Start a small landscape supply yard
Run a local yard selling bulk mulch, bark and soil to landscapers, councils and the public, with pick-up and delivery.
- A$40k-200k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small leased or owned yard with bays of mulch, bark, soil and sand. Customers drive in to load their trailers or order a delivery. You use a loader or skid steer to load.
Your first three steps
- Find potential yard sites and check with your local council whether the zoning allows a landscape supply business
- Set up supply agreements with mulch producers and haulers, and cost out your equipment and a delivery truck
- Open a trade account offer for local landscapers and launch with local signage and an online listing
Who pays
Landscapers, gardeners, home owners, builders, schools and local councils.
How it makes money
You sell product by the cubic metre or tonne, charge for delivery, and can add bagged products. Trade accounts with landscapers give steady repeat income.
Skills that help
- Operating a loader or skid steer
- Stock and pricing management
- Sales and account handling
Watch out for
- Council planning approval and zoning for the yard, including hours, noise and traffic
- Environmental rules on stormwater runoff, dust and stockpiles: check with your state environmental authority
- Fire risk from large mulch piles, check storage guidance with your local fire authority
- Workplace health and safety duties, and a licence or ticket for operating a loader
- Public liability and property insurance, plus workers compensation if you hire staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small landscape supply yard
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a landscape supply yard in Australia?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on whether you lease or own the yard, the equipment you buy and how much stock you hold. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $10,000 to $50,000.
Do I need council approval to run a mulch and soil yard?
Check before you commit. Points to look into include council planning approval and zoning, including hours, noise and traffic; stormwater, dust and stockpile rules with your state environmental authority; fire storage guidance for mulch piles; and a licence or ticket for operating a loader.
How many hours a week does a landscape supply yard take?
Estimates suggest at least about 35 hours a week, as you need to be on site to serve customers, load trailers and manage deliveries. Skills that help include operating a loader or skid steer, stock and pricing management, and handling accounts.
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