I thought I was ready...

I am considering starting a lawn care business, but it seems like every street I go down now has a truck with mowers. How do I compete with these guys??? John

How to get lawn care customers - Vol 2

Do Better Work

[Steve]

Hi John,

Welcome to our forum.

Don't let any of that discourage you. Everyone has to get started somewhere if they are going to start.

I'd say just get started and do the best job you can. Be the friendliest guy you can. If you enjoy it and love it, you will attract more customers.

What do you feel has stopped you from getting started so far?

Hi Steve,

Just a brief history...I was laid off last April from a manufacturing management job in upstate NY and have spent most of my time looking for work and going to boring interviews, and then I thought... why don't I start a business I could do myself. I've worked hard for other people all my life so why not work hard for for me?

I take care of my property which is about 5+ acres which I love to do and while mowing I had this thought of lawn care. I love being outdoors and the thought of working for myself got me thinking more.

I started doing research and ran across your sight which is very helpful!

What has stopped me so far? I'm 52 and thought maybe it might be too risky at this age, but it is something I know I could do a great job at.

John

[jeffery9076]

first of all anyone can purchase a mower and go into biz. But can they get quality results /some of these crews suck at mowing and trimming that gets my buddy alot of jobs becuase they suck at trimming with a weed wacker. If you do good work people will notice the results.I have seen butchered weed wacking jobs and weed wacking done in hot weather that has ruined the edge of flower and mulch beds excessive low weed wacking. Another one is vinyle fences trailer skirting destroyed stay away from that stuff expecially when it is cold. I am 41 and i had a carpet cleaning biz for 10 years that biz is alot harder to get customers and not a weekly mow job. and alot of competition to. It is always scary making that jump but look into some flyers and other advertising methods alot of good ideas on here and---- JUMP ----learn from your mistakes and move forward i think most people could be profitable even part time- good luck and JUMP

That's a good point. I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day to let him know about my lawn care idea and he told me he was very disappointed with his current guy and the problems he had with bad service.

[Steve]

I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day to let him know about my lawn care idea and he told me he was very disappointed with his current guy and the problems he had with bad service.

Keep us posted about how this turns out. I bet this could lead you to even more jobs.

[dhawk]

Originally Posted by johnb6425

That's a good point. I had lunch with a friend of mine the other day to let him know about my lawn care idea and he told me he was very disappointed with his current guy and the problems he had with bad service.

THAT is how it all starts!

I'm new at this, but this is exactly what I love about it.

You find a prospective customer who is not happy with their current service.

You get that one account, and work hard to make it look better than all the neighbors.

You get the neighbors account as well once they see your clients yard looks better than theirs.

You work hard and try to make that lawn look better than Lawn #1

And the cycle goes on from there.............

What book or books would you recommend first for someone just starting a lawn care business?

Thanks...

[Steve]

--> Here is a lawn care business book list.

http://www.gopherforum.com/showthread.php?t=7504

Here is a list of great general business books.

http://gopherforum.com/showthread.php?t=208