Home Forum Contract & Flyer Templates Blog Software Videos Podcast Calculators / Estimators Store Mower Review Design It Yourself Lawn Business School

Go Back   GopherHaul Landscaping & Lawn Care Business Marketing Forum > Lawn Care, Landscaping, and Property Management Forums > General Talk

General Talk If it doesn't fit anywhere else, post it here.

Asking the Guru's advice . help a new guy :)


General Talk

If it doesn't fit anywhere else, post it here.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 06-08-2012, 06:51 PM
FTGUlawncare FTGUlawncare is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 27
Rep Power: 1
FTGUlawncare is on a distinguished road
Default Asking the Guru's advice . help a new guy :)

So long story short i have built a small lawn care business up form getting 1 small mowing job when i was 15 , this is only a part time deal because i work a 8-5:30 job everyday just did this for side cash and its starting to snow ball LOL i get refered by my current clients and at this point i am actually turning down jobs because i cant fit them in right now i am mowing 3 lawns after 5:30 durning the week and on saturday and sunday i work about 6 hrs each day

Current eq i use are 21 inch push mowers and i have a small 30 inch cut JD riding mower i use ...all in all i have always charged a fair price and have gave 110% to each customer i have 7 of the 14 customers i service now i have had for 7 years , this year i Reg the business and am taking the next step in growing my "very small lawn care business "

now on to the question , i have the money but dont want to drop 6,7k on a scag mower , i am thinking of getting a toro either stand on or a Timemaster SS4235 Zero turn ....the 4235 would be a perfect choice for what i need it for ....i only have 5 accounts i would need it for but if i could cut my time down on the 5 accounts using the ZT i could possibly Add a few new accounts and that could justify me paying out 2400 ...


i pretty much have my mind made up ,,, just would like to hear your input


Remember i am a very small lawn care business so i dont really need anything $$$$$ in the future im going to buy a scag but just not now
Reply With Quote

Stop guess-timating. Learn how to estimate and make money! $$$
Mow Time Estimator Lawn Care Price Estimator Mulch and Topsoil Calculator Snow Plow Estimate Calculator


  #2  
Old 06-08-2012, 07:11 PM
SECTLANDSCAPING's Avatar
SECTLANDSCAPING SECTLANDSCAPING is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 1,637
Rep Power: 5
SECTLANDSCAPING is on a distinguished road
Default

Lawn care business tips
I would just pick up a used commercial walk behind or ztr. You can find one for $800-$1800. It will last longer and the parts are replaceable. The thing that always bothered me about box store ZTR's is where do you get parts and service?

I picked this up for $1250. I put a 100 hours on it with no problems but a flat tire. The toro walk behind on the trailer was $300. I used it for 3 years with just basic maintenance.

Attached Images
File Type: jpg ztr-mower.jpg (93.5 KB, 0 views)
__________________
South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping /Lawn Care /Pressure Washing /Snow Removal /Gutter Cleaning
52" Brutus/52" Super Surfer/44" Pro Line/60" ZMaster
EB630/EB802/EBZ7150/EBZ8000/BR400/Billy Goat 8Hp
FS55&90/FC95/km110/L322&326/TR2350S
HC150/HC155/CHTZ2460
CS440/MS290
Case 1816 Skid
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-11-2012, 12:43 PM
Steve's Avatar
Steve Steve is online now
Administrator
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: East Coast
Posts: 33,709
Rep Power: 10
Steve has disabled reputation
Default

That's a very good idea! Also, what is your plan with your business? Are you wanting to take it full time one day or is this where you want to be?
__________________
- Subscribe to my Lawn Care Marketing Blog Feed and get daily tips sent to you. Free!
Download your Free trial of Gopher Lawn Care Software.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-11-2012, 10:33 PM
FTGUlawncare FTGUlawncare is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 27
Rep Power: 1
FTGUlawncare is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve View Post
That's a very good idea! Also, what is your plan with your business? Are you wanting to take it full time one day or is this where you want to be?

my business as of now is Great , i dont see myself taking this full time any time soon because of my Full time i can juggle both ,with little to no headach i think in the future it could possibly be something to fall back on but its nice that my 9-5 pays the bills and i can contunue to grow my business almost stress free
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-12-2012, 08:39 AM
CHEESE2009's Avatar
CHEESE2009 CHEESE2009 is offline
Dr. Scott - Ruler of the Underworld
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: I like to complain a lot.
Age: 72
Posts: 4,272
Rep Power: 9
CHEESE2009 is on a distinguished road
Default

Usually repair shops order parts for equipment regardless if they are bought from box stores or not, so you will be safe there.

Not all residential equipment is great, but some residential equipment is worth checking out.





Nice mower sect!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New and need advice scissortail Online Lawn Care Estimator - Help me bid this job 8 04-05-2011 12:08 AM
Need Advice! Oly Grasseater Community Assistance 7 09-29-2010 12:13 PM
Need some advice cball Outdoor Power Equipment Discussion, Repairs, Buy or Sell 9 02-14-2010 09:51 PM
I'm new and need advice. mccarthyjohn Introduce Yourself 2 09-21-2008 02:38 PM
Help me im new and need advice MLuciano Starting a lawn care business. 14 08-02-2008 03:54 PM

» Recent Threads
  RatingTitle, Username, & Date Last Post Replies Views
Selling Truck, Aerator,...
ConvLawncare
05-23-2013 02:47 PM
Yesterday 09:56 PM
by ConvLawncare
5 153
Sod installation
xandrew245x
05-08-2013 03:59 PM
Yesterday 09:46 PM
by bruces
15 775
Thoughts on Husqvarna...
figtree
Yesterday 09:12 PM
Yesterday 09:12 PM
by figtree
0 33
Question about belt...
wat5150
Yesterday 08:12 PM
Yesterday 08:53 PM
by SECTLANDSCAPING
3 53
30 in toro time master...
LawnCareProfessional
05-23-2013 04:29 PM
Yesterday 07:35 PM
by Cashin H&P
18 303
Need some advice!
berryjam
05-23-2013 07:37 PM
Yesterday 12:56 PM
by Steve
3 127
Spider Mites?
Jack Rabbit
04-11-2013 09:29 PM
Yesterday 12:46 PM
by Steve
9 886
crossroads
djm2013
03-17-2013 08:43 AM
Yesterday 12:28 PM
by Steve
53 4,357
me myself and my scag...
westlawn
05-23-2013 08:32 PM
Yesterday 12:27 PM
by Steve
2 111
lol, 2012 video I never...
CHEESE2009
05-21-2013 02:23 PM
Yesterday 12:24 PM
by Steve
8 255
How to move a small tree...
huebneroutdoor
05-22-2013 05:29 PM
Yesterday 12:23 PM
by Steve
5 115
How would you handle...
LawnBoy0311
05-22-2013 06:57 AM
Yesterday 10:10 AM
by LawnBoy0311
12 332
Ethanol free gas
jymie
05-22-2013 11:17 PM
Yesterday 08:40 AM
by willshome
4 155
Description and Benefits...
precisiongreens1
04-15-2013 05:07 PM
05-23-2013 10:15 PM
by Hedgemaster
7 995
36" Bunton Walk Behind...
LawnCareProfessional
05-22-2013 04:36 PM
05-23-2013 07:40 PM
by willshome
4 213
Yeah, but where the...
Hedgemaster
04-16-2012 09:35 PM
05-23-2013 05:41 PM
by myblacktruck
26 3,844
Help with my Stihl Line...
cutnuplawnservice
05-20-2013 07:23 PM
05-23-2013 03:59 PM
by CHEESE2009
9 297
Starting out new
Marcus23
05-23-2013 09:25 AM
05-23-2013 01:33 PM
by Steve
1 128
New business owner
Hall36
05-23-2013 06:53 AM
05-23-2013 01:27 PM
by Steve
1 110
Brush Mower
SECTLANDSCAPING
05-13-2013 06:04 PM
05-23-2013 01:02 PM
by Steve
12 711
Radio advertising
CDLAWNCARE
05-04-2013 06:26 PM
05-23-2013 12:48 PM
by Steve
8 824
Whats wrong with it
jasonw
03-02-2013 06:02 PM
05-23-2013 12:46 PM
by Steve
6 815
What Oil??
brian'slawncare
05-21-2013 10:11 PM
05-23-2013 12:41 PM
by Steve
4 189
Charlie's Lawn Service
charlie383
05-20-2013 12:28 PM
05-23-2013 11:16 AM
by charlie383
6 295
Paypal
JRB6250
05-22-2013 08:21 PM
05-23-2013 08:51 AM
by googus
8 177
In need of help bidding...
Landscape Lady
05-21-2013 03:09 PM
05-23-2013 06:56 AM
by charlie383
4 234
Shindaiwa T231 Trimmer!
LawnCareProfessional
05-22-2013 04:31 PM
05-22-2013 11:20 PM
by LawnCareProfessional
7 189
payment prossessing
kslawn
05-21-2013 04:18 PM
05-22-2013 11:12 PM
by jymie
4 230
Uhm, yeahhh...
djm2013
03-26-2013 11:07 PM
05-22-2013 04:33 PM
by brian'slawncare
17 1,289
So Fortunate
Fireman Gus
05-21-2013 01:56 PM
05-22-2013 12:30 PM
by Steve
3 202
Very overwhelmed
xandrew245x
05-19-2013 09:31 AM
05-22-2013 12:18 PM
by Steve
14 548
Teenager wanting to mow...
clutchcarrot
05-20-2013 09:17 PM
05-22-2013 12:12 PM
by Steve
5 340
ethics
t-10yrs2retire
05-19-2013 01:47 PM
05-22-2013 12:06 PM
by Steve
9 381
At Last!
Matther777
05-02-2013 05:51 PM
05-22-2013 12:02 PM
by Steve
19 1,407
The customer is ALWAYS...
cutnuplawnservice
05-18-2013 08:28 AM
05-21-2013 05:57 AM
by stevef1201
5 416
It's FRIDAY!!!
CHEESE2009
05-17-2013 05:18 AM
05-20-2013 11:53 PM
by Hedgemaster
4 426
Bad boy MX series or...
cpenn481
10-15-2012 02:04 PM
05-20-2013 07:40 PM
by jrayb39667
21 2,461
Moss in grass in the...
tk4454
05-16-2013 11:19 PM
05-20-2013 05:44 PM
by precisiongreens1
3 387
Video, includes a little...
CHEESE2009
05-19-2013 11:21 PM
05-20-2013 04:55 PM
by Martywdx
3 290
no-compete agreement
CDLAWNCARE
05-18-2013 12:45 AM
05-20-2013 01:38 PM
by Steve
6 395
Hello to all!
frankygarza
05-19-2013 08:59 AM
05-20-2013 01:32 PM
by Steve
1 252
trailer leaf vac.
t-10yrs2retire
05-17-2013 10:44 AM
05-20-2013 11:57 AM
by Steve
3 390
Bi-weekly question
schnide
05-15-2013 10:58 AM
05-20-2013 06:30 AM
by Billy Goat
19 829
New to Gopher
NOLS GA
04-28-2013 10:42 PM
05-19-2013 09:05 PM
by NOLS GA
7 1,091
Truck trimmer racks
SECTLANDSCAPING
06-16-2012 05:56 PM
05-19-2013 04:40 PM
by Hedgemaster
21 3,395
Trimmer Line
Shark1611
05-16-2013 07:56 PM
05-19-2013 09:04 AM
by stevef1201
9 514
New Toro Super Recycler...
Hedgemaster
03-20-2011 12:55 AM
05-18-2013 11:20 PM
by Grass Doctor
134 26,025
Yesterday, I had a...
LawnBoy0311
04-25-2013 05:30 AM
05-18-2013 08:45 PM
by SECTLANDSCAPING
10 1,048
When to mow, collect,...
cuttingedgeron
04-05-2013 01:06 PM
05-18-2013 08:33 PM
by Hedgemaster
8 867
Missing small amount of...
xandrew245x
05-13-2013 04:30 PM
05-18-2013 07:57 PM
by MBLC
17 827
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.1.0

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:30 AM.


(C) 2011 Riggs Publications - Terms of use & Privacy Policy

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:30 AM.

(C) 2011 Riggs Publications - Terms of use & Privacy Policy