What is your Signature?

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by picframer I am currently without a working camera, I have six sites we just finished that I need to post images of, two I will use as marketing as the results are really something. Anyhow all the guys are working at my place today, clearing fallen trees, bringing in firewood, chipping and helping me finish a drain so I will have some time to get some errands done and get a camera. You spend too much time on this forum that's why

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Justin Pitre
Just in Time Yard Services

[majoe7]

Lawn care business tips

What I enjoy and look forward to doing other than the usual is Hedge Trimming and Mulch jobs. I know a lot of you say WHAT??? I take pride when I finish a hedge job and it looks great. I mean the edges are sharp and the height is matching. If they have entrance ways in the hedge I like shaping it to look like it belongs with the entrance. One job I use different heights to make it look like it has towers at the ends. As for the mulch jobs, I go over board. I tend to use 4” of mulch so it is deep and rich looking. I build an edge along the grass that stands up and when you lay down the mulch it blends into the scenery and stands out. I try to match the color of the mulch that goes along with the color scheme of the house. I use natural, dark red and hardwood bark. Hardwood bark gives it a rich look and is easy to use. The reward other than pride and the fact that your client loves the end product and you can make good money in doing these jobs. I charge $30 per hour in the trimming and each job takes about 5 hours. Mulch is @ $60 per hour plus materials. I buy the mulch in bulk and pick it up. That saves money. I get mulch for $20 per yard and half. My mark up is 25% on goods. I quote the client to total job price and not by the hour. My good friend owns the company and I refer other LCO’s to him for a good price. If I need more than 3 yards he will deliver it to me for $20 for any amount. I know it labor intensive and sometimes back breaking but if you have been doing it as long as I have it comes easy.

[mark123]

My signature would have to be the green, weed free and striped lawns. As long as the customers let me do the work that needs to be done it looks right. I appreciate them trusting me and they appreciate the look.

[picframer]

Originally Posted by justin_time

You spend too much time on this forum that's why

Ha gotca ya!!! My $14.99 charger arrived in the mail today from ebay, I was so busy today I didn't open the camera I bought so I will return it

[Steve]

My signature would have to be the green, weed free and striped lawns. As long as the customers let me do the work that needs to be done it looks right. I appreciate them trusting me and they appreciate the look.

Mark that lawn looks fantastic! The members of the church must talk about you and your services a lot! How has that high level work effected your referrals?

What I enjoy and look forward to doing other than the usual is Hedge Trimming and Mulch jobs. I know a lot of you say WHAT??? I take pride when I finish a hedge job and it looks great. I mean the edges are sharp and the height is matching. If they have entrance ways in the hedge I like shaping it to look like it belongs with the entrance. One job I use different heights to make it look like it has towers at the ends.
As for the mulch jobs, I go over board. I tend to use 4” of mulch so it is deep and rich looking. I build an edge along the grass that stands up and when you lay down the mulch it blends into the scenery and stands out. I try to match the color of the mulch that goes along with the color scheme of the house. I use natural, dark red and hardwood bark. Hardwood bark gives it a rich look and is easy to use.

It looks like you picked the right business for you to be in. You describe this as an artisan! It's fantastic to hear! Do you have any pictures of the jobs you thought of as you wrote this?

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Mark that lawn looks fantastic! The members of the church must talk about you and your services a lot! How has that high level work effected your referrals?

Thanks. I give the same level of service to them even if they don't pay full rate (I give them a huge break on the cost and return the tithe to them, kind of like a double discount, I suppose). They let me have full reign over the lawn care so I give them the full deal, fertilizing, weed control, soil test and mowing.

They actually asked me to post a lawn sign, inviting me to advertise there. I've just got to come up with something.

[Steve]

They actually asked me to post a lawn sign, inviting me to advertise there. I've just got to come up with something.

Maybe you could come up with a driveway entrance landscape display that had a sign in there?

Or maybe you could install a custom cross bush. This was talked about in another post here.

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve

Maybe you could come up with a driveway entrance landscape display that had a sign in there?

Great idea. I'm going to have to clean up the current landscape first. The shrubs are all overgrown and need to go. Hmm. That's probably a project for early next year. I'll start planning now.

Originally Posted by Steve

Or maybe you could install a custom cross bush. This was talked about in another post here.

Another great idea. Maybe a Christian fish symbol, too. I can prepare these over the winter and have them ready to install in spring.

You're giving me some excellent ideas.

[Steve]

Another great idea. Maybe a Christian fish symbol, too. I can prepare these over the winter and have them ready to install in spring.

You're giving me some excellent ideas.

Oh yea! That would be fantastic! If you do this, take pictures of the process. I bet other churches in the area would want you to do this for them as well!

What about outdoor Christmas lighting? Could you decorate the church ground with outdoor decorations for the holidays too and make it a real show place?

[CHEESE2009]

I always seem to get minor & major problems, yet I am one lucky SOB! LOL

If I'm limited & solo at the worst times, I kick butt non stop!

When your one man, doing such crazy labor, you feel like a hero!

All in all, being a one man army & kicking arse at what I do is my signature.

LOL, BOOYA!

I'm the guy who's mower runs out of gas, ONLY AFTER I get over a hill, then I roll it down & back to the truck ! Ya baby!