Small-Load topsoil delivery by ute and trailer

Homeowners with garden beds or lawn projects, small landscapers and gardeners who don't need a full truck load.

You charge per cubic metre delivered, which covers the soil, fuel and your time. Add a delivery fee for longer distances and offer mixes such as garden mix or turf underlay.

• Safe driving and towing
• Estimating how much soil a job needs
• Friendly, reliable customer service

• Towing limits for your vehicle and trailer, and load restraint rules in your state
• Public liability insurance and commercial vehicle insurance for carrying goods for payment
• Biosecurity rules on moving soil, such as fire ant movement controls in parts of Queensland and New South Wales. Check with your state agriculture department
• Heavy, repetitive shovelling and loading, so plan for your back

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your ute, trailer, insurance and first loads of stock. These are estimates only, so check what you already own before budgeting.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many deliveries you make, your pricing and your hours. That is revenue before soil, fuel and vehicle costs.

Check towing limits for your vehicle and trailer, and load restraint rules in your state. Also look into public liability and commercial vehicle insurance, and biosecurity rules on moving soil, such as fire ant controls, with your state agriculture department.