A fresh start

[toxicweirdo]

Hey guys you probably remember me "Ernis lawn cutting" I have been away for awhile, lost the internet but I am back. I am trying to get the lawn company going agian gave up on it last time lost too much $$$ lowballing, but going to do my best this time. got a bigger and better truck than the S-10 that I had, in the process of rigging up side rails to haul debris, and currently looking into prices for mowers but stiil rocking back and forth for new or used leaning more towards used. good to be back hope to hear some responses. p.s. here is a pic of the truck that I bought so that i can get the company up and going.(Again)

[Steve]

How to get lawn care customers - Vol 2

Hi Ernie, Very nice truck. I am trying to get the lawn company going agian gave up on it last time lost too much $$$ lowballing, but going to do my best this time. Can you tell us a little about what you experienced with this? What did you learn from that experience that you could share with others just starting out?

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[toxicweirdo]

Originally Posted by Steve

Can you tell us a little about what you experienced with this? What did you learn from that experience that you could share with others just starting out?

Well to start I was charging way too low for the time I was on the lawn and was killing myself to do it. Yeah that was a big part of it, I was spending more time and money than making it, I was too worried about making the customer happy that I was not even thinking of my own financial stability. the equipment was not too bad a bunch of stuff I dug out of the trash and fixed up and it got the job done. all and all I come to realize that I need to charge what I need to make not what I think is fair or reasonalble. The way that I see it is that I am a business and offering a service some people might not like what I charge but if I get a few good clients that would spred the word I believe that I could be very sucessfull. and It was a learning experiece and that would be the best advice that I could give is to make the money that you need to make a profit.

[Steve]

Very good insights!

Can you say how much you used to charge for an average lawn and what you charge now?

Also, what advice do you have to offer as to coming up with a price you can profit from? How do you create this price now? What factors do you take into consideration that you didn't take into consideration in the past?

[toxicweirdo]

before I was charging $30. but the yards that I were doing were not really average size, I figured if I could cut the lawn and everyone could see that I was doing a good job and that it would help. figuring a price would all depend on what is being done fuel consumpsion is big one time on the lawn and the service that is being done, all and all I guess I still need to think on prices, I think now I am going to charge maybe 40 / 45, try those numbers and see what happens. the other stuff I still need assistance on like I put a post up about the palm trees, fall clean up, and I am leaning towards pressure washing too. the factors that I am thinking of now that I did not think of before is time I like to spend too much time on the property and do too much(try to make everything perfect) and in the long run I am loosing money not making it.

[Steve]

Have you played around with the estimators yet to get an idea what your total overhead costs are?

[toxicweirdo]

Originally Posted by Steve

Have you played around with the estimators yet to get an idea what your total overhead costs are?

Yeah but when I get done It shows cut and paste but where do I cut and paste it at? Am I doing it right?

[Steve]

Yeah but when I get done It shows cut and paste but where do I cut and paste it at? Am I doing it right?

That is to insert the banner ad on your site. The answer it gives you is above the cut & paste section.

[toxicweirdo]

--> Oh I see, Well that helps thats pretty cool, Thanx!