Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Landscaping splits into maintenance and installs. Maintenance needs reliable power equipment and a trailer; installs add digging, grading and hauling gear.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial walk-behind mower | Mowing contracts from the first week | $1,699 (Toro 30 in TimeMaster gas mower (21219), Toro) |
| String trimmer | Edges, fence lines and beds | $380 (STIHL FS 91 R string trimmer, STIHL) |
| Backpack blower | Cleaning hard surfaces before you leave | $700 (STIHL BR 800 C-E backpack blower, STIHL) |
| Hedge trimmer | Shrub and hedge work | $720 (STIHL HS 82 hedge trimmer, 24 in, STIHL) |
| Open landscape trailer with ramp | Hauling mowers and materials | Varies by brand |
| Shovels, rakes, edgers and a wheelbarrow | Beds, mulch and small installs | Varies by brand |
| Gas cans, oil and a spare parts box | Keeping the equipment running | Varies by brand |
| Hearing and eye protection, gloves and steel-toe boots | Daily safety | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most landscapers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Zero-turn or stand-on mower | Big properties and commercial contracts | Varies by brand |
| Chainsaw | Storm cleanup and small removals | $430 (STIHL MS 250 chainsaw, STIHL) |
| Sod cutter, tiller or mini skid steer rental | Installs and grading | Varies by brand |
| Pole pruner | Limbing up trees without a ladder | $800 (STIHL HT 135 pole pruner, STIHL) |
| Spreader and sprayer | Fertilizer and weed control where licensed | Varies by brand |
| Enclosed trailer | Theft protection and a rolling shop | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Trimmer line, blades and filters. Daily wear parts.
- Mulch, landscape fabric and staples. Bed refreshes.
- Contractor bags and tarps. Leaf and debris hauling.
- Fuel mix and bar oil. Every small engine.
- Spark plugs, belts and air filters. Field repairs.
What a landscaping kit costs
The 4 starter kit items we could price add up to $3,499 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The 2 pro kit items we could price add up to $1,230 at the maker's listed price, out of 6 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
The mower and trailer are most of the starting cost. Install work adds rental gear, which many shops rent until they have steady install jobs.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most landscapers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our landscaping suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the landscaping services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Toro: Toro 30 in TimeMaster gas mower (21219), checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL FS 91 R string trimmer, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL BR 800 C-E backpack blower, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL HS 82 hedge trimmer, 24 in, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL MS 250 chainsaw, checked October 9, 2026
- STIHL: STIHL HT 135 pole pruner, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for landscaping businesses, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.