When starting a landscaping business, you need to have the right equipment to get the job done. The kind of equipment you need will depend on the type of landscaping services you offer.

There are a few different options when it comes to starting a landscaping business. You can choose to offer lawn care services, landscape design, or both. Each option has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to weigh your options before deciding on a business model.

Let’s discuss the essential pieces of equipment you need to start the specific landscaping business you want, and whether you need to prepare specific repair parts like skid steer plates for your equipment.

Lawn Care Business

If you choose to offer lawn care services, you’ll be responsible for mowing, watering, and fertilizing lawns. You’ll also need to keep an eye out for weeds and pests. But you’ll also need the right equipment to do all these jobs properly.

You need the following equipment:

• Lawn mowers (with attachments, side catchers, and mulchers)
• Riding mower
• Push mower
• Edgers
• Trimmers
• Heavy duty truck
• Trailer
• Safety equipment (eye goggles, boots, gloves, hearing protection)
• Leaf blower
• Lawn sprayer
• Lawn bags

These tools can significantly increase the initial capital you need, so you need to plan on the kind of lawn care services you want as an initial offering and then expand later when you can afford to invest on more equipment.

Landscape Design Business

Landscape design, on the other hand, requires creative skills and knowledge of plants and landscaping principles. It’s also important to be familiar with the local climate and soil conditions.

You will use the same tools you need in a lawn care business, but if you are also offering landscaping design and installation services, you will need heavy machinery for digging and moving large amounts of soil and rock.

• Excavators
• dump trucks
• Bobcat skid steers with the appropriate skid steer attachments
• Shovels
• Rakes
• Pruners
• Gardening hoes
• Lawn mower
• Edgers
• Trimmers

You will also need a computer and design software if you are also offering landscaping design. Given that you will have several heavy-duty machines, you might need to invest in landscaping equipment repair parts, such as skid steer plates and other attachments.

Of course, you don’t need to have all of this equipment to get started. You can always start small and add more equipment as you grow your business. But if you’re serious about starting a landscaping business, these are the basics you’ll need to get started. 

Breakdown and Repairs are Inevitable in Business

One thing that everyone has to accept when they start any business is the inevitability of breakdown and repairs when it comes to equipment. No matter how expensive or high-quality your tools, they will eventually break down and lose some of their integrity.

But you can always prepare for these situations, so it won’t affect your operations and the performance of your workers. Here are a few things you can do to be prepared for your landscaping equipment repair needs:

• Keep a list of the types of equipment you have and their model numbers. This will come in handy when you need to order parts or find a manual.
  
  
• Make sure you have a good warranty on your equipment. This will help cover the cost of repairs if something goes wrong.
  
  
• Set aside a small budget for repairs. This will help you cover the cost of unexpected repairs that come up.
  
  
• Find a reputable repair shop in your area. If you have equipment which the warranty has lapsed, you could bring your machinery or tool to a repair shop and have it fixed.

Both lawn care and landscape design can be profitable businesses, but it’s important to choose the right option for you. Consider your skillset, interests, and the needs of your target, and you can make it a winning business whether you state small or big.