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[Steve]

Have you also considered offering similar services that you offer in Orkin? Could you put that training you have to use with it? Would you like to offer those services as additional services?

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[landonkade]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by [b Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ May 28 2007,1:26)]Have you also considered offering similar services that you offer in Orkin? Could you put that training you have to use with it? Would you like to offer those services as additional services? yes, i think i can use the knowledge from orkin to help with the services of the lawn care. like include pest conrol in the contract or something of that nature I have *Question: * * * *I know that some companies start small( like push mower and old riding mower) and work there way big. I did the oppoiste, i stated big like commerical mower and all other things and have debt coming soon like $345 a month for all the lawn equipment and plus now have truck payment of $151 a month. Now with me starting big and all the debt, will i still come out ahead and it wouldnt matter how i started, i think i can acheive it. One other problem i have for the fall and winter is that i did not get a bagger with the mower, i got the mulching kit. I think my better chance to go steady in the fall/winter is to get a bagger. I have a positve outlook on my goals any secerts or keys to open the door,lol

[StartALawnCareBusiness]

Hey, landonkade:

I was thinking a bit more about your question this morning.

There has been some great info in this thread about what TO DO. I have a bit of advice on what not to do.

Especially if you have some debt in your truck and equipment, you might feel forced into taking whatever jobs come along. Afterall, you might think that a $20 job is better than no job at all.

When you are estimating and accepting jobs, think long term. If you get the reputation of doing cheap jobs in your community, it is far too easy for you to become typecast in your work. I have found that quality jobs beget more quality customers and cheap jobs will only get you more of the same.

Hey, listen, there is NOTHING wrong with doing $20 lawns and I don't want to offend anyone who does those...I know several people who make good livings with that type of lawn. However, I would recommend always having a minimum price ($35 as an example). Let your customers know that you do dependable, quality work. Never let them down and they will be customers for life and they will recommend other quality customers who will be willing to pay your price.

Oh, one more thing that might be helpful to you. Open lines of communication with the more successful LCOs in your town. Some of them might not like that there is another competitor out there. However, some of them will welcome you into the industry and they will be happy to share tips and ideas with you. A successful LCO who is overrun with customers might even give you some of his smaller accounts if he knows you will do quality work.

Keep at it. It seems you are on the right track.

Best Luck:

Keith
Start A Lawn Care Business

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]I have Question:
I know that some companies start small( like push mower and old riding mower) and work there way big. I did the oppoiste, i stated big like commerical mower and all other things and have debt coming soon like $345 a month for all the lawn equipment and plus now have truck payment of $151 a month.

Now with me starting big and all the debt, will i still come out ahead and it wouldnt matter how i started, i think i can acheive it.

You will need 14 lawn cuts paying $35 a cut to pay off those items each month. How many lawns are you servicing on the weekends?

The reason why we like to promote starting with a very low investment is because you can make a lot of mistakes and still get through them.

One of our good friends on the forum Troy, had found himself in a bad spot due to debt that took him years to get out of.

Since you have this equipment now, it is just very important you get the word out about your business. Business cards, flyers, door hangers. As Keith mentioned, newspaper ads too.

What has been the latest with your marketing?

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ May 30 2007,12:19)]

You will need 14 lawn cuts paying $35 a cut to pay off those items each month. How many lawns are you servicing on the weekends?

The reason why we like to promote starting with a very low investment is because you can make a lot of mistakes and still get through them.

One of our good friends on the forum Troy, had found himself in a bad spot due to debt that took him years to get out of.

Since you have this equipment now, it is just very important you get the word out about your business. Business cards, flyers, door hangers. As Keith mentioned, newspaper ads too.

What has been the latest with your marketing?

well my best responces have came from the paper. But i also put out business cards in gas stations and they disappear really fast,lol. i sent the business card to gopher to show also on the forum. if he does post it, i made it stand out really well and catchy.

but with the debt that i have i hope i make good profits even though of the payments that i have, just all about managing money,lol with i am good at,lol.

i am in the process of doing a yard that has 40 bushes that need to be trimmed around the sides of the home and around back ( some over head high, some head high, and some knee high sitting on 3 acres, with 20 oak trees in the front yard and grass cutting and weedeating, the home is sitting off the road about 250 yards or so,lol.

i was thinking like $300 for the inital and then $75 every other time. are both these prices to high or to low or just right, with me and another person working on it.

so let me know soon. thanks, before she calls, i have already left a message for her to call me back so i can tell her the price

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (landonkade @ May 28 2007,3:12)]

yes, i think i can use the knowledge from orkin to help with the services of the lawn care. like include pest conrol in the contract or something of that nature

I have *Question:
* * * *I know that some companies start small( like push mower and old riding mower) and work there way big. I did the oppoiste, i stated big like commerical mower and all other things and have debt coming soon like $345 a month for all the lawn equipment and plus now have truck payment of $151 a month.

Now with me starting big and all the debt, will i still come out ahead and it wouldnt matter how i started, i think i can acheive it. One other problem i have for the fall and winter is that i did not get a bagger with the mower, i got the mulching kit. I think my better chance to go steady in the fall/winter is to get a bagger. I have a positve outlook on my goals

any secerts or keys to open the door,lol

I started out in horrible debt at first, and it took me a long time to recover, believe it or not I am still recovering from some business debt.

I bought two commercial mowers at first and racked up around $7,000 in debt. I only had about 10 customers at the time too. My best advice I give to all companies, do not go into debt unless you can pay off that debt within a years time. If you don't, it will just hurt you in the long run by limiting your purchasing and budgetting procedures.

Try to purchase every in cash or in credit if you can pay it off in a year. Sure, truck purchases are the exceptions though. If you need certain items now and then, such as aerations, walk behind leaf blowers, dethatchers, etc. I would suggest to rent them. You actually will save money in the long run.

My best advice though for you right now is one of two things; grow big and fast now to pay off your equipment, or sell off itesm that you do not use and use that money towards your debt.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]i am in the process of doing a yard that has 40 bushes that need to be trimmed around the sides of the home and around back ( some over head high, some head high, and some knee high sitting on 3 acres, with 20 oak trees in the front yard and grass cutting and weedeating, the home is sitting off the road about 250 yards or so,lol.

i was thinking like $300 for the inital and then $75 every other time. are both these prices to high or to low or just right, with me and another person working on it.

Do you have an idea of how long it will take you? Also do you have an idea what your expenses are per hour?

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ May 31 2007,8:55)]

Do you have an idea of how long it will take you? Also do you have an idea what your expenses are per hour?

nevermind about that, she never called back, and some one else got it,lol. but o well i'll gain more. it would have been a good one though

what would be a good hourly rate for me to make profit plus pay for my equipment, me just working by myself?

[gman]

Hi

I was reading your story and I would like to add something. I have been in the business for 1 year now I started out with a push mower and a cheap blower and edger and using my wife kia sportage. And working on weekends with a fulltime job also. As I got more accounts I got better equipment, as I paid of one thing I got another. I have only 45 accounts, it is hard to get past 45 as every community is gated. When I quit my fulltime job I got a job delieving pizza at night, I talk to my boss and he lets me advertize on the boxes for free. It is good way to control me areas that I want to get my company name out there. As I get new customers I lose one. I gust started to request contracts and see how that will gose.

I have had one customer that asked me to do a yard cleanup one flower bed at each time I come. Stay away from that as I leaned the hard way. You work hard do a great job and the customer decides the hardpart is over and he could do the rest himself. I going to stay away for customers that won't sign contract for now on. I have lost alot on money for people that won't pay....... I wish there is a way I can get the money form them?

[landonkade]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (gman @ June 02 2007,12:44)]Hi

I was reading your story and I would like to add something. I have been in the business for 1 year now I started out with a push mower and a cheap blower and edger and using my wife kia sportage. And working on weekends with a fulltime job also. As I got more accounts I got better equipment, as I paid of one thing I got another. I have only 45 accounts, it is hard to get past 45 as every community is gated. When I quit my fulltime job I got a job delieving pizza at night, I talk to my boss and he lets me advertize on the boxes for free. It is good way to control me areas that I want to get my company name out there. As I get new customers I lose one. I gust started to request contracts and see how that will gose.

I have had one customer that asked me to do a yard cleanup one flower bed at each time I come. Stay away from that as I leaned the hard way. You work hard do a great job and the customer decides the hardpart is over and he could do the rest himself. I going to stay away for customers that won't sign contract for now on. I have lost alot on money for people that won't pay....... I wish there is a way I can get the money form them?

yeah i have noticed that people keep putting me off, since i dont have a contract going. so i have decided to start doing the contracts and also referral letters to help me gain customers. i will check into that idea about putting flyers or something on the pizza boxes