Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Lawn care is a route of weekly mows and seasonal services. A reliable mower, trimmer and blower, plus a trailer, carry most of the work.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial walk-behind mower | Weekly mowing | $1,699 (Toro 30 in TimeMaster gas mower (21219), Toro) |
| String trimmer | Edges and fence lines | $380 (STIHL FS 91 R string trimmer, STIHL) |
| Backpack blower | Clean hard surfaces | $700 (STIHL BR 800 C-E backpack blower, STIHL) |
| Stick edger | Clean driveway and walk edges | Varies by brand |
| Open trailer with ramp | Hauling equipment | Varies by brand |
| Gas cans and fuel | Daily | Varies by brand |
| Hearing and eye protection | Daily safety | Varies by brand |
| Rakes and tarps | Leaf cleanups | 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 lawn care companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-on or zero-turn mower | More lawns per day | Varies by brand |
| Hedge trimmer | Shrub trimming add-ons | $720 (STIHL HS 82 hedge trimmer, 24 in, STIHL) |
| Aerator rental or purchase | Fall aeration | Varies by brand |
| Spreader | Fertilizer and seed | Varies by brand |
| Leaf vacuum or loader | Fall cleanups | 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 and blades. Daily wear.
- Oil, filters and spark plugs. Maintenance.
- Leaf bags. Cleanups.
- Fuel mix. Two-stroke tools.
What a lawn care kit costs
The 3 starter kit items we could price add up to $2,779 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 1 pro kit items we could price add up to $720 at the maker's listed price, out of 5 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 swing the total most. A zero-turn or stand-on mower is the big step up as the route grows.
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 lawn care companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our lawn care 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 lawn care 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
- Insureon: Insurance cost for lawn care 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.