Business Gross Income

[LoneStarLawn]

Hey I know this subject has been discussed and it has been very touchy since no one likes to give out this information, but since we have a new poll option it will be easier to get the information and still be discreet about it....

Plus we have a lot of new people here too...

Try to be honest also...

[LoneStarLawn]

Just wanted to move this to the top...

[SJR Lawncare]

I think this poll should be done in seperate catergories: such as
one man operations, 2 men, large companys, etc.

It would put income amounts into a better perspective.

SJR

[lawrence stone]

Frankly lonestar our gross income, is none of your business.

[LoneStarLawn]

Originally posted by lawrence stone
Frankly lonestar our gross income, is none of your business.

I don't know if you are trying to be funny or not...but you don't have to participate if you don't want to..

Your right SJR...your idea would have put in a better perspective.

[lawrence stone]

Gross income means nothing. What really matters is net income after taxes.

You can gross big money but if your operation is fat and lazy you might not net as much as a good solo operator.

[LoneStarLawn]

I totally agree lawrence...

The point of the poll is to see that actual revenue that is out there..how you manage it is up to you.

[CSRA Landscaping]

... but here's my thought. I don't want the possibility to exist that someone (competitor) in my area would be able to know the exact specs of my business. I would imagine there would be a way for that to happen, should I participate in the poll?

[LoneStarLawn]

Can you tell who has participated in the poll? It is discreet..

[CSRA Landscaping]

No but neither can I tell you, Lone Star, what websites you have visited but the technology is used daily to track just such things. Why, then, would it not be possible to do the same with a poll? Like I said, I guess I'm just paranoid. :jester:

[Lawn DOG]

Who cares who knows? It's not like your holding the key to the national defense system.
I do agree that it would be interesting to post the poll with 1,2,3,4,5 or more employees. The net I could understand that number being very different due to what stage of the business your in. Such as how many loans you have, insurance, advertising, you know all the regular expenses. Either way it would be interesting to see a general figure that other people in our field are making.

[LJ lawn]

well i and a few others have posted posts asking what others around the country are making but not too many people responded (oh yeah 400 people read the post but something like 5 responded) and out of the 5, 2 people answered the question somewhat honestly.all i wanted to know was what others were charging per cut/service so i can figure out an average.so don't be put off that everone won't participate in your survey,guess they're paranoid.i also wouldn't expect too many honest answers either.

[LoneStarLawn]

Why would you not be honest...it's not like saying "Hey we are bringing 1 million" because no one knows who selected what...

And if people are not honest about it who's to say they are not honest about anything else...

No one has to post so no one has to know who brings in what. Many companies in our trade magazines list revenue..they dont have a problem with it..(Again having this poll is easier...more discreet than actually posting your figures)

LJ Lawn...56 have responded as of now...so it has been good.

[Avery]

Not going to bust on you Lonestar. I responded to your poll. Just wondering why you set the top at 100,000.00? Larger companies are going to be doing much more than that. I think a top figure of at least 700,000.00 would give a more accurate picture of incomes. I can't think of a reputable LCO in my area that makes less than 100k.

[LoneStarLawn]

Why would you bust on me? Yeah after seeing the stats and other comments...I should have added extra features to the poll

[CSRA Landscaping]

Avery, I'll go ahead and tell you this. I wouldn't even make the cut! :( I'm finishing my first year in business and am working by myself. I did capitulate and participate in the poll. I was just blowin' smoke before, I guess. :rolleyes:
I think that by saying stuff like "I can't think of a reputable LCO in my area that makes less than 100k" you run the risk of putting the label on folks like me, and oh yeah, the others that participated in the poll that were below $100k, as disreputable.
I would venture to say that they're reputable, as this site has proven very scrub-intolerant. Now, do I want to always be below $100k? NO WAY! And I don't plan to be here very long.:cool:

[1MajorTom]

The poll can't be accurate because who is supossed to respond? Anyone that has a business?
Is this poll strictly for LCO's to respond to?
Are landscapers responding also?
How bout LCO's that plow snow in the winter which boosts their income?

And a LCO that makes less than 100K can't be reputable?

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by 1MajorTom

And a LCO that makes less than 100K
can't be reputable?

Jodi that might be no BS when you look at the residential real estate that is in towns like Duck.

Those homes are big money and they spend money on greens industry stuff.

It's a whole different way of life vs. interior areas (outside of Phila.)of Penna.

[HOMER]

Well shucks, guess I'll see ya'll when I'm "reputable"!

No more posts for Homey.................he's just a lawn sc.....!

Oh no, what will we do now Homette?

[Avery]

Thank you Stone. If you others had bothered to read and UNDERSTAND my post you would see I said LCO's in MY area. Average house costs $500,000.00 and are second homes i.e. owners are out of town and have to have lawn care. I did not say that you are not reputable if you make under 100k in your area. I do landscape design/build and commercial maintenance. We do not even look at a design build job unless it is going to be in the $10,000.00 range. That is my market here. Yours may not be the same. I live in the land of big money. If an LCO is not making 50k a year his second season he is doing something wrong. Friend of mine that only mows and has a 3 man crew is grossing over 650,000.00. Don't be so quick to jump a poster guys. I have never and will never belittle anyone on here. The fact that you are here shows you have a genuine interest in your profession.

p.s. don't even think about moving here...have enough competition as it is!..LOL

[John Allin]

Sure is a lively thread !!!

I love it when they are thought provoking....
or, even just "provoking".

[Vibe Ray]

WOW!!! 3 man crew ,mowing only, grossing over $650,000??? So it is possible?! 3 men including himself or 4 workers including himself?

[Avery]

4 total. Does a mix of commercial and residential. Last I heard he had over 200 residential and lord knows how many commercial. Major player in this area.

[David Gretzmier]

I am with lone star on this 100k thing. if you mow, and are by yourself You should AVERAGE with proper ztrs or walkbehinds $40 per hour. My brother is all by his lonesome, and re regularly beats $50 average. he shoots for 2500/week on a 36 week basis, and 1000-1500/week in leaves on off season for 8 weeks or so. This is in Texarcana AR, a 50,000 population area. You don't have to do $500,000 estates, he usually mows 3 or four 25 dollar minis each stop. If he added one helper, he'd be at the 100k level easy. I hit the 100k level 5 years ago, pay all my taxes and used one or two employees to get there. we'll do 500,000 + this year with three partners and 6 employees.
I'll probably make less this year in salary than I have in the past, mainly because we are going through a consolidation/growth stage. I think the best measure of a business efficiency and profitability is the Dwight Hughes method. He refuses to hire more than 4 employees, and tries to make more money using brains, equipment, and controlling his expenses. 4 years ago he was making 120,000 per employee. needless to say, That is a model I'd like to imitate. Dave g

[Lanelle]

I'd participate but both businesses I am involved with make more than $100,00 per annum and there is a huge difference in their numbers. One man, working hard, can definitely gross more $100K in MY area. If income were such a big secret, Lawn and Landscape wouldn't be able to put out their annual report of the 100 largest companies in the US.