Beginner in the Lawn Care Business

I live in a some what rural community in New Jersey but with lots of money to go around. I have handed out close to 750 fliers, posted ad after ad on craigslist, and put business cards around many business in and around my town. I have received 5 calls and 5 lawns 3 of them family and friends and 2 non with one being in a community of 200 homes with lots from .25 to .33 a acre. I have qouted those at 25 to 35 depending on trimming and edging and removal of clippings. I have come up with a formula for giving out estimates 25- 1/4 of a acre 30- 1/2 a acre 35- 3/4 of a acre 40- 1 acre 45- 1 1/4 acre 50- 1 1/2 acre 55- 1 3/4 acre 60- 2 acres please let me know if you think this is too low too high The equiment I have is: 2002 Jeep Liberty 4 x 6 Trailer 2010 Scag SW - Belt-Drive Walk-Behind- 36" 15hp Kohler Stihl BG 55 Stihl FS 45 Trimmer Tell me what you think feel free to critize.

[jessechaveriat]

Lawn care business tips

id make my minimum 35. 50 for an acre, and so forth. depending on how far you have to drive. Good job on getting replies so early. post a copy of your flyer if you have one.

Logo and Company Name Big up top here

Basic Lawn Maintenance for All Seasons

Spring to Summer Maintenance-
Mowing, Weed Whacking, Edging, and Weeding
Removal of Grass Clippings if desired

Fall Clean-Up-
Leaves, Sticks, Tree Limbs
Removal if desired

Grass Seeding

Land & Vegetation Clearing-
With Removal of Debris if desired

Storm Clean-Up-
Cutting, Chipping, and Shredding of Debris with removal if desired

Snow Removal & Salting-
Driveways, Side Walks, Patios, Oil Tank Fill Ups

Here is where my name and phone number are listed on it

I didnt know about Steve and his forum and his youtube videos until after I made up the fliers and he says not to put you logo or company name on top which I did.

I'm thinking about adding to my flier I am a firm believe in giving back to the community I would like to over senior citizens 10% discounts and active or retired military personel the same what do you about this.

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum!

please let me know if you think this is too low too high

I don't think you can ever be too high if you are getting the job. If you aren't getting the jobs cause of price, then you might need to lower it.

I didnt know about Steve and his forum and his youtube videos until after I made up the fliers and he says not to put you logo or company name on top which I did.

What's your view now on that?

I agree with you completely. It makes sense you need to make people want to read your flier not just see its a lawn care service but something that makes them think to continue on reading.

Thanks again for all the insight into the business.

[Steve]

I have received 5 calls and 5 lawns 3 of them family and friends and 2 non with one being in a community of 200 homes with lots from .25 to .33 a acre.

That is great! How do you take those properties and use them as a beach head to reach out to other customers in those immediate areas?

Yes completely,
This first year starting out I'm not planning on going in big to make alot of money just enough to cover what I've spent I just decided today that i wasnt gonna order my scag and my utility trailer that I've been planning on getting since I first thought about starting the business, but to invest more wisely and go with a big mower a 48 bobcat classic and a haulmark 5x8 enclosed trailer with it all being the same price as a 36 scag and mesh utility trailer. With the enclosed trailer it will protect my equiment from the weather and no need to worry about come winter where am I gonna store my mower with out having to store it at my grandparents pole barn in PA. With the 48 I can cover those properties faster and the enclosed trailer looks more professional and I plan on putting my logo on both sides real big. The best part is that I went just 5 dollars under what they were charged last season for weekly mowing at all the lawns I got contracts for one of the residentals property is in a neighborhood of 200 some odd houses, I also just picked up my neighbor down the street even though he does his own lawn his craftsman mower is cutting out and I dont need to charge him that much at all for 3/4 of acre since our road leads to that big development its like model lawn to show interesting customers what I will make there lawns look like. But word of mouth is coming around and I had T-shirts and a sweatshirt made up last month and wear them where ever I go.

[Steve]

That is fantastic! You should get some of those business card holders for your truck or trailer too.

[matt45]

For me i need to make at least a buck a minute. Thats everything mow, trim and blow. Thats what i need to make money and if i can get more even better.

Where can I get those holders at. I Would like to put on on my trailer. I currently don't have a truck. Hopefully by next summer I'll have the money to buy a used one and fix it up and paint it new as it will be my secondary vehicle.
Thanks again
Steve for all your knowledge and useful help.