Be Careful - Learn From My Mistake

[hotwired]

1. Don't worry too much if your friend hasn't priced them properly, as long as they're in teh "ball park." It's much easier to increase prices (reasonably) with a "captive audience" that knows you do good work than it is to get NEW customers. (they already KNOW you do good work, and if you go up, and they want to switch, they now have to take on the work of making phone calls, and the risk that the new guy will not be as good, and they'll have to start over again) 2. I think it's almost a no brainer to have relationships with a group of "friendly" competitors. If you have 50 lawns, make sure you have enough relationships to be able to dole out 10 lawns to 5 different competitors. I actually have lawns that I sub out to a couple of competitors that I've mentored in the past. It's been an exceptional experience. Disclaimer: This is just my opinion, and many have told me, "Ken, you just ain't right!!"

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Kenneth LaVoie III
LaVoie's Landscape Mgmt. Inc. - Winslow, Maine

Author of - How to start a lawn care business a whole new way.
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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

If you have 50 lawns, make sure you have enough relationships to be able to dole out 10 lawns to 5 different competitors. I actually have lawns that I sub out to a couple of competitors that I've mentored in the past. It's been an exceptional experience. When you say dole out 10 lawns, do you mean just give them the lawn or are you subcontracting the mowing to them? What benefit do you feel is gained from doing this?

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