Most people are aware of what it takes to start up a business, including the amount of money it takes to get a business started. This is no different for a landscaping business, and with landscaping, there’s a lot of tools, materials, and equipment that you’re going to need to buy for your business. Here’s a look at 12 of the most needed tools by landscape designers and architects.

1: Blowers

More specifically, leaf blowers, are used to collect leaves into one spot. You can use a rake to rake leaves into one spot, but it’s much more efficient to use a leaf blower for larger areas. Leaf blowers can be electric or gas-powered, but gas-powered leaf blowers are much more powerful than electric ones.

2: Buckets and Lawn Bags

Buckets and lawn bags are some of the simplest, inexpensive, yet most important pieces of equipment that landscapers need to have. Still, you’ll want to invest in heavy-duty plastic buckets and bags to ensure that they last a long time.

3: Edgers

A lawn edger uses a sharp blade to cut a trench between certain areas, such as between the grass and hedges. Edgers are also sharp enough to cut through thick roots and patches of grass.

4: Equipment Trailer

Most small landscaping businesses can get by without having an equipment trailer to haul their equipment to and from a project site— as long as their vehicle is large enough to carry their equipment. Even small lawn mowers and skid steers can fit in the bed of a truck, but an equipment trailer may make it easier to transport your equipment, especially if you offer tree services.

5: Hand Tools

Of course you’re going to need your basic hand tools, such as your pruning shears, your rakes, and your shovels. Even though these are simple tools, you’ll still want to invest in good-quality hand tools— preferably those with wooden handles.

6: Lawn Mower

A lawn mower is the most important piece of equipment you’ll buy for your landscaping business, so make sure that you invest in a good one. It’s also the most expensive piece of equipment you’ll buy, with a push mower costing up to $6,000 and a riding mower costing up to $16,000. Whenever buying mower go for an electric mower and make sure lawn mower battery is quite updated.

7: Safety Equipment

Although safety equipment isn’t necessarily considered “tools” it’s still important to have when working with the types of tools and equipment that landscapers use. Examples of safety equipment you’ll need includes:

• Ear and eye protection
• gloves
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Steel-toed boots

8: Skid Steer

A skid steer is a small piece of construction equipment that can also be used by landscapers because of its versatility. They’re mainly used for digging, but because they have a lot of attachment options, they can also be used for clearing snow, digging, excavating, and trenching— plus landscapers can use them for raking.

9: Sprayers

Sprayers allow for precise application of fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides. This can also be attached to your skid steer to spray larger pieces of land. There’s also the option for a hand-held or tow-behind sprayer for smaller pieces of land.

10: Spreaders

Spreaders are tools that can attach to a lawn tractor or a skid steer to help spread fertilizer. Keep in mind that the health of your clients’ lawns is just as important as its appearance, so you’ll need tools that will help you ensure their lawns are healthy.

11: Trimmers

Hedge trimmers will help you shape hedges quickly and efficiently, especially if you use a gas-powered or electric hedge trimmer. Even though electric or gas-powered hedge trimmers allow you to trim hedges quickly, you’ll still be holding them for long periods of time, so make sure to invest in ones that are comfortable to hold.

You’ll also need a string trimmer to reach places your lawn mower can’t. String trimmers, or weed whackers, will give any lawn you work on a more finished look.

12: Vehicles

Finally, you’re going to need a vehicle to transport all of your equipment to and from each project site. Ideally, you’ll need one or two flatbed trucks with a trailer attachment to carry your tools, materials, and of course, your equipment trailer.

The bottom line is that while this is a huge startup cost, it’s important to realize that this is also an investment in your business. The more quality tools and equipment you have, the better job you’ll do and the more clients you’ll gain because of your work.

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].