For landscaping and hardscaping businesses, leasing a skid steer can feel like unlocking a secret tool. Leasing allows them to buy a skid steer now, use it on the job, and pay later in smaller monthly payment. Few machines match their power when it comes to handling tough tasks in compact spaces. Learn how easy it is to add skid steer without draining your cash flow, how much it costs to lease a skid steer, and the best lender in the U.S. for skid steer leasing.
In this article...
- What Is a Skid Steer?
- Leasing vs. Buying vs. Renting: A Simple Comparison
- Things That Influence the Cost of Leasing a Skid Steer
- Typical Lease Costs in 2026
- Benefits of Leasing a Skid Steer
- How to Choose the Right Lease Agreement
- Beacon Funding's Lease-to-Own Program
- Skid Steer Leasing Case Study: A Customer Success Spotlight from Beacon Funding
- Apply for Skid Steer Leasing
- Frequently Asked Questions
A skid steer does the heavy lifting on every hardscape job – moving pavers, block, and gravel, grading, and prepping sites. But the new one costs between $30,000 to $130,000 depending on the model. Paying those upfront ties up cash you need for materials and payroll.
Lease-to-own fixes that. You get the machine now and pay a set amount each month, so it starts earning before it’s paid off, while your cash stays free to run the business.
Below, we break down 2026 skid steer prices so you can plan your budget and decide if leasing is the right move.
What Is a Skid Steer?
A skid steer is a small but powerful machine used in construction, landscaping, and hardscaping. It has a strong frame and lift arms that hold buckets, other attachments and tools.
Common Uses
• Landscaping Project -- Carrying dirt, mulch, and debris.
• Snow Removal -- Clearing snow from driveways and sidewalks.
• Hardscaping -- Moving pavers, gravel, soil, and debris.
Skid steers are important because they are small, flexible, and strong. They can use many tools and fit into tight spaces, making them great for lots of tough jobs.
Leasing vs. Buying vs. Renting: A Simple Comparison
Leasing, buying, and renting a skid steer each have different benefits.
● Leasing means you make low monthly payments to use the skid steer for a set time. They also typically have an end-of-lease buyout option ranging for $1 to 10%. The key benefit of leasing is cashflow.
● Buying means you pay upfront in cash to own the machine fully. The key benefit of paying cash is immediate ownership.
● Renting means you pay to use the skid steer, but never establish equity or ownership in the equipment. The benefit of renting is being able to return the equipment at any time.
Why Leasing Can Be a Smart Choice
Leasing is a good choice between renting and buying (paying in cash).
• Leasing requires less money upfront than paying cash .
• Leasing lets thempay over a longer period of time while still using the equipment.
• Leasing helps save money and gives access to newer tools and machines.
For many business owners, leasing is a simple and smart way to get work done. It helps them avoid big costs and long-term commitments.
Things That Influence the Cost of Leasing a Skid Steer
Machine Model and Size
How much a skid steer costs directly impacts the lease payment. The price of a skid steer depends on its size, lifting capacity, features, and if it’s new or used. Once you find the make and model that meets your needs, the best way to estimate your lease payment is to use an equipment leasing calculator. Beacon Funding's calculator can provide estimated low monthly lease payment in seconds.
Attachments and Extra Equipment
Skid steer attachments help you maximize its usefulness by helping one machine do more tasks. If your landscaping or hardscaping project requires a skid steer with specialized attachments, talk to your lender about wrapping them into the lease. Thought this may increase the monthly payment, this makes it easier to afford extra tools like buckets, augers, or pallet forks.
Lease Time Period
The term length for a leasing a skid steer may vary depending on whether it's new or used, the equipment's age, condition, and hours of previous use. Beacon Funding, a leading U.S. equipment financing lender specializing in landscaping equipment, offers a wide range of lease terms for new and used skid steers between 24 and 60 months.
How lease length affects cost
Leasing typically results in low, affordable monthly payments over a set number of months. The length of your lease directly changes your monthly payment.
- Shorter leases typically mean higher monthly payments.
- Longer lease term lengths can help lower the monthly payment.
Using Beacon Funding’s equipment financing calculator, it’s easy to get real-time estimates for monthly lease payments. For example, the monthly payment a $35,000 skid steer is estimated between $1,037 and $1,301 for 24-month leasee. By extending the term length to a 60-month lease, the monthly payment decreases to $677 to $927 per month.
Typical Lease Costs in 2026
Buying a new skid steer in cash can cost $30,000 to $130,000+, based on the size and features. Equipment finance companies, like Beacon Funding, provide skid steer leasing options that breakdown that cost into low monthly payments. This helps landscaping and hardscaping businesses decrease upfront cost, keep more cash on hand, and add a skid steer sooner.
Tools for Estimating the Monthly Lease Payment for a Skid Steer
The cost of leasing a skid steer in 2026 may vary depending the equipment you choose, the length of the lease term, and your business credit profile. The best way to estimate the cost for leasing a skid steer is to use an equipment financing calculator. It allows you to see a variety of monthly payments based on the term length you choose. Below are step-by-step instructions for using Beacon Funding’s equipment financing calculator.
How to Calculate a Monthly Payment for a Skid Steer
- Head to Equipment Financing Calculator -- Estimate Your Payment
- Select “Skid Steer” as the “Type of equipment”
- Enter the cost in the “Amount financed” field.
- Choose your ideal term length as the number of months you’d like to finance your skid steer.
- Click “Calculate My Payment Estimate.” It’s that easy!
CALCULATE YOUR LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT
Benefits of Leasing a Skid Steer
- Lower Upfront Costs: Leasing a skid steer requires less cash upfront than buying one. This empowers your business to conserve its cash, so you can put that money to use for other things, like labor, fuel, or materials.
- Access to Newer Equipment: Leasing makes it more affordable to add use the newest machines and attachments.
- Easier Cash Flow Management: Lease payments are predictable, so they’re easy to plan for. This makes it easier to cover other business needs without money worries.
- Tax Benefits: Leasing a skid steer through Beacon Funding can help your business save thousands on your income taxes. Lease before Dec 31, 2026 and write off 100% of the purchase with the Section 179 deduction! That's your full deduction year 1 instead of smaller deductions over a few years.
Leasing gives you a smart and flexible way to get the tools you need. It avoids the high costs and risks of paying cash for a skid steer. It helps your business stay competitive and in control.
In a nutshell, leasing provides a cost-effective entry into skid steer ownership, offering financial flexibility, predictable expenses, and the ability to keep your equipment up to date.
How to Choose the Right Lease Agreement
Define Your Leasing Goals
Is your goal to have the lowest monthly payment, the lowest overall repayable, or match your payment to your revenue cycle? Specialty equipment finance lenders, like Beacon Funding, are able to create custom plans to better suit your business goals. It’s important to discuss those goals with your financing consultant before you submit a leasing application or sign your lease agreement.
Recommended Leasing Plan for Skid Steers
Seasonal Payment Plans
Many outdoor businesses experience seasonal ups and downs. Beacon Funding offers a seasonal payment program that helps:
This allows businesses to align their equipment financing payments to their revenue cycle. Helping payments stay manageable year-round. That flexibility matters as no two businesses look the same!
Beacon Funding's Lease-to-Own Program
In the equipment financing industry, Beacon Funding is one of the few lenders that specialize in skid steers and other landscaping equipment. With no minimum time in business required, Beacon Funding offers more opportunities for young and start-up landscaping businesses to get funding. Instead of renting, landscapers can earn equipment equity with Beacon Funding’s Lease-to-Own program. This unique program is designed to get a skid steer into your operations swiftly, all while offering the advantages of eventual ownership at the end of the term.
Get a Skid Steer Into Your Operations fast
Fast-track your landscaping operations with Beacon Funding’s skid steer leasing solutions. We prioritize swift access to equipment, enabling you to boost capabilities and tackle new projects without upfront cost delays.
Benefit from low monthly payments, ensuring financial health, and own the skid steer at the end of our Lease-to-Own program.
Curious about how Beacon Funding’s Lease-to-Own program can work for your landscaping business? Take the first step toward skid steer ownership by exploring if you qualify.
EXPLORE LEASE-TO-OWN OPTIONS
Skid Steer Leasing Case Study: A Customer Success Spotlight from Beacon Funding
Grow Care Outdoor Solutions Expands Faster
As the owner of Grow Care Outdoor Solutions, Jose Granados knew he needed reliable equipment to keep up with the growing demand for larger landscaping and hardscaping projects. Jose turned to Beacon Funding to lease a skid steer.
This allowed Jose and his team to get to work immediately without tying up valuable cash flow. Efficiency increased, services expanded, and the company unlocked new revenue.
Grow Care Outdoor Solutions is a real testament to how Beacon Funding’s flexible financing fits real-world operations that will help your business.
Apply for Skid Steer Leasing
Ready to put a skid steer to work for your business without a large upfront purchase? Take the next step toward affordable monthly payments and start the financing process today by completing the Credit Application.
GET STARTED NOW
Frequently Asked Questions About Skid Steer Leasing
Where can I lease a skid steer as a startup?
Beacon Funding works with businesses at all stages, including startups. Our approvals process looks beyond just credit score. Industry experience, equipment, and where your business is headed all play a critical role. Take the next step by contact Beacon Funding.
How much does it cost to lease a skid steer?
Beacon Funding turns a $30,000 - $130,000+ skid steer purchase into one low monthly payment structured around the equipment’s price and your credit profile. Apply for skid steer financing and start today.
Can I lease a used skid steer?
Yes. Beacon Funding’s finances both new and used skid steers, so you can lower your upfront investment while keeping working capital in your business. Used equipment simply needs to meet age, condition, and value requirements.
What credit score do I need for skid steer leasing?
Beacon Funding looks at more than a single score: equipment value, business history, and credit rating all factor into what you qualify for. The Credit Application takes just minutes to complete, so you’ll know where you stand fast.
How long are skid steer leasing terms?
Beacon Funding offers flexible terms of 24, 36, 48, or even 60 months (depending on the amount financed), letting you match your monthly payment to your cash flow. Your skid steer starts generating revenue on day one while you pay for it over time.
Can I own the skid steer at the end of the lease term?
Yes! Beacon Funding’s lease-to-own financing program puts you on a path to owning the skid steer outright with buyout options ranging from 10% or $1.