What it costs to start a lawn mowing business in Australia
Mowing is the classic first business, and the cost of entry runs from a ute you already own to a $50,000 commercial rig. Here are the published Australian numbers, tiered honestly.
The three tiers
| Setup | Cost | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| Budget solo start (domestic gear, existing ute) | $2,000 to $5,000 | $10 to $25 |
| Proper commercial setup (commercial mower, trailer, decent ute) | $9,000 to $20,000 | $45 to $100 |
| Full operation (ride-on, newer vehicle) | $20,000 to $50,000 | $100 to $250 |
The equipment, itemised
Commercial zero-turns are the tier gap: entry commercial machines (Toro Z Master 2000 class) run $16,600 to $20,700, mid-tier $19,000 to $23,000, and heavy 60 to 72 inch machines $24,500 to $32,200. Domestic zero-turns from $6,000 exist, but they are not built for eight lawns a day. The ute: used $8,000 to $25,000, new $40,000 to $60,000. The trailer: $1,000 open to $7,000 enclosed tandem. Hand tools: a commercial trimmer, backpack blower and hedge trimmer kit runs $1,200 to $2,500.
The franchise comparison
Jim's Mowing packages mostly land $25,000 to $35,000 including trailer, equipment and training, plus a flat $600 to $900 monthly fee. The independent equivalent kit costs similar money; what you are buying is the lead flow. Run both against your own numbers.
Financing the setup
The ute writes as a chattel mortgage, and the mower, trailer and tools wrap into the same facility. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. An ABN is enough for the vehicle side in most cases; run the package through the repayment calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a lawn mowing business?
Australian guides agree: $2,000 to $5,000 for a budget solo start with domestic gear, $9,000 to $20,000 for a proper commercial setup, and $20,000 to $50,000 for a full operation with a ride-on and newer vehicle.
What commercial mower should I budget for?
Entry commercial zero-turns run $16,600 to $20,700 and heavy 60 to 72 inch machines up to $32,200. Domestic machines from $6,000 exist but are not built for daily commercial hours.
Is a mowing franchise worth it versus independent?
A franchise package costs about the same as the equivalent independent kit, $25,000 to $35,000, plus a monthly fee. You are paying for lead flow and brand; price that against your own ability to fill a week.
Can I finance the whole setup as a new business?
Yes. The ute, mower, trailer and tools can carry one facility, and new ABNs are workable with a deposit or work lined up.
The whole rig, one repayment
Tell us the ute and mower you want and we will come back with one weekly number, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.