LOWBALLERS? advertising in local paper!!

[keepoffthegrass]

Hi, I plan on getting insurance and going legal (and "big") next year so I was browsing through our newpaper (windsorstar) and I can't believe what i'm seeing. Theres a company in here... well i'll just type out the add;

PONDS & LAWN, Aerating & Fertilizing starting at $40.00 (would that be both or each?) Weekly lawn Cutting starting @ $19.95, free estimates blah blah 10% off for seniors.

Now those are Canadian prices so 40 cdn = 33US and 19.95 cdn = about 16 something US.

I am 15 and i already charge alot more then that! Im sure those prices are for small 5k sqF or less yards but i was thinking my minimum would be 35 cdn next yr for the small lawns and about 40 for fert and another 40 for aerate for tiny lawns...

What do you guys charge for small 5k or less yards? im sure you dont charge 16 bux, hell! you would lose money! what do you guys think of this? are they low ballers or is that the going rate im going to have to compete with??

[keepoffthegrass]

I can get 15-15-15 fertilizer for 12 bux a 50# bag at the where the farmers get it. so like 10 bux US per 50lbs bag. how much should i be charging to spread it? Im a new should i charge by the bag (like mulch) or by the size of yard?

[JB1]

Your off to a good start not having insurance or legal, making fun of somebody else's add, then having the balls to ask how to charge for work, I will say you got nerve maybe nothing else.

[keepoffthegrass]

Your off to a good start not having insurance or legal, making fun of somebody else's add, then having the balls to ask how to charge for work, I will say you got nerve maybe nothing else.

Ok, maybe i should have put my second post in its own topic, shame on me for using this forum for its purpose. Anyways.. I dont see why I should be legal when i dont even have my drivers license and i only cut grass and do maintanance down my road. If it makes you feel better I am critisizing next years competition not this years (It doesnt matter to me what they charge right now but i am just worried for next year when i am legal and hope to take on many accounts and do other services such as Fert. etc.)

[keepoffthegrass]

I can get 15-15-15 fertilizer for 12 bux a 50# bag at the where the farmers get it. so like 10 bux US per 50lbs bag. how much should i be charging to spread it? Im a new should i charge by the bag (like mulch) or by the size of yard?


I left out some letters... I meant "I'm a new*bie*, should.....

[daveintoledo]

you cant apply anything without a license... get your mom or dad to be your partner now, and get legal now, your parents can be liable for anything you damage.....you burn up the lawn, your parents get to pay for a new one..... or go to mcdonalds for a job....

[keepoffthegrass]

Im almost sure you dont need a special license to spread fertillizer in ontario. Pesticides yes, but fertilizer no.

[dvmcmrhp52]

Not legal.
Not old enough to drive.
Complaining about pricing when you are asking what the price should be?



Did I miss anything?

[tjgray]

Im almost sure you dont need a special license to spread fertillizer in ontario. Pesticides yes, but fertilizer no.

Thats the way to be professional for sure...just guess at it :rolleyes:

In my opinion there is no way anyone who isn't licensed, insured and legal and at least 18 should be applying any type of chemical on any type of lawn or ornamental and that includes fertilizer.

I admire you for the fact that you are working and not out getting yourself into mischief but there is just so much you need to know and so much damage you can do by not knowing. Please do yourself a favor and get a little training by working for someone else while your young and still have time and the opportunity to do so.

[lawnboy33]

at age 15 you should wait until 18 . Learn a little about actual lawn care by working at a good reputal co. There is more to fertilizing than you would think? I'm sure if you started now , every lawn would be streaked and burnt? Stick with mowing....

[keepoffthegrass]

at age 15 you should wait until 18 . Learn a little about actual lawn care by working at a good reputal co. There is more to fertilizing than you would think? I'm sure if you started now , every lawn would be streaked and burnt? Stick with mowing....


I've done "weed & feed" for people that have requested it the last couple of years but i think i am going to take your advise and wait on the fertilizing. Im going saturday to buy a power washer so that and mowing should keep me busy. Thanks for the advice.

[Patrick.B]

I'l would stay you can go work for a lawn care for couple years But you only 15 ..humm...what should you do now ?......

[tjgray]

I've done "weed & feed" for people that have requested it the last couple of years but i think i am going to take your advise and wait on the fertilizing. Im going saturday to buy a power washer so that and mowing should keep me busy. Thanks for the advice.

If your doing "weed & feed" for people without a license then your doing it illegally.

[MowerMoney]

Im almost sure you dont need a special license to spread fertillizer in ontario. Pesticides yes, but fertilizer no.


Guess What? Almost sure doesn't quite cut it. :sleeping: Fertilizers ARE under the Pesticides Act in Ontario. Just a simple phone call to the Ontario Ministry of Environment and they will tell you. You MUST be licenced to apply fertilizers if you are charging the customers for it. AND you must be INSURED as well. The licence is only 2 exams for $150. The insurance is something around $3000 per truck. :dizzy: (got to spread a lot of fert to cover that) .
But if you want to take the chance, go ahead. First offence is only a maximum of $20,000. :cry: That's why I just cut the grass and sub out the ferts.

[Kickin Your Grass]

Do you have a pic of your set up at 15? or does it go something like this

*** 17" huffy bike w / 2" ball welded to rear.

*** 10" little red rider wagon( used as lawn trailer)

**** Murry push mower

**** Electric trimmer and blower

**** 200' of electrical cord.

Sorry to be rude/negative, but Im getting sick of the kiddy lawn care post!

[keepoffthegrass]

Do you have a pic of your set up at 15? or does it go something like this

*** 17" huffy bike w / 2" ball welded to rear.

*** 10" little red rider wagon( used as lawn trailer)

**** Murry push mower

**** Electric trimmer and blower

**** 200' of electrical cord.

Sorry to be rude/negative, but Im getting sick of the kiddy lawn care post!


Digital camera should be here any day, shipment is already way overdue, but I will be sure to post a pic as ASAP but for now ill just tell you what it consist of...

-New craftsmen 42" just made final payment in feb. (trading in for 36 walker either fall or spring)
-towing a good size homemade trailer that has removable ramp and tilt.

Filled with..
-Commercial kawasaki trimmer from the "city" (uncle works for them)
-21" lawnboy 3 in 1
-21" craftsmen 3 in 1 (backup)
-tractor bagger / mulch / side attachments
-plastic storage box with oil, string etc etc.
-after tommorow 3000psi power washer & maybe backpack blower
-scotts spreader.. i know i know but i dont want to here it.
-2.5 gallon weed sprayer dido dido
-rakes and etc.

^^^ all funded completely by me^^^^

also have a 16 x 8 hallmark enclosed sitting in driveway waiting for me to get a truck which will most likly be a 99 5.3 4x4 next spring if not my rents gave me permission to use the 6.0L crew for towing. We use the trailer for sleds in winter and im getting out of kart racing next yr so it will be free in the summer. also been working part time at a machine shop to help pay for equipment.

[keepoffthegrass]

Sorry to be rude/negative, but Im getting sick of the kiddy lawn care post!


Nobody said you had to read these so called "kitty posts" and reply.. as a matter of fact, if your getting so sik of these posts then why the **** do you waste your time replying? I'm sure 50% of the young members and some old newbies are sik of you and the other majority that are just rude and disrespectful to people trying to seek help from what i thought was a wounderful forum. You guys treat us as we are uyour competition and we are all lowballing scrubs taking your jobs. BUT the truth is if you and eveyone like you werent so STUPID and realize the distance between most of our districts and that practically nobody over laps your so called "territories" then you would realize theres no point to your ignorance. I think there are alot of people on here that would agree with me. I didnt see any rule in the policy that said you had to be 40+ and have been in business for 35 years to get respectful helpful posts on this site. OH WAIT if you been in the business for that long then why would you need any help? therefor no point for a forum is there? so what the FUC K?!? think about it all of you. (most)

this will be my last post other then posting a pik of my rig for you priks to critisize it. i was thinking of coming back just to read the threads but 50% of the god dam posts are all bashing of peoples equipment and people in general.
Nite. :sleeping: :angry: i'll go make two-three times as much money as the other teens my age doing what i like to do. I dont need your shi t nomore. payup

[DRM Ventures]

spoken like a true teenager .........

[Kickin Your Grass]

Digital camera should be here any day, shipment is already way overdue, but I will be sure to post a pic as ASAP but for now ill just tell you what it consist of...

-New craftsmen 42" just made final payment in feb. (trading in for 36 walker either fall or spring)
-towing a good size homemade trailer that has removable ramp and tilt.

Filled with..
-Commercial kawasaki trimmer from the "city" (uncle works for them)
-21" lawnboy 3 in 1
-21" craftsmen 3 in 1 (backup)
-tractor bagger / mulch / side attachments
-plastic storage box with oil, string etc etc.
-after tommorow 3000psi power washer & maybe backpack blower
-scotts spreader.. i know i know but i dont want to here it.
-2.5 gallon weed sprayer dido dido
-rakes and etc.

^^^ all funded completely by me^^^^

also have a 16 x 8 hallmark enclosed sitting in driveway waiting for me to get a truck which will most likly be a 99 5.3 4x4 next spring if not my rents gave me permission to use the 6.0L crew for towing. We use the trailer for sleds in winter and im getting out of kart racing next yr so it will be free in the summer. also been working part time at a machine shop to help pay for equipment.

And who exactly pulls this equipment around to service your customers? I wasent aware that 15 year old kids are able to drive and operate a business legally.

[daveintoledo]

a phone call to your local authorities shoud take care of all the problems.....shouldnt be too hard to find a child spreading fert illegally :waving:

[tjgray]

spoken like a true teenager .........

I was thinking the same exact same Ventures. I have a 17 year old and a 13 year old and all I can say is I hope your mother doesn't find out your writing such filth on a public internet forum :(

Anytime my children want to earn extra cash they know they can work for us *or themselves* to earn it. We have given them that opportunity and have taught them the value of earning ones own. When my children decide they want to talk like the above *and they have* they learn real quick that the only work they will be performing is for me free of charge :D

We have also taught them the value of education and training. My son (the 17 year old) has worked with his father for a couple of years. He doesn't apply chemicals because he doesn't have a license.

He has his own equipment and could go and get his own accounts like a number of boys his age BUT we won't allow him to work illegally. If he messes something up we are still responsible and it amazes me the amount of parents out there that do not realize or seem to even consider this fact.

Keepoffthe grass I will tell you the same thing I have told my children many times. If you truly want to be successful in life the main areas you need to work on is educating yourself, learning how to listen *even when you think you know all the answers*, and learning how to control yourself in an appropriate manner. Attitude and losing your self control will only cause you set backs. Your post above accomplished nothing more then to make you look your age.