What is a reasonable expectation?

[DavidATL]

I am just starting out as a one man operation and am wondering what the average number of lawns that I could expect to perfrom weekly maintenance in an 8 hour day? Most of my lawns are bermuda and I am finding myself having to catch clippings right now with a 21" self propelled mower that is taking me roughly an hour and a half per lawn. I have a 36" Bobcat that I plan to use later without catching. Or, should I consider a catcher for the Bobcat? On an average lawn of 7,500 square feet or more, I would be interested in learning how many lawns you guys could do in a day as a one-man show. At what point to I holler "uncle" and get a helper?

[Scraper]

Too many variables too little info (i.e. drive time between stops, different size lawns with different requirements). I would say you could "shoot" for 10-15 lawns a day at 7,500 square feet with a 36". What would you be charging? Here in SE PA I can get anywhere from $30-40/cut for a 7,500 square foot yard, especially using a 36" which many people want. I just explain to them if they want the smaller mower they have to pay more $$$.

[HOMER]

Scraper, how do you manage 10-15 a day by yourself? Are you edgeing, trimming, blowing, the whole 9? I've asked this question before, how many lawns a day, me and 1 helper got 12 the other day and 10 for 2 days in a row, I can't see getting 15 with 2 people unless they were side by side!<p><br>Homer

[Scraper]

Homer: I'd say closer to 10 for me although I have one neighborhood which I have 8 houses in a row. That takes me the better part of a day. I'll start cutting at 8 and finish at around 6 each day. Never stop for lunch...always eat on the drive between stops. Of course I do the whole 9 (edge, trim, mow and blow). I figure a 7500 square footer takes about 40 minutes solo. Back when I used to work for someone else, I ran a two man crew and we would average 70-80 lawns a week. Granted some were small. We had 2-36&quot; WB's.<p>How big are your lawns? Like I said in response to DavidATL. Too many varaiables to have any way of putting a number of lawns possible a day.

[HOMER]

I would imagine most of mine are 10,000 to 15,000 sq. ft. We don't have many small yards here. With 2 men and 2 of everything including mowers, we average 30 to 35 minutes per stop. I just can't break out of that 10-12 per day thing.........I constantly hear others saying they get 15 - 20 a day and wonder how they do it. All I can think is they are small garden home sized lawns and they are stacked together!<p>Homer

[Lazer]

Me and 1 other guy did 72 lawns one day. All residential single family homes, 7,000 sq. ft. average. Didn't edge. <p>Quality? Um, well it was a long time ago...

[cutntrim]

Most my partner and I cut in a day was 33 I think. Same average size as Lazer. Had one 36&quot; WB and two 21&quot; Hondas. We did all the trimming and blowing and it was September and we were behind because of rain and an employee who bailed on us. <p>Personally I'd stack myself against anyone in North America as far as speed of cutting and quality...don't know how the hell you did 72 Lazer!<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>www.cutntrim.com

[turnkey]

72 lawns in one day..wow!!!!!! thats 6 lawns in an hour working a 12 hr day.not counting travel time etc etc. u were really mowing....never heard that many being mowed in a day.

[Lazer]

I'm not saying I was proud of the quality!<p>I used a Groundsmaster 72&quot;, which we normally used for commercial only. The Bunton walk-behind was down and we were way behind from rain ealier in the week.<p>I was determined to finish that week, so off we went. I mowed the lawns, my guy followed with the trimmer and blower. Since most of the properties were fairly close, I just drive the Groundsmaster down the street to the next lawn.<p>12 hours later we had cut the most I've ever done with only 2 people.

[Richard Martin]

I had my biggest day yet last Wednesday. It had rained Monday and Tuesday so I had a little catching up to do. I did 10 by myself, trimming, edgeing, blowing and cutting. They varied in size from 1-1/2 acre to 1/8 acre. 11 hours. Pack up and move between each job. Gravely 50&quot; and Exmark 36&quot;.

[lawnnut]

It seems we are in the 10 to 12 a day also<br>with 2 of us. That is using 1 mower on 7500<br>size lots I can't see using 2 there.<br>

[thelawnguy]

I work by myself, and will do 50-65 a week depending on weather. No weekends. 52 hydro, mulch, trim, blo and go. 10,000 to 70,000 sq ft. Every stop has a minimum of two lawns, most stops have 4-5 in a group.<p>Bill

[DMC300]

I CAN DO BETWEEN 45-65 PER WEEK WITH MY WIFE HELPING A FEW HOURS HERE AND THERE.THEY ARE BETWEEN 3500'-20 ACRES,I USE A 10'BUSHOG BEHIND A 6610 FORD,72'LAZER,50&quot;FLATLANDER DIXIE,AND 36&quot;SNAPPER BELT DRIVE.5-6 DAYS PER WEEK.I'M NEVER MORE THAN 12 MILES FROM HOME SO I TAKE A LOT OF BREAKS!!!NEVER MORE THAN 8 HOURS A DAY.<p>----------<br>DON<br>LIANNES' MOWING

[osc]

I'd like to add my perspective on this. I look at dollar volume and most importantly, net profit. I do mostly commercial so it's hard to compare mowing 4-5 stops in a day. <br>I use a crew of three including myself and sometimes four. On a busy day we will cut $1,200.00 in grass. That may happen 2 times per week and the rest of the time it's $6-800.00 per day. We have a crew working 7 days a week through June.<br>On those big days we work 10 hours and I spend $250-280.00 in payroll and gas, etc..<br>I do have to rotate some people but everyone usually gets overtime on each check.<br>Now residentials are almost a pain in butt because if we do 10 it seems like a chore with all the driving and unloading and loading back up. So I mix them up with commercial as conveniently as a days route will allow. If it doesn't fit then we don't take on the biz.<br>I must say that my residentials are wonderful people but it takes a lot of time to run around and get them done. One good commercial property wipes out half a day of residentials for me.<br>Another thing about my biz is that I own a push mower but it never gets loaded up and I won't take on biz that requires one. I know I can't make as much money with a 21&quot; deck, so I don't pursue it.<br>Just another opinion and I hope that helps you. One thing seems to be certain where I live, there too much grass to be cut. Set a goal of what you need to earn and how many hours you want to work and you'll get it.

[Eric ELM]

Man, it's getting deep in here. Lazer, I cut 73 lawns in a day with a 21&quot; push mower, so I'm one up on you now. LOL, just kidding. <p>We have done 14 in a long day, but we do some good sized lawns. Anyway, I just had to give Lazer a hard time. Just couldn't resist.<p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.townserver.com/elm/&quot;&gt;Eric@ELM&lt;/a&gt;<br>

[crew]

My helper and I have 22 scheduled for thursdays and 25 on fridays. We consistently did these in 8 or less hours. the trick is as stated before - 8 lawns w/out having to reload. average size is around 10M.

[yardsmith]

my buddy who mentored me into mowing has 100 lawns a week & likes to brag occaisionally; last week he calls, & during the conversation he mentions they got 43 done that day, & with 40 the next day they'll be caught up. AUGH! I want to strangle people like that!<br>He has plenty of equip, & 4 of them to work it; 2 on mowers, 1 on weedeat, 1 on blower.<br>Alot of times he takes 2 trucks & splits them up.<br>I mix big & small yards each day- route goes by geographic area. By myself, I can get 8-10 a day, & with partner, about 12-15 on a good day, with little downtime & yakking to customers, etc.<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<br>

[Charles]

I agree with Eric. I brought my shovel with me to this post. :) Lazer 73 in one day. Must have been really small yards and like you said little loading and unloading. A one man operation with a 60&quot; deck. With drive time and loading and unloading between stops can 8am to 6pm can expect to do around 10 yards a day(1/2 acre yards). With taking about a 15 min lunch. NOw these yard are not close together. You could probably get more in the less drive time you have and loading and unloading. But let me tell you to do 10 or more 1/2 acre yards like they are around here will take a toll on you. because you will have to really hump it and not wasts any time. Nothing going wrong equipment wise. But you know if you are exhausted all the time is it really worth it? Doing those extra few yards? You have to decide that. If you are too tired to have extra curicular activities:) with the ol lady and she boots u out on the street....<br>

[lawnforce1]

My partner and I using a '52 Scag wb, '48 JD wb (without the sulkys) and a Honda 4stroke trimmer cut 29 small-med. yards every Tuesday. It takes us just over 8 hours with one break for lunch. These yards would maybe equate to 15 regular sized yards.

[AGG Lawn Maintenance]

David<br>Use the 36&quot; it will cut your time down to 1/4<br>The 21&quot; is good for areas the the 36&quot; can't get and areas where their is too much weed wacking. As far as a one man crew we all have been there. A reasonable amount is 8 lawns in 8-10 hours permitting its not pouring rain. Try and get all your lawns in the same general area. Maybe 2 or 3 in a clip<br>that will cut down your drive time and unload and load time. Also make sure you can put leaves curbside in the fall. That will help cut your clean up time down. After all time is money. Good luck David and go kick some grass. :) Travis AG& G Lawn Maintenance<p>

[Bobby]

Hi David. I seem to average eight to ten a day by myself. How is your biz doing? I remember earlier you talking about escaping the banking world. We lived in Marrieta in 1990 for a short time. Loved it there. Hope to get back one day. <p>----------<br>Bobby <br>Ft Lauderdale

[HOMER]

OK, Lets get real here, I finally measured one of my &quot;typical&quot; lawns today and it measured out @ 13,727 sq.ft. This lawn took us approximately 30 minutes to edge, trim, mow, blow. Now, how many are cutting lawns this size and how much time are you taking to do it? I would like to know if there is a faster group out there. We did have to pick up 2 dozen toys before we could get started though so I would have to shave some off for that, although like I said, it was a typical yard.<p>Homer

[Getmow]

I agree with osc. Measure your days in profit, not the number of jobs. The job size varies greatly from small residential or strip offices....to large commercial properties,cemeteries or residential estates like Eric cares for. Just for instance, Friday-3 people(including me) 2 trucks 33 jobs $1100. Sunday--by myself,4 jobs,$600.It is all in pricing your time,using the best equipment and working efficiently.

[DavidATL]

Hey guys, Thanks for such an overwhelming response to my question! It is obvious that alot of you are in the major leagues and eat your wheaties every morning. I am just starting out and still in the farm club. And Bobby, coming home tired at the end of the day sure beats playing &quot;office&quot; all day with nothing much to show for it except an eventual downsizing pink slip. So far I am enjoying the challenge and trying to keep up with the phone calls and requests for estimates. I need to make hay while the sun is shining....so I'm off this morning to another full day. Again..thanks to all for their insights and helpful information. David

[1stclasslawns]

I agree its not the number of lawns per day but the gross reciepts that is generated.<br> <br>I am in small town Arkansas so my prices arnt as high as most of you. When I first started out several years ago I tried to gross 100.00 by myself, after learning a little I went to 150 ...200. Now with the addition of some equipment I can rather easily hit 200, and not work that hard, with a helper I have hit 500.00 in a 7 hour day with an hour of driving. <p>To me that means my Great Dane will pay for itself this year. I am doing better quality work, faster, easier and enjoing it more, with less stress! I also have moree family time. Last year I never felt like I was caught up. Now If someone calls and just has to be mowed tomarrow it dosnt screw me up for the week. <br>I wish I had known what i now know, when I stopped mowing in high school. <br>Hind sight is 20-20 I would be retired now if I had had the equipment I now have 20 years ago.

[Administrator]

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[A CUT ABOVE]

I agree with the idea that it is not in the number of yards, but in the number of $$$$$. I also do mostly commercial stuff, so it really depends on what day you ask about. I do a WalMart Distribution Center. It takes 2 ten or eleven hour days, and I get @$10,000/month. It only has to be done once a month!! I might be wrong, but I don't think you could cut enough residential accounts to make $5000/day. Of course, I don't know how everyone charges.

[osc]

A CUT ABOVE:<br>Need a partner? That's one of the best accounts I have ever heard of but I know that they exist. <br>I could have had a few insanely lucrative accounts like that but there was a danger of being nuked or contaminated with some other deadly toxin. Can you see mowing with a hazmat suit on?<br>I let them slide.

[A CUT ABOVE]

osc,<br> For the right amount of money, I'd mow in a hazmat suit or even in the nude. This is one of those accounts where I happened to be in the right place at the right time. They told me what they were willing to pay, and I said I needed to think about it. I sat down and figured up how much I would bid on an account like that, and my figures were a lot less than theirs were.

[Alan]

Best day I ever had I did 10 properties, some of them fairly large and spread over about 30 miles of traveling. Generated $400 of revenue, working alone, over about 10 hours total time. Not real bad for this backwater (in terms of pricing) area.

[osc]

A Cut Above:<br>I'm green with envy. Not to be nosey but how many acres would you say it is. I do a factory that must be 30 acres by now, it keeps growing with new buidings. It really is one of the least profitable things we do when you compare it to other accounts on a per acre basis. But I can't turn down the volume.

[A CUT ABOVE]

osc,<br> Email me and we'll talk more about it.<br> shadfish@jesup.net