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Introduce Yourself Welcome all new forum members. Please introduce yourself and tell us about you. Tell us about your company. How did you get started? How long have you been in business? What do you do for fun? Don't be shy, say hello! It's fun and educational to interact on the forum!

Starting up in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia!


Introduce Yourself

Welcome all new forum members. Please introduce yourself and tell us about you. Tell us about your company. How did you get started? How long have you been in business? What do you do for fun? Don't be shy, say hello! It's fun and educational to interact on the forum!
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  #11  
Old 02-10-2012, 01:18 PM
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A couple of thoughts I have on this are, how will you know you will like this until you get your feet wet a bit and would it be nicer to put less money in early on and have the rest of your money as back up in case you decide to take your business into a new direction that you hadnt initially thought of?

For instance, look at our member picframer, he started with lawn care but quickly found a lot more profitable work in light excavation so he changed his business course and found much success because of it. If he didn't have the money to buy the equipment he needed to do that, he might not have even attempted to go in that direction.
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  #12  
Old 02-11-2012, 07:18 PM
HAMPTON ROADS LAWN CARE HAMPTON ROADS LAWN CARE is offline
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Lawn care business tips
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevef1201 View Post
For the most part people dont care what your 'rig' looks like, A clean good looking truck, a working mower, working equipment is whats important.

Remember thsi:

Your customer does not care how hard you work, what equipment you had to use, what they care about is does the yard look good, and is the cost reasonable.

This is great advice I do kinda feel like it is what it is all they want is the right outcome i remember thats probably why i made so much $$$ when I was young in my neighborhood with my mower gas can and bicycle lol
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Old 02-11-2012, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by wandfsmall View Post
I think that depends on the client. You show up to some high end neighborhoods with a tractor mower and you will loose jobs as appearances mater to some people.

This is my concern because ultimately I would like to work in the high end neighborhoods in Williamsburg because i believe this is where the real $$$ is to be made from leaf clean up and lawn care as well is plowing when it snows.

But I understand i have to start somewhere so thats why I was going to start doing small residential until I get my foot in the door.
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Old 02-11-2012, 07:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willshome View Post
If looks are what your thinking about (and I fully understand)
I would go with a bigger used trailer with racks (trimmers & blower) give it a fresh coat of paint and good signs
Most 99.99% of customer don't know anything about mowers. I would get a basic walk behind (they last long time) and you will want a backup mower later and this would be great
I actually have made up my mind for now kinda lol

Looks are where it is at I believe so I am going to buy a new walk behind and a 5 x 10 utility trailer with 2ft screened in sides for (mulching season) then add the racks. This way everything is new and will get me @ least 2 years to start.
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Old 02-11-2012, 07:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve View Post
A couple of thoughts I have on this are, how will you know you will like this until you get your feet wet a bit and would it be nicer to put less money in early on and have the rest of your money as back up in case you decide to take your business into a new direction that you hadnt initially thought of?

For instance, look at our member picframer, he started with lawn care but quickly found a lot more profitable work in light excavation so he changed his business course and found much success because of it. If he didn't have the money to buy the equipment he needed to do that, he might not have even attempted to go in that direction.


I appreciate this input Steve as you see the above post what I am going to buy then im going to save so that I can get a commercial 0 turn and 18-20 ft enclosed trailer and start bidding commercial jobs and apartment complexes when I get a little more experience and I am ready to dive into this full time and leave my job!

Thanks for everyones inputs!!

Will
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Old 02-11-2012, 09:25 PM
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I'm from Hampton Road's Area myself. :-D Haven't been back home for awhile. Hope it works for ya!
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Old 02-11-2012, 09:56 PM
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I'm from Hampton Road's Area myself. :-D Haven't been back home for awhile. Hope it works for ya!

THANK YOU MUCH!!!


I have got my fingers crossed lol
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Old 02-11-2012, 09:57 PM
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Also what would be the best way to try and get some accounts that maybe some other companies either don't want or don't have time for because they are to busy or have to many accounts already???
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Old 02-13-2012, 01:59 PM
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Quote:
Also what would be the best way to try and get some accounts that maybe some other companies either don't want or don't have time for because they are to busy or have to many accounts already???
Are you thinking about contacting other lawn care business owners in your area and asking them to send their overflow of business your way or are you looking more to be marketing to the consumer to do this?
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  #20  
Old 02-17-2012, 05:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve View Post
Are you thinking about contacting other lawn care business owners in your area and asking them to send their overflow of business your way or are you looking more to be marketing to the consumer to do this?

No I was thinking to contact some other companies and try to get something worked out like I take north and I send them my south of if they have to many accounts when new ones pop up to give me a call if they cant cut them!

Would that be crazy do you think????
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