Am I Stupid!!!???

[jacksonslawncare]

I am trying to start a landscaping business. I don't have much. I have a push mower, backpack blower, and a trimmer. I pull a small 5x8 trailer with my grand am and I charge $20 per mow. If I need a garden tractor I will rent one with 42" cut from Aarons. Please tell me I am not stupid. Any advice would help it has always been my passion to own my own company. Thank u Cassidy

[bruces]

Lawn care business tips

you are not stupid ! Many have started succesfull business's with less than you already have .Pay attention to your costs ,and charge a reasonably profitable rate for your services .

[Hedgemaster]

You are only stupid if you are charging $20 when it should be $40.




You can do it. It's not as easy as some would have you believe (unless you are operating illegally), but it's certainly not rocket science. With a little effort, you can make it happen. Oh, and a little money doesn't hurt either! (Good equipment is expensive)

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum!

When do you determine or how do you determine if you need to rent a lawn tractor?

Also, can you show us a picture of your set up so far? I'd like to see it and I think it would inspire others to get started who dont have a truck yet.

[shadrach]

Everybody starts somewhere. It seems like to get noticed to start with you 1) do work cheaper 2) do work that no one else wants to do or 3) have a network of people that you know to get work from. Market to people based on the equipment you have - make flyers and hit areas/subdivisions with smaller lots or lots of obstacles. "Senior discount" will probably get a lot of hits for you too.I would think with your price point it will be pretty easy to find work. Keep extra blades for your mower and keep them sharp. Nice looking signs on the trailer if you can. It is a word of mouth business - do high quality work and people will happily refer you to others. The main thing that people seem to underestimate is the amount of effort and marketing it takes to get customers - they don't come to you to start with, you have to go find them. Good luck.

[Steve]

Everybody starts somewhere. It seems like to get noticed to start with you 1) do work cheaper 2) do work that no one else wants to do or 3) have a network of people that you know to get work from.

At what point do you find lawn care business owners get away from this or should they always keep this in mind?

[shadrach]

2) should be "do work that no one else wants to do or is doing" . I think it is part of the business all the time. #1 is the thing you want to get away from as soon as possible but not always entirely.Its supply and demand up to a point - the first guy I get to hire me to mow his lawn is probably going to get a better price than the 20th guy. #2 you learn to make money with - if few others are willing to do a particular task( or equipped to do it) you can charge a premium for it. #3 is a group of people that should constantly expand - you start by getting work from people you know , eventually you get referred to people from the work that you have done.

[brian'slawncare]

who dont have a truck yet

Like me ^^ LOL
I still ride my Turf Tracer around the neighborhood

I started off with everything you have but I didnt have a trailer/truck and I had a 33" mower

your off to a good start!

[jacksonslawncare]

I think I make that decision based on how big the yard is. If the yard is big enough where it would take me more than an hour with a push mower than I rent one. I hate not having money lol. More advice guys please. What do I say to people when I do door to door?

[Steve]

What do I say to people when I do door to door?

As you walk up to their door, you should get a look at the property and see if there are any issues that stand out which you could help them resolve.