Getting ready to start delegating

[cruzgardening]

hey guys i started working on my own late last year, i bought the business from a friend, now i have grown the business to about the size where i want to start delegating some of the work to my workers, right now i have one guy who works for me for $12/hr i trained him and he is super efficient and has an eye for detail now he is really trust worthy and i would not mind letting him drive a truck and get him a helper i estimated that they can finish the same amount of work int he same time as me and my helper usually we do average 12 homes in 1 working day they are well maintained and i keep on top of all my clients needs. Now my question is what is the best way to delegate work? should i tell my loyal worker he is becoming supervisor or should i just tell him he is in charge without giving him a raise? the minimum wage in california is $8 so the help will be getting that he is getting $4 more then the average worker in my area. also he knows how to speak english but all my clients call me or txt me if they need any work anything i need to know before starting to delegate? I will be making a 2 truck business and i will start working 5 of my most valuable clients while the other truck will be taking care of the rest of the clients that leaves me enough time to give estimates, talk to current clients, get more clients and supervise the work the guys have done what are your guys experience doing this? what works the best? how many homes or how much money should i be making monthly to make this possible? we currently maintain 67 homes a week. please let me know what other kinds of problems and benefits u guys have encounter thank you

[cleancutlawncare5382]

Lawn care business tips

I will be interested to follow along with this subject also. I don't have anywhere near 67 lawns but with a full time job my 11 clients keep me busy. Here in Pennsylvania the minimum wage is $7.25, I have hired two helpers at $10 per hour. They get about 6 hours per week on Saturday. They are school students so it all works out. I have stopped taking new customers in fear of not being able to service them regularly. My next step would to hire a someone mre full time.

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www.montgomerysqualitylawncare.com

[Steve]

should i tell my loyal worker he is becoming supervisor or should i just tell him he is in charge without giving him a raise? the minimum wage in california is $8 so the help will be getting that he is getting $4 more then the average worker in my area.

What kind or raise were you considering giving him?

[Fisher]

Any guy I've ever put into a truck to drive I simply gave him $1 per hour more for driving. Other than that unless they were running a full crew I never considered them a supervisor as both guys should know the jobs and expectations of their work.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Steve

What kind or raise were you considering giving him?

the current guy that works with me is getting $12/hr he is the best payed employee around here, so a raise is still in consideration, if i do give him a raise it might only be $1 and i will be paying his help $8/hr

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Fisher

Any guy I've ever put into a truck to drive I simply gave him $1 per hour more for driving. Other than that unless they were running a full crew I never considered them a supervisor as both guys should know the jobs and expectations of their work.

what do u mean running a full crew?

[Fisher]

Originally Posted by cruzgardening

what do u mean running a full crew?

As far as lawn care goes I seldom have more than two people on any one residential site. For me a full crew is 4 or more guys being on the same job for extended periods of time whether it's maintenance or full scale landscaping projects. Two or three guys knowing what their part (assuming they have the equipment to keep them busy) will be efficient on their own. I feel beyond that whether it is 4 or 8 guys on the same job that I lose efficiency and instead of having a few guys standing around letting others pull their slack it's best to know you have one to take charge to keep them busy or even just help to keep everyone focused.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Fisher

As far as lawn care goes I seldom have more than two people on any one residential site. For me a full crew is 4 or more guys being on the same job for extended periods of time whether it's maintenance or full scale landscaping projects. Two or three guys knowing what their part (assuming they have the equipment to keep them busy) will be efficient on their own. I feel beyond that whether it is 4 or 8 guys on the same job that I lose efficiency and instead of having a few guys standing around letting others pull their slack it's best to know you have one to take charge to keep them busy or even just help to keep everyone focused.

so having a trusted guy, without making him supervisor, taking charge is the best way you think?

[cleancutlawncare5382]

I think if it were me I would stay away from the Supervisor title. But maybe you should create job decriptions and define them to the employee's.
Something like:
Entry level = mowing, trimming, edging, ect $8 per hour
Level 2 + All the above and ensure trucks perpared for the days work. $12 per hour.
Something like that.

[Steve]

I think if it were me I would stay away from the Supervisor title.

What is your view on why you like that better?