Neighborhood Takeover

[Meauxmoney]

Im a 16 year old. I live in where a lot of people get their grass cut by a lawn care service. I also have a lawn care service. Im looking for some suggestions on how i can monopolize the neighborhood.

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Lawn care business tips

Don't get ahead of yourself. Do a great job on the accounts you have now, build a friendly relationship with your customers and more accounts will come naturally with time.

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[LawnBoy0311]

I've heard of some guys on here doing "Neighborhood Special" rates to try to get a bunch of customers in 1 neighborhood. I haven't tried it so I couldn't tell you if it worked for me or not. Maybe something to look into? Offer a small discount because it will cut down on travel time.

[patrick6411]

Originally Posted by Sprinkler Buddy

Don't get ahead of yourself. Do a great job on the accounts you have now, build a friendly relationship with your customers and more accounts will come naturally with time.

This is the best advice you can get.
Also go door to door. Don't be scared to knock on the door. Dress for the part, don't wear dirty sweating cloths. Don't look like a teenager, the things that your parents say look bad and you say we are old, is the things you need to watch for, you are marketing to people your parents age. Talk educated, act educated, if someone says no, thank them and don't be scared to ask them why. Also ask them if they know anybody that needs your service.
If you plan on attending college use that as leverage, tell the people that you are trying to earn money for college savings, just make sure you plan on attending. (I recommend going!!)

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum!

I'd say start with one and build from there. Are you mowing your neighbors lawns yet? If not why not? They probably know you and you know them, so why not try and sign them up. Then move on to their neighbors etc...

[Greg'slawnandlandscape]

well thats how i work i focus on two nieghborhoods at a time. the thing to remember is flyers flyers flyers if you past out flyers every 2 months it shows potential customers that you are serous and will stick around.

[brian'slawncare]

I, too am 16 and did exactly what you want to do. This will be my fourth season in the biz. What I can tell you is that face to face interactions will do best. Lowball for a little while to get a few starter lawns, then once people see your work and hear your price, they will want you. The following season, you raise your prices. I did this and I now mow a little under 15 lawns a week while still attending a private high school. Go to college and don't let this get in the way. (grades come first, trust me, I learned the hard way) Figure out what the professionals are charging, and undercut them by like $5. This will give people an incentive to go with a 16 year old as opposed to a professional company. When you go door to door, dress up and know what you are going to say. Mention that you are saving for college, they will want to help you out. When you go door to door bring a card or flyer with a price ALREADY ON IT. This is best because they don't want to call. Most of all, ACT PROFESSIONAL. Good Luck!

[dougcaskey]

Originally Posted by brian'slawncare

I, too am 16 and did exactly what you want to do. This will be my fourth season in the biz. What I can tell you is that face to face interactions will do best. Lowball for a little while to get a few starter lawns, then once people see your work and hear your price, they will want you. The following season, you raise your prices. I did this and I now mow a little under 15 lawns a week while still attending a private high school. Go to college and don't let this get in the way. (grades come first, trust me, I learned the hard way) Figure out what the professionals are charging, and undercut them by like $5. This will give people an incentive to go with a 16 year old as opposed to a professional company. When you go door to door, dress up and know what you are going to say. Mention that you are saving for college, they will want to help you out. When you go door to door bring a card or flyer with a price ALREADY ON IT. This is best because they don't want to call. Most of all, ACT PROFESSIONAL. Good Luck!

Don't ever LOW BALL

That's the worst business decision you could ever make...If your serious about making a living at this you have to charge to make a profit....By low balling you will also end up with all the wrong kind of customers....

[patrick6411]

Originally Posted by dougcaskey

Don't ever LOW BALL

That's the worst business decision you could ever make...If your serious about making a living at this you have to charge to make a profit....By low balling you will also end up with all the wrong kind of customers....

Take this advice!! This man is right!!

[brian'slawncare]

By low balling you will also end up with all the wrong kind of customers....

99.99999% of the time, you are right. It really depends on the type of neighborhood you are in. I happen to live in a nice neighborhood and fortunately, I have not had many issues. I AM NOT saying to lowball. All I am am saying, is that in order for a 16 year old to get any business, we need to under cut the professionals by a little. Otherwise, they would much rather have a proff. business take care of them. Once you have established a relationship, you begin to raise your prices. It is all up to you, Meauxmoney....This is how my business exploded.