I've been busy - Missed you guys!

[Growing Green]

Hi everyone, Time for an update. I have some down time now that I hurt my hand. Heading to dr. today. Well as you know I've been in business since January. I now have 28 customers who are keeping me crazy busy. I'm learning a TON! I've been able to buy the 550 Stihl Blower - that thing is AWESOME! I've bought a Stihl chainsaw, the 110R Kombi system with trimmer, hedger, edger, tree pruner attachments. I'm about to buy a trailer. Looking for a used one then I'm going to buy a 33 inch walk behind Cub Cadet mower. Can't wait! My wife is pregnant with our first baby. WOOHOO! So life is good, busy, but good. I feel really blessed. I have a huge estimate to give today. No idea how. Guess since I'm writing to you guys I might as well ask how you all would do it. The gentleman has 800 ft of chain link fence. He is wanting me to plant shrubs that grow from 4ft - 6ft tall for privacy. I'm guessing shrubs every 3 ft??? which would equal about 266 total shrubs. How much would you guys charge to plant each one? I've never had a job even close to this size. Thinking I will just have to pass since it is just me. I would have to be out there for a week just to finish. Anyway, take care guys. I'll try to get on here more. Miss seeing how everyone is doing with their business. Matt

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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi Matt, Give us the low down about the hand. What happened? I'm learning a TON! What kinds of lessons have been standing out to you? Congrats on the new baby. I'm guessing shrubs every 3 ft??? which would equal about 266 total shrubs. What kind of equipment were you going to use to do this? Especially with your injured hand?

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[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by Steve

Hi Matt,

Give us the low down about the hand. What happened?



What kinds of lessons have been standing out to you?

Congrats on the new baby.



What kind of equipment were you going to use to do this? Especially with your injured hand?

Well I just have a very bad case of tendonitous (sp?). They gave me some meds and told me to take it easy, but that isn't going to happen.

As far as the lessons, I'm just learning the times that it takes me to do things. That is by far the hardest thing to learn. I use a stop watch on my phone for all jobs so I can learn how long it takes me to do things. Makes it easier to do estimates.

As far as this big job and equipment I have no idea. I went there today. He wants me to do the front of his fence first which is 300 feet. I'm thinking they will be 5 gallan plants and lots of rock in the area. What equipment do you guys suggest?

Matt

[Steve]

For that 300 feet with one shrub every 3 feet, that would be 100 holes to dig.

Can you rent a tractor with an auger attachment?

Well I just have a very bad case of tendonitous (sp?). They gave me some meds and told me to take it easy, but that isn't going to happen.

Do you have any idea how that got started? Was it due to lawn care work?

[jrod14]

Originally Posted by Growing Green

Hi everyone,
Time for an update. I have some down time now that I hurt my hand. Heading to dr. today.

Well as you know I've been in business since January. I now have 28 customers who are keeping me crazy busy. I'm learning a TON!

I've been able to buy the 550 Stihl Blower - that thing is AWESOME! I've bought a Stihl chainsaw, the 110R Kombi system with trimmer, hedger, edger, tree pruner attachments. I'm about to buy a trailer. Looking for a used one then I'm going to buy a 33 inch walk behind Cub Cadet mower. Can't wait!

My wife is pregnant with our first baby. WOOHOO! So life is good, busy, but good. I feel really blessed.

I have a huge estimate to give today. No idea how. Guess since I'm writing to you guys I might as well ask how you all would do it. The gentleman has 800 ft of chain link fence. He is wanting me to plant shrubs that grow from 4ft - 6ft tall for privacy. I'm guessing shrubs every 3 ft??? which would equal about 266 total shrubs. How much would you guys charge to plant each one? I've never had a job even close to this size. Thinking I will just have to pass since it is just me. I would have to be out there for a week just to finish.

Anyway, take care guys. I'll try to get on here more. Miss seeing how everyone is doing with their business.

Matt

well matt...in my opinion. its 100 holes so you know this guy isnt b essin!! say you figure the bushes will run i say at least $35 to $75 each. thats $7500 on the high end just for bushes. I would call an equipment rental place asap. get the holes done in a day. A tractor would most likely run you $300-$400 a day. get the square footage for rocks or mulch if he wants to dress it up. try marking the total of expenses by 60% to 75% for your grand total. in some cases even 100%. whatever you spend on materials...they spend on labor or 60%-75%. if he is not happy with the bid then explain what kind of numbers he would like to see. if its in your range and you can do it. go for it. or you can ask him if he has a budget he would like to stick with and see if you can accomodate the budget. i would go big or go home!! haha! thats just me though. good luck and keep us updated.

[Ducke]

Originally Posted by Growing Green

Well I just have a very bad case of tendonitous (sp?). They gave me some meds and told me to take it easy, but that isn't going to happen.

As far as the lessons, I'm just learning the times that it takes me to do things. That is by far the hardest thing to learn. I use a stop watch on my phone for all jobs so I can learn how long it takes me to do things. Makes it easier to do estimates.

As far as this big job and equipment I have no idea. I went there today. He wants me to do the front of his fence first which is 300 feet. I'm thinking they will be 5 gallan plants and lots of rock in the area. What equipment do you guys suggest?

Matt

Matt
have you tried Acupuncture for your Tendinitis I have a bad right Elbow 3 months a go I could hardly move it now I am going all out with very little discomfort.

[Steve]

whatever you spend on materials...they spend on labor or 60%-75%.

Can you tell us more about what you mean by this?

Should the man hours be based on your estimation of total hours the job should take or do you find it is easier to tie the labor costs in with a percentage of the material costs?

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by Steve

For that 300 feet with one shrub every 3 feet, that would be 100 holes to dig.

Can you rent a tractor with an auger attachment?





Do you have any idea how that got started? Was it due to lawn care work?

I found a smaller tractor along with a 12" drill and to rent will be around $140 a day. Not bad. Thanks for the suggestions!

Matt

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by Ducke

Matt
have you tried Acupuncture for your Tendinitis I have a bad right Elbow 3 months a go I could hardly move it now I am going all out with very little discomfort.

Hi Ducke,

No I haven't tried that yet. They gave me some meds so going to see how this works. If this doesn't work then maybe I'll move towards that.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Matt

[Steve]

Matt,

Keep us posted on how this job goes.