BIIIIGGGGG Company! Lots of Mowers!!!!!

[Gatewayuser]

You guys want to see a big company this is a local one where I know some people that work there, this is only one of the branches. They started back in the mid-70s with one guy working hard. Any body from lower Ohio knows who they are. Some of their jobs I believe are in the million dollar level. Of course they are not as big as Brickman which is huge.

[jims5964]

I have trouble finding one or two good guys for help, I can't imagine where they find the people to run all that equipment. But I sure wish that was my company.payup payup :blob4:

[Gatewayuser]

That equipment cost $1,566,185.00 as far as I can tell.
55 mowers, 42 F-350s, 12 18ft trailers, 22 blowers, 23 trimmers, 1-3 gators, 2 skid loaders, 2 excavators, and 1 box truck.

[Clapper&Company]

Which Company is that?? Thats not Yard Master is it???

[glllc]

Who are they?

[Gatewayuser]

Ground Masters

[Jamesgateslandscaping]

:dCompany around me started the same way, it is gigantic, 7 million a year in annual sales, all brand new GMC trucks, trailers, skids, tractors, dump trucks, material center.....ALL MEXICANS:dizzy:
James

[mulcahy mowing]

:dCompany around me started the same way, it is gigantic, 7 million a year in annual sales, all brand new GMC trucks, trailers, skids, tractors, dump trucks, material center.....ALL MEXICANS:dizzy:
James
Yep thats how life is:gunsfirin

[mrbray101]

cute little design they got there, someone has one too many bored employees

[Gatewayuser]

I think this company a couple of years ago was making $30,000,000 so now it might be around 40 to 60 mill a year.

[LawnBoy89]

Can someone tell me HOW exactly you get that large? I mean how many accounts can they really service? Do they only mow?

[Az Gardener]

I always wonder why those guys are not contributing to lawnsite. But I know why, they are working on their business, not bloviating about it. And thats what we should all be doing more of. Working on our businesses I mean, not bloviating.

[Gatewayuser]

They are full service like me but they do irrigation.

You think they don't come on here? Have you ever noticed sometimes you will see it say Brickman on the active user list, they don't have one post and the web site on the profile takes you right to their main site. They are around more then you think!

[MacLawnCo]

First of all, the smaller dumps you see are either 4 or 550s. I have never seen them run a 350 unless its a srw pickup. Second, they are not 18' trailers, they are more like 24 or 26'.

If you really think larger companies give a crap about this site, you need to get a life.

Staffing is simple. H2B. They work long and cheap. Its not hard to get this large guys. And you dont do it by being low bidder.

[Gatewayuser]

They don't pay their H2B workers bad there, I know managers 3 managers at ground masters. It depends on what branch you are near some use different trucks, and if you don't think they look at what we say then your nuts, I know for a fact they do! And your right most of the time they use 20 footers I just can't tell if they are that long in the pic.

[rfed32]

that pic reminds me of all the equipt i had in this dream i had the other night...but the weird thing is i was the only emplooyee

[cleancutccl]

What I find interesting is no ztr, looks like all walkbehinds. Keep cost of machines down. I think that I'm going to go back to that 48" or 52" wb, cheaper and still good quality. Just keep one z around for the large stuff.

[Gatewayuser]

The ones in the back are ztr there are 20 in the pic so 35 are w/b.

[Tony Clifton]

I have heard the owner of that company speak a couple of times, and he is a really impressive guy. Unbeleivably sharp, and pretty funny too. I know that one reason his company is so successful is that he knows how to focus on what they are good at, and does not try to branch off in every direction. His company is geared towards large commercial maintenance. They do not piddle areound with small stuff, and do not do construction work. They have those trucks and trailers set up so they pull onto a site, and are ready to blast some acreage. I am sure they have ZTRs, I doubt they put everything in that picture.

[Tony Clifton]

Actually clean cut, I didnt even look at the picture before I posted, but the ZTRs are in there, the pic is just too fuzzy. You are right about the owners of these companies not contributing to the site, but do not think they do not contribute to the industry. They are involved in other networks, and are very approachable.

[cleancutccl]

I see the z's now. If they don't do construction why do they have two excavators in the back and 2 skids?

[cedarcroft]

nice setup. how the hell do they keep track of that amount of business!!

as for the mexican issue. I have 2 men full time, 6 days a week and I hire a third during cleanup season. I pay my main guy $15 an hour and the laborers $11 and hour. many weeks they make more than I do. I have learned to speak some basic spanish and they have learned to speak basic english. we communicate well and get the job done. Find me 2 white kids willing to put in that kind of effort and willing to work their a$$ off regardless of conditions and I would hire them tomorrow. around here the white kids are spoiled brats and have no idea what its like to chase around a lawnmower in 98 degree heat or digg holes for 10 hours straight. never happen. so don't knock the "mexicans", they keep this industry alive.

[Gatewayuser]

They DO construction too, and they are only commercial.

[zim bob the landscaper]

:dCompany around me started the same way, it is gigantic, 7 million a year in annual sales, all brand new GMC trucks, trailers, skids, tractors, dump trucks, material center.....ALL MEXICANS:dizzy:
James
same with the company my dad works for a wicked good biz and they have Brazilians working there, theres only one white guy but thats landscaping the all the white guys do the trucking and machine operating.

[Sean Adams]

First of all, the smaller dumps you see are either 4 or 550s. I have never seen them run a 350 unless its a srw pickup. Second, they are not 18' trailers, they are more like 24 or 26'.

If you really think larger companies give a crap about this site, you need to get a life.

Staffing is simple. H2B. They work long and cheap. Its not hard to get this large guys. And you dont do it by being low bidder.

1. Be a little more respectful
2. You are wrong.... on 3 counts

a.) TruGreen, Ground Masters, Brickman, Landcare, and many of the large companies in this industry read this site frequently.... I would know as I have talked to several Presidents, CEO's, etc...

b.) It is hard to "get that big".... how would you know?

c.) often times they are the lowest bidder - they can afford to be

Might want to avoid posting when you have no idea what you are talking about.....

[mulcahy mowing]

nice setup. how the hell do they keep track of that amount of business!!

as for the mexican issue. I have 2 men full time, 6 days a week and I hire a third during cleanup season. I pay my main guy $15 an hour and the laborers $11 and hour. many weeks they make more than I do. I have learned to speak some basic spanish and they have learned to speak basic english. we communicate well and get the job done. Find me 2 white kids willing to put in that kind of effort and willing to work their a$$ off regardless of conditions and I would hire them tomorrow. around here the white kids are spoiled brats and have no idea what its like to chase around a lawnmower in 98 degree heat or digg holes for 10 hours straight. never happen. so don't knock the "mexicans", they keep this industry alive.
Alright i'l be out next week....... jk you raise a great point most of my freinds are like why do you have a job? come on your 15. most would just take the time and go work at burger king. most kids dont like doing what we do payup

[Gatewayuser]

Thanks Sean!

[Tony Clifton]

Maybe I am wrong, I thought he said they do not do any construction. I figured the skid steers mini ex's etc. were for enhancements. I know they do construction, but did not think they were out bidding new construction jobs. Thought they did renovations and stuff along those lines, and would do the construction when current customers expanded.

Sean, I did not mean any disrespect when I said they did not contribute. You said they read the board, but do they contribute? I don't read every single post, but have never read one by any of the owners or presidents of the companies you mentioned. Not trying to start an argument, just curious....you should try to get them to participate, we could learn a lot from them.

[mulcahy mowing]

with a big company PR is huge. they cant have the risk of slipping up or saying somthing that coud be bad for biss

[grass_cuttin_fool]

LOL some one posted they wanted to be that size, not me!!!!!!!!. Can you imagine the staffing headaches, mechanicing issues,. True the president or owner of this company pays people to take care of alot of these situations. I think I will stick to my single man operation. Less of everything including the money. Dont get me wrong and Im glad to see someone has that ambition ........just not me

wayne

[Sean Adams]

Maybe I am wrong, I thought he said they do not do any construction. I figured the skid steers mini ex's etc. were for enhancements. I know they do construction, but did not think they were out bidding new construction jobs. Thought they did renovations and stuff along those lines, and would do the construction when current customers expanded.

Sean, I did not mean any disrespect when I said they did not contribute. You said they read the board, but do they contribute? I don't read every single post, but have never read one by any of the owners or presidents of the companies you mentioned. Not trying to start an argument, just curious....you should try to get them to participate, we could learn a lot from them.

I was directing my post to MacLawnCo - but I agree it would be nice if these companies or at least officers from these companies would participate, but the main reason from what I have been told is that these companies have privacy policies and legal issues to consider, and it is not hard for them to see that they would not necessarily be the most "loved" members of the site due to the competition issues they create.

[kootoomootoo]

http://www.groundmasters.com/home.html

$$$ + SALES = $$$$$$$$$$$$$

[lawnmaniac883]

Heres my opinion after seeing their website, that is an impressive company. They have some real good workers on board from the looks of the photos. Check out their jobs link, talkin about one hell of a place to work as well! Lotsa medical insurance, 401k's, even have company picnics.

[ProEagle]

The company I work for has a little more than 50 trucks but not as much mowers as that. We have all walker ride-on mowers and bobcat walk-behinds and one toro reelmaster; those look like they are eXmark or toro. But we do a lot of landscape construction thats why we has less mowers than trucks. But thats I real nice company that person has, I wish I was him.

[Gatewayuser]

Yes he uses eXmark mowers. I saw them out working on flower beds today this no snow winter must be killing them.

[MysticLandscape]

The company I work for has a little more than 50 trucks but not as much mowers as that. We have all walker ride-on mowers and bobcat walk-behinds and one toro reelmaster; those look like they are eXmark or toro. But we do a lot of landscape construction thats why we has less mowers than trucks. But thats I real nice company that person has, I wish I was him.

What company do you work for?

[MacLawnCo]

I was directing my post to MacLawnCo - but I agree it would be nice if these companies or at least officers from these companies would participate, but the main reason from what I have been told is that these companies have privacy policies and legal issues to consider, and it is not hard for them to see that they would not necessarily be the most "loved" members of the site due to the competition issues they create.
In today's society, knowledge is power. That is one of the key points of differentiation from one company to another. Why would anyone freely volunteer their competitive advantage? Look within the last year of all my posts. Good luck finding one insightful thing ive said... im not going to give away what i know.

How would I know? Im walking my talk right now. :)

[Sean Adams]

In today's society, knowledge is power. That is one of the key points of differentiation from one company to another. Why would anyone freely volunteer their competitive advantage? Look within the last year of all my posts. Good luck finding one insightful thing ive said... im not going to give away what i know.

How would I know? Im walking my talk right now. :)


What you have learned has been right here at LawnSite.... you can't give away something to this site which you in fact got from this site.

And if you are "walking your talk", good for you....but making the statement that growing and developing a company the size of the one being discussed in this thread is "easy" is a ridiculous statement.... that company we are discussing did not have the luxury of a resource like LawnSite - and you have....so maybe saying it would be "easier" for you than it was for them would make sense....

[ProEagle]

MysticLandscape - I am currently not working for them, but do work for them in the spring, summer, and fall. It's The Green Company. You've probally seen trucks around. They do most of the large condo complexes in the Danvers area. It's a very fast growing company.

[MysticLandscape]

MysticLandscape - I am currently not working for them, but do work for them in the spring, summer, and fall. It's The Green Company. You've probally seen trucks around. They do most of the large condo complexes in the Danvers area. It's a very fast growing company.

Yup i see them all the time i live right im west peabody, 50 trucks huh i thought that had somewhere along the lines of about 15-20 thats alot of trucks!!

[ProEagle]

Mystic Landscape - What I've been told was around 50 from some people working for them but I know for sure that there are more than 30 because I've seen some of the numbered trucks reach up to #32 but I have heard that the do or did have 50.

[gqnine44]

I have heard the owner of that company speak a couple of times, and he is a really impressive guy. Unbeleivably sharp, and pretty funny too. I know that one reason his company is so successful is that he knows how to focus on what they are good at, and does not try to branch off in every direction. His company is geared towards large commercial maintenance. They do not piddle areound with small stuff, and do not do construction work. They have those trucks and trailers set up so they pull onto a site, and are ready to blast some acreage. I am sure they have ZTRs, I doubt they put everything in that picture.

I had a different experience with the owner. After talking to him I wondered how he was able to build such a big company. He didnt seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer if you know what I mean.

Although Groundsmasters is huge I think Evans Landscaping (Cincinnati guys know who they are) must be one of the biggest companies in the country but they are very private and dont share any sales numbers that I am aware of.

[Gatewayuser]

I had a different experience with the owner. After talking to him I wondered how he was able to build such a big company. He didnt seem like the sharpest knife in the drawer if you know what I mean.

Although Groundsmasters is huge I think Evans Landscaping (Cincinnati guys know who they are) must be one of the biggest companies in the country but they are very private and dont share any sales numbers that I am aware of.

You don't have to be the sharpest knife in the drawer as long as you surround yourself with employees that are. Evans is a good size but Ground Masters is larger they now have many newer locations Lebanon, Columbus and one in Northern Kentucky, Evans only has 2 or 3. Evans is one of my suppliers they called me about their mulching truck the other day and they said its only $40 per yard put down so I would get the other $30 (I charge $70). Did any of you get the call too, I guess they saw that I had orders for jobs that were over 30yds at a time.

[grassman2001]

Evans is a different kind of company, they are more of a design/build firm, wholesale products, and do a lot of trucking and excavating, where groundmasters is mostly commercial maintenance.

[hoskm01]

In today's society, knowledge is power. That is one of the key points of differentiation from one company to another. Why would anyone freely volunteer their competitive advantage? Look within the last year of all my posts. Good luck finding one insightful thing ive said... im not going to give away what i know.

How would I know? Im walking my talk right now. :)


You must be a great untapped resource. How can we ever live up to the standard you've set? Better not give away your advantage, you might revolutionize the industry, nation-wide.

You need to have insight before you can give it away.

[MacLawnCo]

What you have learned has been right here at LawnSite.... you can't give away something to this site which you in fact got from this site.
please Sean, dont flatter yourself. We both know this is not a true statement.

[Lux Lawn]

Thats a lot of equipment.

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Impressive company. Here in Maryland we have a company named Lasting Impressions, Complete Landscaping/Irrigation Jam's lawn and gardening and Then Brickmans corporate office and one of their "branches" is here. I know Jams personally and he has been around since 1980. They have 35 F250 350 and 10 650's

I believe that a company that has been around for 30 years will grow unless you stop it. Naturally if you do good work and your crews are out working, doing a good job, people will notice and more jobs will come in. If you deny the jobs and the growth you wont get any bigger, If you change with the times and allow the growth, you should get bigger.

How Big, and How fast should be up to you. Most companies here add a new crew every 2 years for the first 4 years then a crew a year after that. Growth is inevitable, If you allow it.



please Sean, dont flatter yourself. We both know this is not a true statement.

And Mac. You are to say, very upsetting. You never replied back to my other post where you left a pointless comment. Dont come here to lawnsite, where we like to learn and share ideas and belittle other people because your life sucks. I thought I was out of high school.

And as for your comments to sean, Very disrespectful to someone who created and moderates this great place. We all thank you Sean

[RedWingsDet]

Haha, you guys think thats alot?

Come to S.E. Michigan. There are ATLEAST 5 companies within a 20mile radius with that kind of set up, if not bigger. I can name a 2 offtop of my head that have atleast 60 trucks, but I rather not post it because I dont want this website to come up when someone types in that companys name in google. lol

I cant belive the people who say "I dont drop my gate for less than $45". If those people did that here, they'd have no work. It sucks around here, especially with screwballs in a minivan and such cutting grass with a electric mower for $12 a cut.

That big of a company must be ONE big headache, however imo in order to make money in this business, around here atleast, you either need to 1, have a POS truck but reliable equipment, and have everything paid for, or... be a decent sized co with 10 trucks, but thats just my oppinoin for around here atleast.

[Gatewayuser]

Haha, you guys think thats alot?

Come to S.E. Michigan. There are ATLEAST 5 companies within a 20mile radius with that kind of set up, if not bigger. I can name a 2 offtop of my head that have atleast 60 trucks, but I rather not post it because I dont want this website to come up when someone types in that companys name in google. lol

I cant belive the people who say "I dont drop my gate for less than $45". If those people did that here, they'd have no work. It sucks around here, especially with screwballs in a minivan and such cutting grass with a electric mower for $12 a cut.

That big of a company must be ONE big headache, however imo in order to make money in this business, around here atleast, you either need to 1, have a POS truck but reliable equipment, and have everything paid for, or... be a decent sized co with 10 trucks, but thats just my oppinoin for around here atleast.


Remember this is not all of their equipment they also have a boat load of irrigation trucks too, this is just one of the local branches.

[RedWingsDet]

Remember this is not all of their equipment they also have a boat load of irrigation trucks too, this is just one of the local branches.

Yes I hear ya. It sucks to have these huge companies, however I wouldnt mind being one. lol

[grassman2001]

That's one of 8 different branches here in the tri-state area.

[Sean Adams]

please Sean, dont flatter yourself. We both know this is not a true statement.


Ummm....first, what LawnSite can do and has done for many people is because of the people here - so I'm not trying to flatter myself...

And I recall a high school senior from a few years ago who worked 15-20 hours a week and had to ask his parents permission to buy a mower? Maybe that was a different MacLawnCo?

Here.... http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=29024

Now... are you sure you knew all of these amazing industry secrets before LawnSite? I'm not saying you have learned everything here, but it is where you learned most I'm sure...even if you refuse to admit it.

[scaglawnsnj]

Ummm....first, what LawnSite can do and has done for many people is because of the people here - so I'm not trying to flatter myself...

And I recall a high school senior from a few years ago who worked 15-20 hours a week and had to ask his parents permission to buy a mower? Maybe that was a different MacLawnCo?

Here.... http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=29024

Now... are you sure you knew all of these amazing industry secrets before LawnSite? I'm not saying you have learned everything here, but it is where you learned most I'm sure...even if you refuse to admit it.


I agree,
This site has helped my business florish in many ways. Thanks guy's. I've only been in the business for two years. Most clients consider me a prefered professional. Who would have thought. I run a pretty sweet operation.
I think my business will be just as big as that co. But I'll make up a better business model w/ more options.

[Eurosport]

please Sean, dont flatter yourself. We both know this is not a true statement.

If you didn't gain anything from this site then why do you come back? I just don't see the point of coming here and bashing the site. Grow up maybe?:confused:

[Sean Adams]

LawnSite is not an end all - I know that. But it is a great resource because of the people and their willingness to help one another. That's why people keep coming back - even if some people do not like to admit it. :rolleyes:

[mulcahy mowing]

lawn site has done wonders for me. with out it i would have 21" mower, walking around mowing lawns for $5

[meets1]

Sean - great work! And yes, most won't admit coming back to LS to gather more info. A great source to inter-act, bounce new ideas, and even vent from time to time.

Keep it up guys!

And that is a BIIGGG company! I would like more pictures! I like looking at the one!

[Gatewayuser]

Here are the managers and their trucks. The owner is in black.

[Gatewayuser]

Here is some of their stripes.

[cwlawley]

This site has been a wonderful resource for all of us. Thanks!

[impactlandscaping]

That equipment cost $1,566,185.00 as far as I can tell.
55 mowers, 42 F-350s, 12 18ft trailers, 22 blowers, 23 trimmers, 1-3 gators, 2 skid loaders, 2 excavators, and 1 box truck.


The F 350's alone would run somewhere around $ 1.5-1.65 Mil (new) alone
Very impressive set up. I'd like to see their GPS systems and mapping software bill each month..wow..

Lawnsite-Give a little, take a littleus flag

[MMLawn]

In today's society, knowledge is power. That is one of the key points of differentiation from one company to another. Why would anyone freely volunteer their competitive advantage? Look within the last year of all my posts. Good luck finding one insightful thing ive said

Then why are you bothering to come back on here day after day? If I wasn't going to try and learn new things or give advise, heck there are tons of other "just for fun" sites and forums out there. I'd also say that that statement is not completely grounded in truth because since you have gotten a little higher education (or so you claim) in accounting you love to throw accounting info around on the Business Forum.

... im not going to give away what i know.

How would I know? Im walking my talk right now. :)

See, you use to be a somewhat respected member on here, but now by this post you have proved everyone wrong and proven instead that you are in fact nothing more than just another one of many 21 year old's coming on here who have been in "business" since they were 15 year old KIDS and now know's it all and can not be taught anything else because they....well, know it all already..... hammer

MacLawnCo Profile:

Birthday:
February 13, 1984
Your Age:
21
Years in business:
a few
Biography:
started when i was 15, grew some to wher i am now. :)


I've been in business almost 27 years kid, and I "walk my talk" with the BEST of them and I'll be the first to admit I am still far from knowing it all about business and LC......but I do know more than you about both business and life and I do know that LS does in fact teach folks helpful stuff every single day, and is a wonderful asset to this industry whether you think so or not.

Sean, is also a much better man than me, cause if I owned LS and since you say you have learned nothing here, and will not help anyone here and instead choose to bash LS, I'd lock your young azz out of coming here.

[Gatewayuser]

Then why are you bothering to come back on here day after day? If I wasn't going to try and learn new things or give advise, heck there are tons of other "just for fun" sites and forums out there. I'd also say that that statement is not completely grounded in truth because since you have gotten a little higher education (or so you claim) in accounting you love to throw accounting info around on the Business Forum.



See, you use to be a somewhat respected member on here, but now by this post you have proved everyone wrong and proven instead that you are in fact nothing more than just another one of many 21 year old's coming on here who have been in "business" since they were 15 year old KIDS and now know's it all and can not be taught anything else because they....well, know it all already..... hammer

MacLawnCo Profile:

Birthday:
February 13, 1984
Your Age:
21
Years in business:
a few
Biography:
started when i was 15, grew some to wher i am now. :)


I've been in business almost 27 years kid, and I "walk my talk" with the BEST of them and I'll be the first to admit I am still far from knowing it all about business and LC......but I do know more than you about both business and life and I do know that LS does in fact teach folks helpful stuff every single day, and is a wonderful asset to this industry whether you think so or not.

Sean, is also a much better man than me, cause if I owned LS and since you say you have learned nothing here, and will not help anyone here and instead choose to bash LS, I'd lock your young azz out of coming here.

clapping Well Said! I would of kicked him off too.

[CrewCutEnterprises]

clapping Well Said! I would of kicked him off too.


Agreed.....Some people. Need to grow up.

[meets1]

Like you said "some people need to grow up". He can't grow up cuz he
's to big for his britches already!

And besides if he "KNOWS ALL" why aren't we viewing his picture with all that equipment.

Also "a Fews years in Business" where does that come from? His bio says he is 21. Higher education in accountanting - Great for him. I am all for higher education IE college, I have a 4 yr biz degree in fianicaing & biz management - I will admit I may know alot but I am still trying to understand, and with that comes learning, studing and being a student everyday in the business. So I would kick him out of Class.

Also thanks for the pictures. Get any more - your always welcome to send them my way.

Sean - we on LS may need to say more but thanks for the site, the learning, and getting to know other LCO.

[Sean Adams]

I enjoy working on and reading this site every single day....

And I guess maybe I was a bit hard on MacLawnCo - don't want anyone to ever feel unwelcomed or anything like that....it's just very important to me that this site helps people and it is used in the way it was intended.... I have said it before - neat to see rookies asking questions, the vets taking the time to answer, the exchange of ideas, the creation of new possibilities, etc....

[MacLawnCo]

Since this thread has already taken a slight detour, i will respond openly here.

Ive never proclaimed to know it all. The only proclimation ive ever made was that what I do know, I WILL NOT give away freely. Who knows, maybe everyone knows what I do; then again, maybe only a few grasp what I do.

knowledge is power why people choose to give away what has taken years to understand blows my mind.

I will admit, LS did get me on my feat a few years ago. Since then, I only check back just for recreational purposes. What else put me where I am? The biggest, my mentor. My accounting degree. My CLP certification. My parents (gona mock that too Sean?) Analitical skills. Even some clients.

If Sean chooses to ban me again, thats fine. I highly doubt Ill ever post again, so does it really matter? I have no hard fealings either way.

What good does it do if I post pictures of my company? Its trucks, trailers, and equipment... you can see them at dealers any time you please.

[Sean Adams]

Since this thread has already taken a slight detour, i will respond openly here.

Ive never proclaimed to know it all. The only proclimation ive ever made was that what I do know, I WILL NOT give away freely. Who knows, maybe everyone knows what I do; then again, maybe only a few grasp what I do.

knowledge is power why people choose to give away what has taken years to understand blows my mind.

I will admit, LS did get me on my feat a few years ago. Since then, I only check back just for recreational purposes. What else put me where I am? The biggest, my mentor. My accounting degree. My CLP certification. My parents (gona mock that too Sean?) Analitical skills. Even some clients.

If Sean chooses to ban me again, thats fine. I highly doubt Ill ever post again, so does it really matter? I have no hard fealings either way.

What good does it do if I post pictures of my company? Its trucks, trailers, and equipment... you can see them at dealers any time you please.

You can backtrack and spin all you want... You still do not get it.

The point I made was what you have learned or what you do know is here at LawnSite... And I never mocked you - I just had to make sure you did not forget that you came to this site as a high school student mowing part time...and now just a few short years later you come off like you know everything.... telling people to "get a life" and growing and operating a very large company "is not that hard"....gimme a break.

There are guys here in this very thread who have been in business longer than you have been alive and even they admit they still have things to learn....your shortsighted attitude will keep you exactly where you are right now.... And yeah, I know...you don't need to prove anything.... you wouldn't want anyone seeing your operation and "stealing" your ideas.... :laugh:

[Gatewayuser]

Since this thread has already taken a slight detour, i will respond openly here.

Ive never proclaimed to know it all. The only proclimation ive ever made was that what I do know, I WILL NOT give away freely. Who knows, maybe everyone knows what I do; then again, maybe only a few grasp what I do.


I will admit, LS did get me on my feat a few years ago. Since then, I only check back just for recreational purposes. What else put me where I am? The biggest, my mentor. My accounting degree. My CLP certification. My parents (gona mock that too Sean?) Analitical skills. Even some clients.knowledge is power why people choose to give away what has taken years to understand blows my mind.

If Sean chooses to ban me again, thats fine. I highly doubt Ill ever post again, so does it really matter? I have no hard fealings either way.

What good does it do if I post pictures of my company? Its trucks, trailers, and equipment... you can see them at dealers any time you please.

Reason is because we are nice, I like helping people and sometimes you can benefit from that if you play your cards right.

Sorry you feel that way! See ya and good luck with your company.:waving:

[FinerCutslawnCare]

Yea if i saved my lunch money for school for the next bazillion six years i could buy all of that equipment

[Toro 44]

Hey MacLawnCo. Where are you in Cincy? Do you still have the Stander for sale? It's been a while I know, just thought I'd ask.
Yes I see Ground Masters all the time. The're not real big on residential work in the suburban west side. They stay mainly with comercial from what I've seen. At times it can be Very intimidating when all I've got is a 5'x10' open trailer with one truck, one mower, one plow etc, etc. One thing I doubt they can do as well as guys like us is individual customer service.
You hear about it all the time. Some one has a complaint with a big company, doesn't even have to be in the lawncare industry. So they tell a CSR (customer service representative) about it and get it worked out. But then there is no comunication within the large company. Next a different employee, who doesn't know about the customers preference, comes out and does things the old way and starts the problem all over again. Smaller companies like us are better at keeping track of stuff like that, keeping clients happy. To me, that's a big selling point in our favor, both for residential work and small commercial work. Do you guys agree?
Darn, if the're reading this, I just gave away the secret;)

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Since this thread has already taken a slight detour, i will respond openly here.

knowledge is power why people choose to give away what has taken years to understand blows my mind.



We all could use more knowledge. I showed you that over 26k combined, you need a cdl... But your comment to that was...

http://www.lawnsite.com/showpost.php?p=1262176&postcount=39

We share the knowledge because why should someone take 10 years to do it right.... It should be dont right the first time.

[Gatewayuser]

Hey MacLawnCo. Where are you in Cincy? Do you still have the Stander for sale? It's been a while I know, just thought I'd ask.
Yes I see Ground Masters all the time. The're not real big on residential work in the suburban west side. They stay mainly with comercial from what I've seen. At times it can be Very intimidating when all I've got is a 5'x10' open trailer with one truck, one mower, one plow etc, etc. One thing I doubt they can do as well as guys like us is individual customer service.
You hear about it all the time. Some one has a complaint with a big company, doesn't even have to be in the lawncare industry. So they tell a CSR (customer service representative) about it and get it worked out. But then there is no comunication within the large company. Next a different employee, who doesn't know about the customers preference, comes out and does things the old way and starts the problem all over again. Smaller companies like us are better at keeping track of stuff like that, keeping clients happy. To me, that's a big selling point in our favor, both for residential work and small commercial work. Do you guys agree?
Darn, if the're reading this, I just gave away the secret;)

They keep their customers happy because they have what are called account managers and they check on the customers with a phone call, go to lunch, etc so thats not where we get them where we get them is in residential accounts because they DO NOT offer any residential. Now however they sometimes will mow the owner house of the commercial properties. But in some companies that is verrrry true.:waving:

[Tony Clifton]

I thnik that there are different levels of company sizes where customer service peaks and slumps. It is at a peak when you are solo, and on the customers property every week, talking to them. Then you will get busy and not be able to return phone calls etc. Then you will hire a guy or two and have a little more time for the customer service gig. Next thing you know you have 2 or 3 crews and you are running around like a chicken with its head cut off because you have never managed multiple crews before--obviously customer service slumps here too. Then you have 4-5 crews, hire a manager, and again your service is back. Then you and the manager get too busy and customer service slumps again. Next thing you know, you have systems set-up, specific dollar amounts for your managers to handle, and you preach customer service. Another thing to remember with a company this size is that they are almost all commercial, they have accounts where the crew spends an entire day or more. My point is, instead of trying to please 10-15 customers a day, they may only have one to deal with.

[alwaysgreener]

To me it looks like they don't have enough work.. Why is all that equipment sitting there not making a dime.. They stopped service for a picture??? and you know it took all day and them some to get it all right.. Stupid hammer

[grassman2001]

It appears to me the picture was took during winter because it appears the trees in the backround have no leaves on them.

[Gatewayuser]

They might have taken it on a Sunday too.

[Tony Clifton]

To me it looks like they don't have enough work.. Why is all that equipment sitting there not making a dime.. They stopped service for a picture??? and you know it took all day and them some to get it all right.. Stupid hammer

I'll bet that picture only cost them as much as the photographer charged them. Oh and the fuel too but big deal. More likely than not the picture was taken on a non workday, and I'll bet the managers set everything up, they are probably on salary, so no additional labor expense there. Trust me, they are not a bunch of dummies who decided to blow off their customers one day (no pun intended) and do some whacky design with all of their trucks and equipment so they could take a picture to show their friends.

[Sean Adams]

I can tell you from first hand experience that setting up a picture like that was not easy...we set up a picture one time with 10 or 11 guys, owner, manager, secretary, equipment, trucks and I swear it was a three ring circus.

[alwaysgreener]

I'll bet that picture only cost them as much as the photographer charged them. Oh and the fuel too but big deal. More likely than not the picture was taken on a non workday, and I'll bet the managers set everything up, they are probably on salary, so no additional labor expense there. Trust me, they are not a bunch of dummies who decided to blow off their customers one day (no pun intended) and do some whacky design with all of their trucks and equipment so they could take a picture to show their friends.


A non work day???? what is that?

[Tony Clifton]

Sean, no offense, but setting up a picture like that would probably be easier with 4 people or so. get too many people, and as you said, it turns into a circus. Kinda like a big landscaping job, you get too many people who dont know what they are doing, and nothing gets done, you are better off with a few guys that know what they are doing. Now 10 or 11 guys that set up equipment for pictures would be faster, but not when they don't do it everyday.

[Sean Adams]

No, Im just saying we took a company picture in front of our building with all the trucks and equipment.... only 2 guys set it up - was on a sunday and everyone had to report at a certain time....

[Tony Clifton]

LOL,,Sean, now I see, had to reread your post. I have been thinking about doing that for a few years, but don't feel like taking the time. I do think that it would be a good thing, and probably not a waste of time.
Why dont you post that picture for us since we are on the subject.

[Sean Adams]

done before the days of technology and if I did that everyone would know what I look like and then going out in public would be dangerous.... I'd have to wear a disguise - like this one maybe >>>>> :cool2:

[dKoester]

Thanx for making this site, its helped alot.

[Brianslawn]

Since this thread has already taken a slight detour, i will respond openly here.

Ive never proclaimed to know it all. The only proclimation ive ever made was that what I do know, I WILL NOT give away freely. Who knows, maybe everyone knows what I do; then again, maybe only a few grasp what I do.

knowledge is power why people choose to give away what has taken years to understand blows my mind.

I will admit, LS did get me on my feat a few years ago. Since then, I only check back just for recreational purposes. What else put me where I am? The biggest, my mentor. My accounting degree. My CLP certification. My parents (gona mock that too Sean?) Analitical skills. Even some clients.

If Sean chooses to ban me again, thats fine. I highly doubt Ill ever post again, so does it really matter? I have no hard fealings either way.

What good does it do if I post pictures of my company? Its trucks, trailers, and equipment... you can see them at dealers any time you please.


if knowledge is power, then grasp the power to know how to spell correctly. i got $10k worth of mower repair parts in stock ready for any kind of break down and we can replace a truck engine or transmission overnight if needed. it your turn big shot. :nono:

[mag360]

And Mac. You are to say, very upsetting. You never replied back to my other post where you left a pointless comment. Dont come here to lawnsite, where we like to learn and share ideas and belittle other people because your life sucks. I thought I was out of high school.

And as for your comments to sean, Very disrespectful to someone who created and moderates this great place. We all thank you Sean


CrewCut---Nice rig in the plowing pics and video thread. That is great logo/lettering on the diesel.

---Sean Adams did not create this site. He purchased it from the original creator (who still posts on occasion i think) as an investment (a smart one) a couple years agopayup payup

I am pretty sure the site was created strictly for information/fun and became popular enough for advertisers 1MAJORTOM among others could probably tell you how it started. Sean could too.

Sean---thanks though for keeping the site running, I still enjoy it. I even paid you $60 back when you made the members only "no funny stuff" section that disappeared(wish I could get my money back for that:drinkup: or maybe a "lawnsite donor" sign)

Everyone---I like MacLawnCo, you can count on him for correct spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. Plus just look at his avatar and try to stay mad:realmad:

---Did anyone notice, on the groundmasters website, in the winter section the word "interruption" is misspelled. It kind of stands out since it's in bold print and underlined.

[mag360]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=16245&highlight=chuck+lawnicure

[Sean Adams]

CrewCut---Nice rig in the plowing pics and video thread. That is great logo/lettering on the diesel.

---Sean Adams did not create this site. He purchased it from the original creator (who still posts on occasion i think) as an investment (a smart one) a couple years agopayup payup

I am pretty sure the site was created strictly for information/fun and became popular enough for advertisers 1MAJORTOM among others could probably tell you how it started. Sean could too.

Sean---thanks though for keeping the site running, I still enjoy it. I even paid you $60 back when you made the members only "no funny stuff" section that disappeared(wish I could get my money back for that:drinkup: or maybe a "lawnsite donor" sign)

Everyone---I like MacLawnCo, you can count on him for correct spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. Plus just look at his avatar and try to stay mad:realmad:

---Did anyone notice, on the groundmasters website, in the winter section the word "interruption" is misspelled. It kind of stands out since it's in bold print and underlined.

Chuck hasn't been on the site in a long time - still talk to him now and then. Very smart guy.... A lot of people do not know the whole story...

Chuck started the site as Lawnicure (as shown in the thread Chip posted) so he could chat with other Missouri LCO's....a few people found it, including Eric Erikson (ELM).... Erikson Lawn Maintenance.

Started to become semi-popular and Chuck's business at the time was called Lawnicure, so the name was changed to Hall of Forums. Finally around 98/99 or so LawnSite became the official name. That is when Chuck and I started talking about the site and the direction of where it was going. I expressed interest immediately in running with the site but Chuck was hesitant....we talked privately for well over a year about the situation. Chuck then had some personal issues and spent less and less time at the site.

Finally around 2001-02 we made plans for me to take over. When it became official there were somewhere around 5-6k members or so, a few sponsors and about 12 moderators.... that didn't last long. Jodi (1MajorTom) is the last of the Mohicans so to speak in that regard. A lot of members may not know or realize the true love and devotion she has to this site and it's members. She has been a huge part of the success and development of the site. Charles (head mod at plowsite, also a mod here) actually went from one of the original members to being banned (ha ha ha) for his political views by one of the mods who did not share his same views...Charles also is a great help at this site.

The members, the sponsors, the moderators, our relationship with Turf and the growth of this industry online has all played a role in the success and growth of this site, and I can never say thank you enough - to everyone.

And Chip, when the Exclusive forums went down hill I offered everyone the information I offer valued at over $100 to pay them back.... Most of the people took that offer - email me and I will get it to you.... what Chip is referring to is our attempt to create an option for members to pay $60 a year to have access to exclusive forums that were private from the rest of the site....members were calling for it, but once it was created, it was a ghost town - no ones fault, just not enough activity....

And like I said, I have nothing against MacLawnCo, just don't want people coming off a certain way when it comes to the site and its members. His avatar is definitely amusing.

All in all, the last few years here at the site has been challenging and exhausting at times - but always enjoyable. It is always great to see old timers and newbies alike share in what is the coolest group of people in the Green Industry - hands down!

[JB1]

Like Paul Harvey says you just heard the rest of the story.

[kc2006]

Sean, never saw you get up in arms with a member, that was kinda fun to watch :waving:

He was so....

[martinslandscaping]

well guys I know the owner and several mangers very well, I hope one day to have a company like this, they are the best have a very high standard and take very good care of there employies. I have done some work with them in the past cant say enough good about them.

[meets1]

Anymore pictures of these guys? Always like looking at pictures!!

[Gatewayuser]

Here you go, this is a old train terminal now a museum.

[Gatewayuser]

Another pic

[Gatewayuser]

and another. This at the entrance to a large subdivision with million dollar homes and a PGA golf course.

[Paradise Landscapes]

Sean, I too was here for a long time. I was first thelandscaper27 now, I'm Paradise Landscapes.

This site has done wonders for me over the years. All I can say is thankyou and thanks to everyone else who made lawnsite what it is now. Whats' the saying? give credit where credit is due?

back to orginal post, The president of groundmasters is Mike Rorie. I met him at the ohio wintergreen conference last month.

[YardPro]

mac doesn't post any ideas becuase he is worried about somoene stealing them, he does not post them simply becuase he does not have them..

why on earth would you be worried about someone far away from your business stealing your ideas? How could they possibly be a threat you your business????

the whole notion is ludacris.

[Sean Adams]

mac doesn't post any ideas becuase he is worried about somoene stealing them, he does not post them simply becuase he does not have them..

why on earth would you be worried about someone far away from your business stealing your ideas? How could they possibly be a threat you your business????

the whole notion is ludacris.

When I was right out of college I worked with a very successful consultant - initially to help me with my business and eventually I started working on different unrelated projects with him. I remember him telling me something about competition once.... he said that the best of the best would welcome the opportunity for their competition to sit down and look at their ideas, planning, and business model knowing well that in this day and age new innovative ideas are rare - it's who is behind that idea and how hard they are willing to implement that idea - that is what will determine their success or failure.

[indy2tall]

First of all, the smaller dumps you see are either 4 or 550s. I have never seen them run a 350 unless its a srw pickup. Second, they are not 18' trailers, they are more like 24 or 26'.

If you really think larger companies give a crap about this site, you need to get a life.

Staffing is simple. H2B. They work long and cheap. Its not hard to get this large guys. And you dont do it by being low bidder.

MacLawnCo, just a word of unsolicited advise. You may build a large business and you may make lots of money but if you continue with your insolent know it all attitude you will end up with few (if any) friends later on in life and having lots of money is no fun if you have no one to share the good times with. Learn some humility and kindness as these traits become harder to learn the older you get. Your only 22 and while you may have a lot on the ball you still have a lot to learn.

[RedWingsDet]

LOL. Guys who dont have these big compays by them are lucky. Our market sucks here, I dont understand the guys who say they dont drop their gate for less than $35. They would have no work. Some guys around here cut for 12, but of course they're small lawns, and 1/4 acre lots can go for 15-20.

Theres about 5 companys like that in the picture around here, among with alot of 5-10 crew companys.

Having that big of a company would be one big headache, at first that is until you get your 5 sec's. lol

[LHSlawnman86]

GateWayUser- I know the owner of Lawn Systems, i am just curious if you have heard of them and if so do you know which one is bigger? I also know the owner of Bud Jones if you know of them.

[grassman2001]

I know who Lawn Systems is, they are a decent size company but they still pail in comparison to Groundmasters. I have never heard of Bud Jones before.

[Gatewayuser]

GateWayUser- I know the owner of Lawn Systems, i am just curious if you have heard of them and if so do you know which one is bigger? I also know the owner of Bud Jones if you know of them.

I've heard of Lawn Systems but no one is bigger then Groundmasters in this area except Brickman. I don't know Bud Jones is that his business name? I know alot of owners in this area and others too. How is your business doing, are you getting many jobs? Loveland is growing, sounds like Goshen will be here soon too.:waving:

[grassman2001]

I'm doing okay, I operate in the western and central parts of city. A little disapointed that I sent out letters to a couple hundred commercial properties and property managers and I got two responses so far. Also dissapointed that I didn't get to large size condos that I bid on this winter, but otherwise still getting work from residentials and starting to get a little busy.

[LawnGuy68]

I work for company in Cincinnati called ProLawn ProScape.Ground Masters is our major competion besides Brickman.GroundMaster is a VERY Fine Oiled Machine.

[Splicer]

and another. This at the entrance to a large subdivision with million dollar homes and a PGA golf course.
Yup. I spliced the cable in there. The clubhouses are about as decadent as a clubhouse can get:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

REAL nice place.

[Turf Dancer]

I for one can say that Lawnsite has not helped my business grow at all. This is due to several factors. The companies in this region are either where they were 5 years ago or doing less than they were then. It seems that both areas I work in have an overabundance of Landscaping companies, Lawncare companies and people mowing after work to pay for their hobbies. It has nothing to do with Lawnsite it is just these 2 markets. I have fun on Lawnsite and I think it is great wealth of information at a fingers reach away. Besides think of all the books, magazines and other web sites you would have to read to find even a fraction of the information available here. This site is the greatest when it comes to this business. I have also purchased some of the templates from this site which helped me with my bids. I wish Sean would come up with a $19.95 template that would triple my business and double what I can get for a lawn overnight. I am still waiting for that one to show up.

However I can say that thanks to people on Lawnsite and their willingness to share their knowledge, experience and expertise my knowledge has vastly increased. This knowledge is useless in a market that will not pay. One of the areas I work in is one of the top 10 fastest growing non metropolitan areas in the country yet the small companies are hardly growing, just the larger ones. I put over 50 bids out for commercial maintenance accounts and landed 0 of them. I was told that I was way too high on several of them. I used information from some of the people on this site as a general rule of thumb and then turned in bids based on my costs etc. I lost a bid to one of the large companies on an apartment complex with around 5.2 acres of grass area and around 50K in beds. Full maintenance account including weed control etc. They also specified "no large mowers", they wanted it all done with 21" mowers bagged, I got them to allow 36" in my bid. Well needless to say that my bid was $27,000 per year and I was beat by a bid of $18,660. Figure that out. I drove by there and there were 4 guys mowing with 21" mowers and 2 trimming. It proves that the big companies can afford to bid lower just as Sean said earlier in this thread. I was told by another LCO in the area that that company has over 80 seasonal employees not counting the year round guys. That is a good sized company for an area that is between 150,000 and 175,000 population. They also own the a nursery and do installs. Their operation covers an entire city block. I was told that their mindset is to net profit $2 per man hour on their maintenance operation.

My goal has never been to rule the lawn care world, have 200 employees or be a jerk. I would just like to be able to clear $30,000 per year and be able to buy a house. I love this business but it is not a $35 per lawn area here. It is a $20 average for me with most of them being in the $15 range. If I won the lottery tomorrow I would still mow the next day and the day after that etc. It would be nice to be large like the company talked about in this thread but I know that in the areas I work in it would be impossible to say the least.

Thanks Sean for a great site.

[Sean Adams]

I would not argue with you about your market because I am not familiar with it personally. There are some gurus who will always have an answer - or at least think they have an answer - and I'm not referring to members of this site - I am referring to "business gurus" - general business. This is an industry that deals with a lot of abnormal out of the ordinary issues that many other service industries do not have to deal with. No one just decides they are going to be an "electrician" on the side after hours and weekends, when their normal job is working in a warehouse 40 hours a week. It has been said many times - entry into this "business" is not difficult.

I stand by my statements about larger companies being able to afford to lose in certain situations, as you mentioned in your post above. I was at a retirement community in Florida this past weekend - big. This community has over 15,000 residents alone. The entire time I was there, there was a company - mostly hispanic laborers - working.... mowing, trimming, edging, bed maintenance - constant. I was interested enough to wait and see if I could talk to a foreman or someone in charge. When I did, I asked general questions. Found out the guy I spoke to was the facility manager - meaning his job was to manage this retirement community only for this landscaping outfit he worked for.

He told me that they landed this contract for 2 years and it was crucial for them to do the job right or he would basically be out of a job. What then really surprised me was when he said the landscaping company central office was located 28 miles from the retirement community. So what did this landscaping company do? They bought one of the homes in the community (agreed upon by the retirement community management) so that they could have their own "mini office." They rent land 2 miles down the road and put up a pole building where they keep trucks and equipment and they work in shifts with anywhere from 12-14 employees living in the house. Basically they sleep, shower, and change there. They have as many as 35 employees at a time working in the complex. We didn't get into numbers but from what I just described you can imagine the money they have to work with.... which leads me to my next point.

Good service, salesmanship, organization, reliable employees, etc, etc, etc.... are defintely crucial - but in some instances, there is no replacement for money - working capital. With this comes the ability to be patient and anticipate low profit margins - at least initially. Many people in this business start small and want to grow in steps. This is not a bad thing - in fact, many times it is the best way to do it. But as I have said a million times before, every area and every market is different. You could not expect to run a profitable ice cream stand at the North Pole. Maybe a bad example, but my point is - you cannot expect to be successful in a market that requires certain things - cheap labor, large equipment, working capital - if you are trying to make it work with $18 per hour friends working for you, using homeowner equipment, with no money to spend. I'm not saying this is you Turf Dancer - I am just saying.....

I think another problem that stems from a market is people's unwillingness to adapt. They have their heart and mind set on running a business a certain way and refuse to deviate from that plan. Any business at some point will need to adapt to compete and profit - some need to do it quicker than others, again depending on what their market and personal situation is.

I have seen companies evolve to meet the needs of their potential clients - sometimes as minimal as adding a service to as drastic as relocating where they operate. Being a "business owner" and an "entrepreneur" are not one in the same. A business owner runs a business - stays often times within the confines of their comfort zone and deals with whatever they have to in order to keep doing things their way. This is not always a bad thing. An entrepreneur adapts, changes, moves side to side as well as forward (and even backwards if need be) in order to continue finding the best way to win, grow, succeed, make money, and ultimately create more opportunity. It is definitely a mindset more than anything else.

Turf Dancer - I am willing to try and help you if you are interested. Give me a call at (412) 415-1470.

[Idealtim]

That would be kinda cool if theyput all the mowers side to side and cut a field in one swath.LOL...

[MidwestMow]

and another. This at the entrance to a large subdivision with million dollar homes and a PGA golf course.

Why do you have so many pictures of their work, their equipment, and their management team? Sounds like you are an employee in disguise???

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

I know he isn't and emplyee they are one of the biggest around us. They were just bought by Brickman thou. They do alot of commercial stuff around here. They sub us out for Plowing during the winter. They are HUGE.:weightlifter:

[Gatewayuser]

I know he isn't and emplyee they are one of the biggest around us. They were just bought by Brickman thou. They do alot of commercial stuff around here. They sub us out for Plowing during the winter. They are HUGE.:weightlifter:

I heard from an account manager there that they sold for around $44mil. The old owner is going to be in charge of buying companies for a couple of years.

[Gatewayuser]

Why do you have so many pictures of their work, their equipment, and their management team? Sounds like you are an employee in disguise???

lol no not an employee just a owner with a lot of connections.

[MidwestMow]

I heard from an account manager there that they sold for around $44mil. The old owner is going to be in charge of buying companies for a couple of years.

What is the owner's name again? I've met some people from that company at industry events. Which guy told you that? I wonder if we know any of the same ones...

[LawnGuy68]

I just heard and read Big Bad Brickman bought out Groundmasters.

[Gatewayuser]

The owner was Mike Roarie if thats how you spell his last name. I am not going to say the account managers name sorry.

[LawnGuy68]

any you guys got info on Davey the grounds maintenance div.I got call speak w/them about job in cinci area . Im a former prolawn guy but never heard much about davey.Any info be big help.Thanks

[Tyler7692]

That's what I'm talking about. BUILD BUILD BUILD.... then sell if the price is right. Or just keep building like all hell. That's my 25 year goal/plan.

[Lawn Freak]

That is a HUGE setup! That guy is living my dream lol

[born2farm]

Looks like me any you share the same dream..lol. I would like to have just one of everything in the picture.

[STIHL GUY]

well i bet there is a ton of maitence to do on all that equipment

[deere615]

That is a cool pic, especially how all the blowers and trimmers are setup in a circle

[Chilehead]

Staffing is simple. H2B. They work long and cheap. Its not hard to get this large guys. And you dont do it by being low bidder.

Here in Atlanta all you see are Mexican workers. Those with company uniforms are H2B. Those who cram 4 guys in a regular cap '83 dodge with used junk from Home Depot in the bed are your local residents.

No, it is not hard to get this large. Getting the work is not nearly as challenging as getting quality, dependable help. I would even pay a year-round salary. Guess I'll work by myself for now.

[willjustin]

Dont know if anyone looked this company up......They are a division of Brickman.....One big company just either buying others out or expanding.

[syzer]

No, it is not hard to get this large. Getting the work is not nearly as challenging as getting quality, dependable help. I would even pay a year-round salary. Guess I'll work by myself for now.

On the contrary, getting this large is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! I find it quite odd how a few ppl in this thread think that getting this large is easy.

How do you jump from solo to employees and remove yourself from the field effectively and entirely, how do you go from one crew to two, and so on?

How do you handle your costs, including controlling them? What systems do you need to have in place to handle all of the employees, field managers, account managers, super visors, accounting personnel, maintenance on all the equipment, parts inventory, etc.

In short, if it was that easy everyone would do it. Have you heard the statistics of businesses staying in business? How many fail out the first year, second, third, tenth? Its staggering.

Good luck in all you do, but trust me, its always an uphill battle.

[Chilehead]

On the contrary, getting this large is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! I find it quite odd how a few ppl in this thread think that getting this large is easy.

How do you jump from solo to employees and remove yourself from the field effectively and entirely, how do you go from one crew to two, and so on?

How do you handle your costs, including controlling them? What systems do you need to have in place to handle all of the employees, field managers, account managers, super visors, accounting personnel, maintenance on all the equipment, parts inventory, etc.

In short, if it was that easy everyone would do it. Have you heard the statistics of businesses staying in business? How many fail out the first year, second, third, tenth? Its staggering.

Good luck in all you do, but trust me, its always an uphill battle.

Like the old saying goes, Syzer: no risk, no reward. For me, sales comes naturally as well as training people. The only facet of increasing business size that I have trouble with is getting "quality" people. This means they have to fill out an employment application, subject themselves to a background check, subject themselves to a drug check, be well-groomed (clean cut), and not talk with what sounds like marbles in their mouth or eubonics. They must be articulate with the english language and be able to take orders. I will stay solo (maybe forever) until a quality candidate comes my way. I have had one like this before, but he moved out of state several years ago. Most college kids can speak well, but are too wussy to work in the heat day after day. The rest just wont do anything listed above.

[syzer]

Like the old saying goes, Syzer: no risk, no reward. For me, sales comes naturally as well as training people. The only facet of increasing business size that I have trouble with is getting "quality" people. This means they have to fill out an employment application, subject themselves to a background check, subject themselves to a drug check, be well-groomed (clean cut), and not talk with what sounds like marbles in their mouth or eubonics. They must be articulate with the english language and be able to take orders. I will stay solo (maybe forever) until a quality candidate comes my way. I have had one like this before, but he moved out of state several years ago. Most college kids can speak well, but are too wussy to work in the heat day after day. The rest just wont do anything listed above.

Believe me, I know all about risk and reward. However, thats the whole point of systems so you can take ordinary ppl and make them do extraordinary things. With systems, everyone, every crew is on the same page. This is the motto behind Ray Crocks McDonalds franchise system, and we all know where that has ended up.

Companies with no systems cannot grow period because you cant wait for a super star to come along, they never will. Systems are difficult to come up with, and large companies that are truly successful are very difficult to build.

If you look up the stats on business start up and failure, this will reinforce my point, not to mention how many key players are in your area and how many with trucks and pick ups?

[old oak lawn]

No, it is not hard to get this large. Getting the work is not nearly as challenging as getting quality, dependable help. I would even pay a year-round salary. Guess I'll work by myself for now.

It is very hard to get that large.

[ryry278]

I sure would like to be this big one day maybe not mowing but doing something.

[Chilehead]

Believe me, I know all about risk and reward. However, thats the whole point of systems so you can take ordinary ppl and make them do extraordinary things. With systems, everyone, every crew is on the same page. This is the motto behind Ray Crocks McDonalds franchise system, and we all know where that has ended up.

Companies with no systems cannot grow period because you cant wait for a super star to come along, they never will. Systems are difficult to come up with, and large companies that are truly successful are very difficult to build.

If you look up the stats on business start up and failure, this will reinforce my point, not to mention how many key players are in your area and how many with trucks and pick ups?

Pardon me for not using the buzzword, "system". I think you missed my point completely, otherwise you would not have to reiterate my point how training comes naturally. READ: Training (a.k.a. systems) is important! It's the fact that there are too many people out there who just can't make it. Some key examples are those who I tell need to fill out an employment application. They wine about it--chuck 'em to the hole! I've had guys who I tell, "No cell phones while on the clock." They protest, "You can't tell ME what to do." Fine your fired--get outta here!! There was this one dude who showed up with those ultra-baggy pants. I mean, come on now--the fly was clear down to his shins! I can't have someone wearing denim bed sheets to work. What does he say when I tell him no? "I can wear whatever I want. It's a free country." Good. Feel free to find a job somewhere else. People these days think they're so damn entitled to do whatever they want regardless of circumstance or environment. "Systems" as you put it ARE great to have, but even the best of systems are no match for incompetent people.:drinkup:

[supercuts]

What I find interesting is no ztr, looks like all walkbehinds. Keep cost of machines down. I think that I'm going to go back to that 48" or 52" wb, cheaper and still good quality. Just keep one z around for the large stuff.

its things like this that will keep you small and not grossing as much. ZTR's are more efficient. Period! there is no way to get the same productivity out of a WB. therefore, your limiting yourself. im sure they use Wb's simply in the places ZTRs dont fit

[supercuts]

What you have learned has been right here at LawnSite.... you can't give away something to this site which you in fact got from this site.

And if you are "walking your talk", good for you....but making the statement that growing and developing a company the size of the one being discussed in this thread is "easy" is a ridiculous statement.... that company we are discussing did not have the luxury of a resource like LawnSite - and you have....so maybe saying it would be "easier" for you than it was for them would make sense....

not defending mclovin' or what ever his name is, but i dont think ive taken much info from here to apply to my business. im on here more to help and pass along as much help is I can to the new guys.....and the occasional rant. the reason being is i feel most of the comments on here are flat out wrong. alot of the advice i read you kill my business.

i think alot problem is that too many 16year olds come on and act like they have been doing this for 10 years and act like they have expirienced the things they write about. and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being 16 and in business, ive read and tried to help many of them who seem like they really have what it takes and are making great choices. simpyl that there are many of them who dont have what it takes and are giving too much bad advice.

that is why ive agreed with some suggestions on here like an "ask the pros" forum, and having users enter their age and years in business so we all get a better feel of who we are reading.

so, i dont think that everyone on here is here to take as much as they are to give and help the industry as a whole.

My two cents
Mark

[syzer]

that is why ive agreed with some suggestions on here like an "ask the pros" forum, and having users enter their age and years in business so we all get a better feel of who we are reading.


Man is that a great idea. I have thought of a site like that before. As you notice none of the big dogs participate in these types of sites because there are just too many ppl posting from their non-experience.

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Man is that a great idea. I have thought of a site like that before. As you notice none of the big dogs participate in these types of sites because there are just too many ppl posting from their non-experience.


PERIOD!

Good point, I always look for the senior member with 500 posts or less, It means they have read and took in the information, but dont post to hear themselves talk. Look at some of the 3000 plus posters. A certain name comes to mind from BC that talks way too much.

Merry christmas

[CNYScapes]

Their website says "a division of Brickman Group"

[CrewCutEnterprises]

I never read this post before.... Thanks Sean.

1. Be a little more respectful
2. You are wrong.... on 3 counts

a.) TruGreen, Ground Masters, Brickman, Landcare, and many of the large companies in this industry read this site frequently.... I would know as I have talked to several Presidents, CEO's, etc...

b.) It is hard to "get that big".... how would you know?

c.) often times they are the lowest bidder - they can afford to be

Might want to avoid posting when you have no idea what you are talking about.....

[South Florida Lawns]

lol this is an old thread. That right there is a small company, compared to what we have down here. You guys would be speechless if you saw some outfits around here. I'll get some pictures of large mowing companies. Look up Vila & Son or Rainmaker Irrigation and Landscaping.