ProfitDrawer's lawn care business guide gives an example budget of about $1,200 to $13,900. The mower is the biggest swing: $400 for a good residential mower up to $8,000 for a used or new commercial walk-behind or zero-turn. A trimmer, blower, trailer or ramps, insurance and a local license make up most of the rest. Starting with a residential mower in a pickup bed keeps you near the low end. These are example ranges; your costs will differ.
Example budget (your costs will differ):
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Mower (residential, or commercial) | $400 | $8,000 |
| String trimmer | $150 | $450 |
| Blower | $150 | $500 |
| Edger | $0 | $400 |
| Small trailer or ramps | $100 | $2,500 |
| Gas cans, oil, blades, line, safety gear | $100 | $300 |
| Business registration and license | $50 | $300 |
| Insurance (first months) | $150 | $800 |
| Door hangers, yard signs, website | $100 | $650 |
| Total | $1,200 | $13,900 |
Fertilizer or weed control work may need a separate state certification, so check with your state agriculture department before offering it.
For scale, the guide's revenue example is 40 weekly lawns at $45 over a 30 week season: $54,000 in revenue before fuel, repairs, insurance and taxes. Add your own costs to the free startup cost calculator to see how many lawns it takes to pay the equipment back.
Source: How to Start a Lawn Care Business (ProfitDrawer guide) · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.