Good Help

I have a question regarding finding good help. This year I have 25 customers and I am looking for a full time job. My problem is that its too much work for one person but not enough for 2. I have asked alot of people but no one seems to want to do it. I did have a 25 year old guy say he was interested but then when it came time to start cutting he kind of backed out. I don't want to hire a 16 year old who isn't going to do a good job. But most people in there mid 20's are looking for benefits and 40 hours per week. I pay $10 per hour. I know the economy is bad but I don't know where to go to find a decent worker. Should I increase my hourly rate to intice good help? Or should I cut back on my customers so that I can handle it by myself? I was just doing this as part time for a nice little extra cash.

[jklawncare]

Lawn care business tips

in my opinion..i wouldnt discriminate by age..just cause your 16 dosnt mean you wont to a good job.. if your worried about the quality of his work why not have him do some of the basics to your lawn or even his..that could act as an interview and give you an idea of how hard working he is.

__________________
Just Kut Lawn and Landscape
"Where Service is Always in Season"
Reach for the stars so if you fall you land on a cloud.

[swstout]

Originally Posted by tomcat172002

I have a question regarding finding good help. This year I have 25 customers and I am looking for a full time job. My problem is that its too much work for one person but not enough for 2. I have asked alot of people but no one seems to want to do it. I did have a 25 year old guy say he was interested but then when it came time to start cutting he kind of backed out. I don't want to hire a 16 year old who isn't going to do a good job. But most people in there mid 20's are looking for benefits and 40 hours per week. I pay $10 per hour. I know the economy is bad but I don't know where to go to find a decent worker. Should I increase my hourly rate to intice good help? Or should I cut back on my customers so that I can handle it by myself? I was just doing this as part time for a nice little extra cash.

Here, the fire department has a on 24 off 48 shift schedule. I have one employee who is great and a fireman. He is on one day and off 2 and the schedule works well for him and for me. He can work for me 4 days one week and 5 days the next. He is happy with the part time status as long as I work with him on his schedule.

He is mature and a good worker.

You might look into this. Just go to the firehouse and ask.

Steve

[picframer]

I have two school bus drivers, four university students that have graduated but haven't found a job and 12 full time university students, I pay $15.00 to $25.00 an hour depending on what their role is, I pay for a one hour lunch and coffee/muffin in the mornings, every Thursday evening I pay for pizza or wings, you pay for your own beer, I supply CSA approved workboots (we use the Stihl Landscape boots), workgloves, shirts, jacket and any safety gear associated with your role such as chainsaw pants, hardhat, ear protection etc.

I have only had to dehire one person in the past.

[Steve]

This year I have 25 customers and I am looking for a full time job. My problem is that its too much work for one person but not enough for 2.

I am trying to figure out the direction you are going here. Are you looking to take on a full time job somewhere outside of your business and then hire someone to work for you to do the cutting?

I used to work a job that I had 4 days on and 3 days off during the week. I started to cut lawns on the side for some extra cash I had only 12 customers the first year it was nice. What happened is my job laid me off. Now I am looking for a full time job I need benefits, and a retirement plan. I cannot survive on 26 customers. Once I get a full time job then its going to be almost impossible to work 40 normal hours per week and then cut 26 lawns on the side. Another lawn cutter told me he took out an ad and got 80 responses. He said $15 dollars per hour is way too much start at $10. I need someone during the week that can take out my equipment and get the job done. I found someone for $15 per hour but I am not sure how he is going to work out. The firemen here make 19.80 per hour starting they are not gonig to work for me for $10.00 per hour. Right now because it gets dark later in the evening I can do it by myself, but come fall time when it gets dark around 4pm gonig to be in trouble. How much would you pay someone to go out and cut the lawns for all your customers?

To me it seems like you might want to cut back a little. I think you might have a hard time finding someone to take care of your business while you pay them only ten dollars an hour as thats the going rate around here for a new hire with no or little experience, though it may be diffrent in your area. But you are putting the day to day operation of your business into anothers hands so i think that should be worth more then $10 per hour. I cant help but wonder if there is a problem that needs your attention, will they be able to contact you at your "full-time" job, or are you going to let them make those decisions?

[The Cleaning Doctor]

Why not go the other way. Get more customers and then get a part time night job.

Is 15 dollars an hour too much? I have a guy that can work my business about 1 to 2 days a week. I know starting is 10 but I heard 15 for general labor in todays economy is pretty good. I just don't need someone to leave me as soon as something better comes along. Its hard to beat 15 per hour. What do you guys think?

[Steve]

If it works for you and for your employee, then it's fantastic

Keep us posted on how it all turns out.