Here we grow again....

[picframer]

Originally Posted by turfmaster Andy I have got to say your company is an inspiration for a lot of us small business owners especially in this current economic climate. I don't know if the Canadian economy is as bad as the U.S. but regardless your growth is phenomonal. I do enjoy your posts and have learned a lot from them. TURF I don't think we were hit near as hard as the USA, for the most part it's been business as usual except for the auto industry. I do however have coffee in the mornings with many contractors, some in our business, some construction etc. I would say the majority are having a hard time making ends meet, I don't say much about how well we are doing as I don't want them to feel bad. They do notice the new gear I have and I suspect it must be on their mind. Thank you for your kind comments, this is all about helping each other out. I know we do good work, our rates are higher than many but we still seem to get the work, there isn't a day go by I don't get at least three requests for quotes from people I don't even know. The only advertising is in a paper for the area 85% of our business is in. Steve, I won't market the excavator separately, my tractors can do just about everything it can however it is probably three times as fast and can lift about 1,400 pounds more than the tractors can. Granite is everywhere here so you need lifting power. What I love is with the push of a button the track retracts in and I can drive through a 36" gate, can't do that with the tractors and it has cost us some business. On Monday of this week the area below was solid trees, the tree crew went in and cut/chipped everything, then I went at it with two tractors then started with the backhoe yesterday, all I have left to do is build the rock wall, spread top soil, roll, seed and spray. This was a $9,450.00 contract and I had bid 9 days to do it, we will be finished late tomorrow if the weather holds, the excavator saved us more than four days, the tree crew worked late two nights without being asked and I had two tractors and the excavator there all day today. The homeowner is super happy, both of his neighbours have asked for quotes, I did one today and the fellow accepted on the spot, this is great as I don't have to move the machines.

Attached Images

	tractor-005.jpg (119.3 KB, 12 views)
	tractor-006.jpg (130.3 KB, 7 views)
	tractor-007.jpg (133.2 KB, 11 views)

[andyjoneslawncare]

Lawn care business tips

As far as the cell phone topic goes, every area is different, but MetroPCS is in my area, and after using sprint, att, and verizon, I got metropcs because I've never once lost reception, and my total bill is $61/month including taxes, fees, etc. Thats unlimited minutes, unlimited long distance, unlimited texting, unlimited web, unlimited picture messaging, unlimited emailing, voicemail, and all that call forwarding/ 3 way calling stuff I never use. They don't have service everywhere in the US, but there are no 2 year plans or anything. It cut my bill at least in half and I don't get suprised with $350 bills when I accidentally go over my minutes. Check them out if its available in your area. They don't have the biggest phone selection but they have the Razor and a new one that's touch screen with all the toys to compete with the iphone. Obviously, I don't even have a home phone. I'm not sure what I'd use it for. Andy PS, No, I don't work for MetroPCS, I just feel like I stumbled on a great deal so I tell everyone about it. Hopefully, my clients do the same for me!!