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Expert New Homeowner Yard Kit: Battery Tools, Shed and Pressure Washer

Last updated Researched from specs, manuals and owner reviews, not tested in person

Quick answer

The expert new homeowner yard kit outfits the whole property for under $7,500: an EGO LM2206SP aluminum deck mower with EGO trimmer, blower, edger and snow shovel, smart watering, a commercial spreader, a two-wheel wheelbarrow, a 32-foot ladder, a Lifetime 8 x 10 resin shed and a 3000 PSI electric pressure washer.

This build is the complete first-house kit for a quarter to half-acre lot with a two-story house, a driveway and walks worth keeping clean, and no spare garage space. It adds the two purchases most new owners eventually make, a storage shed and a pressure washer, and upgrades every tool to the level you will not replace. Everything listed comes to under $7,500.

A resin shed is a storage building made of molded plastic panels over a steel frame, which does not rot or rust and needs no paint. The Lifetime 8 x 10 holds a walk-behind mower, a wheelbarrow and every hand tool with room to spare. Size yours with the shed size calculator before ordering, since local setback rules and HOA covenants often limit shed size and placement. Check pressure settings for each surface in the pressure washer PSI calculator.

The complete expert build: Under $7,500

Cutting, edging and cleanup

All on EGO 56V, so every battery fits every tool.

ItemWhy this oneQtyBudgetBuy
EGO POWER+ LM2206SP 22 in. Aluminum Deck Self-Propelled Mower Kit EGO POWER+ LM2206SP 22 in. Aluminum Deck Self-Propelled Mower Kit A 22-inch self-propelled mower with a lifetime-warranty aluminum deck and a 10Ah pack rated for up to 70 minutes, enough for a half-acre lot. The intermediate LM2114 is a push mower with a steel deck. 1 Under $2,500 Check price
EGO Power+ ST1623T 16 in. String Trimmer Kit with 4.0Ah Battery and Extra 2.5Ah Battery EGO Power+ ST1623T 16 in. String Trimmer Kit with 4.0Ah Battery and Extra 2.5Ah Battery An auto-feeding LINE IQ trimmer with a telescopic carbon fiber shaft and a 4.0Ah battery, rated up to 60 minutes. The intermediate tool-only trimmer lacks auto-feed. 1 Under $1,000 Check price
EGO Power+ LB7654 765 CFM Blower Kit with 5.0Ah Battery EGO Power+ LB7654 765 CFM Blower Kit with 5.0Ah Battery A 765 CFM turbo blower with a 5.0Ah battery rated for up to 90 minutes, enough for fall leaves on a half acre. It outmuscles the 650 CFM intermediate blower. 1 Under $500 Check price
EGO Power+ ME0820 8 in. Edger with Multi-Head Power Head (tool only) EGO Power+ ME0820 8 in. Edger with Multi-Head Power Head (tool only) An 8-inch carbon fiber edger on a Multi-Head power head that cuts up to 3 inches deep, for crisp driveway and walk edges. No lower tier edges with a dedicated tool. 1 Under $250 Check price
NoCry Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses NoCry Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses ANSI Z87.1 glasses for trimming, edging and pressure washing, where debris and spray rebound toward your face. 1 Under $25 Check price
Cutting, edging and cleanup subtotalUnder $2,500

Watering

ItemWhy this oneQtyBudgetBuy
Giraffe Tools Retractable Wall Mount Hose Reel, 5/8 in x 115 ft Giraffe Tools Retractable Wall Mount Hose Reel, 5/8 in x 115 ft A wall-mounted swivel reel with 115 feet of retractable 5/8-inch hose and guided auto rewind, so the hose is never left on the lawn. The intermediate kit rolls a hose cart instead. 1 Under $250 Check price
Nelson Rain Train Traveling Sprinkler, 13,500 sq ft Nelson Rain Train Traveling Sprinkler, 13,500 sq ft A cast iron traveling sprinkler that follows the hose up to 200 feet and shuts itself off, covering up to 13,500 sq ft in one run on a larger lot. 1 Under $100 Check price
Rachio Smart Hose Timer Bundle, 2 Valves plus WiFi Hub Rachio Smart Hose Timer Bundle, 2 Valves plus WiFi Hub Two app-controlled faucet valves with rain skips and flow alerts, so watering happens early in the morning even when you are away. 1 Under $250 Check price
Watering subtotalUnder $500

Feeding, digging and hauling

ItemWhy this oneQtyBudgetBuy
EarthWay 2150 Commercial 50 lb Broadcast Spreader EarthWay 2150 Commercial 50 lb Broadcast Spreader A commercial 50 lb push spreader with pneumatic tires, an enclosed gearbox and side-spread control for feathered edges along beds. It outlasts the consumer EdgeGuard in the intermediate kit. 1 Under $500 Check price
Smith Performance Sprayers R200 2-Gallon Compression Sprayer Smith Performance Sprayers R200 2-Gallon Compression Sprayer A pro-grade 2-gallon sprayer with a stainless wand and Viton seals that resist harsh herbicides, with tool-free seal changes. 1 Under $100 Check price
Fiskars 44 in. Pro Digging Shovel Fiskars 44 in. Pro Digging Shovel The same lifetime-warranty digging shovel used across the ladder; there is no better tool to buy for planting and digging. 1 Under $100 Check price
True Temper Clog Free 24 in. Poly Leaf Rake True Temper Clog Free 24 in. Poly Leaf Rake A 24-inch clog-free leaf rake for beds where the blower would scatter mulch. 1 Under $50 Check price
Jackson MP1010 10 cu ft Poly 2-Wheel Wheelbarrow Jackson MP1010 10 cu ft Poly 2-Wheel Wheelbarrow A contractor 10 cu ft two-wheel wheelbarrow on a steel undercarriage, stable enough for heavy loads of stone and soil on a new landscaping project. 1 Under $1,000 Check price
Feeding, digging and hauling subtotalUnder $1,200

Ladder, snow, storage and exterior

ItemWhy this oneQtyBudgetBuy
Louisville Ladder 32 ft. Fiberglass Extension Ladder, Type IA Louisville Ladder 32 ft. Fiberglass Extension Ladder, Type IA A 32 ft Type IA (300 lb) fiberglass extension ladder with non-conductive rails and swivel safety shoes, the size typically needed to reach two-story gutters with the required overlap. It stands in for the Werner 32 ft, which is sold out on Amazon. 1 Under $1,000 Check price
EGO Power+ SNS1201 12 in. Cordless Snow Shovel Kit EGO Power+ SNS1201 12 in. Cordless Snow Shovel Kit A 12-inch cordless snow shovel with a 25-foot throw that EGO rates for a 3-car driveway of 6-inch snow, on the same battery platform as the yard tools. 1 Under $500 Check price
Garant Yukon YPM18EAKD 18 in. Ergonomic Snow Shovel Garant Yukon YPM18EAKD 18 in. Ergonomic Snow Shovel An 18-inch shovel on a curved aluminum handle for steps and the plow pile, built to resist very low temperatures. 1 Under $100 Check price
Lifetime 8 x 10 ft. Outdoor Storage Shed Lifetime 8 x 10 ft. Outdoor Storage Shed An 8 x 10 dual-wall resin shed with steel reinforcement, a floor and lockable doors, sized for a walk-behind mower, wheelbarrow, ladder and hand tools. 1 Under $2,500 Check price
Greenworks 3000 PSI 2.0 GPM Brushless Electric Pressure Washer Greenworks 3000 PSI 2.0 GPM Brushless Electric Pressure Washer A brushless electric washer rated at 3000 PSI and 2.0 GPM with a metal gun, for driveways, decks and siding without a gas engine to maintain. 1 Under $500 Check price
Westinghouse 15 in. Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner Westinghouse 15 in. Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner A 15-inch surface cleaner that spins the spray evenly across concrete, cleaning a driveway far faster and without the stripes a wand leaves. 1 Under $50 Check price
Ladder, snow, storage and exterior subtotalUnder $3,500
Build budget, 19 items
Under $7,500

The total includes every tool with its kit battery and charger, the tool-only edger, watering gear, spreader, sprayer, hand tools, wheelbarrow, ladder, snow tools, shed kit and pressure washer with surface cleaner. It excludes a shed foundation or base, delivery or assembly help, grass seed, fertilizer and sales tax.

Lot size
quarter to half acre
House
two stories, gutters up to about 24 ft
Shed site
level 8 x 10 ft base, check setbacks and HOA rules
Power
GFCI outdoor outlet for the pressure washer
Water
two outdoor spigots ideal

Prices were accurate when this list was compiled and change often, so confirm each one on Amazon before ordering. Quantities are multiplied into the total. Prices change often.

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On this page
  1. Who should not buy the expert new homeowner yard kit?
  2. What can you skip in this build?
  3. What should you upgrade first?
  4. How does this build compare with the beginner and intermediate setups?
  5. What pressure should you use on a driveway, deck and siding?
  6. What size shed does a new homeowner need?

Who should not buy the expert new homeowner yard kit?

  • Owners of small lots with a garage that has room. The intermediate kit at under $3,000 covers the yard, and the garage is the shed.
  • One-story houses. The 32-foot ladder is more than you need.
  • Anyone whose HOA or city restricts sheds, until you have approval in writing.
  • Buyers who would pressure wash once a year. Renting costs less than owning at that frequency.

Buy this kit in stages if the total is a stretch: tools first, then the shed, then the pressure washer.

What can you skip in this build?

  • The shed (under $2,500). The biggest line. Skip it if the garage has space; a steel Arrow Classic 10 x 8 at under $1,000 is the budget alternative.
  • The wheelbarrow (under $1,000). A Gorilla Carts 10 cu ft cart at under $500 hauls the same volume for less.
  • The pressure washer and surface cleaner (under $500 plus under $50). Rent if you clean once a year.
  • The edger (under $250). The trimmer edges acceptably.

What should you upgrade first?

Few tools here need upgrading, so the first upgrade is usually shed organization and the base under it. A level, well-drained foundation keeps doors aligned and the floor dry; the how to choose a storage shed guide covers gravel pads and platforms. If the 8 x 10 fills up, the Lifetime 15 x 8 dual entry at under $2,500 adds side doors for long items.

If the lawn grows to an acre, the mower is the next step: see the 1-acre lawn setups. For heavy exterior cleaning, a gas washer like the Simpson Clean Machine 3400 at under $500 adds flow; read electric vs gas pressure washers.

How does this build compare with the beginner and intermediate setups?

New homeowner yard kits side by side
BeginnerIntermediateExpert
MowerPowerSmart 21 in. gas pushEGO LM2114 21 in. battery pushEGO LM2206SP aluminum self-propelled
Trimmer and blowerRYOBI 40V trimmer kit, WORX WG520 corded blowerEGO ST1500SF trimmer, EGO LB6500 blower (tool only)EGO ST1623T trimmer, EGO LB7654 blower, EGO edger
BatteriesOne RYOBI 40V pack (trimmer only)EGO 6.0Ah plus 5.0Ah shared by all toolsEGO 10Ah, 5.0Ah, 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah
Watering50 ft hose, nozzle, oscillating sprinkler100 ft hose on a cart, sled sprinklerRetractable wall reel, traveling sprinkler, smart timer
Feeding and weedsHand spreaderBroadcast spreader plus 2 gal sprayerCommercial broadcast spreader plus pro sprayer
Hauling6 cu ft dump cart10 cu ft dump cart10 cu ft two-wheel wheelbarrow
LadderBorrow or rent17 ft multi-position fiberglass32 ft fiberglass extension, Type IA
SnowCombo shovelSpring-assist shovel plus 36 in pusherEGO cordless snow shovel plus ergonomic shovel
Storage and exteriorGarage cornerGarage corner8 x 10 ft resin shed, 3000 PSI electric pressure washer
Build totalUnder $1,200Under $3,000Under $7,500
Best forSmall lot, tight first-year budgetQuarter-acre lot, buy once, no gasQuarter to half acre, no garage space, full exterior care

What pressure should you use on a driveway, deck and siding?

Use the least pressure and the widest tip that gets the job done. Concrete driveways tolerate the most, which is where the surface cleaner and full 3000 PSI help. Wood decks need much lower pressure and a wide tip held well back, since high pressure raises the grain and gouges soft boards. Vinyl siding is washed with a wide tip or soap nozzle, spraying downward so water does not get forced behind the panels. Test every surface in a hidden spot first. Surface-by-surface settings are in pressure washer PSI for a concrete driveway, a wood deck and vinyl siding.

What size shed does a new homeowner need?

List what goes inside, then add a third for growth. A walk-behind mower, a wheelbarrow, rakes, shovels, a ladder and a pressure washer fit comfortably in an 8 x 10, with shelves on the back wall. Riding mowers and snow blowers push you to 10 x 12 or larger, plus a ramp and wider doors. Measure your largest item against the door opening, not just the floor. Local rules often allow sheds up to a certain footprint without a permit and require setbacks from property lines, so check before you buy. See shed size for a push mower and hand tools and best resin sheds.

Frequently asked questions

Is a resin shed better than a metal shed?

Resin sheds like the Lifetime 8 x 10 do not rust, dent easily or need paint, and many include a floor. Steel sheds like the Arrow Classic cost less for the same footprint but can dent and need anchoring and a separate floor. Wood sheds are the most customizable but need the most upkeep. Our resin vs metal shed comparison covers each.

Is a 3000 PSI electric pressure washer enough for a house?

For most homeowner jobs, yes. The Greenworks 3000 PSI brushless lists 2.0 GPM, which cleans driveways, decks, fences, patio furniture and siding. Gas washers add flow for heavy commercial-scale cleaning and stripping, but they are louder and need engine maintenance. Match the tip and distance to each surface and test a hidden spot first. Read our Greenworks 3000 PSI review.

Do I need a surface cleaner for my pressure washer?

For a concrete driveway or large patio, a surface cleaner is the biggest time saver you can add. The Westinghouse 15-inch spins two nozzles under a hood so the whole surface gets even pressure without the stripes a wand leaves, and it keeps spray from hitting cars and siding. It fits washers with a 1/4-inch quick connect up to 3400 PSI.

How tall a ladder do I need for second-story gutters?

Most two-story houses have gutters 18 to 22 feet up. An extension ladder must overlap its sections and extend past the gutter line, so a 28 to 32-foot ladder is typical. The Werner 32-foot Type IA (sold out; in-stock alternative: Louisville Ladder 32 ft. Fiberglass Extension Ladder, Type IA) is fiberglass, which matters near service wires. Never use a ladder near power lines, and consider a pro for steep or high roofs. See the gutter cleaning guide.

Do I need a foundation for a resin shed?

Yes. Even sheds with built-in floors need a level, firm base, or the doors will not line up and the floor will flex. Common options are a compacted gravel pad with a timber frame, a concrete slab or a wood platform. Follow the shed manual's foundation requirements and anchoring instructions for wind. The storage shed guide compares bases.

Is a traveling sprinkler worth it?

A traveling sprinkler like the Nelson Rain Train is worth it for large, open lawns without in-ground irrigation. It follows the path of the laid-out hose, covers up to 13,500 sq ft in one run and shuts itself off at the end. It needs strong water pressure and a hose laid in gentle curves. For small lawns, an oscillating sprinkler is simpler.

Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved.