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.
Get your number from the lender panel
The figures above are indicative. Tell us what you are buying and we will come back with the real rate and repayment, usually within a day. No upfront fees and no credit check to get a quote.
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.