Small Landscape Supply Yard

Homeowners who pick up by the trailer load, landscapers, contractors, and sometimes local councils or property managers on larger orders.

You sell by the cubic yard at a price above your wholesale cost, with extra income from delivery fees and bagged products. Regular contractor accounts help even out the quiet months.

• Operating a loader or skid steer safely
• Buying and stock management
• Selling to trade customers and handling accounts

• Zoning, business licence and permit requirements for the site, check with your municipality
• Environmental rules on runoff, dust and storing organic material, check with your provincial environment ministry
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire staff, check the rules in your province
• Equipment training and safe operation of loaders around customers and traffic
• Heavy seasonality and high fixed costs like rent and equipment, so plan for a slow winter

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $50,000 to $200,000, depending on the site, the equipment you buy or lease, and how much stock you hold. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own site and equipment carefully.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your location, stock range and whether you offer delivery. Rent and equipment are high fixed costs, and winter can be slow.

Check zoning, business licence and permit requirements for the site with your municipality. Also check provincial environmental rules on runoff, dust and organic material storage, liability insurance, WCB/WSIB once you hire, and equipment training for loader operation.