Startup Equipment Costs by Business Type (2026)
Equipment is often the single largest startup expense — and the one that varies most between business types. A cleaning service can launch with a few hundred dollars in supplies, while a restaurant kitchen can easily run six figures. This guide breaks down exactly what equipment each business type needs, what it actually costs, and how to buy smart.
Equipment Cost Comparison by Business Type
Includes all essential equipment, tools, and vehicles needed to operate. Low range assumes used/basic equipment; high range assumes new/premium.
| Business Type | Low | Mid | High | Key Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | $25,000 | $75,000 | $200,000 | Commercial ovens, ranges, fryers, refrigeration, POS system |
| Food Truck | $35,000 | $90,000 | $215,000 | Vehicle, mobile kitchen, generator, POS |
| Hair Salon / Barbershop | $5,000 | $20,000 | $60,000 | Styling stations, chairs, wash basins, tools |
| Cleaning Service | $300 | $3,800 | $17,500 | Vacuum, carpet cleaner, vehicle, supplies |
| Landscaping Business | $8,000 | $40,000 | $110,000 | Mower, trimmer, trailer, blower, hand tools |
Restaurant Equipment: $25,000 - $200,000
A commercial kitchen is the heart of any restaurant, and outfitting one is the most expensive equipment investment across all five business types. The range is wide because a small fast-casual spot with used equipment operates very differently from a fine-dining restaurant with a custom kitchen.
Essential equipment and typical costs:
- Commercial oven/range: $3,000 - $20,000. Convection ovens start around $3,000; multi-deck pizza ovens or combination ovens run $10,000-$20,000.
- Walk-in cooler/freezer: $5,000 - $15,000. Size depends on menu complexity and storage needs. A walk-in combo unit costs more but saves floor space.
- Deep fryers: $1,500 - $5,000 per unit. Floor-standing commercial fryers with built-in filtration systems at the higher end.
- Commercial dishwasher: $3,000 - $10,000. High-temperature models that meet health code requirements. Conveyor systems for high-volume restaurants.
- Prep tables and work surfaces: $500 - $3,000. Stainless steel prep tables, cutting boards, and shelving. Often a good category to buy used.
- POS system: $1,500 - $5,000. Hardware (terminals, printers, cash drawers) plus initial software setup. Monthly software fees of $100-$300 are ongoing.
- Smallwares: $2,000 - $5,000. Pots, pans, utensils, sheet pans, bus tubs, and service ware. Easy to underestimate but adds up fast.
Tip: Restaurant equipment auctions and liquidation sales from closed restaurants can save 50-70% on major items. Check local restaurant supply dealers for used inventory.
Food Truck Equipment: $35,000 - $215,000
Food truck equipment costs are dominated by the vehicle itself, which typically includes a built-in kitchen. The total investment depends heavily on whether you buy a used truck with an existing kitchen build-out or commission a custom new build.
Essential equipment and typical costs:
- Food truck vehicle: $30,000 - $175,000. Used trucks with basic kitchens start around $30,000. New standard builds run $60,000-$100,000. Custom premium builds with specialized equipment reach $175,000.
- Mobile kitchen equipment: $5,000 - $40,000. Flat-top grill ($1,000-$3,000), fryer ($1,500-$3,000), and refrigeration ($1,500-$3,000). Often included in the truck purchase.
- Generator: $3,000 - $8,000. A reliable commercial generator is critical. Propane generators are common but require proper ventilation and safety setup.
- Ansul fire suppression system: $3,000 - $6,000. Required by health codes in virtually every jurisdiction. Non-negotiable.
- Mobile POS system: $300 - $1,000. Square, Clover, or Toast mobile terminals. Must work reliably with cellular data since you won't have fixed internet.
- Serving window and menu board: $500 - $2,000. Custom serving windows, exterior menu displays, and lighting.
Tip: A food trailer ($15,000-$50,000) is a significantly cheaper alternative to a truck, though it requires a tow vehicle and limits your mobility between locations.
Hair Salon Equipment: $5,000 - $60,000
Salon equipment costs scale directly with the number of stations you plan to operate. A solo stylist renting a booth needs far less than a 6-station salon with a reception area and wash stations. Quality matters here — your chairs and stations are customer-facing and affect the client experience.
Essential equipment and typical costs:
- Hydraulic styling chairs: $500 - $3,000 each. The centerpiece of each station. Higher-end chairs are more comfortable and last longer. Budget $2,000-$12,000 for a 4-chair salon.
- Wash stations (shampoo bowls + chairs): $500 - $2,000 each. Includes plumbing connections. Plan for at least one wash station per 2-3 styling stations.
- Mirrors and station furniture: $200 - $800 per station. Styling station mirrors with built-in shelving, tool holders, and electrical outlets.
- Hair dryers (hooded and handheld): $100 - $500 each. Hooded dryers for processing, plus professional handheld dryers at each station.
- Professional clippers and scissors: $350 - $1,200 per set. Professional-grade clipper sets ($150-$400) and shears ($200-$800) are essential tools of the trade.
- Sterilization equipment: $100 - $500. Autoclave or UV sterilizer cabinets. Required by health codes in all states for tools that contact skin.
- Reception desk and waiting area: $500 - $3,000. Front desk, waiting chairs, retail display for hair products.
Tip: Salon equipment distributors often offer package deals for multi-station setups. Buying a complete 4-station package can save 15-25% versus purchasing items individually.
Cleaning Service Equipment: $300 - $17,500
A cleaning business has by far the lowest equipment barrier to entry. You can literally start with supplies from a hardware store and your personal car. As the business grows, you add commercial-grade equipment and potentially a dedicated vehicle.
Essential equipment and typical costs:
- Commercial vacuum cleaner: $200 - $500. A commercial-grade upright vacuum is your most important tool. Backpack vacuums ($300-$600) are faster for larger spaces.
- Mop and bucket system: $50 - $150. Commercial mop bucket with wringer, multiple mop heads. Microfiber flat mop systems are increasingly popular.
- Cleaning caddy and supplies: $30 - $80. Organized carrying caddy with spray bottles, microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, and sponges.
- Carpet cleaner (optional): $200 - $1,000. Adding carpet cleaning services increases revenue per client. Portable extractors start around $200.
- Dedicated vehicle: $0 - $15,000. Many start with a personal vehicle. A dedicated van or SUV with vehicle magnets adds professionalism. Magnets cost $100-$300.
- Cleaning solutions (initial stock): $100 - $300. All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant, toilet cleaner, furniture polish. Buy in bulk from janitorial supply stores or Costco.
Tip: Start with residential cleaning using basic supplies and reinvest profits into commercial-grade equipment. Per-person cleaning kits cost $100-$200 when scaling to a team.
Landscaping Equipment: $8,000 - $110,000
Landscaping equipment costs depend on whether you're doing basic mow-and-trim residential work or offering full-service landscaping with hardscaping. The truck and trailer are often the biggest single expense, and you genuinely cannot operate without them.
Essential equipment and typical costs:
- Commercial mower: $1,000 - $15,000. Walk-behind mowers ($1,000-$3,000) work for small residential lots. Zero-turn ride-on mowers ($5,000-$15,000) are essential for efficiency on larger properties.
- String trimmer: $250 - $500. Commercial-grade gas or battery trimmers for edging and detail work. Budget for replacement line as an ongoing cost.
- Backpack blower: $300 - $600. Commercial backpack blowers are dramatically faster than handheld models and worth the investment from day one.
- Edger: $200 - $400. Dedicated stick edger for clean sidewalk and driveway edges. Some trimmers convert to edgers but dedicated units do a better job.
- Hand tools: $500 - $1,000. Shovels, rakes, pruning shears, wheelbarrow, hedge trimmers. These add up but are essential.
- Equipment trailer: $1,500 - $5,000. Open landscape trailer to haul mowers and equipment. Enclosed trailers ($3,000-$8,000) offer weather protection and storage.
- Truck: $5,000 - $60,000. Used pickup truck ($5,000-$25,000) is the most common starting point. Must be rated to tow your trailer safely. Vehicle lettering adds $200-$3,000.
Tip: Start with a quality walk-behind mower and basic tools for residential yards. Upgrade to a zero-turn mower once you have enough clients to justify the investment — typically 15-20 weekly accounts.
New vs Used Equipment
The new-vs-used decision can save (or cost) you thousands. Here's how to think about it for each situation:
Buying New
- Warranty coverage: Manufacturer warranties (1-5 years) protect against defects. Critical for expensive items like commercial ovens or zero-turn mowers.
- Energy efficiency: Newer commercial kitchen equipment can use 20-40% less energy, which adds up in a restaurant running 12+ hours daily.
- Financing availability: Easier to finance new equipment — lenders prefer it as collateral. Some manufacturers offer 0% promotional financing.
- Longer lifespan: A new commercial mower may last 7-10 years vs 3-5 years for a used one with unknown history.
- Downside: 40-60% more expensive upfront. Depreciation is steepest in the first 2 years.
Buying Used
- Massive savings: 40-60% off retail for equipment that's 2-5 years old. Restaurant liquidation sales offer even steeper discounts.
- Faster ROI: Lower upfront cost means you reach profitability sooner. Critical when cash flow is tight.
- Good for testing: Buy used to validate your business model before investing in premium new equipment.
- Where to find it: Restaurant supply dealers, equipment auctions, Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace, going-out-of-business sales, dealer trade-ins.
- Downside: No warranty, unknown maintenance history, potential repair costs, harder to finance.
The smart approach: Buy new for items where reliability is critical and failure is costly (refrigeration, fire suppression, vehicles). Buy used for items that are easy to inspect and replace (prep tables, hand tools, styling chairs, mop systems).
Equipment Financing Options
Most startups can't pay cash for all their equipment. Here are the main ways to finance it:
- Equipment Loans
Traditional equipment financing covers 70-100% of the purchase price. Terms of 5-7 years with the equipment as collateral. Interest rates: 6-15% depending on credit. The equipment itself secures the loan, making approval easier than unsecured business loans. - Equipment Leasing
Lease payments of $200-$2,000/month depending on equipment value. No large down payment required. Options to buy at lease end (typically $1 buyout or fair market value). Good for equipment that becomes outdated quickly. Payments are tax-deductible as a business expense. - SBA Microloans
Up to $50,000 through SBA-approved intermediary lenders. Average microloan is ~$13,000. Interest rates 8-13%. Designed specifically for startups and small businesses. Can cover equipment, supplies, and working capital. Application is less rigorous than standard SBA loans. - SBA 7(a) Loans
Up to $5 million for larger equipment purchases (restaurant build-outs, food trucks). Longest repayment terms (up to 10 years for equipment). Interest rates tied to prime rate + 2-3%. Requires more documentation but offers the best rates for qualified borrowers. - Vendor/Manufacturer Financing
Some equipment suppliers offer in-house financing or partner with lenders. May offer promotional rates (0% for 6-12 months). Convenient but compare rates — vendor financing isn't always the cheapest option.
Ready to Start Your Business?
Before buying equipment, get your business legally set up. ZenBusiness makes it easy to form your LLC, get a registered agent, and handle compliance — so you can focus on building your business.
Form Your LLC →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does equipment cost to start a restaurant?
Restaurant equipment typically costs $25,000 to $200,000 depending on whether you buy new or used. Major expenses include commercial ovens ($3,000-$20,000), walk-in coolers ($5,000-$15,000), and dishwashers ($3,000-$10,000). Buying quality used equipment can save 40-60%.
Should I buy new or used equipment for my startup?
Used equipment can save 40-60% upfront, making it ideal for startups with tight budgets. However, new equipment comes with warranties, better energy efficiency, and longer lifespans. Many successful businesses use a mix: new for critical items like refrigeration and used for prep tables and smallwares.
What is the cheapest business to start in terms of equipment?
A cleaning service has the lowest equipment costs, starting as low as $300 for basic supplies (vacuum, mops, cleaning solutions). You can even use your personal vehicle initially. Landscaping starts around $3,000-$8,000 for basic mowing equipment if you already have a truck.
Can I finance equipment for a new business?
Yes. Common options include equipment loans (70-100% financing, 5-7 year terms), equipment leasing ($200-$2,000/month, no large down payment), SBA microloans (up to $50,000 at favorable rates), and SBA 7(a) loans for larger purchases. New businesses may need a personal guarantee or collateral.
What equipment do I need to start a food truck?
A food truck requires the vehicle itself ($30,000-$175,000), plus kitchen equipment including cooking surfaces, refrigeration, fire suppression system ($3,000-$6,000), and a generator ($3,000-$8,000). Total equipment costs range from $35,000 to $215,000. Many operators buy a pre-built truck that includes kitchen equipment.
Sources
National averages from industry sources (Toast, Square, Shopify, trade publications). Ranges reflect low (basic/used), mid (standard new), and high (premium) setups. Data last updated: 2026-03-26.