Landscape supply yard

Run a small yard selling soil, gravel, mulch and paving stone to landscapers, builders and homeowners.

Startup costC$60k to C$250k
Monthly revenueC$15k to C$70k
Time needed40+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$60k-250k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A small yard with bays of bulk materials such as topsoil, gravel, sand, bark mulch and paving stone. Customers load their own trucks or trailers, or you load them with a loader. You can add delivery and bagged products.

Your first three steps

  1. Call local quarries and producers to compare wholesale prices and delivery terms
  2. Ask your municipality which zoning allows an outdoor materials yard, and look at yard sites to lease
  3. Talk to local landscapers about what they buy, and ask what they would switch suppliers for
Who pays

Landscaping crews, small builders and contractors, and homeowners doing garden or driveway projects.

How it makes money

You buy in bulk from quarries, pits and producers and sell by the cubic yard, tonne or pallet at a markup. Delivery fees and bagged retail items add extra income.

Skills that help
  • Operating a loader or learning to
  • Pricing and stock control
  • Building trade relationships with contractors
Watch out for
  • Zoning, business licence and any site permits for storing bulk materials, check with your municipality
  • Dust, runoff and stormwater rules for open stockpiles, check with your municipality and province
  • Commercial general liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB once you hire (rules differ by province)
  • Strong seasonality: spring to fall is busy and winter is slow, so plan your cash flow
  • Loader and truck equipment is costly, and used machinery needs a proper inspection
  • Quebec has French-language requirements for signage and documents

🔒 Full research report for Canada

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a landscape supply yard in Canada?

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your site, stock and equipment. Loader and truck equipment is costly, and used machinery needs a proper inspection before you buy.

How much can a landscape supply yard earn?

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on your stock range, location and customer mix. Business is strongly seasonal, busy from spring to fall and slow in winter, so plan your cash flow.

What rules should I check before opening a landscape supply yard?

Check zoning, business licence and any site permits for storing bulk materials with your municipality. Also check dust, runoff and stormwater rules for open stockpiles, insurance, WCB/WSIB once you hire, and French-language requirements in Quebec.

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