Hello, im new here

[ashskyler]

I live in Georgia and im starting a lawncare biz with my father in law in the spring. I have never done this type of work before and im not sure yet of how in depth we will go but for starters i think we will mainly just cut lawns and trim hedges etc, all the basic stuff. But im mainly interested in aquiring contracts for highway, interstate and other lawn areas that are not residential or small business owned. Any ideas on where i can go about bidding on these sort of contracts? Thanks in advance!

[ashskyler]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. You have made me feel so welcome.

[Prestige-Lawncare]

First off .. Welcome to Lawnsite! There are a lot of people here with some good advice to share ... as well as quite a few "opinioniated" posts as well. You'll get pretty good at sorting through some of these as time goes by.

Many people have probably been somewhat reluctant to post on this question simply because many don't have any experience on the topic of your question (as I don't either). Most all of the property like which you are talking about (around State and Interstate highways) is maintained by companies under contract with local or state offices. I would imagine that to get one of these contracts you would have to be a decent sized maintenance company, with all the proper equipment to do these jobs. This equipment is nothing like what your average LCO uses, nor is the work really anything like most on this board do.

Stick around though ... you will find a lot of good advice on other issues concerning commercial and residential lawn care.

Dave

[GreenN'Clean]

Greetings and welcome to the site. If your just starting out i would stick with doing residential homes for awhile until you get more experience and not try to start off with taking on something you might not be able to handle. I know where i live the state has there own equipment and take care of the highways and interstates. Do you already own any equipment or is it something you plan on getting in spring when you start up?

[1MajorTom]

I agree with Green n Clean. It's better to start off small, especially since you have never done this type of work before.
I would probably say that highway contracts etc will more than likely go with the lowest bidder. do you really want to be the lowest bidder in your first year of business? To be the lowest bidder, and actualy make a profit, you HAVE to know your expenses, and you have to have all your ducks in a row if you expect to come out on top and make some money. Leave the lowest bid stuff to someone that has been business for awhile, and knows how to make a profit while still bidding low. Stick with good residential accounts where you can name your price.

[ashskyler]

Ah, thanks for the info everyone. This wont be fulltime for us, we also have other jobs, this will be an extra money maker unless it grows to be something bigger. I also plan on opening another business this year also for my main job. I dont have any equipment yet but the father in law is gonna buy all that and im gonna buy the truck. WE definitley plan on doing residential stuff but the interstate and highway grass really got my intention. I have everything in order other than the equipment. I just thought i would register here and read up on some good advice and ask a few questions. Thanks everyone.

[nobagger]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. You have made me feel so welcome.

WOW! Welcome to Lawnsite we are here at every beck and call just for you! Why on Earth would you want to start out with this kind of work? You have ZERO experience mowing anything, what makes you think it's going to be so easy to get a State contract, usually those take quite awhile to get. The equipment alone is going to be THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars for that type of mowing. All I can say is that you and your Father-in-law are going about getting into this industry all ARSS backwards.

[ashskyler]

WOW! Welcome to Lawnsite we are here at every beck and call just for you! Why on Earth would you want to start out with this kind of work? You have ZERO experience mowing anything, what makes you think it's going to be so easy to get a State contract, usually those take quite awhile to get. The equipment alone is going to be THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of dollars for that type of mowing. All I can say is that you and your Father-in-law are going about getting into this industry all ARSS backwards.

I dont want to seem arrogant but its...grass. I mean, really, how hard is it to cut some grass. Its a side business with probably less than 2-3k invested except for the truck which im gonna be using for personal use also. That is also why i registered here, so i could learn what i dont already know. and as far as coming to my beck and call, even if noone could answer my question, a simple hello or welcome would have been great. I had 51 views with not one hello. Excuse me for thinking your all a bunch of stuckup grass cutters. If you dont have any insight for me then thats fine but dont try to rain on my parade. Thanks for what help you did give. :drinkup:

[kkls2006]

Hello......I hope that makes you feel better!

[ashskyler]

Hello......I hope that makes you feel better!

I feel great. Thanks! Hello to you to.

[Allure]

Hello & welcome

Have you seen the size of the equipment used for mowing highway medians? 2-3k investment is not going to get you the kind of equipment you need to do the job right & efficiently IMO. That's why contracts are awarded to larger companies.

[stumpslawncare]

Hello and Welcome

[kentuckylawns]

I dont want to seem arrogant but its...grass. I mean, really, how hard is it to cut some grass. Its a side business with probably less than 2-3k invested except for the truck which im gonna be using for personal use also. That is also why i registered here, so i could learn what i dont already know. and as far as coming to my beck and call, even if noone could answer my question, a simple hello or welcome would have been great. I had 51 views with not one hello. Excuse me for thinking your all a bunch of stuckup grass cutters. If you dont have any insight for me then thats fine but dont try to rain on my parade. Thanks for what help you did give. :drinkup:

Wow you started off on exactly the wrong foot, you cannot take it personal if no one replies to a post. The Part about "how hard is it to cut some grass", that is where you are wrong, because in this business its not Just cutting grass, its running a business efficiently, and if you expect to half as* it you will be out of business before you even get in. And If you dont want people to "rain on your parade" dont come into a forum and talk like you know everything. Its time someone did rain on your parade if you think you are gonna gain large commercial and state contracts as a part timer with no equipment, credibility, or experience.

[ashskyler]

Hello & welcome

Have you seen the size of the equipment used for mowing highway medians? 2-3k investment is not going to get you the kind of equipment you need to do the job right & efficiently IMO. That's why contracts are awarded to larger companies.

Yea i figured i would need a tractor or something along that line for that. If so ill get one. the 2-3k investment was my starting fund, not saying i would stay like that forever. Thanks!

[Grass-Masters]

Welcome to lawn site, I see you are already getting the riticule. Although it could have been done in a nicer fashion. I agree with everybody, start small. I am only doing residentials, and my equipment is probably a little over $15,000 not including the truck. So I can't imagine the price tag on equipment for jobs of that size. Stick with residentials, get them as close together as you can. And just try to enjoy it.

Allure: Your logo looks good in your signature.

[nobagger]

I dont want to seem arrogant but its...grass. I mean, really, how hard is it to cut some grass. Its a side business with probably less than 2-3k invested except for the truck which im gonna be using for personal use also. That is also why i registered here, so i could learn what i dont already know. and as far as coming to my beck and call, even if noone could answer my question, a simple hello or welcome would have been great. I had 51 views with not one hello. Excuse me for thinking your all a bunch of stuckup grass cutters. If you dont have any insight for me then thats fine but dont try to rain on my parade. Thanks for what help you did give. :drinkup:

Sorry Sean but these are the types of IDIOT'S that get in here and slap us all in the face with comments like "its just grass...how hard can it be". I really feel you need to make some changes as to the amount of posts (if any) you can make when new, maybe a "look but don't touch" policy so to speak. I'm sure the sponsor's would get tired of seeing these types of threads as well. Just my .02

[prostriper]

A 2k dollar investment is a spit in the pot for what you are talking about. And with no experience you stand little chance of getting what you are trying to do. Government contracts go to companies with track records of performance. You can do a search of your states bid requests. Take one look at the requirements of that request and ask yourself if you can meet those requirements. Not trying to rain on your parade but showing you the reality of what you are trying to do.

You are looking at a minimum of $120,000 in equipment alone for one person to use. 2k dollars would not even be a small portion of a loan if you could even get one. And with government agencies you are looking at least 90 days before you get any money in. I have heard of some that wait 120 days. And if you have noticed when they are mowing around expressways there are usually atleast 2 or three guys at work. So now you have $320,000 in equipment, not including operating expenses.

If that is what you want to do, go ahead. But it is not a reasonable place for someone with no experience in the industry to start off at.

[ashskyler]

Sorry Sean but these are the types of IDIOT'S that get in here and slap us all in the face with comments like "its just grass...how hard can it be". I really feel you need to make some changes as to the amount of posts (if any) you can make when new, maybe a "look but don't touch" policy so to speak. I'm sure the sponsor's would get tired of seeing these types of threads as well. Just my .02

You know, you talk like you know me. All i did was register here and was expecting a warm welcome from people in the same line of work that i am getting into. The first thing you did was start off with a smarta** comment. To everyone here, i didnt say i knew everything. I know how to run a business, i didnt come asking how to run my business, i asked about a highway contract. Thats it. The mere fact that you assume that i have no clue how to run a business shows that you know absolutley nothing about me. Maybe before you unload all your stress and unhappiness on me , you should ask about me or find out exactly who i am. The "how hard can it be" comment was just me trying to explain that you cut grass for a living, you dont run a fortune 500 company. I didnt mean to offend anyone, i know several people that are very successful in landscape and this is something im doing because my father-in-law and i didnt really get along and this is something that we can bond into. If i become a success, that is great, if not thats ok to, i didnt intend for this to be my life. If i came accross as arrogant i apologize to anyone i offended. Before you pass judgement, just ask.

[1MajorTom]

ash, if you come in here with an attitude, you won't get very far. I try to welcome everyone, but sometimes i miss a few newcomers. also, please understand, that with it being the holidays, members are more busy with family etc, and may not have the extra time to welcome the new guys.

and nobagger, no matter how frustrated you may feel, please do not call names like idoit. that also does not help the situation... in fact, it makes it worse. as far as the sponsors go, I would assume they would LOVE the new guys just starting in business. a new guy is looking to buy new equipment, is not not partial to any one brand yet, so they are wide open and eager to make a purchasing decision. I see no reason why the sponsors wouldn't like the new guys getting into the business.

[ashskyler]

Welcome to lawn site, I see you are already getting the riticule. Although it could have been done in a nicer fashion. I agree with everybody, start small. I am only doing residentials, and my equipment is probably a little over $15,000 not including the truck. So I can't imagine the price tag on equipment for jobs of that size. Stick with residentials, get them as close together as you can. And just try to enjoy it.

Allure: Your logo looks good in your signature.

Thanks for being polite. Starting small is exactly what i intend to do. I didnt ask about the contract because i want it to be my first. I just researched the internet and didnt find any useful tools so i thought i would ask more experienced people. I was just finding out information for the future. and the riticule dosent really bother me, thanks for your response. :)

[ashskyler]

ash, if you come in here with an attitude, you won't get very far. I try to welcome everyone, but sometimes i miss a few newcomers. also, please understand, that with it being the holidays, members are more busy with family etc, and may not have the extra time to welcome the new guys.

and nobagger, no matter how frustrated you may feel, please do not call names like idoit. that also does not help the situation... in fact, it makes it worse. as far as the sponsors go, I would assume they would LOVE the new guys just starting in business. a new guy is looking to buy new equipment, is not not partial to any one brand yet, so they are wide open and eager to make a purchasing decision. I see no reason why the sponsors wouldn't like the new guys getting into the business.


I understand. Thanks.

[nobagger]

ash, if you come in here with an attitude, you won't get very far. I try to welcome everyone, but sometimes i miss a few newcomers. also, please understand, that with it being the holidays, members are more busy with family etc, and may not have the extra time to welcome the new guys.

and nobagger, no matter how frustrated you may feel, please do not call names like idoit. that also does not help the situation... in fact, it makes it worse. as far as the sponsors go, I would assume they would LOVE the new guys just starting in business. a new guy is looking to buy new equipment, is not not partial to any one brand yet, so they are wide open and eager to make a purchasing decision. I see no reason why the sponsors wouldn't like the new guys getting into the business.

Well "Jody" your not my mom so don't act like it! If you don't feel "offended" with comments like its just grass and ALLLLLLLLLLL of the other B.S. things people say in here then either you could care less about this site or you dont have a care in the world about the industry that you say your in. This site is a freakin waste of time any more, and more of a burden to log on to see whats going on. So with that said, good luck to all of the legit guys/girls who want to try and do this right. To the rest......well, good reddens!

[prostriper]

One of the reasons you may not have got a response is due to the incapability of what you wanted to do in your initial post. You will find it hard to get advice on work such as this you will most likely have to do the research on your own. Many of the companies that do work such as this have spent years trying to acquire it and are not apt to be forthcoming about it. But honestly, you are looking at a lot of years before you will be able to do something of this magnitude. But honestly you would probably much rather have a bunch of smal and mid-sized commercial and residential accounts. Loosing a big account like that with out other sources to back the company can cripple you before you even realize what happened. You are better off leaving that to the companies that do it.

On another note, the it's only grass comment. If you go into this business with that mentality you will find yourself working a lot of hours for little money. You will find yourself changing customers more often than you change your cloths. You want to think of the lawn as your companies reputation. How that lawn or landscape looks will last long after you have left it.

[ashskyler]

Well "Jody" your not my mom so don't act like it! If you don't feel "offended" with comments like its just grass and ALLLLLLLLLLL of the other B.S. things people say in here then either you could care less about this site or you dont have a care in the world about the industry that you say your in. This site is a freakin waste of time any more, and more of a burden to log on to see whats going on. So with that said, good luck to all of the legit guys/girls who want to try and do this right. To the rest......well, good reddens!

Dude, i thought i had an attitude. You are acting like a kid. Try not to take things so personally. If i took all the stuff that you guys said to me that personal i would have stopped talking yesterday. Grow up, be a man.

[ashskyler]

One of the reasons you may not have got a response is due to the incapability of what you wanted to do in your initial post. You will find it hard to get advice on work such as this you will most likely have to do the research on your own. Many of the companies that do work such as this have spent years trying to acquire it and are not apt to be forthcoming about it. But honestly, you are looking at a lot of years before you will be able to do something of this magnitude. But honestly you would probably much rather have a bunch of smal and mid-sized commercial and residential accounts. Loosing a big account like that with out other sources to back the company can cripple you before you even realize what happened. You are better off leaving that to the companies that do it.

On another note, the it's only grass comment. If you go into this business with that mentality you will find yourself working a lot of hours for little money. You will find yourself changing customers more often than you change your cloths. You want to think of the lawn as your companies reputation. How that lawn or landscape looks will last long after you have left it.

I understand that perfectly. Thanks for the input, ill keep that in mind. The comment is not how im looking at it, it was a not-real-thoughtout thing to say. ;)

[prostriper]

Well "Jody" your not my mom so don't act like it! If you don't feel "offended" with comments like its just grass and ALLLLLLLLLLL of the other B.S. things people say in here then either you could care less about this site or you dont have a care in the world about the industry that you say your in. This site is a freakin waste of time any more, and more of a burden to log on to see whats going on. So with that said, good luck to all of the legit guys/girls who want to try and do this right. To the rest......well, good reddens!


Hey I understand your frustration, but relax man it's an uneducated opinion. Thats all it was. In the 11 years of your experience I know you have heard it at least 11 times. I know I have. Just caulk it up as someone who only cuts their own lawn, and it looks homeowner cut when there done.

[1MajorTom]

Well "Jody" your not my mom so don't act like it!

You are right, I'm not your mom, I am a moderator of this site.
There are a lot of different personalities here, and sometimes it can be difficult getting everyone to blend well together. No use sweating the small stuff, life's too short.
Good luck with your 2007 season.

[dcgreenspro]

ashskyler,
You live in the south were you can maintain properties year round. If i were you, i would invest in some nive heavy duty wlak-behinds. You will save a boatlaod from not purchasing a ztr. Keep the property size that you tkae to a limit and you could have a very nice route that you can get done pretty easily.
Also, i know that you mention about highways and such, i would make that a 5-10 year goal. Much different animal. As far as the grass comment, check out a couple of turf management books.

[CurbAppeal33]

Man that was some entrance to the lawnsite! Welcome. Do the residential and small to mid-size commerial to start man. I am just starting off but have worked in the past doing this type of work and the attitude of its just grass really is bothersome. True people that are in this type of work appreciate the feeling of getting a yard done or landscape project complete, look back and say damn that looks frickin good.

It just seems like your mentality going in, is going to result in one of those finished products that "A Guy who Cares" drives by and looks and just hangs his head because it was done so poorly.

Your comment on Grass being just Grass is something a pot-head should say, not a professional.

Good luck in getting started and I hope you and your father-in-law will be tight soon.

[GreenN'Clean]

Ash a 2 k budget to spend on equipment is not going to get you much. You might have a small push mower for 200 bucks,couple blowers 350,couple weed trimmers 300 etc you'll soon see that a 2k budget gets spent very fast in this Business. Theres alot of people who think running a successful Lawn Care Business is easy and don't cost that much.. But it's hard work and takes alot of money and alot of time to make it successful. Most will be lucky to break even the first season and a few make a profit. If your planning to do bigger jobs then you'll need the right equipment and that isn't cheap. A used ZTR will cost anywhere from 4-5 grand and you'll need a trailer to haul it etc.. This Business is a make it or break Business and you have to do quality work or you won't keep clients. I say good luck to you and your father in law start off small and grow over time.

[fiveoboy01]

Not trying to be rude, but I think it's fairly obvious by some of the $-type statements you have made, that you DON'T know how to run a business.

Have you ever done it before?

2-3K? That's nothing, even for a start-up doing residentials.

You'd better sit down and make a list of your expenses. For example:

One commercial grade ZTR or walk-behind
One push mower
A blower
At least one trimmer
A hedge trimmer(you said you'll be trimming hedges)
An edger
A truck
A trailer
Rakes, shovels, wheelbarrow, etc
A computer makes life a lot easier.
Printer
Printer ink
Stamps
Envelopes
Paper
Pens
Trimmer line
Edger blades
Gas cans
Hearing protection
Safety glasses
Boots
Tie-downs to secure all the equipment
Liability insurance
Fee to register your business and/or get license with whatever state you're in
GAS
2-stroke oil
Grease gun and grease
tire gauge
hand tools
spare blades and belts
Oil and oil/air filters
spark plugs

That's not everything either.

State highway contracts will require REALLY REALLY expensive equipment. Forget about it unless you're rich. Even then, you're not guaranteed to get it if you have the equipment to do so.

[Scotts' Yard Care]

In my limited experience I've found that any kind of large State or commercial work
is a brutal, cutthroat type of bidding that pares profits down to a few dollars. My wife spotted a bid for a local highway rest stop and the winner was doing full service mowing, tree work,shrub work, fertilizing/weed control,trash pick up and miscellaneous for less than we would want to bid for mowing only. The guys that can make this work pay are damn near magicians:D

[ashskyler]

Thanks for all replies. I do regret the just grass comment. I cant apologize enough. I look forward to sharing my work with you guys in the future. Nice meeting you all. :)

[Prestige-Lawncare]

Thanks for all replies. I do regret the just grass comment. I cant apologize enough. I look forward to sharing my work with you guys in the future. Nice meeting you all. :)

*lol* .... now that you have experienced some of what I was talking about in the 1st response to your post ...

Welcome to Lawnsite! Nice meeting you (and your father-in-law) too!

Dave

.

[crab]

Wow finally someone who's a bigger jerk off than me!A:laugh: t least i actually have a business, thanks Skyler!

[mountianview]

hello!!! a long journey starts with small steps , I think we all want to think we know it all ,myself included ,as I type with one finger ,no joke! I have learned I dont need a husky rider already ,not being my money Ill get the best equipment I can get, z master and samurai anyone need money Ill tell them a secret smoke a left handed cigarette, 2 go to rehab 3 get disablity status 4 business plan 5 spend voucher on business 6 work hard not trying to insult anyone sorry if I do truth will set you free !!

[ashskyler]

Wow finally someone who's a bigger jerk off than me!A:laugh: t least i actually have a business, thanks Skyler!

umm...your welcome? ;)

[justanotherlawnguy]

here is some advice. If you have to ask, dont bother! for a newbie with no idea your barking up the wrong tree. the bidding process alone through the county/city/state whatever local you are in is a pita. The insurance alone will blow your mind.

stick with the craftsman and homelite and stay in your neighborhood....

[prostriper]

here is some advice. If you have to ask, dont bother! for a newbie with no idea your barking up the wrong tree. the bidding process alone through the county/city/state whatever local you are in is a pita. The insurance alone will blow your mind.

stick with the craftsman and homelite and stay in your neighborhood....



Yea as far as insurance goes you are probably looking at a minimum of a 8-10 million dollar policy.This would probably run atleast 3-6000 a year.

[crab]

no my friend,thank you!

[lawnman_scott]

How do you plan to get these highway contracts? And do they require a bond? Can you give them a copy of your workmans comp (I assume you have no employees) so I can guess what the awnser will be. Your just not being realistic. You need to start small with residential and go from there.