Finishing up first season mowing. have questions.

[Clear-Cut]

whats up guys?

i have been reading around on here for a couple of days now...all i have to say is wow! :clapping:

heres a little bit about me.
im a one man band working out of kenilworth, nj (i guess u can call it central nj)

like it says in the title. i just started mowing this past april and i am learning a lot and loving this job.

don't laugh...right now i have a regular 22" craftsman mower, a homelite trimmer, and a craftsman hand held blower. now here is the funny part...I WORK OUT OF THE TRUNK OF MY CAR! haha :cool2: thats right...the mower hangs out of the back and luckily my back seats go down so i have enough room to fit the trimmer and rakes and what not in there (ill be working to get a small pick up next summer)

over the summer i hav accumulated about 13 lawns that i cut weekly and about 10 others that i have done other things for.

im attending college so im just growing little by little, learning the ins and outs so im shooting for 30 weekly customers next summer.

now my questions (im a newb so take it easy please)

after cutting hedges when you have to clean out the scraps or rake the leaves out of the mulch beds...what is the secret to getting all the scraps/leaves out of there without the mulch going all over the place?

i would like to start doing minor landscaping such as planting and putting mulch down. i figure all i would really need is a cultivator (to soften, aerate, and make it easier to get the weeds out) a rake and some mulch. is this accurate?

i also want to start fertilizing. how to i go about getting registered (if u even have to in nj) and what do i need to spread (im guessing the plastic scotts spreader wont be good enough)?

and for future reference
what is the best brand of equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers and what not) when it comes to price, durability, and reliability?

there will be plenty more to come and i really appreciate your help

please dont bash me. im new and im trying to learn thanks again

justin

[nobagger]

This is what's it's come to.;) My advise... get hired on with an exsisting reputable company for a year or so and learn some very basic skills. You better learn how to remove weeds and clippings from flower beds before you start nuk'in lawns with chemicals.

[PMLAWN]

don't laugh---I WORK OUT OF THE TRUNK OF MY CAR! haha

Sorry but we will:laugh:

after cutting hedges when you have to clean out the scraps or rake the leaves out of the mulch beds...what is the secret to getting all the scraps/leaves out of there without the mulch going all over the place?

Keep them out in the first place-- Drop cloth

i also want to start fertilizing. how to i go about getting registered (if u even have to in nj) and what do i need to spread (im guessing the plastic scotts spreader wont be good enough)?

Contact your Dept. of Agu.

and for future reference
what is the best brand of equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers and what not) when it comes to price, durability, and reliability?

What equipment do you need to do YOUR properties?

[Clear-Cut]

This is what's it's come to.;) My advise... get hired on with an exsisting reputable company for a year or so and learn some very basic skills. You better learn how to remove weeds and clippings from flower beds before you start nuk'in lawns with chemicals.

i hav asked for help...not criticism..thanks

in reply to the "nuk'in lawns with chemicals" i hav read that you need to take a test...therefore be educated about it in order to obtain a license. i am not trying to just go out there and do things that i dont know how to do. i want to learn. so thanks for nothing

[Clear-Cut]

don't laugh---I WORK OUT OF THE TRUNK OF MY CAR! haha

Sorry but we will:laugh:

after cutting hedges when you have to clean out the scraps or rake the leaves out of the mulch beds...what is the secret to getting all the scraps/leaves out of there without the mulch going all over the place?

Keep them out in the first place-- Drop cloth

i also want to start fertilizing. how to i go about getting registered (if u even have to in nj) and what do i need to spread (im guessing the plastic scotts spreader wont be good enough)?

Contact your Dept. of Agu.

and for future reference
what is the best brand of equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers and what not) when it comes to price, durability, and reliability?

What equipment do you need to do YOUR properties?

thanks for the info and help. right now with the 22" push mower im doing my lawns in about a half an hour (thats cut trim and blow) which i think is pretty decent. i think i want something with a bigger blade though to make it even faster..maybe something like 28-32" possibly...that might not even fit into the backyards of some of the houses i do but it will help on the front yards

the trimmer does its job...no complaints. but i would rather hav 3 in one type trimmer that can trimmer/hedge trimmer/edger and whatever else they have out there...and im upgrading to backpack blower next year

[PMLAWN]

thanks for the info and help. right now with the 22" push mower im doing my lawns in about a half an hour (thats cut trim and blow) which i think is pretty decent. i think i want something with a bigger blade though to make it even faster..maybe something like 28-32" possibly...that might not even fit into the backyards of some of the houses i do but it will help on the front yards

the trimmer does its job...no complaints. but i would rather hav 3 in one type trimmer that can trimmer/hedge trimmer/edger and whatever else they have out there...and im upgrading to backpack blower next year
I think you will love a 36" W/B. I like red but most of the commercial stuff out there is good- Demo the different units and get what feels good to you. Check out the Quick line (look up)
I do have a Combo unit but not as the main tool, Time is all you have to sell and you do not want to spend time changing heads, I would go with seperate trimmer and edger and than get the combo with the hedge trimmer head first and maybe a back up string trimmer. You will still use a handheld hedge trimmer that is shorter than the pole.
Mower will run between 2500-4500 and the handheld stuff should be total less that 2000. Used truck and trailer and you can be up and running for maybe less than 10 K (check out a Lic. and you need Insurance)

[Clear-Cut]

thanks a lot..a lot of help..i will look into the mower and everything..right now time isnt a huge factor because i only plan on having about 30 customers and probably fo 6 lawns a day..so i could afford switching the heads (im not asked to hedges that often anyway) so for now i guess ill just get the trimmer with the hedger attachment and keep the other as back up.

whats a decent backpack blower? light, reliable, and powerful

[nobagger]

i hav asked for help...not criticism..thanks

in reply to the "nuk'in lawns with chemicals" i hav read that you need to take a test...therefore be educated about it in order to obtain a license. i am not trying to just go out there and do things that i dont know how to do. i want to learn. so thanks for nothing
Yes you are "going out there and doing things that you don't know how to do" thats why I said get hired on somewhere for a year so some one can teach you different things. You will learn more working in the field in 6 months vs. a year of asking questions in here, not that this is a bad place to find out info on something but it would help to know what we are talking about. Nothing can take the place of experience my friend!

[daveintoledo]

i hav asked for help...not criticism..thanks

in reply to the "nuk'in lawns with chemicals" i hav read that you need to take a test...therefore be educated about it in order to obtain a license. i am not trying to just go out there and do things that i dont know how to do. i want to learn. so thanks for nothing

look until you learn more and grow you are going to be looked at as a sc__b.... but thats ok you have to start somewhere..

make sure you are licensed in your state and local reguliations and get insurance now... commercial plates and all else that is needed to be a legitimate, and you may have to charge sales tax in your area, not sure...if you are legal, then you are on your way.... LUCK..:)

[Clear-Cut]

Yes you are "going out there and doing things that you don't know how to do" thats why I said get hired on somewhere for a year so some one can teach you different things. You will learn more working in the field in 6 months vs. a year of asking questions in here, not that this is a bad place to find out info on something but it would help to know what we are talking about. Nothing can take the place of experience my friend!

well put. and it is true "nothing can take the place of experience" although i have promised every customer that i will be continuing the service next year. i dont want to drop them, because i dont want to lose them

maybe ill hold out on the fertilizing for now. i do know someone in the business im not going to have time to work with him full or part time but maybe he would let me help him out when he is fertilizing or whatever i want to learn..i would do it for no pay..after all i am learning from it and i am willing to put in a couple of hours of learning for a lifetime of experience which will benefit me in the end

sorry if i sounded like a dick..i just dont take "no" as an answer very well..lol i came to my sense though

[Clear-Cut]

look until you learn more and grow you are going to be looked at as a sc__b.... but thats ok you have to start somewhere..

make sure you are licensed in your state and local reguliations and get insurance now... commercial plates and all else that is needed to be a legitimate, and you may have to charge sales tax in your area, not sure...if you are legal, then you are on your way.... LUCK..:)

exactly what kind of insurance would i need and what is the average cost?

also what companies offer this insurance? geicko? or are there specialty insurers just for this business?

im not looking to go legit yet. ill get into it more after college. when i go legit i want to have enough lawns to pay for all of the additional expenses such as insurance and all that good stuff

[WJW Lawn]

If you move up to a 36" you'll need a bigger car.

[Clear-Cut]

If you move up to a 36" you'll need a bigger car.

haha. hopefully by then ill have the truck and trailer...or even just the trailer on the car

[nobagger]

If you move up to a 36" you'll need a bigger car.
Classic!:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[MarkintheGarden]

whats up guys?

i have been reading around on here for a couple of days now...all i have to say is wow! :clapping:

heres a little bit about me.
im a one man band working out of kenilworth, nj (i guess u can call it central nj)

like it says in the title. i just started mowing this past april and i am learning a lot and loving this job.

don't laugh...right now i have a regular 22" craftsman mower, a homelite trimmer, and a craftsman hand held blower. now here is the funny part...I WORK OUT OF THE TRUNK OF MY CAR! haha :cool2: thats right...the mower hangs out of the back and luckily my back seats go down so i have enough room to fit the trimmer and rakes and what not in there (ill be working to get a small pick up next summer)

over the summer i hav accumulated about 13 lawns that i cut weekly and about 10 others that i have done other things for.

im attending college so im just growing little by little, learning the ins and outs so im shooting for 30 weekly customers next summer.

now my questions (im a newb so take it easy please)

after cutting hedges when you have to clean out the scraps or rake the leaves out of the mulch beds...what is the secret to getting all the scraps/leaves out of there without the mulch going all over the place?

i would like to start doing minor landscaping such as planting and putting mulch down. i figure all i would really need is a cultivator (to soften, aerate, and make it easier to get the weeds out) a rake and some mulch. is this accurate?

i also want to start fertilizing. how to i go about getting registered (if u even have to in nj) and what do i need to spread (im guessing the plastic scotts spreader wont be good enough)?

and for future reference
what is the best brand of equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers and what not) when it comes to price, durability, and reliability?

there will be plenty more to come and i really appreciate your help

please dont bash me. im new and im trying to learn thanks again

justin


Good luck to you Justin!

Does your college have a horticulture department?

When it comes to fertilizers, pre-emergents, herbicides and all the other chemicals we use in this business, I will tell you what my Profesor told my class; READ THE LABELS. Products are developing rapidly, and the labels contain a lot of information. Whatever you do, do not do applications that require a license. Fertilizing probably does not but check into it first.

I like Stihl equipment, works well, lasts a long time, I have always gotten my money's worth from stihl. Do not buy any more homeowners equipment.

When you get a truck, if you get a small one you will be happy when gas goes back up to 3.00 a gallon, if you get a big one, you will be happy when you are doing clean ups.

Good luck!

[Clear-Cut]

Good luck to you Justin!

Does your college have a horticulture department?

When it comes to fertilizers, pre-emergents, herbicides and all the other chemicals we use in this business, I will tell you what my Profesor told my class; READ THE LABELS. Products are developing rapidly, and the labels contain a lot of information. Whatever you do, do not do applications that require a license. Fertilizing probably does not but check into it first.

I like Stihl equipment, works well, lasts a long time, I have always gotten my money's worth from stihl. Do not buy any more homeowners equipment.

When you get a truck, if you get a small one you will be happy when gas goes back up to 3.00 a gallon, if you get a big one, you will be happy when you are doing clean ups.

Good luck!

thanks for the info..unfortunatly my college does not have a horticulture class..but it is a possibility that my county college does...i hav to check

i have been looking into stihl equipment...i like the multi task products and that is most likely what i will get next.

as for the truck..i will def. be getting a smaller truck (ford ranger, chevy s10, toyota tacoma) but i hope to find something with an extended cab. i dont see a need for a huge truck right now and im doing clean ups now but i just leave the leaves in the street for the town to pic up. but i would love to be able to just take them away right there..it will make the property look 10x better

again thank you..i will be looking into the horticulture thing and more info about the fertilizing and what not

[fiveoboy01]

im not looking to go legit yet. ill get into it more after college. when i go legit i want to have enough lawns to pay for all of the additional expenses such as insurance and all that good stuff

People like you p1ss me off.

I was fine with your situation till you said this.

[daveintoledo]

People like you p1ss me off.

I was fine with your situation till you said this.

you see , we pay alot of money to RUN A BUSINESS not just beinga bunch of lawn boys, and if you arenot legal, and not charging the going rate in your area, you will be a part of the problem with the green industry, (not you per say, but) many low lives get into this and drag the industry down, and make it hard for honest , law abiding businesses to make a profit...

so you need to rethink your business strategy, you should be legit before you cut your first lawn....and dont think your compeditors wont turn you in in your area because they will if they have families to feed....

best of LUCK...:)

[fiveoboy01]

you see , we pay alot of money to RUN A BUSINESS not just beinga bunch of lawn boys, and if you arenot legal, and not charging the going rate in your area, you will be a part of the problem with the green industry, (not you per say, but) many low lives get into this and drag the industry down, and make it hard for honest , law abiding businesses to make a profit...

so you need to rethink your business strategy, you should be legit before you cut your first lawn....and dont think your compeditors wont turn you in in your area because they will if they have families to feed....

best of LUCK...:)

Thanks for the translation Dave.

I just didn't have the patience to type it out.

[daveintoledo]

Thanks for the translation Dave.

I just didn't have the patience to type it out.

he will get it and probably do well, some folks (like me when i first researched this endeavor) just didnt know about the details, but i sure learned here, and can proudly say i was a complete, legal business before taking my first job.....:usflag:

[Ronnie Greenwood1]

I am finding humor in all of these posts lol. But before you even think about geting into fert and landscaping you should just worry about the basics and try to get you even a used 36 $1500 or less trade the car for a truck and trailer.

[martinfan06]

People like you p1ss me off.

I was fine with your situation till you said this.

That makes 2 of us its 1 thing to do it out of your car with no idea of what your doing but people like you ruin this industry.

[Ron's Lawncare]

exactly what kind of insurance would i need and what is the average cost?

also what companies offer this insurance? geicko? or are there specialty insurers just for this business?

im not looking to go legit yet. ill get into it more after college. when i go legit i want to have enough lawns to pay for all of the additional expenses such as insurance and all that good stuff


I wouldn't dare cutting a lawn without insurance. what would happen if while working on a property you threw a rock and it hit someone lets say in the eye. what do you think that would cost you? or even hitting a parked car can be real expensive. Accidents don't happen everyday but they do happen so protect yourself with a commercial liability policy.

[Clear-Cut]

how about u help me out and answer my question that i asked before.

WHERE DO I GET INSURANCE FOR LANDSCAPING?

instead of busting my balls..help me out. i do take this serious and do want to follow through with this situation. unfortunately i am in college and cannot afford to just go out and do all of this stuff. so for now i have to do what i have to do. BTW i am looking into the fertilizing thing. my state requires you to get training before you can take the test and get certified and registered. i did not say that i am fertilizing right now. i said hopefully next year i will be able to do this.

thanks for all of your input

[lawncutterupper]

Id say check the yellow pages, under INSURANCE. Thats where I got mine.

[Clear-Cut]

Id say check the yellow pages, under INSURANCE. Thats where I got mine.

thanks. i havent checked yet..im at school right now.

is there any particular type of insurance that i look for? landscaping insurance, small business insurance. im guessing all i need is liability right. i dont have any employees or anything

[PMLAWN]

thanks. i havent checked yet..im at school right now.

is there any particular type of insurance that i look for? landscaping insurance, small business insurance. im guessing all i need is liability right. i dont have any employees or anything
Call the agent you use for your car-- if he does not have what you need he can direct you in the right way.

'unfortunately i am in college and cannot afford to just go out and do all of this stuff. so for now i have to do what i have to do'

This comment will also get blood pressure up- If you are not able to charge enough or do enough work to be in business, that why do it. You can work at Walmart and make more money or better yet get a job at a nursery and learn more about this industry.
Another concern I would have-- You are in school, why not put 110% of your efforts to that and get the best benefits from it!

[Beau Rivage]

i was a complete, legal business before taking my first job.....:usflag:

Not according to your signature:laughing: (easy there, Dave...just assing around):laugh:

[daveintoledo]

Not according to your signature:laughing: (easy there, Dave...just assing around):laugh:


that is sarcasm directed toward a member here who does business illegally, in fact i think he is no longer here hahhahahha:laugh:

[Beau Rivage]

Ah...I see.

[Clear-Cut]

Call the agent you use for your car-- if he does not have what you need he can direct you in the right way.

'unfortunately i am in college and cannot afford to just go out and do all of this stuff. so for now i have to do what i have to do'

This comment will also get blood pressure up- If you are not able to charge enough or do enough work to be in business, that why do it. You can work at Walmart and make more money or better yet get a job at a nursery and learn more about this industry.
Another concern I would have-- You are in school, why not put 110% of your efforts to that and get the best benefits from it!

over the summer i was making a average of $250 a week working monday through thursday for at most 2 and a half hours a day working the hours i desire. before that i was working at a liquor store working complete crap hours...about 25-30 hours a week and made a little less than 200 everyweek... liquor store...i hated it...cutting grass..I LOVE IT! which one would u choose

i appreciate the concern from all of you and the advice, but i can handle this...and i thank you for all of the help i will check the insurance rates

[daveintoledo]

over the summer i was making a average of $250 a week working monday through thursday for at most 2 and a half hours a day working the hours i desire. before that i was working at a liquor store working complete crap hours...about 25-30 hours a week and made a little less than 200 everyweek... liquor store...i hated it...cutting grass..I LOVE IT! which one would u choose

i appreciate the concern from all of you and the advice, but i can handle this...and i thank you for all of the help i will check the insurance rates

ACCORDING TO YOU YOU ARE CHARGING 25 PER HOUR FOR MOWING... that is unacceptable, you are lowballing, not charging nearly enough thereby dragging the industry down to a lawn boy level... you have to figure all your expenses, and dont say everthing is payed for because that is not how it works, gas, insurance, licenses, advertising, all your overhead, and a profit margin then determine the hourly rate, ... it should at least be 40 or more PER HOUR.... your already screwed...you are not legal because at those prices you are losing money....

you can handle it, maybe not.....

[fiveoboy01]

i appreciate the concern from all of you and the advice, but i can handle this

Translation: "You guys aren't giving me the answers I want to hear, so I'm simply not going to listen."

[djsp24]

over the summer i was making a average of $250 a week working monday through thursday for at most 2 and a half hours a day working the hours i desire. before that i was working at a liquor store working complete crap hours...about 25-30 hours a week and made a little less than 200 everyweek... liquor store...i hated it...cutting grass..I LOVE IT! which one would u choose

i appreciate the concern from all of you and the advice, but i can handle this...and i thank you for all of the help i will check the insurance rates

My advice, Work two weeks this coming spring, take the 500.00 dollars you say you will earn and then immediately go and buy insurance, or not, it's reallyup to you, but if you dont buy insurance i would be willing to bet we don't see you here next year! You need to look at it as a necessary evil, fi you do shoot someones eye out with a stone and have no insurance, you will be working the rest of your life for that person, be smart, take the first dollars you earn and be legitIf you really dont want to hear that, then your only ever going to be hurting yourself. You asked for the advice of the pro's on here and they have given it to you, if your going to be making business decisions for YOUR business, you might want to start with the easier decisions of what kind of insurance I need and where do i get it. Meaning, do SOME of the foot work yourself, call around, make phone calls, ask your own questions and have them EXPLAIN it to you, would you go to a doctor asking them whats wrong with your car? Just because he's had 25 cars doesn't make him an official to give advice on it, but if you were to call a garage, i bet they could give you MUCH CLEARER answers! Kapeesh?

[Clear-Cut]

ACCORDING TO YOU YOU ARE CHARGING 25 PER HOUR FOR MOWING... that is unacceptable, you are lowballing, not charging nearly enough thereby dragging the industry down to a lawn boy level... you have to figure all your expenses, and dont say everthing is payed for because that is not how it works, gas, insurance, licenses, advertising, all your overhead, and a profit margin then determine the hourly rate, ... it should at least be 40 or more PER HOUR.... your already screwed...you are not legal because at those prices you are losing money....

you can handle it, maybe not.....

i knew that i was guna get the "your a low baller" bit wen i posted my financial info...the truth is..when i first started this i had no idea how much to charge and had no idea i was low balling..in my eyes all i was doing was creating a customer base...im gunna talk with some of the local guys around here to see how much they charge and im going to raise the price.

can some one answer this question on insurance?

exactly what kind of insurance am i looking at? when i call the insurance co. i want to have an idea of what kind of policy to look at. i dont want them selling extra bs stuff taht i dont need

thanks again everyone

[Clear-Cut]

My advice, Work two weeks this coming spring, take the 500.00 dollars you say you will earn and then immediately go and buy insurance, or not, it's reallyup to you, but if you dont buy insurance i would be willing to bet we don't see you here next year! You need to look at it as a necessary evil, fi you do shoot someones eye out with a stone and have no insurance, you will be working the rest of your life for that person, be smart, take the first dollars you earn and be legitIf you really dont want to hear that, then your only ever going to be hurting yourself. You asked for the advice of the pro's on here and they have given it to you, if your going to be making business decisions for YOUR business, you might want to start with the easier decisions of what kind of insurance I need and where do i get it. Meaning, do SOME of the foot work yourself, call around, make phone calls, ask your own questions and have them EXPLAIN it to you, would you go to a doctor asking them whats wrong with your car? Just because he's had 25 cars doesn't make him an official to give advice on it, but if you were to call a garage, i bet they could give you MUCH CLEARER answers! Kapeesh?

very good point

[PMLAWN]

i knew that i was guna get the "your a low baller" bit wen i posted my financial info...the truth is..when i first started this i had no idea how much to charge and had no idea i was low balling..in my eyes all i was doing was creating a customer base...im gunna talk with some of the local guys around here to see how much they charge and im going to raise the price.

can some one answer this question on insurance?

exactly what kind of insurance am i looking at? when i call the insurance co. i want to have an idea of what kind of policy to look at. i dont want them selling extra bs stuff taht i dont need

thanks again everyone
You are running a business-- it provides lawn care and maintenance to a customers property. You are running high powered lawnmowers. You do not have employees. you have 20K of equipment. You can insure or not insure the tools thru the policy. Tell your agent all this and they will help you decide what to get. You want a liability policy

[Clear-Cut]

You are running a business-- it provides lawn care and maintenance to a customers property. You are running high powered lawnmowers. You do not have employees. you have 20K of equipment. You can insure or not insure the tools thru the policy. Tell your agent all this and they will help you decide what to get. You want a liability policy

beautiful...exactly what i was looking for...at the moment i dont have any expensive equipment to insure..hopefully that will all change next year

thank you very much pmlawn. you have been HUGE help