Landscaping is a trade shaped by the calendar. Spring and summer bring more enquiries than you can quote, and then enquiries dry up when the weather turns. In between, you’re buying pavers, blocks, sleepers, soil and turf, running machines and paying a crew. Fast landscaping business loans help you make the most of the busy months and hold steady through the slow ones.
Why landscapers need fast finance
Seasonal swings. Most landscapers earn the bulk of their income in the warmer months. The costs of the business, like vehicle payments, insurance and your best staff, run all year.
Materials up front. A decent retaining wall, a paved alfresco or a full backyard can mean thousands in materials before the first day on site. Suppliers want payment on order or delivery.
Machinery. A skid steer, mini excavator, tipper and trailer are the backbone of a landscaping business. Hiring them every week eats into margin.
New estate work. Front yard packages for builders in new estates can bring volume, but they come with builder payment terms that can run 30 days or more.
Deposits don’t cover everything. Private clients might pay a deposit, but the balance usually lands at completion, after you’ve carried most of the cost.
What landscapers use loans for
- Pavers, retaining wall blocks, sleepers, soil, mulch and turf
- A skid steer, mini excavator, tipper or plate compactor
- Crew wages in peak season or through winter
- Irrigation, lighting and outdoor kitchen stock
- A new ute or trailer
- Paying an ATO debt
- Funding the start of a large commercial or estate landscaping contract
Secured loans: borrowing against property
If you own property with equity, a fast second mortgage is usually the quickest way to borrow. It sits behind your existing home loan and doesn’t require tax returns. A fast first mortgage suits property with no loan on it. A business bridging loan helps when you’re waiting for a sale or refinance to settle. In Victoria, caveat loans are available too.
Bad credit is considered, no financials are needed and terms are typically 1 to 12 months. If you’re worried about paperwork, our page on low doc loans for tradies explains how light the requirements can be.
Unsecured options for landscapers
If you rent, an unsecured cash flow loan may suit. You’ll need an ABN, 6+ months of trading and business bank statements. The amount is based on turnover, so a landscaper with steady deposits across the year is in a good position.
Can a landscaper use a loan to pay a tax debt?
Yes. A strong summer can bring a BAS bill that lands in winter, just when cash is thinnest. A fast loan can clear it so you’re not on the back foot heading into spring. Chat with your accountant about the tax side.
Buying machinery and vehicles
Owning your own skid steer and tipper means you can start jobs when it suits you and the client, not the hire yard. Our equipment finance for tradies page covers how to fund machinery quickly.
Taking on bigger landscaping jobs
Commercial landscaping, estate packages and large residential projects can transform your year, but they need materials and labour before any money comes back. Building materials finance can help you buy what you need in bulk and at better pricing.
Example: a landscaper gearing up for spring
Hypothetical example. A landscaper on the Gold Coast has a full spring diary, including a front yard package for 12 new homes. She needs a second skid steer, a tipper and $40,000 of pavers and blocks to get started. The builder pays on 30 day terms. She owns her home. A fast second mortgage of $130,000 over eight months funds the machinery and materials, and she repays as builder and private clients pay through summer.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and ABN
- Details of the property you’ll use as security
- Recent business bank statements for an unsecured loan
- The jobs you’re funding and how you’ll repay
Key facts: loans for landscapers
- Loan size: $20,000 to $5 million
- Security: home, investment property, land, or unsecured with 6+ months of trading
- Speed: as little as 24 hours for some property loans
- Term: property secured loans typically 1 to 12 months
- Suits: residential, commercial and estate landscapers, hardscapers and turf layers
- Pricing: priced on your circumstances with the sharpest rate available for your situation
These loans are for business purposes only. See if you qualify in about 60 seconds. It’s free and won’t affect your credit score.
