Market in Florida

[True Harbor]

Can anybody in or around Pinellas county florida give me an idea if the market is good right now? I'll be going full time next year so I was wondering how stiff the competition is going to be.

[Greener Gardens Landscape]

It does not pay to do lawn in my area. I mostly do landscape and grading. Guys are cutting lawns for 15.00 per cut around here....

[True Harbor]

What do you guys think about asking other LCO's what they're charging for a yard just to get an idea of the going rate. I know it would vary depening upon who I asked but I just didn't know if this was acceptable or not since I'm still new.

[Scapegoat]

Yeah, you can ask them. You can also ask neighbors or other people what they pay their LCO's. But you'll probably get vast ranges in price for the same sized yards.

[topsites]

It's ok to ask so long you expect a few to tell you mind your own biz, you will also get some that will tell you upfront and then some will lie about it, but all in all this will give you an idea. i would suggest to ask straight-forward and not make up some spiel, had a guy do that to me a year or so ago and had he asked me straight, I may or may not have told him but since he played a game, the answer was even less forthcoming and I never told him.

[lawnman_scott]

It just varies so much depending on hedges, shrubs, gates, the customers attitude...... But if your wondering if there is money in it, sit at the corner of 19 and gulf to bay some afternoon about 5:00 and see how many lawn trucks you see.

[True Harbor]

I have been scouting around and there seems to be a ton of LCO's everywhere so does that mean things are being done dirt cheap around here?

[HisMoney]

I don't base my price on the other guy. I know what it takes to run my company (operating cost) and what it takes to make a profit. That's what I charge.
And to agree with "Lawnman Scott", every lawn varies.

I guess what I am saying is , don't let the other guy determine your price. You can't.
You determine what you charge. You're gonna win some and your gonna here about the other guy and what he charges.

Good luck payup

[True Harbor]

Anyone else have some feedback from Pinellas County? Thanks.

[twindiddy]

It's insane how many houses they are building over here in Polk and Osceola county. So yeah, there's plenty of business. Competition is cutthroat.

We're targeting the new homeowner, trying to hook up with some builders. Going to look at 3 commercial properties today. Two are apartments under construction, one an empty lot which is going to be a RV park.

Good luck!

[CleanCutLawns]

I don't base my price on the other guy. I know what it takes to run my company (operating cost) and what it takes to make a profit. That's what I charge.
And to agree with "Lawnman Scott", every lawn varies.

I guess what I am saying is , don't let the other guy determine your price. You can't.
You determine what you charge. You're gonna win some and your gonna here about the other guy and what he charges.

Good luck payup

I agree with HisMoney 100% I am not in Florida but in California the majority of guys are not insured or licensed and are charging low rates. They are not a legit business. Do it right and charge what you are worth. It may take longer to grow your business but you won't be working for pennies. Offer quality work and then give it and the customers may or may not keep you. But you can take pride in your work and not run yourself into the dirt. Look professional and this alone will bring customers your way.

Good Luck and Go Fins!!!!

[True Harbor]

Does anyone in Pinellas County Florida know where to get the size of lots for properties?

[lawnman_scott]

www.pinellascounty.org
Go to the property appraisers tab on top right of page, and when it opens click on search our database.

[True Harbor]

all the yards have mimimal obstacles

1st (83*119) very small yard

2nd (83*129) much bigger than the first but the measurements seem about the same am I missing something?

3rd (75*100) this yard had two different measurements
(75*106)

Scott is there anyway you could give a rough estimate for a monthly bill with this info for a trim, edge, mow and blow. Thanks. Anyone that has an idea would be helpful though too.