When I first considered opening my own landscaping business, I had no idea where to even begin! I knew I would need plenty of tools, but the sheer amount available got overwhelming fast. If you are in the same spot, then look no further!
11 must-have items for a landscaping business are:
- Transportation
- Storage
- Mower
- Edgers
- Trimmers
- Pruners
- Bowers
- Sprayers and spreaders
- Hand tools
- Safety gear
- Disposal gear
These items will allow you to stay competitive and grow your business.
Reliable Transportation
Having all of the fancy equipment in the world means nothing if you do not have a way to get it from job to job. A truck will be your most valuable asset and should be one of the first things you think about.
Whichever vehicle you choose is going to be well-worn rather quickly, so no need to worry about getting the nicest one on the lot. Get something easy to keep clean, mechanically sound, and has a large enough bed for your tools. This will be one of the more costly investments, so take your time and test-drive several options before committing.
Websites like Autotrader are great for this sort of thing, especially when you are first starting. You can filter by make and model, vehicle mileage, fuel economy, and body style to help narrow down your search.
Secure Storage Space
Having a storage unit or covered trailer can help keep you organized as you grow your business and get more equipment. If you are a homeowner or renter with a garage, then this is an excellent choice as well.
The least expensive option is the one you already have, right? If you are working on a tight budget, some inexpensive shelving and containers from your local thrift store can turn a vacant garage into a functional home base.
For those of you who do not have a garage, or want to keep work and play separate, you can expect to spend about $100 to $300 per month on a storage unit depending on its size and location.
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Mowers
A good mower is your bread and butter, and you will bring it to every job, so do your research! There are three main kinds of mowers and they each offer pros and cons, so choose the one that will work best for your business.
Ride-on mowers are the most expensive type, you can expect to spend anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 on one of these. That price tag might seem a bit daunting at first, but if you have the capital and a way to transport it, it will be well worth it. They are less physically exhausting and will allow you to complete jobs faster.
Motorized mowers are a safe middle-ground and what I would recommend you start with. They can be found for about $200 to 300 dollars so they will not break the bank, and come in gas or electric flavors. They are easier to transport, maintain, and repair.
Push mowers are your third option, but tread lightly here. This type of mower can be found for less than $100 and is powered by the user. Using a push mower will take much longer to get larger lawns properly mowed and could prove to be a headache down the line.
Trimmers and Edgers
An edger creates clean edges and borders on a freshly cut lawn or around obstacles like trees. Your clients will appreciate, if not expect, this being done as part of regular lawn maintenance, so keep these handy. Generally speaking, there are two types of edgers. I recommend you have one of each.
String trimmers (better known as weed whackers) are used to clean up edges where the mower cannot get close enough. You can get these gas or electric-powered and, depending on quality, will run you $100-$200.
Edgers are better for cleaning up overgrown borders where the grass may overlap the concrete. You can purchase an electric edger for around $150-$200, but there are also manual ones that work on a single wheel that can be found for about $50.
Hedge Trimmers
As a landscaper, many of your clients will have needs outside of just their lawn. Many homes and businesses will have bushes and hedges on the property that will need to be cleaned up. A powered hedge trimmer will make this process much easier for you.
Like mowers and edgers, hedge trimmers come both electric and gasoline-powered. Either one will work fine and can be found for as little as $30. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, so if you can swing something in the $100 range, that will probably be the better investment.
Pole Pruners
Having a pole pruner at your disposal will allow you to maintain and trim trees without needing to get up on a ladder as often. It is safer and quicker to clip branches from the ground, just make sure nobody is standing below when they fall.
Like everything above, gas or electric pruners are more efficient but also more expensive. A 16-foot manual pruner will run you about $25-$50 and will get the job done just fine.
Blowers
You have mowed and edged the lawn, trimmed down the bushes, and pruned the trees. Now you are left with a big pile of clippings all over the place, and a blower is the most efficient way to get it looking ship-shaped! There are two kinds of blowers to choose from, so when you are deciding on which to purchase, think about your usage.
Handheld blowers will cost anywhere from $100 to $200. These are better for situations where you may need to stop and restart frequently or get into tight spaces where you don’t have much room.
If you have clients with a large property, then you may want to invest in a backpack-style blower. These are more heavy-duty and provide much more power, but you’ll have to strap it on so be sure that you will not need to stop for a while after you fire it up. A backpack blower will set you back anywhere from $200 to $600.
Sprayers and Spreaders
As a landscaper, you will often need to apply fertilizers and pesticides to outdoor areas to keep them looking their best. This is where it is important to have access to sprayers and spreaders.
Sprayers can come standalone with an attached tank or as an attachment to a standard garden hose. I recommend going with the standalone sprayer, they are in the $20-$50 range and will save you headaches when the client does not have an easily accessible hose.
Spreaders are essentially small wheelbarrows with an opening on the bottom. You load the product into it and as you walk across the lawn, the spreader will disperse it evenly. These run about $35-$200 depending on the capacity and mechanics.
Basic Hand Tools
I have mentioned quite a bit of powered tools above, and while those are great, landscaping is still going to be a physical job. Before you take on your first client, you should have these basic tools on hand:
- Backhoe
- Hand saw
- Hand trimmer
- Hand trowel
- Lawn rake
- Pickaxe
- Pitchfork
- Pruning sheers
- Shovel
- Spade
- Wheelbarrow
Safety Equipment
The safety of you and your crew is paramount when using the tools and equipment above. Every landscaper should be equipped with proper ear and eye protection, gloves, and footwear. Steel-toed boots can be pricey, but they are worth every penny.
It is also a good idea to have a first-aid kit easily accessible in case of an emergency. You and your crew should have plenty of water to avoid dehydration. And do not forget about sunscreen and a good hat!
Disposal Gear
This one is self-explanatory, but just as important. As a landscaper, you should arrive at every job like there will not be a place to dispose of the clippings. There most likely will be, but having containers and bags will cut down on how much you walk back and forth to the dumpster.
You can buy large plastic trash cans from most hardware stores which will suffice. There is always the option of using heavy-duty trash bags, but this will end up more expensive over time. Of course, reusing the bags as long as they are intact will help save you money and reduce plastic waste.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do when a client requests work that cannot be done with these tools?
This is a comprehensive list and should cover a great deal of your jobs, but there will always be edge cases that require specialized equipment. The Home Depot and Sunbelt Rentals can be a good resource to rent equipment that you do not have on hand.
Should I invest in uniforms for me and my team?
A uniform is not a “must” but is certainly encouraged as it will help you look professional. If you decide not to have shirts made, be certain that you are dressed to impress when meeting clients for the first time.
To learn more on how you can start your own landscaping business, check out my startup documents here.
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Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Landscape Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a landscape business owner at a job site, driving down the road or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Landscaping Business Boss: I want to help landscape business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.