If you're looking to make some money doing landscaping, then you will have to have the right equipment. It's not just enough to advertise your services—you will need to have the equipment to provide these services. A basic garden rake isn't going to cut it, and you don't want to ask to use the homeowner's own tools. So it's better to just get everything you need and be professional about it. Here's the minimum you will need.
Transportation
It's best if you have a pickup truck. These vehicles have the most room to transport your equipment. The bed of the pickup truck is also great for carrying sod, topsoil, mulch, and other things the customer might want. Of course, if you don't already own a pickup truck, you can find alternative solutions. You don't want to go out and get a truck for a business that is only going to be part-time and has yet to get off the ground. If you only have a sedan, you should invest in a small equipment trailer. These can be attached to the rear of your car, and you can load up the heavy equipment and haul them to your customers' homes.
Lawn Mower
You're going to need a lawn mower. If you find some clients who want a well-manicured lawn, then you might be able to book constant appointments and make decent money. Because you will be mowing multiple lawns over the weekend, make it easier on yourself and get a self-propelled lawn mower. These will save you the effort of pushing the lawn mower up steep inclines.
Edge Trimmer
An edge trimmer is essential for cutting the grass alongside decorative edging. You can't get a lawnmower close enough to trim the grass, and if you leave it as is, your clients will think the job is not done right and might not retain your services for future work.
Snow Blower
Once the winter rolls around, you are definitely going to want a snow blower. The lawns are not going to need mowing until the spring, so you will need a source of income. Shoveling snow is backbreaking work, so many homeowners will pay for someone to come and handle the issue for them. You should choose a dual-stage snow blower. These are superior to single-stage snow blowers because they can handle gravel and deep snow. So if you have customers who have gravel driveways, or if there is really heavy snow fall in your area, then you will be able to handle it without an issue.
Leaf Blower
A leaf blower is absolutely necessary for handling leaves in the fall. A rake will take way too long. You should choose a backpack-mounted leaf blower that runs off of gasoline, like the ones made by Stihl. The corded leaf blowers that run off of electricity are not a good idea because your customers might not have outdoor power outlets. Plus, with a gasoline powered leaf blower, you have tremendous power. There are even models that have a dual vacuum function. This will suck up the leaves into a bag. This makes the job of collecting the leaves so much easier. To find equipment like this, contact a company like Wagoner Power Equipment.
