Shot In The Foot!!

[JLM]

I just shot myself in the foot!! I may need to drop all 16 of my new accounts to pick up this new H.O.A with 150 homes, 4 large common areas, and a clubhouse, all of wich are full service. I just picked up 16 accounts in the past 3 weeks using target phone calling and door hangers. In a hurry to pick up more customers I had an awsome marketing idea and IT WORKED toooo well Now im in a fix, I never thought I would get the results I have gotten....what to do well... here are my options. 1. Drop all 16 of my new customers. 2. Hire 3 men buy a used truck (already have equipment) 3. Not take on the H.O.A... 4. Sub out the 16 homes for a term...I know a fella I have the funds to take the leap... but if I fall...Im not sure I can get back up. I think its to soon to expand but thats just me. Will you please give me your professional opinion I have 30 days before work begins on the H.O.A

__________________
If you can't be good..Be good at it!

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

Lawn care business tips

The three guys would cover the HOA? Its all about what you would like to do. How long will the hoa take? 16 clients and depending on the size is about 1.5-2 days. With three guys probably one.

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Liberty Landscaping LLC
www.libertylndscpng.com
Woodbridge, NJ

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

I would do it but wouldnt rely on subs. I had a fews subs damage my reputation this winter when they wouldnt show and it took me to long to get there.

[The Cleaning Doctor]

Obviously, you have found what makes you the most money and that is sales. I say if you have the funds then go for it. Hire one good guy as the supervisor and two helpers.

Then you go out and sell more and add another crew. Now go out and get some more HOA accounts and some smaller single accounts to fill in the gaps.

[OziGardenGuy]

Just make sure that less than 30% of your income comes from one customer.

I may have misunderstood your post, but it looks like you've hooked a big one and it could, if they leave you, make things difficult.

Please, be prudent.

Cheers - OziGardenGuy.

[dpld]

i would try to do both and i would not give up the new accounts either because that would tarnish your name.

keep in mind that these hoa's are about as reliable as a wet chinese firecracker.
next year someone comes along and beats your price and you are out the door.
i personally think it is good luck to take on a ton of work because for some strange reason it is always feast or famine, you either are struggleing to get new work or you have more then you can handle and the way it always turns out the work and money always come when you really don't want it.

as soon as you bite the hand that feeds you the karma work gods kick you in the tail.

so i say, run with it and run as fast as you can and never look back and make it while you can and don't look at it as a problem but as a blessing and in these times we live in today there are plenty of guys begging and wishing for the same opportunity.

good luck and all the best.

[JLM]

Originally Posted by Liberty Landscaping LLC

The three guys would cover the HOA? Its all about what you would like to do. How long will the hoa take? 16 clients and depending on the size is about 1.5-2 days. With three guys probably one.

H.O.A will take 5 full days with 3 men.
The other 16 clients are all on the same street and take 1.5 days for me to do alone.

[JLM]

Thank you all for your professional advice!

Im going to hire 3 men 1 is my brother who I can trust. On Mondays 2 men will do the street with the 16 homes. The other 2 will begin a section of the H.O.A. (common grounds) 2 men can do this section in one day.

Tuesday we will all be together I bet we can be done by friday...if not we finish on Sat...I called my contact to the H.O.A and she said that Sat work was fine if needed.

Im not taking on anymore work for a while. Gonna dip my toe in the water.

[stevef1201]

Im not taking on anymore work for a while. Gonna dip my toe in the water.


I can Guarentee that if yo do good work, and your customers are truly happy, you cannot just dip your toes in the water. You better plan on getting up to your neck in the lake. I think you may be looking at needing to get a bank loan to finance more equipment-soon. Contact an lawyer- protect your assests, contact an accountant- taxes etc- protect your assests. Contact your inusrance agent-protect your assests. (are you getting the hint?)

Grow big, grow fast, just make tons of money and please become one of the filthy rich b-stards we all like to complain about.

[Steve]

Congratulations to you on all this work! Keep us posted on how it works out!