lawn service is it really worth it?

[turfcat75]

with so many lowballers out there and cheap customers out there is it really worth all the headaches just too work outside in some fresh air?i think there are way more cheap people than anything out there thats for sure!with so much competition out there ...way to many lowballers and they are there year after year what used to be the industry to get into doesnt seem to be it today.we dont have million dollar properties where i live some 350,000 areas but lots of times the ones with the money are so cheap,mostly elderly people with there usual saying i cannot pay that price i'm on a fixed income,well i am too!my kids have a disease they need to eat 3 times a day....anyone ever think about doing something else other that the lawn industry...?

[MowJo]

Nope. I love this business and the challenges it presents!

As far as lowballers are concerned, they can have the cheap customers. I spend as much time building customer relationships as I do providing services. Reputation and word of mouth are powerful tools against lowballing. Personally I don't feel too threatened by lowballers and I do not underbid because good customers are after far more than just a low price.

just my opinion.

[Eric ELM]

As long as you do good work, low ballers are not a problem. Their work reflects their price, so they are paid what they are worth. When it is rainy and cold and the grass is growing an inch a day and you are behind, I have thought about doing something different, but then I think about the days that it's in the 70's, the sun is shining and it makes the bad days go better. I have done other jobs that paid well, but I wasn't as happy as when I'm mowing. Why do a job you don't like when you can do this. :)

[mowerman90]

I agree with MoJo and Eric. My favorite responce to hearing "I'm on a fixed income" is: Damn, you're lucky, I don't know what's gonna be comming my way every month!!! That usually shuts'm up. As far as lowballers are concerned, you can''t possibly have as many as we do here in Central FL. My county alone has OVER 1500 licensed lawn service companys. Of that 1500 I figure there's only about 20 of us that actually run our business like a business. Such is life I guess.

[Fantasy Lawns]

I can't & I DON'T Compete with High School Kids & Low-Ballers ......those are not the type of customers I target .....I go after & accept accounts which FIT my Profile

Ed ...I know how you feel .....here in Brevard we have about 1,000 legit (but no ALL legal) and twice that of cutters doing this "cash .....mow & go"

[Forever Green Lawn]

I've been in lawn care and landscaping for over 12 years and have also worked other jobs. I'm happiest being outside. We also have low ballers around here in NW Indiana. They seem to come and go with the wind. If the economy keeps turning down, many will go away like they did in '92 or 93.

Scott

[Randy Scott]

There is going to be lowballers in every business so you aren't going to be able to avoid it. There are certainly going to be more in some businesses than others. Lawncare is quite a bitter easier to get into than say, starting an auto dealership or even a McDonald's. But every industry has competition, strong competition. And that's where the superior business minded people will rise above the rest, and the others will fall by the wayside. You need to analyze your marketable area and find out what it needs. Some areas are going to be better than others for this type of business. I'm not trying to be a smart-ass or a know-all, I'm just conveying my opinion. If your market only has minimal amounts of money and population, it is certainly going to be difficult to compete. They don't put McDonald's in unincorporated towns or small non-traffic areas for a reason. The same applies for this business. You will only get out of your area what it has to offer. I'm not raining on your parade, I'm just giving you a perspective and to try and see what it will take for someone to succed with what they have to work with. I think if you try really hard and put your heart and soul into it, you will succeed. This is merely my opinion and the theory of how I want to run my business. I'm just starting my business and have alot to learn, and maybe in a year or less, or longer, I might be belly up, or maybe I won't. All I know is I'm going to give it everything I can to make it work, good days and bad, and you can do the same. There are people around me that are positive, and some that think I'm an idiot to start this business. That's great, they're entitled to their opinion, but they're not ME, I have to try it for myself. I wish everyone the best of luck! Happy cutting!

[VLM]

Since you've just started out in the business, you have alot to learn especially about low ballers. Don't feel too dissapointed about this, you're just starting out. Charge the going rate and do the best work you can. If people complain, then they are not the type of accounts you want anyway. These are the same people who will be late payers or bad debts. Stay away from them. It takes years and years to build up a good clientel and reputation that will get you referrals. After a time, you won't even have to advertise anymore, you will get so much work from referrals. The real advantage to having a lawn business actually has very little to do with being outside (although it is a nice perk) it is the autonomy! Being able to work where and when you like. Choosing who you will work for and how much you would like to make annually. In a word, freedom, there is nothing that can compare!

[Mark]

I agree Eric,Ive worked Three other Jobs for the tastmasters. When i got back home from the Army in 71 i went to Tech School and became a machinest, Worked that job for 3yrs,slowest work ive ever done and really didn't know what i wanted to do. Then i went into construction,I don't think mowing is near as bad as roofing.That lasted around 3yrs. Then i worked for Sunoco Oil Co. got into management which payed well but was a number uno head-ake. So in 89 i started the Mowing Service i have no regrets, i do around 9-11 yds a day at my own pace. If i want to sit down and rest i will. Sure in the heat of summer it gets very nasty,the heat the soaked clothes and all but like i said i can work at my pace and love working outside, and i do make a good living. I just wish i would have started earlier,40yr old when i started,but still no regrets.Do the best job you can and youll get a ten-fold return. Hope to have many more yrs thanks to the Lord God.I pray that all on the forum have a great upcomeing season. Marks Mowing Service

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

First of all being Self Employed is one of the Most Rewarding Experiences in life & if you have never lived it, you can't even fathom what I'm talking about? :-) No harm intended! I promise.

If you are one of the Unique Individuals that is cut out for this work & later you give it up. You'll regret it Many Many times until the day you die? I've been there & I'm doing it now!

If you work for someone else in this Great Country, you are not Guaranteed your next PayCheck. That's a Fact Jack! Look around at all the big companies laying off & going out of Business. As far as that goes look at the little companies going under TOO!

A lot of folks need their lawn done professionally & they are willing to pay extra for it, they just want it done right! As long as we live there is a demand for Professionals in the Green Industry.

You can't worry about all the low ballers out there, maybe a little problem if you only have a very very small community to work in?

Yes, there is a great amount of folks looking for the El Cheapos out there. You just got to set the pace & be #1 where you are at. If you see somebody that catches your attention, look at them figure out what caught your attention & just "Flat out, out do Them" It's all about Making Money. If you are unhappy with what you are making, well figure out what you got to do to get paid more money in less time?

I fought it for a few years & then I woke up & smelled the Green $$$$$. I looked at my competitors & really I couldn't find many that came close to me? I was lucky in that part of it, but I as everybody else LOL, needed More Money. So I figured out ways to better my Appearance First & Believe me it's very important. Then I knew I had to make more money in less time, so I upgraded Equipment? Hey it was costly, but I didn't hear much about the Competition any more.

When I did hear that horrible word Competition, I just laughed & said what Competition, I am the Competition! Really I was, if someone said that I would say could you please explain to me how they are my Competition & if I can understand how they are I will be more than glad to Better Myself! Then that would shut them up in near about all cases?

You can't compare Mickey D's to Steakout, but they both have their places, then again you can't compare either one of them to MaMa Jeans Kitchen. They all have their place just as you do? If I could afford to, I would eat steak every meal & a lot can afford that. They are the ones looking for that High Dollar Professional too!

You need to remember something else too, these so called Rich Folks are a lot Broker than you think? The Jones's will wipe them out in years to come. I did far better in Neighborhoods in the $80K up to about $200K than I did in the $200K & up. LOL, a lot of them Rich Folks just do not have the money. Yeah, they all have one thing in common, most live on a BUDGET. I want a Budget where I only have 1 new BMW & My poor old wife is Driving a New Cadillac STS, now that is a budget. When they say the word budget, the best thing to do is hand them at least 2 of your business cards, Thank them for giving you the opportunity to bid on their services, turn your back, walk like a Man & go back to work or bid on the next job! Only the Rich live on a BUDGET! The working class has to pay for what they want.

It's hard work buying all that Fluff & Thrill, but when you can stand there & look them dead in the Eye & Laugh saying How are they my Competition? That is when you know it's straight up from there?

Make people want you to perform services for them, make them want your Equipment parked in front of their house, make them want you & nobody else doing their Lawn Work.

This is all you got to do & in time the Money & Work will come?

Look like a Pro, Act like a Pro, Work like a Pro & you will get Paid like a Pro! It just takes time!

Hey off topic again, OH NO!
Here where I live there is this Guy that has 2 beauty shops, if you walk in one of them wanting your hair done on the spot they laugh at you & try to set up a appointment for a week or 2 later. They charge twice as much as anybody else & more. 1 of his shops has over 35 employees & the other has over 25. How do you think he has accomplished this? HE IS THE COMPETITION$$$$$ Ca Ching, I here that cash talking to me!

[Groundcover Solutions]

I can't & I DON'T Compete with High School Kids
HEY theleven,
I am in High School and i have run a professional business for 2 years now and not ALL of the High School kids out there are bidding super low and we all don't do crapy work. I resent the fact that you think that a high school kid can't run a professional operation. We do quality work and are not the lowest priced company around. We have three trucks and a quite a few mowers we don't drive 58 f150s we drive new professional looking trucks!!!!! But bake to the post I think that it is worthwhile to be in this business if you do good PROFESSIONAL work than you don't have to worry about the low ballers. You will get the bigger and higher paying jobs!!

[WatkinsLawn]

HEY theleven,
I am in High School and i have run a professional business for 2 years now and not ALL of the High School kids out there are bidding super low and we all don't do crapy work. I resent the fact that you think that a high school kid can't run a professional operation.

Hey Matt,
theleven didn't say ALL High School kids are out there bidding super low and he didn't say anything about them doing crappy work. He did not say that a High school kid can't run a professional operation.
Matt I hope you understand that you shouldn't take other peoples frustrations personally. I'm glad to hear you take pride in your work and you operate as a professional. but understand that MOST High Scool kids do not. You are an exception. There are alot of professionals in this business that are doing this for a living and supporting there families on their lawn care business. It is difficult for a guy who has two teenagers himself to have to compete with the kid down the street for an account that could help put food in his own kids mouth.
I hope you continue to grow your business and can help set a new standard for the other High School kids in your area.
Good luck!

[bobbygedd]

i have a question, and its not intended to insult, or upset anyone, just an honest question: how do u guys that have been in this business 8, 10 + years , and are truly experienced profesionals, feel about a high school kid being able to charge the same as you for his work? on one hand, if the new guy works cheaper, he is a scrub and whatever you guys call him, on the other hand, he charges the same as you, and hes brand new, u r a professional. dont u think it only natural that someone new to the trade have to work his way up? when i started in the graphic arts field 18 years ago, i was working for peanuts because i was new at it, as the years went by, and my skills grew, i now make top dollar. i should hope that some kid or anyone just starting out is not being paid nearly as much as me, he should work his way up like i did. the experience u gain from years in this business is very valuable, from using and repairing the equipment, to succesful advertizing to customer relations, and u get the picture. why should a new guy make what i make? i think he should make less, because his inexperience makes him worth less, and i dont think hes a scrub if he charges less, because why should he get the same as i do if i have more experience, and can do a better job? like i said, not trying to bash anyone. BOB

[Paradise Yard Service]

Been in the business since 85, was 25, now I'm 40. So, I suppose I'm alot like many veterans on the forum, we just keep on going! and its all about REFERRALS!

The former owner of my business started out during a drought in the early 80s in Hawaii. We had water rationing! I bought the business in 85 and had several busy years growing/learning. Then in the 90s while the U.S. mainland experienced some phenominal economic growth, Hawaii went into deep recession (just coming out of, prolly only to go back in!). People in private sector bailed to the mainland.

My business grew in a market saturated with lowballing ex whoevahs looking for side money until construction industry picked-up (I'm venting!). I've turned down work all the time. I don't give out any business cards when people ask cause I gots what I need and like to go surfing sometime. I don't advertise much, maybe three times at most. All my add says is 'Paradise Yard Service, Since 1985, Call Kevin or Sharon.' Phone goes nuts, get accounts, have to stop ad.

A couple things I've learned. Be a professional at all times (which is not that difficult because we love the green industry and we have education/knowledge/skills to do what is needed to surpass the newbies/srubs and dominate/lead the pack) as we act in a professional manner nobody gets over on us, and we are given respect/honor due a professional. And always do the best job possible. Workmanship is so needed in any industry in our mass production world, and it is the first thing that stands out in our industry.

You will be doing all work by referral in time. Why, because you will be recommended to others based on the fact that your track record speaks volumes. People tend to be brand loyal and will send you more work and they in turn will be loyal (nice cycle). Best of all, you will be getting the money you rightly deserve. Thats how movies/resturants make it in a competitive market. For now, its what you do, with what you got. Stick with it, you will do well. I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY BOSS, I'M SELF-EMPLOYED!
Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Been in the business since 85, was 25, now I'm 40. So, I suppose I'm alot like many veterans on the forum, we just keep on going! and its all about REFERRALS!

The former owner of my business started out during a drought in the early 80s in Hawaii. We had water rationing! I bought the business in 85 and had several busy years growing/learning. Then in the 90s while the U.S. mainland experienced some phenominal economic growth, Hawaii went into deep recession (just coming out of, prolly only to go back in!). People in private sector bailed to the mainland.

My business grew in a market saturated with lowballing ex whoevahs looking for side money until construction industry picked-up (I'm venting!). I've turned down work all the time. I don't give out any business cards when people ask cause I gots what I need and like to go surfing sometime. I don't advertise much, maybe three times at most. All my add says is 'Paradise Yard Service, Since 1985, Call Kevin or Sharon.' Phone goes nuts, get accounts, have to stop ad.

A couple things I've learned. Be a professional at all times (which is not that difficult because we love the green industry and we have education/knowledge/skills to do what is needed to surpass the newbies/srubs and dominate/lead the pack) as we act in a professional manner nobody gets over on us, and we are given respect/honor due a professional. And always do the best job possible. Workmanship is so needed in any industry in our mass production world, and it is the first thing that stands out in our industry.

You will be doing all work by referral in time. Why, because you will be recommended to others based on the fact that your track record speaks volumes. People tend to be brand loyal and will send you more work and they in turn will be loyal (nice cycle). Best of all, you will be getting the money you rightly deserve. Thats how movies/resturants make it in a competitive market. For now, its what you do, with what you got. Stick with it, you will do well. I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY BOSS, I'M SELF-EMPLOYED!
Aloha,
P.Y.S.

[JimLewis]

Wow. So much good advice here I can barely think of anything to add. I agree with almost all of the above.

The one things I'd add is that if you are having to compete with low-ballers my first thought is that maybe you are not in the right area. In my experience, when I go down to the cheaper houses in the valley I can barely compete. People down there don't have much money and are mostly concerned about price and nothing else. I can't compete there because I am far from cheap.

But as soon as I go up into the nicer areas in the hills where all the money is, it's very easy for me to compete. For one, most people up there are looking more for quality, professionalism, and reliability than price. These are our company's strengths. So I can knock the low ballers out every time. And I can also knock the really big guys around too because they usually get a little too greedy and want to charge TOO much.

The end result being, I don't see too many low-ballers in the areas where I work. They don't last long and they don't get much business up there.

I'd suggest that if you are finding yourself competing too frequently with the cheapos, or lowballers, that you should maybe try to aggressively market the richer parts of town. Course you gotta be prepared. You gotta look and be professional, do quality work, and be reliable. But if you got all that, then you just have to find the part of town that appreciates it. That's been my experience anyway.

[MOW ED]

Hey Matt, There isn't one of us who doesn't respect you and applaud you for being a High schooler that is doing professional work and getting a fair price. There are a few guys that have also been burned by some that don't charge in line with professional standards.

Just imagine how you would feel if a couple of 12 year olds with a push mower or daddys Craftsman convinced a couple of your 50 dollar a week accounts to go with them for 20 bucks and a bag of chocolate chip cookies.

I know of a few high schoolers that I would want to work for me or even compete with me because they understand the business end of mowing, you are in this group. Good Luck.

[turfcat75]

Jim
yes this is my problem i'm in the valley with mostly people who only look at price,seems if you dont do it for cheap you cant get any work!but from what thry say in this forum if you do it too cheap your pretty much paying them to mow their lawn,i was really thinking about hitting the outskirts this season for the people who care about the quality and not price,i love to do a good job i am so picky!

[GrassMaster]

Hello Everybody:

I've read this thread on this post several times, It ready sounds to me like we got some very rare & unusual men in High School. Butt, just my thoughts!

Some ask if they are upset that they get paid as much as the Experienced Professionals. Well, this day & time we can crank out young professionals because of the unlimited resources we have today.

Well, anybody that goes to High School & has a Lawn Service Business quite a few Accounts, Equipment, gets a good fee for his services & does it all on his own. I think this MAN should get more than the others. I'm sure he gets his proper diet of Crap daily from other folks trying to take advantage of him because of his age.

It also sounds like he's Helping out the other LOL, Old Folks out there, like some of us. How do you think this person feels when he gets picked over for some Older Person (SCRUB) because of his age only, because they think he is too young or they use the excuse that he wanted to much because he's not old enough to know how to bid on this type of work?

Do this each & all, Encourage this young Man as much as possible, because have you seen the Majority of what is coming out of High School now? This Individual has got a good taste of Money & still wants an education? There is a lot that can't even make it to school alone in their New BMW that their Daddy bought for him, because he had a 18th Birthday & nothing else.

I wish with all my heart, that my daughter could find a Man like this instead of the crap she finds. She had a guy over about 6 months ago that got a new Hummer or Hum V, LOL I think because he turned 18, sorry on my limited income I do not know the proper name. He was a piece of Shinola from the word go. I would hate to know that he would have to be able to look after her. I reckon as long as his parents are alive he will do well, I just do not know how long he could survive on his folks inheritance.

I'm sure this so called High School Kid, really a man has to deal with this type of kid every day. The working class few suffer at High School a lot. I say he should get paid more than the Professional Old Folks & he should get a Vote of Unconditional Respect from us All!

Look at the Programmer Pierre-Loc Soucey for this Forum, I hope I spelled this right & this info is right too, Please correct if I'm wrong! I heard some where he is about 16 years old. To do what he does it would be hard to find 2 men in their 30's that can even fathom what he does? I couldn't make a Pimple on his you know what. I live & breath this Puter & Internet Mumbo Jumbo at least 10 hours a day 6 to 7 days a week. Compared to him I'm a Bafoon at the best!

You know the resources we have available today anything is possible today & besides that, if you really think about it, they were born with the Gift, the chosen few. "Must is, because must ain't don't sound right?"

I personally think they should get more than they getting now! Just my thoughts?

We should judge all on their Merit, not their sex, age or what ever?

If we worry & concentrate on ourselves only, the others will take care of themselves.

BTW, I'm very jealous of these young folks TOO! :-)