columbus. Multiples 5-6x EBITDA.

Akron, Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown: thinner buyer pool. Specialized landscape markets with thinner buyer pool. Multiples 3.5-5x EBITDA. Akron and Dayton supported by GE, Goodyear, Procter & Gamble plants and healthcare. Toledo supported by automotive supply chain. Youngstown thinner still but supported by growing energy-sector activity.

Sell Your Landscaping Business in Ohio: 2026 Outlook and Key Takeaways

Selling a landscaping business in Ohio in 2026 is a structurally favorable Midwest exit. Three major MSA commercial-maintenance contract bases, dual-season operating model with snow-and-ice rotation, Schill Grounds Management home-state acquisition activity, and 3.5% top tax (trending lower) create the operating profile PE buyers reward. The active buyer pool is 13-deep among our 76+ relationships, with Schill Grounds Management, BrightView (NYSE: BV), Yellowstone Landscape, Heartland, LandCare, Sperber Landscape, Mariani Premier Group, and 8+ family offices all writing checks for Ohio landscape assets. Owners who prep their books, separate landscape from snow-and-ice EBITDA in management reporting, push combined recurring contract revenue above 60%, and clean up ODA pesticide and fertilizer standing routinely close at 5-6x EBITDA. We’re a buy-side partner, the buyers pay us, not you, no contract required.

Sell Your Landscaping Business in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my Ohio landscaping business worth?

Ohio landscape businesses typically sell for 4-6x EBITDA in 2026. Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati commercial-maintenance operators with $1M-$5M EBITDA, 60%+ recurring contract revenue (combined landscape and snow-and-ice), and clean ODA standing trade at 5-6x. Sub-$1M EBITDA shops trade at 2.5-4x SDE.

Do I need a state license to sell my Ohio landscape business?

Ohio does not require a state-level landscape contractor license. However, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) requires Commercial Pesticide Applicator licensing with category certifications (Category 8 Turf, Category 9 Ornamental Plants are most common). ODA Commercial Fertilizer Applicator certification is also required for fertilizer application. Some municipalities require local contractor registrations.

Which PE firms are buying landscaping businesses in Ohio right now?

Schill Grounds Management (Sterling Group, Ohio-headquartered), BrightView Holdings (NYSE: BV), Yellowstone Landscape (CenterOak), Heartland (TPG), LandCare (Aurora Resurgence), Sperber Landscape Companies, and Mariani Premier Group (MSouth Equity) are all actively acquiring Ohio landscape operators. We work with 13 of these and other Ohio-mandate buyers directly.

How long does it take to sell a landscaping business in Ohio?

Typically 9-12 months from prep-complete to close. Pre-sale preparation should ideally start 18-24 months earlier.

What are the Ohio tax implications of selling my landscape business?

Ohio’s top state income tax bracket is 3.5% (effective 2024) on income above $115,300, applied to long-term capital gains as ordinary income. Combined with federal long-term capital gains, the effective top combined rate is approximately 27.3%. On a $4M Ohio landscape sale, this costs $115-160K more than no-tax states (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee) but $310-340K less than California.

What about Schill Grounds Management as a buyer?

Schill Grounds Management is Ohio-headquartered (Cleveland-area) and Sterling Group-backed. One of the most active commercial-maintenance and snow-and-ice consolidators in the U.S. The most active in-state Ohio acquirer. Buy-box: $1.5M-$15M EBITDA, dual-season commercial maintenance, multi-year snow-and-ice contracts valued highly. Strong cultural fit for Ohio operators.

What multiple should I expect for a Cleveland landscape business?

Cleveland-metro commercial-maintenance landscape operators with $1.5M-$5M EBITDA, 60%+ combined recurring contract revenue (landscape + snow-and-ice), and clean ODA standing trade at 5-6x EBITDA in 2026. Cleveland Clinic and other healthcare campus contracts are particularly valuable.

How does snow-and-ice revenue affect my Ohio landscape valuation?

Snow-and-ice revenue is valued favorably by buyers when contracts are multi-year, pre-bid, with seasonal-fee or per-event structures. Pre-bid seasonal contracts preserve full multiple. Per-event reactive work trades at lower multiples. Cleveland operators with structured pre-bid contracts particularly valued given lake-effect snow demands. Operators with 60%+ of snow revenue under structured pre-bid contracts trade at the top of the range.

How does the Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) affect my landscape sale?

Ohio CAT applies to gross receipts above $150K annually. The tax is structured at $150 minimum tax plus 0.26% on gross receipts above $1M. Landscape M&A diligence reviews CAT compliance and potential successor liability. Pre-sale, ensure all CAT filings are current.

How does H-2B labor compliance affect my Ohio landscape valuation?

Most Ohio landscape operators run H-2B seasonal workers. Clean H-2B files (visa documentation, prevailing wage records, recruitment documentation) preserve full multiple. Open Department of Labor investigations or weak documentation cost 0.5-1.0x EBITDA. Hire an immigration attorney to audit H-2B files 12+ months pre-sale.

Can I retain real estate when I sell my Ohio landscape business?

Yes, many Ohio landscape sellers retain truck yard, equipment storage, or nursery real estate and lease to the buyer at fair market rent. This produces ongoing rental income and preserves an appreciating asset.

Should I sell my Ohio landscape business through SBA or PE financing?

Depends on size. Sub-$1.5M EBITDA Ohio landscape businesses typically sell to SBA-financed individuals or small consolidators (2.5-4x EBITDA, 90-180 day close). $1.5M+ EBITDA businesses sell to PE platforms or family offices (4.5-6x EBITDA, 75-120 day close).

How is CT Acquisitions different from a sell-side broker or M&A advisor?

We’re a buy-side partner, not a sell-side broker. Sell-side brokers charge you 8-12% of deal value (often $300K-$1M+ on an Ohio landscape sale) plus monthly retainers, run a 9-12 month auction process, and require 12-month exclusivity. We work directly with 76+ buyers, PE platforms, family offices, strategics, and individual buyers, who pay us when a deal closes. You pay nothing. No retainer, no exclusivity, no contract until a buyer is at the closing table. We move faster (90-150 days from intro to close on a prepared Ohio landscape business) because we already know who the right buyer is rather than running an auction to find one.

Sources & References

All claims and figures in this analysis are sourced from the publicly available references below.

1. Ohio Department of Agriculture – Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation, Ohio ODA Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Section administers Commercial Pesticide Applicator licensing with category certifications including Category 8 (Turf) and Category 9 (Ornamental Plants) for landscape operators.
2. Ohio Department of Taxation – Income Tax, Ohio’s top state income tax bracket of 3.5% effective 2024 applies to long-term capital gains as ordinary income, with progressive rate reductions in recent budget legislation.
3. Ohio Department of Commerce – Prevailing Wage, Ohio Revised Code 4115 (prevailing wage) applies to public-sector landscape contracts, requiring operators to pay prevailing wage rates and maintain certified payroll records.
4. Schill Grounds Management, Schill Grounds Management is Ohio-headquartered (Cleveland-area) and Sterling Group-backed. One of the most active commercial-maintenance and snow-and-ice consolidators in the U.S. and the most active in-state Ohio acquirer.
5. BrightView Holdings Investor Relations (NYSE: BV), BrightView Holdings maintains Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati branches with active Ohio tuck-in acquisition strategy.
6. Yellowstone Landscape, Yellowstone Landscape (CenterOak Partners-backed) has executed multiple Ohio acquisitions in 2023-2025.
7. Heartland, Heartland (TPG-backed) is a multi-region commercial landscape platform with active Midwest expansion including Ohio.
8. Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA), SIMA provides industry standards and certifications for snow-and-ice management operations critical to Ohio dual-season operators.
9. U.S. Department of Labor – H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers, H-2B program governs temporary foreign worker hiring for non-agricultural positions including landscape services.
10. Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board
11. Ohio Department of Taxation
12. Ohio Census QuickFacts