A lawn care or landscaping startup can feel intimidating. Whether you’re taking a weekend operation full-time, only just building your client list, or ready to make things official, United Ag & Turf is ready to help you every step of the way!
A startup lawn care business is an excellent opportunity in the northeast—but year one is when you’ll be working overtime to create a strong foundation for your future. That starts with equipment. Read on for a breakdown of what you really need to get started, and how to build your fleet without overextending your resources.
Find Your Local United Ag & Turf
What Every Lawn Care Startup Needs
If you’re just starting out, it’s important to understand the difference between residential and commercial work. Residential mowing is one-and-done visits on small properties. Commercial lawn care means balancing larger clients—think HOAs, municipalities, school grounds—with residential work, all on a routine schedule that demands efficiency and reliability.
Your equipment needs to match that demand. Here’s a strong foundation for commercial lawn care:
- Commercial ZTrak Zero-Turn Mower: This will be your go-to. A residential mower simply can’t keep up with the demands and acreage of commercial lawn care. John Deere’s commercial ZTraks are built for daily work, long hours, and multi-property operations. They’re built with higher blade speed capacity, stronger decks, and better fuel efficiency over long days. Be sure to match your deck size to your maneuverability needs.
- Walk-Behind Mower: These work excellently for gated properties, sloped lawns, and tight spaces where a ZTrak can’t reach. A commercial walk-behind mower is an essential backup for challenging properties.
- Trimmer and Edger: When it comes to delivering professional-grade work, you can’t overlook the edges. Invest in commercial-grade handheld equipment from day one—clients will notice the difference.
- Blower: Don’t forget about cleanup. A commercial backpack blower easily handles walkways, curbs, and other debris clearing efficiently. During Northeast leaf season, you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead on this one.
Check Out Commercial Mowers at United Ag & Turf
Add-Ons for Consideration
You’ve got your core mowing covered. These pieces are great for expanding your service offerings and turnaround times:
- Compact Utility Tractor with Loader: On larger properties, material handling, mulch hauling, and light grading capabilities can come in handy.
- Aerator: Lawn care means more than just trimming. Spring and fall aeration is a high-margin offering for most commercial clients.
- Spreader and Sprayer: For fertilization and overall lawn health, consider a spreader and sprayer combination.
- Snow Removal Equipment: In the Northeast, year-round contracts are a major source of off-season income for landscapers. A tractor with a snow blade or blower attachment can help to keep your revenue flowing through the cold season.
Browse Compact Utility Tractors
Browse Landscaping and Snow Attachments
Build a Dealer Relationship
United Ag & Turf isn’t just your go-to John Deere dealer—we’re here to be a resource and help you see this project through. That means finding the perfect machine for your operation size, offering exactly the parts you need, and promising a service turnaround that will keep your business moving. Having a reliable dealer in your corner is a great way to ensure minimal downtime and maximum productivity.
United Ag & Turf has several locations throughout the Northeast, servicing Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts to ensure that help is never too far away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a commercial lawn care business?
Startup costs vary widely based on the size of your operation and your equipment market. But a realistic commercial equipment package for year one—ZTrak, walk-behind, and trimmers—typically runs $15,000-$40,000 new. Financing options and used equipment are a common way to help manage upfront costs.
Should I buy new or used equipment when starting a new landscaping business?
Used equipment helps to reduce upfront costs, but reliability is a high priority when developing your business’s reputation. New commercial equipment, or dealer-certified used equipment, provides the necessary reliability that private used sales can’t promise.
What John Deere equipment is best for a commercial lawn care startup?
John Deere’s Z900 Series zero-turn mowers and QuikTrak stand-on mowers come in several configurations and deck sizes to match your needs.
