regular job and lawn mowing on the side

[little mike]

I'd like to know how many of you work a regular 40 hr or more job,and how many clients do you have.This season I had 50,but I'd like to know if 200 or so is possible.I do know that next season I'll have to buy a 32" SCAG to get a little better productivity.Is there anything else I might need though.

[Scotts' Yard Care]

It sounds like you have the accounts for a full time business. Why not quit the main job and work full time for you? As far as that many accounts, how large are they and are you planning on employees? You need to ask and answer a lot of questions and then work your numbers to solve them.

[marko]

Anything is possible with the equipment and employees to help out. I would think your problem would be finding people who want to work after hours and the weekends, and what happens if they quit and it's two weeks before you can get more help. Sounds like the above poster is correct in thinking a move to full time might be worth investigating.

[spinrider2000]

hey Little Mike, I work the 40 hours and then go cutting. Every day during the growing season I am cutting something. At last count I had 26 accounts. If I had another 26 I would quit one of the jobs!.....employees? I have a 14 year old that I am tutoring as to what quality is and what a customer is looking for! I wonder what the % of part timers there are in the business. Are they a thorn in the side for the full time guys?

[bohiaa]

Dude, If you have 50 accounts and holding down a full time job- your a better man than I....

[little mike]

It sounds like you have the accounts for a full time business. Why not quit the main job and work full time for you?
the reason Scott is because of the insurance benefits.I read on here allthe time how some guys manage to cut anywhere from 80 to 90 yards a week and work full time.I'd like to know how to do it.All of my clients live on small properties,front and back yard combined is approx. 2500 sq. ft.That is the reason I targeted that neighborhood.

[kirk brown]

i`m working 40 hours in a Ford dealership and can`t wait till the day that i can say"c-ya later". It`s tough doing both but i get way more satisfaction working for myself.
good luck

[Scotts' Yard Care]

It sounds like you have the accounts for a full time business. Why not quit the main job and work full time for you?
the reason Scott is because of the insurance benefits.I read on here allthe time how some guys manage to cut anywhere from 80 to 90 yards a week and work full time.I'd like to know how to do it.All of my clients live on small properties,front and back yard combined is approx. 2500 sq. ft.That is the reason I targeted that neighborhood.

I thought the same thing myself just after I asked you:D Insurance is a complete rip off unless your company pays the bigger part of it. Those should be fast lawns if you're not fighting small gates and can use a fairly wide deck. Are you bagging?

[Howard Roark]

I worked full time 45+ hours a week, and got up to about 50 accounts, both weekly and bi-weekly. I'd cut in the morning and be in my store about noon, with Fridays off to cut the whole day. Damn near killed me, I was tired all the time, but made great money to get my biz off the ground. I've been full time LCO since May. I don't know anyone who mows 90 lawns per week and works a full time job, not with themselves on the crew at least. Lawnsite is part fact, and part fantasy. :cool:

[Green-Pro]

I quit my 40 hour a week job to work double that doing this full time....never been happier :waving:

[daveintoledo]

hey Little Mike, I work the 40 hours and then go cutting. Every day during the growing season I am cutting something. At last count I had 26 accounts. If I had another 26 I would quit one of the jobs!.....employees? I have a 14 year old that I am tutoring as to what quality is and what a customer is looking for! I wonder what the % of part timers there are in the business. Are they a thorn in the side for the full time guys?

sorry but if you think about it, thats not a very good idea....underage, too young to use power equipment, too young to drive, or be insured, just curious,

the under the table employee is kind of breaking the law if you dont do the soc sec, unemployment, workers comp.....

[spinrider2000]

Dave, remember I said supervised. I think I remember when I grew up in the 60's that I cut the neighborhood with my push mower for 7 bucks a day with no supervision. No difference. What my purpose is to not really make him an adult employee but give him some experience of working. From what I see when I am out mowing is a need for some of the younger folks to get some experience. Most of the time he puts the wrong gas in the blowers, but live and let live.

[olderthandirt]

Dave, remember I said supervised. I think I remember when I grew up in the 60's that I cut the neighborhood with my push mower for 7 bucks a day with no supervision. No difference. What my purpose is to not really make him an adult employee but give him some experience of working. From what I see when I am out mowing is a need for some of the younger folks to get some experience. Most of the time he puts the wrong gas in the blowers, but live and let live.
If your running a business its illegal for a 14 yr old to run power equipment including a mower.

[spinrider2000]

ok, what age is appropriate and lawfull?

[olderthandirt]

18 ................. some equipment at 16 with a work permit

[spinrider2000]

Would 16 when they get a drivers license be a good age to begin to handle equipment? I am asking because with 3 children there is an issue of some handed over responsibilities. Just happens that the 14 yo is the male. My 17 year old is employeed in fast food. Just makes me think is it worth the risk/benefit...

[olderthandirt]

Would 16 when they get a drivers license be a good age to begin to handle equipment? I am asking because with 3 children there is an issue of some handed over responsibilities. Just happens that the 14 yo is the male. My 17 year old is employeed in fast food. Just makes me think is it worth the risk/benefit...
If you have a business it illegal to have a minor operate machenery.
As for what age if there your own kids it a personal decision to make but my kids were younger than 16 and running equipment BUT not on a job. I would not have had ins. coverage for the minors The liability that you place yourself in by using minors far out ways the bennefits of using them.

[spinrider2000]

olderthandirt, good thought. I believe what I will look for is something he can be involved in and not run any equipment. Running equipment could be done at my place. As to running equipment and liability, I think about the risk every time my 17 yo gets behind the wheel. Scary because you cant insure enough///

[little mike]

Scott in answer to your question.Yes I do bag rigth now.I bought a 26' Snapper Hi-Wheel mower this season.But next year I hope to get a 32" SCAG or Exmark with mulch kit.In addition if I can increase productivity next year,then yea I'm going to work full time on lawn care.That getting up a 5 and going until 8 at night is not cutting it.But only if I can increase productivity.Which I'm pretty confident I will.

[Scotts' Yard Care]

As I'm sure you already know bagging and grass handling at all is a real pain.
If you can, try very hard to set up as many accounts to mulch as possible.
I think your biggest problem will be what to do with that much residue from so many accounts. Good luck and best wishes on going full time. I can remember what a thrill it was for us when we no longer had a boss to answer to and one of the main reasons why it's so great be self employed.:D

[joe4]

18 ................. some equipment at 16 with a work permit

How many laws are broken a day. I am sure you speed, and car wrecks are in the top 5 killers.

[PMLAWN]

40 hour work week- bagging the grass- 26" mower, I'm surprised you can do 50 now and I am sure you will not do 200. At least not by yourself.
The day you hire someone you need a bunch more accounts to pay for him.
What are you doing now for work and why do you need so much extra work?
Do you have any kids or a wife? do you want to still see them. Think about rain or if you get sick. One thing that is true in this business is that the grass keeps growing no matter how we feel.

[olderthandirt]

How many laws are broken a day. I am sure you speed, and car wrecks are in the top 5 killers.

And so is cancer and heart disease so
WTF- R U talking about? Speeding does not put your business in jeopardy unless your solo. Incorporate or become an LLC and your personal assets are protected.
Hiring and using minors and your 100% liable to/for them plus it against the law to have them run equipment. If your wiling to take that chance you must not have anything worth risking:dizzy: :dizzy:

[6'7 330]

Mowing 200 lawns a week, would be a full time job in itself. Do you want sleep; have any time with your family? 200 lawn workload and full time job even if possible, one or both jobs performance would suffer.


How many laws are broken a day. I am sure you speed, and car wrecks are in the top 5 killers.


Poor analogy, hiring minors YOUR business is responsible, and if you’re not incorporated YOU are responsible and can lose every dime you have. Minor's do not operate ANY equipment for us, not even relatives.

[topsites]

hey Little Mike, I work the 40 hours and then go cutting. Every day during the growing season I am cutting something. At last count I had 26 accounts. If I had another 26 I would quit one of the jobs!.....employees? I have a 14 year old that I am tutoring as to what quality is and what a customer is looking for! I wonder what the % of part timers there are in the business. Are they a thorn in the side for the full time guys?

I am full-time and have never considered a part-timer a thorn in my side per se, at least not so long they behave and act respectfully (i.e.: please don't go driving down the road looking for work, see ME working on a yard and STICK your flyer in my customer's mailbox - but this can happen with anyone, not just part-timers).

A good percentage of part-timers have a different line of equipment from myself and thus are able to pick up those customers *I* am unable or them or I are unwilling to service out a contract... For example, I very rarely get yards smaller than 1/4 acre OR ones with a smaller than 4-foot gate due to the fact my minimum charge is 30 dollars and $45 = 55 minutes and ALL of this means the SMALLER yards are either not profitable for me OR it costs way more than they are willing to pay. My SMALLEST machine is a 48" Toro, only time yards start to get onto my schedule is usually around 1/4 acre it becomes a good deal for both customer and myself, whereas with a smaller deck it is likely you can pick up some of the slack that I simply can not service.

Furthermore, I have been without an employer-based relationship such as compared to someone working two jobs. For this reason, my customer base is uniquely tailored to my business (and my business only) and I am not afraid at once to say 9 out of 10 potential customers I never get the job, which leaves a LARGE portion of customers needing service, so the more help we have, the better, part-timers or what have you it makes no difference to me and I am glad you're out there helping because there is more work than ALL of us will ever be able to finish!

For customer base, I HAD roughly 56 starting in the spring and am down to around 48 now. I feel for next year, 60-65 accounts would be a solid number that will cut out ALL of the slack. I like working 100% from dawn to dusk 6 days a week until I am so busy that I don't even got time to THINK... But my first year I had 20-some, my 2nd and 3rd year was 30-40 or thereabouts and it has a lot to do with the fact it takes time to build a business but also with how much time you invest with each customer as it is possible (as an extreme example) to survive with a number as low as 10 customers, provided they have 4-acre lots each and are willing to spend upwards of 3 thousand dollars/year per lot, so to speak... Realistically speaking, I dare say 50 accounts is very good for starters, solo full-time.

Hope is help.

[Need a Little Trim]

I am rebuilding my business right now after Katrina hit. I lost 90% of my clients because it took us so long to get back on our feet. We still aren't 60%capacity as of yet.
In turn I had to go back to work for a company that I was working for 2 years ago. Working 50+hrs with them and then getting out of here to do my newly recieved 24+ accounts is proving difficult. Especially when I am relisting my business so new license and having to search for insuirance providers because my co. isn't re upping with anyone. I am at wits end. I hate to say it but, I need to quit and devote full time attention to this its just scary as hell. Especially with the hurricane crap and dealing with insurance co. to get paid for house, vehicle, business, and then having to buy all that stuff again is suckin.

Sorry had to vent.

[joe4]

I am tired of reading about how bad it is to work a minor. I am sure most of us over 30 worked under age.

I was a ranch hand from 13-18 years of age. Used back hoe, front end loader, bulldozer and other very large gear. Never had a problem, I think more 13-18 year olds should go get a hard labor job. Or is it better to play xbox all day? I am starting to think you guys work for a insurance company :)

[olderthandirt]

I am tired of reading about how bad it is to work a minor. I am sure most of us over 30 worked under age.

I was a ranch hand from 13-18 years of age. Used back hoe, front end loader, bulldozer and other very large gear. Never had a problem, I think more 13-18 year olds should go get a hard labor job. Or is it better to play xbox all day? I am starting to think you guys work for a insurance company :)

Farm and ranch work is excluded from the federal law. If you want to put your business at risk thats your poragative. Good luck if theres an accident invovling a minor :dizzy:

BTW your profile says your 28 so how did you come up with this statement
I am sure most of us over 30 worked under age.

[joe4]

Farm and ranch work is excluded from the federal law. If you want to put your business at risk thats your poragative. Good luck if theres an accident invovling a minor :dizzy:

BTW your profile says your 28 so how did you come up with this statement

I was rounding :)

[spinrider2000]

Interesting, the xbox comment. I see a change in someone being able to actually do something with some responsibility. So I am going to balance the risk/benefit by my values and continue the path. I appreciate comments about the risk and laws.

[loborojo338]

I hope to do the same.Right now I am able to work 4 days a week and I have a full time job at night.I hope by next spring I can cut the night job loose and go full time lawncare.payup

[Cooper725]

Well I work as a cook in one of my jobs sun-wed, about 30 hrs a week, I also work the door at a college night club from 9:00 till 3:30am on Fri and Sat. The rest of the time I am mowing my 34 accounts. I sufferd a major heart attack at the age of 32 last Dec so I have to use help on my accounts. I have two employees, One full time, one part. Next summer I have already 40 plus accounts signed up so I plan on going full time LCO. But I wont do that till I have at least 100 accounts. When I hit 100 its good bye cooking lol, been doing that for 14 yrs. So as soon as I have enough accounts its good by 2nd and 3rd job.

[PMLAWN]

I am rebuilding my business right now after Katrina hit. I lost 90% of my clients because it took us so long to get back on our feet. We still aren't 60%capacity as of yet.
In turn I had to go back to work for a company that I was working for 2 years ago. Working 50+hrs with them and then getting out of here to do my newly recieved 24+ accounts is proving difficult. Especially when I am relisting my business so new license and having to search for insuirance providers because my co. isn't re upping with anyone. I am at wits end. I hate to say it but, I need to quit and devote full time attention to this its just scary as hell. Especially with the hurricane crap and dealing with insurance co. to get paid for house, vehicle, business, and then having to buy all that stuff again is suckin.

Sorry had to vent.


Vent away! I would hate to have to go through what you are "STILL" going through.
The "STILL" part is knowing that the storms are no longer in the news so most of the country has moved on to other concerns.
Many of us wine and complain about mundane little things and forget that a large part of our country has been devastated and will take a very long time to get back to normal, if ever.
I'm happy that you were even able to find any work to keep you afloat and pray that things go as good as they can for you.

[PMLAWN]

And so is cancer and heart disease so
WTF- R U talking about? Speeding does not put your business in jeopardy unless your solo. Incorporate or become an LLC and your personal assets are protected.
Hiring and using minors and your 100% liable to/for them plus it against the law to have them run equipment. If your wiling to take that chance you must not have anything worth risking:dizzy: :dizzy:

"If your wiling to take that chance you must not have anything worth risking"

That is the key phrase.
The more you play by the rules to build a real business the more you have to follow them or risk losing it.

Driving wrong can have a great impact on all my business, CDL's can be affected much easier by screwing up and my real estate lic. can be pulled by driving 15 over.

My pesticide lic can be pulled by making mistakes and than I go out because I can not apply.

As a real estate investor with a RE lic. I can be fined or get into a lot more trouble than a unlicensed person with rentals.

And anything that hits my insurance can cause big trouble. I have fired guys on the spot for not wearing eye protection. Even if I tell them to and they choose not to, if they get hurt it is still my responsibility.

So if the laws and my insurance tell me to do something, I most definitely will do it.
I have a great deal to lose!!

[Need a Little Trim]

Vent away! I would hate to have to go through what you are "STILL" going through.
The "STILL" part is knowing that the storms are no longer in the news so most of the country has moved on to other concerns.
Many of us wine and complain about mundane little things and forget that a large part of our country has been devastated and will take a very long time to get back to normal, if ever.
I'm happy that you were even able to find any work to keep you afloat and pray that things go as good as they can for you.

I appreciate the vote of confidence...The rebuilding is slow but, steady as hell I am getting on average 5-15 calls a week since I returned 3 weeks ago to the business. I only lost maybe 10 of those due to being to high which is fine with me. I just hated this job when I worked it 2 years ago but, hey its money in the bank and I should only need it through the winter then I am full on.
There is a helluva lot of work down here right now if you are in the trad industry and restaurant/tourism industry. I know one thing once its back up and running at full capacity it should be better than ever. Definitely can't move away from my city.

[olderthandirt]

So if the laws and my insurance tell me to do something, I most definitely will do it.
I have a great deal to lose!!

I love it! It should be at the top of every thread and maybe people would stop and think for a second.

[daveintoledo]

Interesting, the xbox comment. I see a change in someone being able to actually do something with some responsibility. So I am going to balance the risk/benefit by my values and continue the path. I appreciate comments about the risk and laws.

dont think one of your compeditors wont turn you in, one less wolf in the pack.....

[spinrider2000]

dave, I know this! I am lucky enough to be in a college town where every age group does everything. But true that if the boys can find a way and I get in the way...........

[little mike]

PMLAWN,I need to clarify.When I say 50 lawns.I mean 50 per month.In other words 25 one week the next 25 the following week.So when I ask 200 a month.What I mean is 50 per week full time.I know that there is no way on God's green earth I could cut 200 lawns per week by myself.

[PMLAWN]

PMLAWN,I need to clarify.When I say 50 lawns.I mean 50 per month.In other words 25 one week the next 25 the following week.So when I ask 200 a month.What I mean is 50 per week full time.I know that there is no way on God's green earth I could cut 200 lawns per week by myself.

If 50 per month is really 25 per week than 200 per month would be 100 per week. I don't see cutting once a month.
I am not able to cut grass every 2 weeks here so that is why I did not understand you. Heck, in spring even 1 week is to long.
Be sure that you can follow that 2 week schedule all year.

[Scotts' Yard Care]

You know your market much better than I obviously, but there's no way we would let any of our lawns go two weeks in the regular season. It more than doubles your work and makes it tough to do a really good job unless the grass is very light.

[lawnprosteveo]

I work 52 hrs per week as a firefighter. I mow 45 per week solo. My yards are small though....averaging about 5,000 sq ft or so.