Help for starting and or failing Lawn business!

[LawnMoore]

Ok guys first i would like to say, "i appolagize for not being around lately but i am back!" On the topic: I live in one of the poorest counties in the state of florida i think. However there is nearby towns in the next 2 counties that have potential! I am however, also coming into my first year of lawn care fairly blind. My 2 questions that i need help with are, #1 What do you think is the most effective advertising method on a budget, At this time most likely a 300$ budget. #2 What other service, other than mowing is a great early spring upsell? *Any replies are encouraged and may help, not only me, but others!

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(352)682-3094 Suwannee River, Florida 32680

Visit my site, http://www.lawnmoore.com, Thanks!

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Last edited by LawnMoore; 02-15-2011 at 08:43 PM.

[950thomas]

Lawn care business tips

I like tree work as an add on service

[LawnMoore]

ok thanks for the idea, i already do tree work, and am looking for a service/upsell other than that, but thanks

I also stickied this thinking it would add it to my subscribed threads, i will most likely unsticky this, after some imput and may not depending on its replies.

Looking forward to more input from all of you as i think this is a "tipic" that a lot of us might be able to relate to and contribute to.

[950thomas]

I am upselling irrigation installs in the spring plus everything else sorry I could not help

[LawnMoore]

Oh no, you are helping!

This is not exactly my case haha, i am sure to be ok, but i wanted to help others as well, and i am sure you are helping!

However, with my insurance i am insured atm, @ 2 mill dollars, covered from landscape and tree removal, but not covered under outside plumbing, lol.. which is ironic imo, but untill i get an irrigation job i will not add it.

Any other ideas for easy/cheap advertising, or easy/lowstartup upsells?

keep in mind craigslist is great but my area is so small the nearest Clist forum is 70 miles away ;(

And if any other members have a question they believe the answer to might also help a starting or failing lawn business, please ask it!

[jymie]

The easiest way to me is to list your business on all the business directories you can find. This is FREE, as is submitting yourself to google maps and your website to all the search engines.

[psparaco]

Good upsells other then lawn care for spring are as follows in my opinion:

1. Gutter cleaning - Leaves, other debris that was caught in them during the winter.

2. Pressure washing - All concrete surfaces from salt, snow, storms, mud have dyed the surfaces but make sure to wait until the air temps are above 65 degrees unless you like dooing this line of work in the 30 degree range lol.

3. spring cleanup - can include leave removal and dethatching in the same process

4. aerating of the lawn

5. top soil delivery and installation - mid march - early april is the perfect time to start putting down new top soil, and planting those perrenial flowers but make sure its after the last frost.

6. mulch delivery and installation - can be applied anytime . i have mulch in my garden from last year. it helps keep the ground insulated from the cold during the winter months.

7. dethaching the lawn - remove of all dead grass and debris is essential.

8. exterior window cleaning - home windows are dirty from all the elements such as snow, wind blown rain, etc hitting them all winter long. as you should know windows tend to hold onto dirt better when its cold and come clean when warm.


Ok I think i touched on a good amount of upsells for the spring. I offer just about all of them.

Paul

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by psparaco

Good upsells other then lawn care for spring are as follows in my opinion:

1. Gutter cleaning - Leaves, other debris that was caught in them during the winter.

2. Pressure washing - All concrete surfaces from salt, snow, storms, mud have dyed the surfaces but make sure to wait until the air temps are above 65 degrees unless you like dooing this line of work in the 30 degree range lol.

3. spring cleanup - can include leave removal and dethatching in the same process

4. aerating of the lawn

5. top soil delivery and installation - mid march - early april is the perfect time to start putting down new top soil, and planting those perrenial flowers but make sure its after the last frost.

6. mulch delivery and installation - can be applied anytime . i have mulch in my garden from last year. it helps keep the ground insulated from the cold during the winter months.

7. dethaching the lawn - remove of all dead grass and debris is essential.

8. exterior window cleaning - home windows are dirty from all the elements such as snow, wind blown rain, etc hitting them all winter long. as you should know windows tend to hold onto dirt better when its cold and come clean when warm.


Ok I think i touched on a good amount of upsells for the spring. I offer just about all of them.

Paul

Good stuff Paul! Thanks for this info.

Matt

[Steve]

Could you also walk around your customer's house and look to see if they have issues you could resolve?

[LawnMoore]

Originally Posted by Steve

Could you also walk around your customer's house and look to see if they have issues you could resolve?

Absolutely, which makes me think of wasp removal.