Hey you all!!

[ease-z lawn care]

Hey everyone davin here. Very new to the forum thing, still trying to figure out how to navigate. Well i am an active person and thought it would be a good idea to start a lawn care business, not only that but thing are tight as well. I am starting very small, ive got a craftsman 6.5 mower a stihl fs 106 weed wacker a featherlite weed trimmer a craftsman blower and an old edger. Just had my first customer the other day and it went well, i think i under bid a little but its ok, just learning. Thats why im here, i need to learn how to bid and anyother tricks you all may have to share. I also got myself a few business cards and an add on craigslist. this is just a side job for now but would be happy to see it grow. thank you all for your help and time.

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Lawn care business tips

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your side job. That's how many start.

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[ease-z lawn care]

Hey, thank you very much!

[Steve]

Welcome to our forum!

I am starting very small, ive got a craftsman 6.5 mower a stihl fs 106 weed wacker a featherlite weed trimmer a craftsman blower and an old edger.

For those that go and buy all new commercial equipment before they start, can you give us a little insight into how the equipment you are currently using is working for you during your start up phase?

Just had my first customer the other day and it went well, i think i under bid a little but its ok, just learning.

What kind of job was it and what makes you think you underbid it?

[ease-z lawn care]

Well first off i really didn't do a good walk around, just stood in the main part of the yard and talked about what they wanted me to do. The yard was pretty overgrown, some parts at least 6 inches long and the edgeing had not been done for a long time, i would say 4 inches or so over the sidwalk and walk way. I had a small weed wacker at the time and there was a fair amount of that to do. I figured 2.5 to 3 hours tops @ 25 an hour. Now mind you the bidding thing is still somthing i need to learn, at the time it seemed fair. I had to go over at least half of the yard twice at differant heights and the ol craftsman is just not up to par for a job like that. When it was all said and done 4 hours and i maid 75 bucks. Now, we agreed on 75 from the beginning so i felt it was right to uphold the deal we made. Its all good though, i learned a few things through that job. I feel i could have made 100 off the job no prob. I am going to play arond with the calculator, very interesting. I'm going to use it on my yard and my granparents two yards and see how i do. Once again, any help from you pro's would be great, i want to do good work and be fair for people, my biggest worry is the bidding

On a differant note what do you all think of the Honda HRX mowers, thats one of my goals this season.

[Steve]

What do you feel is your ideal hourly charge for your customers?

what do you all think of the Honda HRX mowers

Do a quick search, I think there are reviews on that mower on here.

[ease-z lawn care]

Ease-Z Lawn Care
Putting your mind at ease with all your lawn care needs!

• First spring mow- $45.00(Includes edging,and blowing off walk way/drive way ect. disposing of clippings add an additional $5)

• Weekly spring mow- $35.00(Includes edging, and blowing off walk way/drive way ect. Disposing of clippings add an additional$5)

• Bi-weekly mow during summer months $35.00

• Weeding, pruning, trimming ect, Will be bid apon arrival.

This is a basic price sheet for a standerd sized yard, all of this is subject to change depending on size and difficulty of your yard. I look forward to serving you and working hard to make your yard look the best that it can look. If you already have a lawn care provider please pass this on to a friend or family member as I am trying to build a clientel. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please call anytime for a bid or discuss what you need me to do.

This is what i have come up with for the time being until i get out there and and learn a little, does this make sense? Is there anything you all would recommend? I feel at this time ist going to work out for me at the same time being fair for my customer.

[Steve]

What is the plan with this price list? Is this just for you or do you use this in your marketing?

[ease-z lawn care]

Im going to hand these out door to door for now, its not somthing im fond of doing but it may work. Also around here in Walla Walla it seems that word of mouth is very effective, loft of fam and friends doing this for me already.

[Steve]

Great! Make sure they all have extra business cards to hand out too.