Ohio Lawn thread

[jpp]

Well, just lost 2 more accounts. That makes 3 of them so far. The latest 2, could possibly loose 2 more. One is a relative and the other is a neighbor of them. They e-mailed me and didn't even to bother calling. I will be calling them tonight that is for sure.

JP

[thefed]

Walker- Right now just isn't a good time to be putting money into a business in my eyes with the economy the way it is. I would rather hold out and pay down my debts as of right now which would be strategically better in the long run(I hope). I'm not here to pee in anyones cheerios, just had to get that off my chest. I know most people are full of it but that is your job as an owner to smell a rat. I know with most L&L's that the roof is like 15 an hour so you have to keep watching the talent leave and start over. Some though are just megalomaniacs that can't keep anyone smart because it threatens their self esteem. I am no moron by any means and am in this trade because I enjoy it and ONE day will have my own company. Until then though, I am stuck getting lowballed for my talent. How do some of you guys interview? Do you even ask the guys name? Or is it:experience, yeah, great, woowhoo, lets go.

Don't know why I'm bothering to defend myself though because people will believe and view things their way regardless of how much sense you can make... Its just part of life and part of human beings to be like that I guess. Anyway, anyone has some work in Columbus, GREAT!

in this and all of your other posts, theres a lot of stereotyping/generalizing. in the above short paragraph you've explained that you KNOW its not a good time to start a company, you KNOW that MOST people are full of it, you KNOW theres a $$15 roof at MOST L&L companies...i'm sure the whole world is against you, and nobody cares about your experience, and nobody wants to keep you on because you deserve more than 15/hour, THEY have self esteem issues,and THEY won't listen even though YOU make so much sense, THEY this and THEY that.

i can tell you right now why you have no work. Even if you are worth more than $15/hr, nobody wants to listen to a know-it-all!!! you'd have to do a LOT to demand more than $15/hr around here....at that point you might as well start your own company...which it sounds like you have all figured out...so....im gonna go get some estimating done before THEY get it all

[kc2006]

Well I got my first low baller flyer today!

Some guy dropped a flyer here (even though my truck and trailer are in the drive) with his wonderful prices. I almost want him to take care of my house he's so cheap.

Weekly mowing bagged, clean the gutters, trim the shrubs, mulch the beds, leaf removal, snow removal, and fertilizing....1495 for the whole year. WOW. I'm that much just to do the mulch and maybe the leaves. Just for mowing, shrub trimming and leaf removal he's 895...again I'm just about that for mowing only.

Crazy, I wonder how he'll make out this year with gas being 3.30 and rising.

[Travis E]

I can not wait to get out working again, although i'm getting worried about the amount of lawns i'm loosing because i had over a handfull of lawns last year for one family and they have closed 2 business, one sold, another is going to close, and two of them are now unemployed, and one moved to atlanta :cry: as of now I only have 2 bids in, one guy has 6 condos around and another is one of the businesses that closed and someone else is reopening.

They were mowing our baseball fields at school today though so i'll be mowing before long

[corbster]

in this and all of your other posts, theres a lot of stereotyping/generalizing. in the above short paragraph you've explained that you KNOW its not a good time to start a company, you KNOW that MOST people are full of it, you KNOW theres a $$15 roof at MOST L&L companies...i'm sure the whole world is against you, and nobody cares about your experience, and nobody wants to keep you on because you deserve more than 15/hour, THEY have self esteem issues,and THEY won't listen even though YOU make so much sense, THEY this and THEY that.

i can tell you right now why you have no work. Even if you are worth more than $15/hr, nobody wants to listen to a know-it-all b!tch!!! you'd have to do a LOT to demand more than $15/hr around here....at that point you might as well start your own company...which it sounds like you have all figured out...so....im gonna go get some estimating done before THEY get it all

:clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping:

[KGR landscapeing]

Well I got my first low baller flyer today!

Some guy dropped a flyer here (even though my truck and trailer are in the drive) with his wonderful prices. I almost want him to take care of my house he's so cheap.

Weekly mowing bagged, clean the gutters, trim the shrubs, mulch the beds, leaf removal, snow removal, and fertilizing....1495 for the whole year. WOW. I'm that much just to do the mulch and maybe the leaves. Just for mowing, shrub trimming and leaf removal he's 895...again I'm just about that for mowing only.

Crazy, I wonder how he'll make out this year with gas being 3.30 and rising.

i get that stuff too i even get it for plowing and last year one guy stopd and we had 3 rigs in the drive.

[hole in one lco]

GO TRIBE:waving::waving:

[Landscappey]

thefed- In all of your post YOU are doing the same thing. Look at the last page and tell me I'm wrong about not wanting to sink my money into a business right now. I am actually not at all a "know it all" but I'm not going to ge pushed around either. This field is littered with all sorts of companies and all sorts of people. Some good some bad and just because you own a company is really no reason to sit up on your high horse telling me whats worth what. If you are one of the guys not willing to pay for decent help, kudos to you if you can manage to get things done and done right the first time everytime.

[Landscappey]

Fed- Just curious since you are one year into the business, what kind of experience do you have? What area do you cover? Have you ever done high end L&L(1 mil +) properties as your usual route?

[jpp]

thefed- In all of your post YOU are doing the same thing. Look at the last page and tell me I'm wrong about not wanting to sink my money into a business right now. I am actually not at all a "know it all" but I'm not going to ge pushed around either. I'd slap that stupid look of your face though I KNOW THAT! This field is littered with all sorts of companies and all sorts of people. Some good some bad and just because you own a company is really no reason to sit up on your high horse telling me whats worth what. If you are one of the guys not willing to pay for decent help, kudos to you if you can manage to get things done and done right the first time everytime.

I was not going to comment on this, but you need to tone it down a little bit here. Whatt is up with the name calling? You are coming off as person who seem so high on themselves that you won't take any advice or information to heart without firing back an insult. Relax and don't come off as someone who is too good for his own britches.


JP

[turftechlawnpro]

Hey guys, How is every ones season starting out so far?:confused:
I'm off to a slow start hope it picks up. We have handed out 5000 door hangers and have not received close to the feed back as we thought we would. Last year at this time i could not get my phone to stop ringing!! This year i keep looking at the phone thinking i might have miss a call but there is nothing there:cry:

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Whats up guys? I went out and did a few cleanups today. Sold a wall job and they want steps put into it as well. Picked up another mowing account a little bit ago too. So far we are slowly getting on the right track!! I hope it keeps up for all of us

[Metz]

1000 flyers, 2 phone calls. not good. lost a mulch job today, her grandson is home from the military and is gonna do it:rolleyes: things are slow but i keep telling myself they'll pick up.

and now the tribe is tied in the 7th after giving up a comfy 5 run lead.:cry:

and who is this guy trying to fight everyone on the board here? maybe you should be out looking for a job instead of spending all day on the internet, mr. experience:waving:

[Landscappey]

WOW, how is responding to being called a liar and told I should make $10 an hour because people can't judge a candidate "trying to fight"? I am pretty easygoing, just have hard time dealing with some people plain and simple. Why does everyone have something to say to me???????????

[hole in one lco]

The Tribe is 1 and 0 for the year

[Metz]

WOW, how is responding to being called a liar and told I should make $10 an hour because people can't judge a candidate "trying to fight"? I am pretty easygoing, just have hard time dealing with some people plain and simple. Why does everyone have something to say to me???????????

everybody is responding to you because you showed up here complaining about this and that and calling people out. chill. nobody here is against you, just stating opinions. you don't like it, leave. i'm sorry you're having trouble finding a job. unfortunately its true, with my previous employer, i interviewed all applicants who were applying to the "experienced grass cutters and landscapers wanted" ad. EVeRYBODY says they have experience.
i asked the right questions, and was able to tell who was telling the truth and who wasn't. those who told the truth, still had a lot to learn about how we did things. so experience is great, but until you show you can adapt to a new companys way of doing things, your just the new guy. you have to earn your wage.
so i apologize to you if i offended you earlier, i was only trying to make a lighthearted remark. good luck to you

[born2farm]

well orderd my biz cards today. trying to get my name out there some more

[jpp]

Why does everyone have something to say to me???????????

I responed because you started name calling and posted a threat about slapping the look off of someones face.

Now as far as losing a job today, I win some lose some. I lost them, so I move on pick up some more. Easy as that. '

JP

Edit: I went back to find where someone called you liar and could not find it. Must have been edited or deleted?

[Landscappey]

Metzinger- Thank you man. What you said makes sense actually as far as adapting to the new enviroment/system. Just basically exhausted from the stress. Sorry about my shot on ya there. Bites a big one but, what am I gonna do? Guess that's the price I'll have to pay for all my traveling and being pretty random for the past 1.5 years. I'll be po and probably have to lose a couple teeth to fit in where I can afford to hang out but I'll have my memories.

[Landscappey]

Jpp- I'm good now man, took my meds!!! *trucewhiteflag* Not really but feel like I need to be sedated lately... :dizzy:

[Travis E]

well orderd my biz cards today. trying to get my name out there some more

Did you use the disign that you posted here? I had a email from vista print on specials and premium business cards free. I wanted to order some today but the company never emailed me my file of my logo to use so its going to have to wait. For those that use vista print, what shipping method do you use(time frame)

[Metz]

Metzinger- Thank you man. What you said makes sense actually as far as adapting to the new enviroment/system. Just basically exhausted from the stress. Sorry about my shot on ya there. Bites a big one but, what am I gonna do? Guess that's the price I'll have to pay for all my traveling and being pretty random for the past 1.5 years. I'll be po and probably have to lose a couple teeth to fit in where I can afford to hang out but I'll have my memories.

you try Environmental Management Inc? i worked for them years ago when i was living in c-bus. they're a pretty big landscape maintenance/construction company with lots of money to shell out! i started at $10 as a grass cutter, and this was 7 years ago. they hire mostly mexican laborers and pay them peanuts, but all their foreman, crew leaders etc. are very well paid.

[Metz]

you try Environmental Management Inc? i worked for them years ago when i was living in c-bus. they're a pretty big landscape maintenance/construction company with lots of money to shell out! i started at $10 as a grass cutter, and this was 7 years ago. they hire mostly mexican laborers and pay them peanuts, but all their foreman, crew leaders etc. are very well paid.

here's their website:
http://www.landscapepros.com/index.html

[born2farm]

Did you use the disign that you posted here? I had a email from vista print on specials and premium business cards free. I wanted to order some today but the company never emailed me my file of my logo to use so its going to have to wait. For those that use vista print, what shipping method do you use(time frame)

ya i used this one right here...i couldnt beet the price and it will get my name out there some more.

[Travis E]

How many did you order, and if you don't mind how much $

[born2farm]

i got 250 buisness cards with blank backs, one sticky note pad and a pen with the slowest shipping for $9.06.

[Travis E]

i got 250 buisness cards with blank backs, one sticky note pad and a pen with the slowest shipping for $9.06.

good deal, you get any more clients yet? Right now i have five less than last year but i'm sure when i get out working people will see me and call, hopefully my magnets pay for themselves in the next couple of weeks

[born2farm]

good deal, you get any more clients yet? Right now i have five less than last year but i'm sure when i get out working people will see me and call, hopefully my magnets pay for themselves in the next couple of weeks


no i havnt gotten any more jobs yet....i know i can have one job if i want it but it will be one that i get paid as soon as the jobs done cuz she is old and senile and trys to get me thinking she already payed for something on the invoice.

im hoping once the grass starts growing people will call.

[Travis E]

no i havnt gotten any more jobs yet....i know i can have one job if i want it but it will be one that i get paid as soon as the jobs done cuz she is old and senile and trys to get me thinking she already payed for something on the invoice.

im hoping once the grass starts growing people will call.

you will want it when you have to put gas in a truck and pay insurance for the truck, which reminds me that i better go cut a check for it now

[Landscappey]

Thanks Metzinger I'm gonna check them out right now.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Well no work today:cry: 50mph wind gusts and rain, cant really do too much clean up work. That is what tomorrow is for!!! Although I do have to dump out the truck at some point today. Anyone else got anything going?

[CLARK LAWN]

same here, heavy rain this morning and rather windy today at least ill finish getting my dump back togther.

[kc2006]

I bought everything to pull maintenance on all the equipment yesterday. Going to do that stuff today, need to send out invoices for last months plowing, go do an estimate for a big landscape job, go to lesco and buy some pre-emergent. I think thats it. Gunna be a long day.

might start doing flyers tomorrow, i haven't done any flyers yet, I think its too early, people aren't thinking spring yet.

[joe the lawn guy]

i'm going to buy new wheelbarrows today at Sam's $55 for a two wheel.. it looks good.. than fix my junk

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas nasty down here as well doing invoices have a bid to do later hopefully its not raining still.
We have done a few jobs not the ones I want to get done thou. The bed edger doesn't work well in this crap. I don't want to have to hand dig them either.

[joe the lawn guy]

what kind of bed edger do you have ? i have a turco it works in wet but not dry soil..

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Today is a good boring day, lol. Too windy to work or put flyers out. Got a few phone calls I could make though. Today is a very, very good day!!! It was the official end of my snow contracts!!!:clapping::clapping::blob2:

Joe, those wheelbarrows are only 55 bucks at sams club? That is a hell of a deal.

Josh, whats up buddy? Getting soaked down there it sounds like!!!

[KGR landscapeing]

ya i gotta make some calls screw around alittle pick up my shirts when that joker calls and i am having a guy put vynyl on my trailer both sides for 175 installd and hes the guy that dose the trailers where i used to work so i know its good.

[joe the lawn guy]

Joe, those wheelbarrows are only 55 bucks at sams club? That is a hell of a deal.

i got two.:) the total was $120.57
the down side is only 6.5 cube feet my old ones are 8 or 10
but they have steel handles 1 inch axles they are nice
lots of cross members
if you need one go soon they had 100 two days ago today 21 left

[Travis E]

Designed this on Vista Print, please let me know what you guys think so I can hopefully order them tonight.

[KGR landscapeing]

Designed this on Vista Print, please let me know what you guys think so I can hopefully order them tonight.

you have a lot going on there travis and since i dont have an office i dont have an adress on my card people showin up at my house

[Travis E]

true,but it gives people an example of my work because i will mow my yard a heck of a lot more than other peoples. I agree though that it is busy

[Travis E]

I will work on some of the little things on it tonight. going to go price fertilizer now

[KGR landscapeing]

I will work on some of the little things on it tonight. going to go price fertilizer now

it should of gone up alittle bit. trucking costs kill everything these days. i have to go look at grass seed

[hole in one lco]

I will work on some of the little things on it tonight. going to go price fertilizer now

y didnt u list fert on your card

[Travis E]

y didnt u list fert on your card

because i'm not into fertilizing a whole lot. When i get my pesticides license probably next year then i will. I just put straight on my yard and usually grandparent's house but have done some other people's in the past. Going to try scotts for our yard this year, it isn't really that much more than the menards brand we used the last few years.

[DynaMow]

I will work on some of the little things on it tonight. going to go price fertilizer nowyou really need to check out GotPrint.com they have good prices, great turn around time, and a lot of options. Just got mine today, and they are awesome.

[jpp]

i'm going to buy new wheelbarrows today at Sam's $55 for a two wheel.. it looks good.. than fix my junk


I got one from there last year. I used it today and I forgot to check the tire pressure before I left. oops. It is great.


JP

[RhinoL&L]

been keeping pretty busy here hopefullly will stay that way for a while! maybe we will get a few dry days sometime

[OUTLANDER]

the wind very strong there?........man it has been whipping here in canton

[jpp]

been keeping pretty busy here hopefullly will stay that way for a while! maybe we will get a few dry days sometime

Shawn,

According to the Rush, rain Thurs and Friday, Nice Sat and Sun. Rain Mon and Tues. Better start building that ark.

JP

[jpp]

the wind very strong there?........man it has been whipping here in canton

I live within 2 miles of Shawn, the winds were blowing pretty good here this afternoon. Most of the stuff I was blowing was going right across the street into some apartment buildings. :laugh:


JP

[born2farm]

whats everyone up to? havnt been able to get on the yards yet to do cleanups. still only got the 1 call and 1 job so far.

did order my biz cards

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Well the wind is finally dying down here now, so back to the grind tomorrow. I think I may put the sides on my truck for a bit though since alot of the new places I picked up have a TON of crap in them. Kidna sux doing one place and the truck is loaded:dizzy: The yards are actually getting fairly dry and the snow piles are almost totally non-existent. That is always a plus!!! I am going to start fixing my snowplow damage prolly next week sometime

[Travis E]

Grass really greened up today here. Calling for 50 and sunny tomorrow so I'm going to go roll and aerate atleast 2 lawns, maybe more if i feel like doing them.

[KGR landscapeing]

Well the wind is finally dying down here now, so back to the grind tomorrow. I think I may put the sides on my truck for a bit though since alot of the new places I picked up have a TON of crap in them. Kidna sux doing one place and the truck is loaded:dizzy: The yards are actually getting fairly dry and the snow piles are almost totally non-existent. That is always a plus!!! I am going to start fixing my snowplow damage prolly next week sometime

i have to roll around and take my stakes down but other then that i am not touching yards till the 11th

[RhinoL&L]

yeah jp you said it! it was WINDY here and crap was going all over the place... oh well. i guess i better try to get some stuff sone tomorrow but maybe it will lighten up on thur and fri just enough so we can still wokr!:waving:

[jpp]

yeah jp you said it! it was WINDY here and crap was going all over the place... oh well. i guess i better try to get some stuff sone tomorrow but maybe it will lighten up on thur and fri just enough so we can still wokr!:waving:

Shawn, Rich responded to my post over there and thinks it might start here Thurs afternoon or evening.Depends on how fast it is moving.

[hole in one lco]

aerating now will be more like rototilling. dont jump the gun youll do more harm then good

[DynaMow]

no kiddin it has to be to wet to aerate yet.

[Travis E]

I just have a spike aerator, you'd be surprised how dry it is here. Rolled and aerated my house 3 days ago ago before the rain and its really turning green. If i had a plug aerator i wouldn't be doing it yet though

[jpp]

Here you go, use this to aerate the yard:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/626977229.html

[Travis E]

Here you go, use this to aerate the yard:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/grd/626977229.html

are you making fun of my equipment :hammerhead:

[jpp]

are you making fun of my equipment :hammerhead:

Oh no I am not. I saw it earlier. At least you won't leave ruts on the lawns. I was wondering how good of a job this thing actually does.

[Travis E]

Oh no I am not. I saw it earlier. At least you won't leave ruts on the lawns. I was wondering how good of a job this thing actually does.

maybe if you had a stripe of lawn a foot wide but how wood it sink it? push it in? that would be hard work. or do it when its so saturated

[jpp]

maybe if you had a stripe of lawn a foot wide but how wood it sink it? push it in? that would be hard work. or do it when its so saturated


Yep no where to put any weight on that thing to help it sink in.

[Travis E]

and they want 20 bucks for something thats worthless, will you go pick it up for me lol

[jpp]

I will pick it up for you on Wednesday. It is about a 15 minute drive from me.

[Travis E]

thanks jp, the check is in the mail, i left it blank for you so feel free to fill in the amout

[Clapper&Company]

Well I see every one was at home on the computer today!


Sold 2 tree jobs today :D
Got my truck ready to go!

All Snow plow damage fix

Went and eat 20 some wings tonigh

[KGR landscapeing]

i got my shirts yesterday lettering goes on the trailer today http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0401081816.jpg

[joe the lawn guy]

Looks Good Man !! i think thats one great color not to light or dark

[KGR landscapeing]

Looks Good Man !! i think thats one great color not to light or dark

thanks ya i thought they came out much better then i expected. and today my trailer got letter man what a nice day it was in the sun.
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0402081524.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0402081427a.jpg

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

What a day:dizzy: My truck now has a real nice gas leak going, leaving a nice puddle where it sits. Gonna have to pull off the bed this weekend to fix it since it is near the top of the tank. Now I have to get a 36" wb. Once of my back yards is huge and the gate is 44" inches wide and I couldnt get my 48 to fit. Oh well:hammerhead:

[KGR landscapeing]

What a day:dizzy: My truck now has a real nice gas leak going, leaving a nice puddle where it sits. Gonna have to pull off the bed this weekend to fix it since it is near the top of the tank. Now I have to get a 36" wb. Once of my back yards is huge and the gate is 44" inches wide and I couldnt get my 48 to fit. Oh well:hammerhead:

tom my 32 was cheap i can ask the guy what he has

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

There is a guy up here selling a 2yr old Scag 36 for 1500 with a velke and a catcher. I will prolly buy that. Let me know though what he has

[joe the lawn guy]

try here for uhttp://www.emmettequipment.com/sed stuff

[joe the lawn guy]

i got my 36 for $800 last year he had a 36 bobcat for $750 last week

[joe the lawn guy]

kgr how do u like the inc trailer.. is it hard at the gas pump ? do u get your mower out?

[hole in one lco]

There is a guy up here selling a 2yr old Scag 36 for 1500 with a velke and a catcher. I will prolly buy that. Let me know though what he has

guy on craigslist guys got a gravity like new with bag for 500
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/grd/625154083.html

[corbster]

What a day:dizzy: My truck now has a real nice gas leak going, leaving a nice puddle where it sits. Gonna have to pull off the bed this weekend to fix it since it is near the top of the tank. Now I have to get a 36" wb. Once of my back yards is huge and the gate is 44" inches wide and I couldnt get my 48 to fit. Oh well:hammerhead:

Try This for getting your WB in the gate:walking:
Back your WB up to the gate position the left or right tire (the tire away for the gate swing) inside the post. Now push your handles down to the ground and pivot the deck inside by pulling to the left or right ....see if that will work.


:weightlifter:

[KGR landscapeing]

kgr how do u like the inc trailer.. is it hard at the gas pump ? do u get your mower out?

ya know i dont mow that much right now. not enough accounts so its not a huge ordeal at the momment. and i noramly would just fill it up with a five gallon can. if i cant get to the pump. but i fill up at one gas station and town and try to make friends with the clerks so that i can screw around outside blocking 2 pumps and nobody cares.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Thanks guys for looking so quickly!!! It is a wooden privacy fence that is about 9 feet high. I may try the one Corbster recommended first. I talked to the homeowner though, and they dont mind if I sawzall a chunk out of the bottom to fit the deck thru. That is a heck of alot easier and cheaper than buying another machine. My trailer is full enough as it is!!!

[Clapper&Company]

WHAT?

You are going to Cut it so you can get it in ????
Well hell Cut it 64" and use the Z

I would never ask a home owner that LOL

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

I didnt ask them, they called and brought it up. I guess their previous guy had the same dilema and let him cut a much bigger chunk out than I need to. I think I have to take out 2-3 inches more. If I mess it up, I fix it!! I would much rather fix a 30 dollar fence post than buy another machine.

Everyone gonna get their crap done before the rain hits?? Not supposed to reach here till later this evening, so all should be good. Looks real cold out there right now though

[Clapper&Company]

O OK LOL

Tom what u working on today?

[Metz]

i'm cutting today:clapping:

i do alot of work for an out of town bank that has foreclosed homes around here. they email me a list, i bid high, they say "cut 'em when you want to". its great. only annoying thing is i have to take before and after pics of each property and email them each night. used to be just grass cutting, but this year they want the hedges trimmed too. last year they gave me about 30+ yards. i get some pretty sh*tty houses in some seriously shady neighborhoods. EVERYTHING is chained and locked to my trailer, even my gas cans:laugh:

[kc2006]

Gotta love the vacant houses. I used to get $150-$200 for 5-6K sq ft yard here. The township paid and would just tack it on to the property owners taxes.

I'm officially starting on monday or tuesday, going out of town early tomorrow morning and won't be back till sunday night, all my regulars are decently clean for leaves so I'm not in a rush to clean them off. I do have a few mulch jobs and a couple installs lined up but the yards are swamps still. So no real hurry for me.

Metz, alan, when you think we'll start mowing? A week, two? Three?? When?

lol my stupid story for the day. I took my 4 wheeler to the car wash to wash it down (going riding in wv this weekend), so I get it done and I'm about to load it up, I had shut the fuel off because I stood it up to wash the underside, and when i went up the ramps it sputtered and stalled, so before i could pull the clutch in, the stupid thing stood up, threw me off (into a huge puddle of muddy water and gas) and was about to roll onto me, but I kicked it up towards the truck. Yea, stupid story of the day, gotta love it.

[KGR landscapeing]

Gotta love the vacant houses. I used to get $150-$200 for 5-6K sq ft yard here. The township paid and would just tack it on to the property owners taxes.

I'm officially starting on monday or tuesday, going out of town early tomorrow morning and won't be back till sunday night, all my regulars are decently clean for leaves so I'm not in a rush to clean them off. I do have a few mulch jobs and a couple installs lined up but the yards are swamps still. So no real hurry for me.

Metz, alan, when you think we'll start mowing? A week, two? Three?? When?

lol my stupid story for the day. I took my 4 wheeler to the car wash to wash it down (going riding in wv this weekend), so I get it done and I'm about to load it up, I had shut the fuel off because I stood it up to wash the underside, and when i went up the ramps it sputtered and stalled, so before i could pull the clutch in, the stupid thing stood up, threw me off (into a huge puddle of muddy water and gas) and was about to roll onto me, but I kicked it up towards the truck. Yea, stupid story of the day, gotta love it.

haha at least your a big guy id of been dead laying in the lot laughing go o **** that hurt

[CLARK LAWN]

i was out doing cleanups yesterday and today i would say at least 2 weeks for mowing, ground is still very wet and not really greening up yet. ive got some mulch jobs to do but its to wet to edge anything.
good thing you have that little toy 4 wheeler and not a manly one like mine that wieghs 650-700#

[KGR landscapeing]

today i was laughing so hard this grew got the Ztr stuck right in the freaking middle of a companys front yard. must of been about 100 feet from the driveway. i was laughing they lookd like they were gonna try and pull it with there walk behind. thats when u just call the boss and say i taking the truck on the yard to get the mower.

[jpp]

i was out doing cleanups yesterday and today i would say at least 2 weeks for mowing, ground is still very wet and not really greening up yet. ive got some mulch jobs to do but its to wet to edge anything.
good thing you have that little toy 4 wheeler and not a manly one like mine that wieghs 650-700#

We did some bed edging this week and I too thought it was too wet. Actually I think it made it go faster. Just looked at those edges today again and those still look good.

Going to mulch them on Saturday. Easier to do then cause of parking issues on one of them.

JP

[CLARK LAWN]

i tried just edging around some drives and walks today and it was just cloging the machine up, all mud.

[Metz]

got another new commercial cutting account, a big spring cleanup for saturday, and a grass cut for a foreclosed home in east palestine (45 miles away from me). gonna charge big time on that one.

its a good feeling when the phone starts ringin and the jobs come rollin in.:drinkup:

i did some cutting today, pretty freakin wet! left some tracks with the Z in one yard, but its vacant so who cares, right?

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Did some clean ups today. No mowers stuck or anything. The sidewalks and drives havent been too bad to edge. Just gonna keep chugging along till the grass starts to grow. Hopefully all the clean ups and what not will be done by then. Supposed to rain tomorrow, so not too much going then. Either saturday or sunday I am pulling the bed off the truck and fix my gas leak

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Tom
Corbster has the idea it is a nack on doing this I have a 48" and can get it through a single gate with the same method. Pull up parallel (SP) get the deck in then raise the deck will turning into opening. Good luck. We have been mulching.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Thanks Josh. I had to take this stupid piece of rubber off the side of the WB and it slid right in. I tried that whole manuever thing and damn near tore the whole fence down, LOL:walking:

[joe the lawn guy]

Spreed 21 yards of mulch.. got paid :) I feel like sh**.. but happy to have money and work

[Metz]

Spreed 21 yards of mulch.. got paid :) I feel like sh**.. but happy to have money and work


21 yards by yourself?:weightlifter:

[joe the lawn guy]

No I have two labors.. I broke my hip leg & wrist in Nov.. so i don't do much

[KGR landscapeing]

No I have two labors.. I broke my hip leg & wrist in Nov.. so i don't do much

ouch and 3 guys moved 20yrds not bad

[joe the lawn guy]

well 2 &1/2 I drive the truck back to get more mulch it only holds 5 yards

[jpp]

i tried just edging around some drives and walks today and it was just cloging the machine up, all mud.

We did ours by hand that is why it went so well. If I used a machine, I would have had the same problem.

JP

[jpp]

Tom
Corbster has the idea it is a nack on doing this I have a 48" and can get it through a single gate with the same method. Pull up parallel (SP) get the deck in then raise the deck will turning into opening. Good luck. We have been mulching.

Josh,

I was down on Wednesday and went to the night game. Some yards look like they are ready to be cut down there. Are you cutting anything yet? For me I will be going by most of the yards to check them and cut if necessary next week. I have a few that are ready as of right now.


JP

[kc2006]

Hey alan, all i gotta say is, wanna race my little toy 4 wheeler :) haha

My day got worse after I posted. I was headed out to get some stuff, backed out of the drive, turned the wheel and heard "CRACK" I'm like wtf was that. No steering. I get out and look, all 3 bolts for the steering box sheered off! One of which is a new grade 8 i put in for the plow bracket. Any of you ford guys know if this is a known issue for the 90's fords? I would think that something had to of seized up, but i don't remember anything being wrong, it steered just fine.

So I have a buddy heading over tomorrow to fix the truck for me. I'm leaving at 5am and won't be back till sunday night and I wanted to start working monday, so I figured throw him 50 or 75 bucks and let him have at it.

Oh well. Talk to you guys after sunday, hopefully my luck changes and I don't get all fubar'd on the trip haha.

[CLARK LAWN]

kurt i dont race it will shake the beer up to much then i would have to go to the bar sooner.

i think i bid against you today for a cleanup. about 8-9 man hours and he has someone that said they can do it tommarrow rain or shine for 150 bucks.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

JPP
Hey yes they are getting close I am still going to hold off one more week hopefully it will dry up a little more. I would love to get at least half of my mulch jobs done before then.

[KGR landscapeing]

kurt how in the world do u think your gonna mkae that a bio diesel when it keeps breakin

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Well not too much going on today. Raining still and the ground is pretty soaked. Okay so I got 3 full days in this week, lol. Still got a good bit left to do. Anyone else working in the rain? It is too early in the season to be dodging rain drops!!! I will get flashbacks and think they are snowflakes:rolleyes:

[Clapper&Company]

Morning Guys!

Had 2 meeting yesterday all went good!

[joe the lawn guy]

I work in the rain.. we will mulch today... the guys hate me.. but love the $$$$$$..

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Yes we work in the rain as well we will mulch not much renovations thou. It kind makes more unwanted work if you know what I mean. LOL. Going to do spend some SNOW money today. I want another blower and a bed edger.

[KGR landscapeing]

ya its not really even raining here i draggd the trailer out today and as i was pulling out of the drive i was like lets watch the gas gauge go down. and people complain about driving little cars. my trucks out there with the 5.4 just drinkin it down. i am starting to pull the ropes in on the customers so i know what i have to do. next week ill start kickin around then the 14 ill be full go

[KGR landscapeing]

o ya and to see how good you guys are how many of you re pack ur bearings and races on ur trailer axels?

[Clapper&Company]

Working on bids today!

Had a meeting about some landscap Project again today

The way its shaping up its going to be a good year :D

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Kevin, mine are very easy to do. Pull the little rubber cover off, and shoot grease right into the zerk fitting on it. Lots easier than disassembling the whole hub.

Ron glad to hear things are picking up for you!!! Wish the same could be said here. People are slacking with signing and getting the contracts back.

[KGR landscapeing]

Kevin, mine are very easy to do. Pull the little rubber cover off, and shoot grease right into the zerk fitting on it. Lots easier than disassembling the whole hub.

Ron glad to hear things are picking up for you!!! Wish the same could be said here. People are slacking with signing and getting the contracts back.

i had 2contracts roll in today so that was nice i am tying up lose ends. i just pull mine apart i can do it in a couple mins aside.

[Clapper&Company]

Yep things are picking up... not alot of mowing but projects are rolling in :D

[CLARK LAWN]

thats what im seeing to not much new for mowing but im getting alot of calls for projects.

[Clapper&Company]

Im looking for a Dump Insert if any one knows where there is one !!!

[Metz]

i bought a new mower today, a 48" yazoo-kees walk behind. one of the two dealers i deal with is going with yazoo's this year, so i'm the first to buy one. i needed something smaller than my 56' exmark lazer for these smaller wet yards. its a pretty nice lookin mower, $2699, not too bad.

[joe the lawn guy]

i got my dump here http ://www.emmmettequipment.com/ but it was a scratch & dent.. it was cheaper also because it was Jan..

[KGR landscapeing]

i bought a new mower today, a 48" yazoo-kees walk behind. one of the two dealers i deal with is going with yazoo's this year, so i'm the first to buy one. i needed something smaller than my 56' exmark lazer for these smaller wet yards. its a pretty nice lookin mower, $2699, not too bad.

who did you buy from. and thats the belt one right? cause there hydro is like 4300 i think

[KGR landscapeing]

so this will easly pay for its self
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0404081818.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0402081524.jpg
175 for both sides of the trailer and 50 for the truck.

[joe the lawn guy]

looks good. just make sure you have good ins.. the letters are dollar signs to some people..

[Travis E]

Got my deere all ready to go today. Found out that nobody makes a hydro filter to fit my 737 besides deere:hammerhead:. Shirts cam in and i wish i would of gotten more orange shirts because they really 'pop'

[Travis E]

looks good kevin, easy to read! They will pay for themselve the first call that you get from them.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Well gonna do my snowplow damage crap tomorrow:dizzy: Then sunday is tear the truck apart day. Dont get all crazy with the hopes of the lettering. Most of the people that call from seeing the truck are just tire kickers/price shoppers. But it does look very good Kevin!! I cant wait to get an enclosed trailer for myself. Gonna get prolly an 18 footer. I want enough room to put 2 wb's and a Z if necessary. Gonna look at some pushmowers tomorrow as well. Thought about maybe Toro or Cub Cadet. Any input? For as little as I will use it, I dont need a fancy schmancy one, just to cut and bag grass, lol.:) Got some new insurance quotes today since my commercial is up for renewal in May. I am sure not going with progressive again, since Nationwide will cut the price in half and I will have higher coverage. Sounds like a winner to me.

Ron, Emmett has about the best prices on the dumpers that I have seen in a while. Hopefully I will be picking one up soon too

[born2farm]

hey guys...not much going on here mowing or cleanup wise. went and bought a new fishing rod/reel today since it looks like i wont have a full mowing schedule. got a track meet tommorrow then going fishing all nite saturday and then sunday afternoon

[Travis E]

I have nationwide also tom, i'm up again in a month but will probably be reuping with them

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Travis, how have they been to deal with on the auto side? I have them for my GL and it has been very good, not that I have ever used it, lol. I have never heard anything bad about them. Plus it would be easier to just write one check to one place to cover everything!!!:)

[Travis E]

my parents had it for ever lol i'm going to put my truck on there when i completly purchase it in a couple of months and it would be cheaper than on my parents pollicy. Brother got into a wreck when he was 16 and they forgave it without rates increasing, so they are generous

[KGR landscapeing]

ya tom ill be leaving progressive when the policy goes up. i just dont have a great feel with them. and when i got my truck messd up i had to push about a million buttons to get the claim reported it was nuts i was freezin my nuts off too.

[KGR landscapeing]

O and joe i carry a bunch

[hole in one lco]

paul bird the crafty veteran gets the start for the tribe lets go tribe . congrats 2 the bucks for a nit champs just proved they are the 65 best team in college bball

[Metz]

paul bird the crafty veteran gets the start for the tribe lets go tribe . congrats 2 the bucks for a nit champs just proved they are the 65 best team in college bball


byrd didn't have his control last night, and the offense couldn't get sh*t going. freakin peralta grounds into a bases loaded, no out, double play. that hurt.

and winning the NIT is very big for the young buckeyes. it sucks we're losing our seniors, butler, hunter and terwilliger, but with our young roster and excellent recruiting class coming in, THE OSU has a lot to look forward to next year and beyond.

heading out for a monster spring cleanup today! everybody enjoy your weekend:dancing:

[joe the lawn guy]

just checking in.. No work today :cool2: clean the shop thou. . I love easy days.. what are you all doing ??

[Clapper&Company]

Morning all

Well Got to Fix the Wires going to my starter today!

Then when my tree guy gets home were going to go drop a 60' tree

[jpp]

Holy Crap,

This place has been dead today.

Got some layed down today. Got blades changed,sharpen and I am whipped.


JP

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Well since no one would sell me any dirt for some odd reason, I didnt do much today. Cleaned up my grandparents yard and washed/waxed the truck. It is going in Monday morning to get new fuel lines put in. I didnt feel like ripping the bed off or dropping the tank. Im too lazy, lol

[jpp]

Got some layed down today. Got blades changed,sharpen and I am whipped.


JP


It should read:

Got some mulch layed down today.

[Clapper&Company]

It should read:

Got some mulch layed down today.
LOL JP

Kinda sounds ,..... we never mine lol

[Clapper&Company]

LOL That sounds costly to have the shop do it

Tom, How much dirt you need?

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

It is only gonna run 225 to get the lines put in from the motor to the sending unit. I only need a friggin yard of dirt!!!! I think they arent selling to anyone yet because the dirt is super wet still. I will try again this week:dizzy:

[Clapper&Company]

Tom

What u doing to day?

Want a meet up?

I got dry dirt yoo :D

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Not much Ron. Doing some laundry, and various other junk. If you want to meet up today, that would be fine.

[joe the lawn guy]

hows it going. i'm getting ready for church.. than work on my junk.. got the yard cleaned up yesterday.. feels good to be ahead of the game..what are you all doing?

[joe the lawn guy]

got dry dirt?? :laugh:i do don't the yards up there cover it? all the yards here do..

[RhinoL&L]

hey guys! just thoughd id check in and see how things are going. keeping pretty busy here. hope things stay dry here for a few days.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Nope, none of the yards up here cover it. They are too lazy to do anything like that. Oh well, just a waiting game now, lol:rolleyes:

[KGR landscapeing]

put my sprayin bed liner in yesterday and the sun cookd the carp out of me and it. it was a heck on nice day. i think today i might actually drag my trailer out to my cousin house and clean up the pile so that can be out of the way.

[Paradise Landscapes]

So far, no bites yet.

[Metz]

i did the worst spring cleanup in the history of spring cleanups yesterday! 9 hours, 4 truckloads of leaves. still got 1 pile left to pick up but my dumpsite shut down till monday. this yard hadn't been cleaned in years. big money though:clapping:

[KGR landscapeing]

i did the worst spring cleanup in the history of spring cleanups yesterday! 9 hours, 4 truckloads of leaves. still got 1 pile left to pick up but my dumpsite shut down till monday. this yard hadn't been cleaned in years. big money though:clapping:

metz that dosent sound fun

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas popping in to see what is goiing on with you and it sounds a little rough. LOL. Still not mowing yet been knocking out some mulch jobs bought a brown bed edger better than renting one everyday.:hammerhead: We will catch you all later.

[jpp]

Well, looks like some yards will get their first cut of the season this week. Got another mulch job lined up and yards are finally starting to grow. This is the latest start I have had since I have been in business for myself.

Looked at the lazer z hp again on Friday. 52 inch 23 hp kohler with rops for 6999. I might make the call on Monday and tell them to get one ready for me.Going to do snow plow repair on Monday and start cutting on Tuesday on my normal Tuesday. Skipping my Monday rte this week just cause they are not ready yet.


Josh,

How do you like the bed edger? What size engine? You know someone is going to ask for a picture too. So you better post one up with how it looks and how you bed egdges turned out. Any problems with it clumping?


JP

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

I hope to be done with clean ups and what not by the end of the week. Got a few landscape projects lined up already too, which is nice. Helps recoup better from winter. Prolly wont start weekly cuts till the 14th, hopefully. Lawns are still wet from all the snow last month and the rain. And I am still waiting on a few contracts to come back:dizzy: These people are starting to pi$$ me off with their slacking!!!

[CLARK LAWN]

metz thats not that bad over here if you dump 5 days a week it would cost you over 300.

[Travis E]

Was able to work most of the day. Got sun burned already from rolling a property that has taken me 2 hours already and only half done. Had to go to my ffa banquet though which i got 75 dollars in rewards. Had to leave right a way after that to take a look at a possible landscape job for a client from last year. This property is going to keep me busy for a while. BTW: they didn't ask for an estimate! payup also gained 2 more rolling and an aeration today. Was very good payday for me today and will be busy now and will be mowing by the end of the week.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

JPP
I will I bought it off a rental co I have been renting from. I payed $800 for it I will post some pics. Make sure you guys get some kind of paper work with these clients just my opinion thou. Be safe.

[Clapper&Company]

Hey Guys Just Checking in

[joe the lawn guy]

I have free dumping.. anyone how buys more than $5000. per year dumps free here..

I got two weeks of work.. but the phone wont stop.. still have lots of est. & calls for more work.. I hate est. they call ten people and i don't wont to wast my time ..but it part of my job so i do it

[CLARK LAWN]

get the work in now just saw the weather heavey rain on friday and sat. rain/snow on sun.

[hole in one lco]

JPP
I will I bought it off a rental co I have been renting from. I payed $800 for it I will post some pics. Make sure you guys get some kind of paper work with these clients just my opinion thou. Be safe.

home depot has good deals on there rentals. I got 2 wackier tampers for 1200 only a year old rented 3 times. 2 makita 14in chop saws for 1000 never rented with diamond blades

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Clark Thats what I just saw. We better pack in those long days this week. It doesn't get dark till 8 now. :drinkup: Get'er dun

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hole in 1
I figure it is just like a truck I will never buy new. These guys take pretty good care of there rentals. Now if I can just find a DINGO or MT52 I will be set.

Are you guys able to look at new posts ever time I try it goes back to the sign in screen.

[hole in one lco]

Hole in 1
I figure it is just like a truck I will never buy new. These guys take pretty good care of there rentals. Now if I can just find a DINGO or MT52 I will be set.

Are you guys able to look at new posts ever time I try it goes back to the sign in screen.

i know tayler rental sells them

[Clapper&Company]

Morning all


I got some much Ext and stuff going on its crazy!! LOL

Im off to clevland then Cloumbus today joy joy

[Oregonia Duke]

Hi, guys!

New to site. Looks like the weather here in SW Ohio is going to seriously get in the way this week. They're forecasting rain for Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat. If we dry out enough today, I might be able to get some work done tomorrow....it's like a giant swamp down here!

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Welcome to the Ohio Lawn thread!!!!:waving: What part of Ohio are you from?? Looks like this is going to be another wet spring. Gotta do what you can when you can

[KGR landscapeing]

tom i am gonna roll around today and do some bidding and some work. i put a tool box on the tounge of the trailer lastnight thou it might be too big and might cut down on my turnin abillitys.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Sounds fun Kevin. I have been thinking about a tongue box on the trailer. I have the extended tongue on my trailer, so turning wouldnt be an issue. Did you get a black plastic one or the diamond plate?

I am going with Ron down to Columbus today, fun fun. Then I am taking the truck to the mechanic here in a few minutes. I will be glad when the gas leak is gone!!!

[KGR landscapeing]

Sounds fun Kevin. I have been thinking about a tongue box on the trailer. I have the extended tongue on my trailer, so turning wouldnt be an issue. Did you get a black plastic one or the diamond plate?

I am going with Ron down to Columbus today, fun fun. Then I am taking the truck to the mechanic here in a few minutes. I will be glad when the gas leak is gone!!!

i was shootin the **** with ron on the phone he said he was going to see you didnt say he was going to take you. i have a long tounge on mine so it has been a problem i had it out today ill take a pic. my buddy sold it 2 me for 15bucks i put some screws in it and it works nice now.

[Oregonia Duke]

Welcome to the Ohio Lawn thread!!!!:waving: What part of Ohio are you from?? Looks like this is going to be another wet spring. Gotta do what you can when you can
Thanks for the welcome! We are down here in SW Ohio, Oregonia is so small that we refer to either Waynesville or Lebanon to give people bearings. It's about halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati in Warren County.

[KGR landscapeing]

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0407081153.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0407081153a.jpg
Do u think its big enough?? hey for 15 bucks and a couple screws it works

[hole in one lco]

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0407081153.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc210/kgrland/0407081153a.jpg
Do u think its big enough?? hey for 15 bucks and a couple screws it works

that baby will be a v box soon enough

[KGR landscapeing]

actually i crankd it around today to see what it would take to jack knife it and its too far back the tounge is long enough. i got lucky. and if you can see the bumper is turnd up already. this one place i got back mid season had like rippd 2x4's as plow stakes and they were like 3 ft in the ground and i hit one and thought it would just break o no it screwd up my bumper good.

[ncls]

Not being a jerk, but I would suggest you change the hitch to a bigger drop. Your trailer is off.

[joe the lawn guy]

Not being a jerk, but I would suggest you change the hitch to a bigger drop. Your trailer is off.

he probably likes it like that so the back is lower.. the mower wont scrap on the crest of the ramp door

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

DUKE welcome to the site you are not to far from us. Did you get anything done today?:waving:

Hey felas just checking in we are suppose to get some severe weather this week everyone take care out there. Get it all in why you can sun up to sun down. LOL

[jpp]

Just checking in before going to bed. Yep Ron and Tom were down this way. Could not meet up with them had way to much going on. They meet up with Shawn and went to applebees to eat I believe. At least that is where I gave them directions to.

I think I am going to start charging for giving out directions. Crazy and long day here. Snowplow damgae repair to yards took longer than expected. Went out and looked at some properties and put bids in. Got one of them already and am hopeful on the others.

Oregonia Duke welcome to the group.

Oh yeah, I am going to start mowing on Tuesday. Like Josh said we could have some severe weather this week.So I am hoping to get quite a bit of mowing done.

JP

[Travis E]

rain every day for the next 7 days after tomorrow so tomorrow's going to be a full day after school. No mowing yet, working on some lite landscaping and still rolling/aerating

[jpp]

Been mulching and bed edging here. Still have a couple of cleanups to do. One big mulch job and such. Oh well, such is life and I am off here already.

Have a good night and will check back on Tuesday night.

JP

[Travis E]

would be nice to be mulching but can only get it from one place this early and i'm not too happy with their mulch so i'm waiting untill i can get the good stuff.

[KGR landscapeing]

Not being a jerk, but I would suggest you change the hitch to a bigger drop. Your trailer is off.

i could move the hitch down but where its at gives me a better angle on the ramp door. and my drive driveway is on a nasty grade

[kc2006]

Whats going on all? Got back sunday night from riding. Had a good time, one guy flipped his quad on a steep hill, he's ok though. My bike is wore out! Need new control arm bushings, a ball joint, rear hubs, blew the rear brakes and the rear tires took alittle hit too. Oh well had a good time.

I went out and did some clean ups today, my new method of estimates are doing very good for me, every one I've signed on this year has said my estimate system is so professional and thats whats the desiding factor to them YAY!

It cracks me up, I saw a ton of guys out mowing today, the grass isn't even growing yet! They weren't doing cleanups, they were doing mow and go. No vacs on the mowers, not blowing beds out, just cutting...or making it look like they were cutting.

I decided to wait till next week to start my customers clean ups, they were all pretty clean from last fall so just a quick blow out of the beds and run the mower on the yards and they're good. I honestly don't think the grass will start growing until next week or the week after.

Alan what you think?

[CLARK LAWN]

you see how cold its going to get this weekend? i dont even think im going to start mowing next week, did some cleanups and it is still very wet on the lawns.

[thefed]

our season is in full wing. 18 new weekly customers, 99 yards of mulch installs sold, and quite afew odds and ends....power washing,cleanups,trimming, etc



Anyone else having luck with their ads?

[CLARK LAWN]

fed were are you at?

[thefed]

fed were are you at?

west akron mainly

[Monkeymade]

Hopefully there is someone out here willing to help a newbie out with some tips, ideas, and maybe even a few generous words of encouragement.

I am in Northwest Ohio and starting a one man push operation, hoping it may grow into more. By one man push, I literally mean, push, I am starting with a Craftsman 21inch mower like you would buy for a non business residential home, 2 cycle trimmer which is convertable and I bought the edging attachment, and an old (I haven't even checked to see if this thing still works yet) craftsman 2 cycle blower.

My wife works, and finacially we can afford for me to make little to no money for the first year, so month to month as I bill my customers, I want to buy a few nice things, like a trailer for one so I'm not loading mowers in and out of my vehicle, and of course, some bigger, better mowers.

OK, let me get onto my problem, I just wanted to give you some of my background on where I stand at the moment. While the wife is covering our normal bills for my first year to help get this started, we don't have a lot of money to dump into advertising. I printed out about 700 - 800 fliers (before running out of printer ink for the 3rd time), and have started to distribute them, yesterday. Today, I received not a single call. Now, I didn't expect a flood of calls, but I really REALLY had hoped for at least 1, just 1 would have made my day. This brings me to question 1. When you guys advertise, and I know a lot of you use the flier method, how long on average does it take to start getting calls? I tried to make it very easy for people to get ahold of me, I got a toll free number, as well as a website that can spit out quotes to customers without even having to talk to me, when if gives a quote it gives the customer the option of having me contact them (I know when someone gets a quote even if they don't want to be contacted).

Next question, on bidding a lawn. I've looked around at a lot of different sites, all very much like this one, and it seems everyone agrees that you should bid around $1.00 per minute, and have a set minimum. My problem here is that I have no clue what I can mow, with a push mower, in a minute. My site, and myself, are ready so shoot out quotes based on: $1.00 per 350sqft, with a $25.00 minimum (8750sqft is the breaking threshold for the $25.00 minimum at that rate). Is this good? Am I high, am I low? I don't want to be above everyones costs, but at the same time, I'd rather not piss off competitors by lowballing the hell out of them either.

Also, for the first year, I am staying away from commercial accounts, if that helps you tell me about my rates. I know everyone seems to love commercial accounts, but until I get better equipment and a trailer, I'll leave that for the guys who've been in business for a while. I personally think it would look tacky and not help my image to be pulling up to a business and unloading mowers from my vehicle instead of a nice trailer, am I wrong on this, how did most of you start out?

Anyways, I know theres a lot of questions in there, hopefully someone here will be nice enough to help the new guy out lol. I'll check back often for responces, thanks in advance guys!

[Clapper&Company]

I Like the $1.00 a min but Thats with $50,000 Worth of equipment parked at the curb... im not sure you could get that with a rush mower.

Inless u were going to shot up or something and zoom like a crazy man around the lawn LOL

[thefed]

$/min is a bit much for a push mower! you really need to acquire a 36' pro mower to start...at aminimum...you need tocut grass liek a pro, and have it LOOK like a pro did it...stripes! then you can charge $1/min no problem....


find a used 36" belt driven ...just saw a steal for $600 recently....keep your eyes open


the fliers are unpredictable...depends on how nice your fliers are....i usually get a call or 2 within 2 days, then they trickle in for a few weeks...

[kc2006]

60 an hour for a push mower is way too high. I'm only at about 50-55 an hour here in NE Ohio and thats with a 60" z.

As for advertising, I've had calls same day on flyers and I've been getting calls this year from flyers i put out 2 years ago, all depends. Theres no way to predict it, too many variables. I remember last year everywhere I went, this one company had just been there and put a flyer at the home. Luckily my flyers was way nicer, so it didn't bother me putting mine right with theirs. The results I saw proved it to me.

[CLARK LAWN]

kurt why are you playing on the computer at 1030 you should be out working LOL

[jpp]

Been out doing some cutting this week. Not everything got cut but some did. Going to prep some beds for mulching and such on Thursday if possible.

Look what I found on Craigslist:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/lbs/636215158.html

JP

[CLARK LAWN]

that goes to show you that a college education isnt worth $h!t

[Travis E]

was able to get some mulch today, finally, put down 2.5 yards(but i think they gave me more) but not really making a whole lot of $ with it because it was for my grandma.

What is everyone paying for mulch, i'm paying 26 a yard tripple ground died black but will probably go up when they get their first load in this year.

Have you guys noticed any newbes starting up in your areas? Brent (snow-kid) of plowsite started his own up now so there is more compitetion for me.

[KGR landscapeing]

was able to get some mulch today, finally, put down 2.5 yards(but i think they gave me more) but not really making a whole lot of $ with it because it was for my grandma.

What is everyone paying for mulch, i'm paying 26 a yard tripple ground died black but will probably go up when they get their first load in this year.

Have you guys noticed any newbes starting up in your areas? Brent (snow-kid) of plowsite started his own up now so there is more compitetion for me.

you know your friends so dont complain you can always combine later if the need comes to grow bigger. comp is what this market is all about

[Travis E]

ya i would be nice to combine and run the company that he used to work for down lol but atleast all the guys that have lawn care businesses in town get along with each other

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas just popping in to say hey. Got luck today rain in tha early am and work all day. That works for me LOL. I don't think I will get that luck tommorow. Oh well. Be safe felas.

[KGR landscapeing]

Hey felas just popping in to say hey. Got luck today rain in tha early am and work all day. That works for me LOL. I don't think I will get that luck tommorow. Oh well. Be safe felas.

josh looks like rain on friday and were gonna go clean up some beds see what kind of mess we can make. maybe i dno the lady seems like a pain there rich thou so i am still thinkin about it

[KGR landscapeing]

ya i would be nice to combine and run the company that he used to work for down lol but atleast all the guys that have lawn care businesses in town get along with each other

around here its hit or miss. some have a chip on there shoulder i guess. the big ones i know alot of the owners cause my dad went to school with them or my mom. so i wave and the guys wave back see them getting gas they will talk. others get all pissy

[Travis E]

around here its hit or miss. some have a chip on there shoulder i guess. the big ones i know alot of the owners cause my dad went to school with them or my mom. so i wave and the guys wave back see them getting gas they will talk. others get all pissy

i wave to almost anyone that i see looking, and will talk to about anyone also, good business practice

[joe the lawn guy]

hello all, just stopping in . i've been busy clean-ups , mulch, & mower mant. man life is different now.. (that i don't work so hard ) the dump bed is the best thing i have.. i put new stone in the lot of my shop. saved 75 bucks on trucking.. i'll be mowing next week:cool2:

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

KGR
Hey we will still work in hit miss as well. If it stays rainning longer than 20 min sitting in the truck we call it a day. I hope I can have another couple days like today. :drinkup:

[Clapper&Company]

Hey guys


Been working hard this week.... Been selling 2 jobs a day this week!

I found a EZ dumper for $1500 its 2 yrs old what u guys think>?

[thefed]

we pay 18 for died, 15 for natural double shredded mulch...good quality and consistency...great customer service....generous loads...... gotta love it

[corbster]

Only in Ohio:
When the grass is green and ready to cut....they call for snow Sunday.

[joe the lawn guy]

Hey guys


Been working hard this week.... Been selling 2 jobs a day this week!

I found a EZ dumper for $1500 its 2 yrs old what u guys think>?

if you don't buy it i will.. that's a good deal

[joe the lawn guy]

we pay 18 for died, 15 for natural double shredded mulch...good quality and consistency...great customer service....generous loads...... gotta love it

i live in akron.. where is that at.. if you don't mined telling us.. or just pm me please, thanks

[KGR landscapeing]

i live in akron.. where is that at.. if you don't mined telling us.. or just pm me please, thanks

tell everybody the more of us that buy from the place the more money the guy who sells it will make. win win for everybody

[kc2006]

Man I don't know if this area just really sucks or if its still early but I haven't been getting the calls. I normally don't get calls till late april, but I thought because of the nice warmer weather it might jump start something. Only been getting 1 maybe 2 calls a day. Not having a problem selling them, but just slow. Going to flyer some neighborhoods tomorrow if its not raining too bad.

I've only done a few clean ups this week and thats it. Grass isn't growing yet at all (played on my yard and didn't even cut anything). Next week I'm going to start my mulch jobs and try to start mowing.

[hole in one lco]

well it wasnt worm today had 2 retake my pest test . i let it expire well i didnt my wife didnt tell me she is the paper lady. Now for the test what a long test the worst worded test in the world . 1 line said you yard thats not english and the 1 label i needed a magnifying glass 2 read it

[KGR landscapeing]

well it wasnt worm today had 2 retake my pest test . i let it expire well i didnt my wife didnt tell me she is the paper lady. Now for the test what a long test the worst worded test in the world . 1 line said you yard thats not english and the 1 label i needed a magnifying glass 2 read it

haha your just getting old

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas another great day. YES. I wish i could make as much money as I make all year just cutting grass. It is so easy. Compared to doing hard labor landscaping. All I can do is dream thou. We just knock those yard out one after another. Anyway how is everyone else. It doesn't look like I will get away with another nice day Friday thou. :cry: :dizzy: :drinkup:

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Morning fellas:waving: Not much doing here. Rain and t-storms most of the day today, so no sense in making a mess. Got a few little clean ups and what not left, nothing too major. Probably going to start cutting sometime next week. Supposed to get snow sunday night:dizzy: so we will see what happens with that. Only in Ohio can you get 72 degrees one day and snow the next, LOL

[KGR landscapeing]

my truck is sitting at ford so ill have to wait and see how deep thats gonna hit me in the pockets. i would just trade it in and get something diffrent but its worth nothing.

[CLARK LAWN]

Morning fellas:waving: Not much doing here. Rain and t-storms most of the day today, so no sense in making a mess. Got a few little clean ups and what not left, nothing too major. Probably going to start cutting sometime next week. Supposed to get snow sunday night:dizzy: so we will see what happens with that. Only in Ohio can you get 72 degrees one day and snow the next, LOL

same here they were calling for rain all day. I got up this morning and it was raining looked at the radar looked like a wash out so i called the guys off for today and now its cleared out and starting to dry up. I might start mowing wed. or thurs. next week.

[joe the lawn guy]

Ditto rain, my truck needs the hole new front steering so i'm giving it to the shop today.. $210.00 for the hole thing.. i got the parts on my discount.. saved $150.00 my helpers dad is doing the work.. but i have to get an alignment.. where do you all go for that.. looking for a deal.. but quality work first..

[kc2006]

Alan, I'm starting mowing wednesday next week. If it's dry enough, supposed to rain all weekend. Grass is really green but still seems like it hasn't grown.

See theres a new garden center in canfield across from do-cut? I drove by quick, but seems like they're gearing more towards doing installs and stuff and not selling stock. I was laughing, I couldn't see tying up a good 100-200K on a storefront like it is, with no name recognition in a cut throat industry during a weark economy. The people doing it either are dumb, have extra money to blow, or just have big balls.

[CLARK LAWN]

kurt i talked to the guys at do-cut they told me that that place is only a temp thing hey are ging to sell flowers and veggies. they are installing a patio and pondscape is doing a water feature. evryone at do-cut was laughing at them.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas another lovely day ran errands mostly and decided to not get the brown edger. I found another one I dont know who makes it. It is yellow it is a hydro drive and a disc that is offset that cuts the edge. The mechanic is going through it to see if is worth it. If not I will go back to the brown thou.
Looks like we will be working sun this week as well OH BOY. :drinkup:

[KGR landscapeing]

Hey felas another lovely day ran errands mostly and decided to not get the brown edger. I found another one I dont know who makes it. It is yellow it is a hydro drive and a disc that is offset that cuts the edge. The mechanic is going through it to see if is worth it. If not I will go back to the brown thou.
Looks like we will be working sun this week as well OH BOY. :drinkup:

crap i know exactly what your talking about josh TLC had one it was cool

[Clapper&Company]

I know what ur talking about Josh there sweet

[joe the lawn guy]

that's funny i just looked that bed edger.. all i remember is that little wonder makes them and new there $3000.00.. more than i have but a nice unit:)

Ron :waving:did you buy the dumper? if not will you send it my way!!

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

I know I cant think of the name either I stopped by the shop to see how it was going and didn't even look at the make I will get some pics asap.

[CLARK LAWN]

joe did this last storm cell hit you? we just got put under a thunderstorm warning.looks pretty nasty heading this way.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

JOE
I am getting it used but rebuilt motor. I am paying $800 for it. Looks like a good deal we will see thou.

[joe the lawn guy]

nope, one south one north of me.. man it would be great if it did!! this guy in the paper said if you have him cut your lawn he will clean up all storm debris for free :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[joe the lawn guy]

Is it the b&s or Honda? what hp the one i looked at had 11 hp b&s i think:hammerhead:

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

I know it is a KAW for I don't know the HP yet.

[joe the lawn guy]

go here http://littlewonder.com/lw-bedshaper.asp
is that it

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Yes that is the one. Little wonder is it. I will try it monday should be ready by then. :clapping::dancing:

I know of a BROWN "NEW" for $1750.00 down here if anyone is interested.

[joe the lawn guy]

this is the one i have http://www.turfcodirect.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=10

it wont cut as deep but works well to maintain beds

[joe the lawn guy]

if you dont buy it let me know i allways can roll my coin for a good deal .. thats a great deal if it runs well..not the brown but the bed shaper i would buy

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Does the blade vibrate the cut. Looks like it does very well. One of my suppliers has a "BROWN" bed renovator it has fixed wheels instead of the normal casters wheels. I tried it doesn't cut curves to well.

[joe the lawn guy]

on the turf co it cuts back and forth. its ok for $1500.00 .. has one drive wheel and you have to push down on the handle bars to raise the front wheel
to go around corners if you look at that website they have 10 or 20 different blades i just have the one that came with it. and mine is the oldest model made, but it still runs so i can't see replacing it.
If you go to the parts section of the website you can see a break down. and that will tell you how it works.

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Here is the site for Brown http://www.brownmfgcorp.com/index.html It doesn't show the renovator in the site thou. The one for $1750.00 is there thou. Well the old man needs some sleep going to try and get wet again tommorow take it easy felas. :waving:

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Im too cheap to get a bed edger. I use the good ole spade shovel.:weightlifter: Yesterday was a good day. Got another contract signed and a couple more spring clean ups to do. Things are picking up again. Hopefully by June I can save up and buy a dumper for my truck.

[joe the lawn guy]

man i said the same thing you'll get old like me.. do you haul your edge out or in the bed they go ? i haul them out.

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

I haul the edges out if they have grass or other junk in them. If the edge is just dirt and I am going to be mulching, it goes into the bed. Give it a good raking and the edge chunk is gone.

[joe the lawn guy]

man i'm so bord.. my trucks not done.. so i don't wont to go to work.. i need more things to do that i don't need my dump for

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Bored, join the club, LOL:laugh: I am supposed to be helping my friend move today, but they havent called yet. Bunch of slackers:)

[KGR landscapeing]

Bored, join the club, LOL:laugh: I am supposed to be helping my friend move today, but they havent called yet. Bunch of slackers:)

moving is always a pain. i always get scammd in to it . somebodys like lets get lunch so i am like ok and then the next thing i know i am at there house its like great i didnt know i was your slave i wanna go home. and people wonder y i get mad because they think 5 dollars is enough for me to be moving there nasty stuff around.

[joe the lawn guy]

moving is always a pain. i always get scammd in to it . somebodys like lets get lunch so i am like ok and then the next thing i know i am at there house its like great i didnt know i was your slave i wanna go home. and people wonder y i get mad because they think 5 dollars is enough for me to be moving there nasty stuff around.

wont to go to lunch:laugh: i got 5 bucks.. i'm moving my shop soon

[WALKER LANDSCAPE]

Hey felas another rough day cold as HECK. Got somethings done today.
We will be working tommorow as well. You guys get anything done? I have another question too do any of you guys have those mower deck blockers and if so how much do they run. They keep the grass from coming out into the flowerbeds with a lever.

[OUTLANDER]

believe it or not, i was power washing deck today, and another tomorrow.........picked a heck of a day for that huh:hammerhead:

[joe the lawn guy]

Hey felas another rough day cold as HECK. Got somethings done today.
We will be working tommorow as well. You guys get anything done? I have another question too do any of you guys have those mower deck blockers and if so how much do they run. They keep the grass from coming out into the flowerbeds with a lever.

my friend has one its nice hit a button goes up hit it again goes down, but it leaves a trail of grass at the door

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

Never used one, but I would think they would leave some trail of grass at the door. I bag alot, so I really wouldnt need one anyways.

Outlander, yeah very perfect weather to do some pressure washing,lol:laugh:

Josh, whats up? Didnt do too much on Saturday at all, other than help my friend move:hammerhead: But at least he will help me when I move too.