For those who subcontract mowing....

[USA Lawn Care]

i will bring up one more comment. Everyone here knows what the owner of a lawn care company does in the morning, during the day, at night getting ready for the next day. If I find someone to sub my accounts to.....in the morning I'm doing exactly the same things.....checking on the owner's crew....driving around looking at yards, talking with clients, following up on the schedule and who's finished, what the weather is going to be like that week....... I just don't see the big deal and why it's so different. The difference is that I've put someone in charge (no different than if i have a foreman) and it's his gear, his gas, his guys to deal with, his overhead, etc. I have time to go get a quick round of golf in and check back in by noon. For everyone who would never do it.......I'm sure you know at least one other guy out there that you would have no problem subbing out a yard to if you needed to. A friend in the business. Someone who's just an outstanding guy that you can trust. Try it with an account or two. Hmmm....you're making money....your friend is making money....maybe you pick up 3 or 4 more in that neighborhood....."hey, want to mow these too while you're there?". Try it. You might be surprised at how nice it works.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

I do hope you find much success at doing this. We don't see it happen to often because of the problems we discussed here, but that doesn't mean they can't be overcome. Keep us posted on how it all goes.

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[USA Lawn Care]

thank you for everyone who chimed in.
I do appreciate the feedback.
I'll keep you posted when we start mowing.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by USA Lawn Care

thank you for everyone who chimed in.
I do appreciate the feedback.
I'll keep you posted when we start mowing.

hope it all works out for you.

[MAKLawnCutter]

I do sub work in a high end neighborhood, we do a 75/25 split and it only last 6 months, if they customer is happy with My work, the customer has an option to change to MY contract from the old one. I am doing the work weekly, i should be able to hold the contract for the rest of the season. If they arent happy with my service, he takes the contract back over... this is my first season doing this so... we shall see!

Matt

[Steve]

I do sub work in a high end neighborhood, we do a 75/25 split and it only last 6 months, if they customer is happy with My work, the customer has an option to change to MY contract from the old one. I am doing the work weekly, i should be able to hold the contract for the rest of the season. If they arent happy with my service, he takes the contract back over... this is my first season doing this so... we shall see!

This is very interesting! How does this work out for you? Are there rules they require you to follow?

What's your view on this process if you like it or not now?

[OutdoorServicesIowa]

Let me start by saying I have a full time job. I am trying to fully break into the lawncare field but still have to work for the guaranteed income, you know bills, etc. Last season I had a contract on a small liquor store and 1 apartment complex. I lost the liquor store contract due to the owner selling the store and new owner wants to handle himself. I am really interested in finding companies to subcontract for. I am extremely hard working, mechanicly inclined and dedicated to always performing quality work whether it be for my business or my job. The problem is I am not a salesperson whatsoever, and I don't have much experience bidding jobs. This is why I'm wanting to subcontract for someone. The problem I'm having is finding someone to sub for since I don't have a ton of experience. Any one have any good ideas on selling the hard working dependable guy to some of these guys. I'm really interested in commercial properties due to scheduling and sometimes the 52inch exmark is hard to wiggle into residential areas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by USA Lawn Care

i will bring up one more comment. Everyone here knows what the owner of a lawn care company does in the morning, during the day, at night getting ready for the next day. If I find someone to sub my accounts to.....in the morning I'm doing exactly the same things.....checking on the owner's crew....driving around looking at yards, talking with clients, following up on the schedule and who's finished, what the weather is going to be like that week.......
I just don't see the big deal and why it's so different. The difference is that I've put someone in charge (no different than if i have a foreman) and it's his gear, his gas, his guys to deal with, his overhead, etc. I have time to go get a quick round of golf in and check back in by noon.

For everyone who would never do it.......I'm sure you know at least one other guy out there that you would have no problem subbing out a yard to if you needed to. A friend in the business. Someone who's just an outstanding guy that you can trust. Try it with an account or two. Hmmm....you're making money....your friend is making money....maybe you pick up 3 or 4 more in that neighborhood....."hey, want to mow these too while you're there?". Try it. You might be surprised at how nice it works.

Hi i started my own company just recently and have been thinking about what you just said, i want vacation time and when that time comes i need somone ready to help my worker or at least to take care of driving for my worker and subcontracting for 1-2 weeks looks like something that can be done.

I read the whole thread and i think if i was working with you i would ask you for no less than 25%. yes you found me the client and the work but i am providing everything else, now if you are willing to provide at least 50 accounts to sub i would def go to 20% nothing less but now that is way to low if you are charging a client $50/cutting i would only get $10 for my time right now with the accounts i have i make an average of $40/cutting i guess someone looking for money would def go for something like 20%.

i think most people here misunderstood you and they think you will subcontract for ever which i also think its not possible unless you change your subcontractor every few months.

another thing if you are in the gardening/landscaping business and you do not get at least 2-3 new clients a week during the season i think you are not investing enough in your advertising!
can you explain to me what kind of people would sub for me? i need to get someone to take some of my accounts for 1-2 weeks

[USA Lawn Care]

you're looking at the #'s backwards.........80/20 is 80% for the guy mowing and 20% for you. A $40 yard would net you $32 and I would keep $8 as the owner.

Do this (I did). Place an ad in craiglist in the 'general' want ads looking for mowing subcontractors for your specific area. Ask for companies with insurance and honest people looking for 'fill in' work. You will get PLENTY of responses for guys out there looking to build their businesses. That is exactly how I built mine years ago........had about 25 of my own and cut another 75 or so that were subbed to me. Also, ask for crews that do not have company markings on the sides of their trucks. Do this BEFORE you need to find someone....feed them some accounts....build a relationship....then when you want to go on vacation, you have your crew.

[USA Lawn Care]

also.....as i built my business, I subbed accounts for the same guy for 5 years. You don't need to change up sub's.....just add more.