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How to start an equipment-based business

Honest, numbers-first guides to launching the businesses that run on equipment — what it really costs, the machines you'll need, the licensing steps, and how to finance the gear so you're not draining savings on day one. Each guide links to the cost and financing details for every machine.

• How to start a trucking companyStarting a one-truck trucking company typically costs $15,000–$40,000 out of pocket to launch (authority, insurance down payment, and a down payment on a financed truck), with the truck/trailer itself financed. Most owner-operators finance the equipment rather than paying cash.
• How to start a food truck businessStarting a food truck business typically costs $50,000–$175,000 all-in, with the truck ($30,000–$200,000) usually financed. Out-of-pocket to launch is often $20,000–$50,000 once the truck is on a payment.
• How to start a pressure washing businessStarting a pressure washing business typically costs $8,000–$45,000, driven almost entirely by the rig you buy. A cold-water trailer rig ($8,000–$18,000) is the common entry point, and the rig is easy to finance on personal credit.
• How to start a landscaping businessStarting a landscaping business typically costs $15,000–$60,000, driven by the equipment — a commercial mower, trailer, and handhelds, or a full two-crew fleet. Most of the iron is financed, so out-of-pocket to launch is smaller.
• How to start a tree service businessStarting a tree service typically costs $30,000–$150,000+, driven by equipment — a bucket truck, wood chipper, and stump grinder. The iron is financed, and tree work is one of the more startup-friendly niches because the equipment is strong collateral.
• How to start a towing businessStarting a towing business typically costs $40,000–$120,000 to launch, driven by the tow truck (financed) and towing insurance ($12,000–$30,000/yr). Insurance underwriting — not the loan — is what decides these deals.
• How to start a car wash businessStartup cost depends entirely on the model: a mobile car wash can launch for under $25,000, a self-serve bay runs $10,000–$20,000 per bay, an in-bay automatic is $500,000–$1.2M, and a full tunnel wash can exceed $3M. The wash equipment is the largest line item and is almost always financed rather than paid in cash.
• How to start a lawn care businessYou can start a lawn care business for as little as $300–$1,500 with used residential gear, but a route-ready commercial setup — a zero-turn mower, trailer, and truck — runs $15,000–$50,000. The commercial equipment is where financing comes in: you scale the fleet on payments instead of draining cash.
• How to start a mobile detailing businessA scrappy mobile detailing start runs about $500–$5,000 with basic gear, while a fully-outfitted van-based operation costs $9,000–$25,000. The van and the pressure-wash/water setup are the financeable pieces — most detailers finance the vehicle and rig and keep cash for chemicals and marketing.
• How to start a vending machine businessOne used machine costs $1,200–$3,000, so you can start a vending business for a few thousand dollars. Scaling is the real game: operators finance additional machines as equipment to build a route of 10–20+ without paying cash for each one.