Year-End Buying Guide for Contractors: What to Grab Before the Tax Deadline

Amee Curtis
Nov 20
3 min read

Save on taxes, upgrade your gear, and start 2026 with better equipment.

The end of the year always comes fast — and if you’re like most contractors, you’re focused on wrapping up projects, managing cash flow, and lining up work for next season. But there’s one thing you shouldn’t overlook before December 31st: your equipment purchases.

Why? Because the IRS Section 179 deduction lets you write off the entire cost of qualifying business equipment this tax year. That means you can upgrade your grinders, vacuums, or mixers right now — and lower your taxable income before 2026 even begins.

Here’s how to make the most of your Year-End Buying Guide.

Year-End Buying Guide

Know What Qualifies

Section 179 covers most “tangible” business tools — including all the professional-grade surface prep, coating, and cleaning equipment contractors rely on every day.

Qualifying gear includes:

Husqvarna PG540 & PG5 Grinders
Husqvarna Floor Scraper & Shot Blaster
Husqvarna DE120 & DE130 Vacuums
Husqvarna Air Scrubbers
Vantage Vacuums with built-in pre-separators
Vantage Dual Head 20” Orbital Grinder
Pot-A-Mix Mix Stations (Hippo, Pelican, and Badger)
Onyx Auto Scrubbers & Burnishers

Basically, if you use it to prep, polish, mix, or maintain — it likely qualifies.

Take Advantage of Section 179 Now

The 2025 deduction limit is $1,220,000, with a spending cap of $3,050,000.To qualify, the equipment must be purchased and placed in service by December 31, 2025 — not just ordered.

That means now is the time to finalize purchases, especially for high-demand items like the PG540 Grinder or DE130 Vacuum, which may have limited availability closer to year-end.

Work with your accountant to confirm your eligibility, then talk to the PNW ECS team to lock in your equipment before the deadline.

Consider Your Workflow Gaps

The smartest end-of-year buys are the ones that boost your efficiency right away.

Ask yourself:

Where are my crew’s bottlenecks?
What am I renting that I could own instead?
What tools would make us faster or safer on every job?

For many contractors, upgrading to a Husqvarna grinder-vacuum pairing or adding a Vantage Vacuum system with pre-separator immediately reduces downtime and labor costs.

Plan for 2026 Projects Now

If your next quarter includes large commercial floors, polished concrete work, or resin systems, use this buying window to prepare.Adding or replacing machines like the Pot-A-Mix Badger, Onyx Auto Scrubber, or Vantage 20” Grinder means you’ll hit January ready to go — with your tax savings already locked in.

Don’t Forget Financing Options

PNW ECS partners with financing providers to help contractors make these purchases manageable.Financing still qualifies for Section 179 deductions, meaning you can deduct the full purchase price even if you haven’t finished paying off the equipment.

That’s right — you could finance now, deduct the entire cost, and start the new year with upgraded tools and lower taxes.

JR’s Take

“The end of the year is the best time to get strategic. You can save on taxes, replace aging gear, and set yourself up for a more productive 2026. Section 179 is how smart contractors grow without overextending.”— JR, PNW ECS