Looking at starting a new commercial lawn care business

[DaveinVa]

Dear Forum Members: I hope you can assist me as I look at the possibility of an add on service. I have a very successful commercial janitorial service with the potential of a solid base of customers from my existing accounts if I were to add lawn care to our services. I've just begun to do some research and am asking for your help in going in the right direction in terms of what equipment to start with. I would like to hear any suggestions you might have on brands, sizes, etc., of equipment needed - as well as some general pricing guidelines that you might have as well. Thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give. Any and all suggestions will be gladly welcomed.
Dave Roberts
Rite Way Jantorial Service

[Scraper]

Hmm...me thinks I am going to go into the janitorial field. Do a search...all your answers should be there.

[Bassman]

The subject of what equipment to start with has been discussed at great length. Just use the search feature to pull up all threads relating to the key words you put in. Glad to hear the janitorial business is going so well for you. Welcome to Lawnsite.com

[MIDSOUTH]

go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! scag ztr, exmark ztr, stihl weedeaters,edger, and hedge trimmers, redmax blowers!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric ELM]

I have a page of 74 item searches on my website of old posts from here on Lawnsite. By clicking on my little red house below and then clicking on Lawnsite Links. There is one on Business Starting, all brands of mowers and other equipement. Hope this helps.
Eric

[Evan528]

If you offer lawn care as a service to all your janitorial accounts you will be overwelmed.... Lawn care is a full time job!

[awm]

I would assume you are going to do the lawn care an
hire help for janitorial. You dont last long
doing both.You dont last long putting high priced lawn equip in inexperienced hands.You can inspect the janitorial work and keep help on the ball. So thats
the way Id try it.You may have to up your insurance
I THINK. GOD LUCK

[Jim White]

The best thing anybody can do is create a business plan, and follow it. Yours is janitorial services. Don't Get get yard clean-up confused with toilet clean-up. Why not expand your janitorial business into carpet cleaning? And why would you put good janitorial customers at risk for something you want to do, but know nothing about.

[MIDSOUTH]

Originally posted by Jim White
The best thing anybody can do is create a business plan, and follow it. Yours is janitorial services. Don't Get get yard clean-up confused with toilet clean-up. Why not expand your janitorial business into carpet cleaning? And why would you put good janitorial customers at risk for something you want to do, but know nothing about.



That sure is straight to the point, he lives in a different state and won't be your competition. Also there is not much to know about mowing yards, I can't see where he will risk his janitorial service, there is never anything wrong with expanding. In fact the two services will kinda work together.

[Randy Scott]

Good luck DaveinVa. You obviously already have the ability to successfully run a business. Now you need to implement it to the lawncare industry and you are good to go. I think you will do fine. Now spend all your free time here on LawnSite going through past threads and present and you will learn alot! :p

[awm]

One point,there is much to know about mowing yds.
Over 25yrs and still learning.

[HOMER]

Sounds to me like you got chu an dIleemer (dilema). What you gonna do ifn you mow first then janitize? You'll be trackin grass clippins in on your floors causin more floor work.................If you do your janitizin thing first then you.ll need hadelamps fer them mowers cause you.ll be in the dark oncet ya get dun???

Yep..............a reel dIlemer

Just make shore ya drell like me. see picture below

P.S.............don't think that thought hasn.t occured to me................sept in reverse!

[DaveinVa]

Dear Jim, Evan and the other esteeemed forum members who have responded to my intitial inquiry: Thank you for your input and in some cases - candor in your response. No doubt my initial post was a bit vague, as most assuredly I concur that a solid business plan is an integral part in planning a successful business. Also, I agree - there is little I know of concerning the particulars of lawn business - thus - my reasoning for coming to you guys and gals - "the pro's". I've never been afraid to ask lots of questions. I've operated my janitorial service for over 15 years now - and have many times found our "add on services" to come about as a result of necessity - i.e., carpet cleaning, smoke and fire restoration, pest control, etc.. Currently we have 5 separate divisions within our company - staffed accordingly. We currently serve over 350 clients - most of which are in free-standing facilities with some lawn care needed as part of their overall maintenance requirements. Because of the meticulous quality of service we are known for we have been approached over the past 5 years by many of our clients about taking on their groundskeeping and thus we are seriously contemplating entering that market at this time. We certainly have no intention of utilizing our current janitorial staff in the lawn care division - unless - there might be some who would want to transfer. We have on retainer competent accountants, attorney's, insurance agents, etc.. - but when it comes to the working knowledge of lawn care - I'll bet my bottom dollar - I can get "working knowledge" from you guys - not them!!! Currently we are looking at starting in 2002 - as I figure it will take at least that long to complete our equipment procurements, have contracts and staff in place for commencement. Any and all suggestions, recommendations - negative and positive - are most welcomed - and indeed we will be seaching the archives of this forum as many have suggested. Thanks again - and may each of you have the most profitable year yet!!!
Dave Roberts
Rite Way Janitorial Service

[sunrise]

Good luck, there's not too many lawn services in your area this will be a great idea to you curent business.

[HOMER]

On a more serious note:

It sounds to me like you are in a very good position to acquire some nice contracts.

1. You already know the customers
2. You have a solid customer base
3. You know all the properties so a good route could be established
4. You could find out in advance, more than likely, what the contracts have been going for, enabling you to do some homework in advance and see how much money could be generated.

I think you could sit back this year and study the methods being used by the current service providers. It is a little underhanded because somebody is going to lose some work when you start phase 10 of your business-----------but hey----------that.s business. You could also take the time to scope out the equipment they are using to see what your needs would be, don't buy cheap whatever you do.

Mowing is different than what you are accustomed to. Help might be harder to retain because of the nature of the business. I would really start small, get your feet wet, get a good foreman trained or hire him away from another company...........you need experience.

For $125,000.00 a year I will come up there and get it going for you.
Company truck
Cell phone
bonus plan
401
etc.
etc.
etc.