Everything you need to launch your trade business.
Everything you need to launch your trade business.
Add up exactly what it costs to launch your landscaping or plumbing business. Edit any number, uncheck what you already own, and get a real total.
Most people wildly overestimate or underestimate what it takes to go out on their own. The truth sits in the middle. You do not need a brand-new truck and a garage full of gear on day one, but you do need enough to look professional and finish the work. This calculator lays every cost out so you can see your real number, not a guess.
Defaults are typical 2026 US figures for a solo operator buying smart. Own a truck already? Uncheck it. Starting with used equipment? Lower the number. The total updates as you go.
Buy used where it makes sense. A clean used mower, van, or trailer at half the price of new frees up cash for insurance and marketing, the things that actually get you paid.
Start solo. Skip payroll until the calls outpace what one person can handle. Your first hire should be funded by demand, not hope.
Do not skip insurance or licensing. It feels optional until a customer asks for proof or something goes wrong. It is the cheapest credibility you can buy.
Keep a buffer. Fuel, small tools, and surprise costs add up in month one. The calculator includes a buffer line for exactly this.
Most new trade owners self-fund from savings, start part-time while keeping a job, or use a small equipment loan for the one big purchase (a mower, a van). A business credit card can float early supplies if you pay it off monthly. You rarely need an investor to start a one-person trade business. You need a realistic number and a few paying customers.
A solo lawn care startup typically runs $8,000 to $18,000 depending on whether you buy new or used equipment and already own a truck. Many people start closer to $5,000 with a used mower and existing vehicle. See the full breakdown in our landscaping startup cost guide.
A licensed solo plumber usually needs $12,000 to $25,000 to launch, driven by the van, specialty tools, and inventory. Our plumbing startup cost guide walks through each line.
Yes. Uncheck anything you already own and buy used where you can. Plenty of successful operators started with a few thousand dollars and reinvested profit into better gear.
The Trade Starter Kit hands you the budget templates, checklists, and pricing tools to go from “I want to start” to booked and paid, without piecing it together yourself.
