New to the buisness

[rameigh]

Well here is my situation. I've been working as a small engine mechanic for about 5 years in a local shop in my area. I've been researching lawncare for the last year or so trieng to get a buisness plan togeather. I've got plenty of savings for my basic trailer and equipment to start with, and I already own a 98 F150 pickup. Ive decided on a 1500z 52" Ferris Zero turn along with a Toro 40" belt driven walk behind. Theres a company out of TN that offeres a package deal. It comes with a 6.5x12 Dove tail trailer, KAW Weedeater and blower, Racks and the 2 mowers described above for a little over 10,000.00. Also its out of state so I won't pay any sales tax and its close enough to pickup. I do have one commercial account i've got access to its about 40 duplexes about 1/2 mile from my house. Its a little over 2-3 acres of land all on the same road. He's been a client of mine for years ( I work on his cars) and he's willing to sign a contract for the season for his rentals. My biggest concern is learning on how to come up with pricing for the jobs. I've noticed the average in my area is about $30-35 per half acre (Trimmed and Blown). How do us new comers know whats reasonable to charge? Also what software besides quickbooks is available to this industry specific? Ive been looking at gopher but im not sure its much more efficient than quickbooks. Last concern is knowing how many jobs i can handle for a 6 day work week. Starting out im going to be a 1 man operation and if buisness grows ive got a family member willing to work as well. Any advice/tips would be great i'm still a bit hesitant to make the jump and go get my equipment. Be honest and harsh if need be any good info from vets would be great!

[creatived]

TO CHARGE FOR MOWING YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE ASPECTS OF THE JOB MORE TRIMMING MORE BLOWING HOW FAST THE GRASS GROWS HILLS CONDITIONS ACESSIBILTY FOR EQUIPMENT ETC. I PRICE BY THE JOB COMMERCIAL IS DIFFERENT THAN RESIDENTIAL I TRY TO MAKE A 1$-$1.25 A MINUTE ALSO CALCULATING COMMUTE. QUICKBOOKS IS THE BEST FOR BOOKEEPING. AND TO BUILD A BUSINESS MARKET EFFECTIVELY TALK TO NURSERY OWNERS DROP BUSINESS CARDS EVERYWHERE GIVE PEOPLE DISCOUNTS SENOIR CITIZENS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FIND A NICHE WHERE YOU ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE REST. I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY TO DO LANDSCAPING NOT JUST CUTTING GRASS BUT CUTTING IS THE DOOR OPENER. SELL YOUR EXISTING CUSTOMERS WORK. I LOVE DIRECT MAILING TO HIGH INCOME RESIDENTAL AREA'S AND ON THE MAILER GIVE THEM A REASON TO CALL YOU. YOU ARE WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME BEING A MECHANIC FIXING EQUIPMENT IS EXPENSIVE. GODD LUCK AND BE AGGRESSIVE.:weightlifter: :weightlifter:

[supercuts]

id start by asking this question in the forurm that says "starting a new business"

but adressing your ? this isnt something you just start wide open on with 60 accounts, as you grow you will learn how much you can handle, if you will need a helper, how much to charge. the min pricings you reffer to are also relative to where you live. my min is $35, but i will break my min for a lawn that is postage stamp size that i can fit my 61" ztr in and out in 2 mins. i do one like taht for $25, unloaded/loaded done in under 5 mins. also, some give prices of $15 by professional companies but they too are doing lawns the size of a 2 car garage, 10 in a row, in and out in hour. this might not be right for you but i gauge prices by how long i think it will take and how much i have invested in equip. if i were using a 21" walmart push mower and it took my 2 hrs how much cna i charge, likewise, the same lawn might take me 15-20min with my Z but the equip is much more etc. look at how many trees, schrubs, cars, mulch beds, trimming, and other things that will slow you down. price accordingly, i try to get $85/hr for one machine mowing. goes up from there, but my overhead is most likely more than yours, as is my effiency

next time look into this forum better and list this in the right cattagory, more pepole will probably respond there

[supercuts]

excuse how rude i am, even more, excuse how clueless i am to what thread i was in. man am i stupid

[rameigh]

This is posted in the starting a lawncare business. If i posted it in the wrong place then i appologize but i thaught thats what this forums is for..

[rameigh]

LOL its all good man. I even triple checked myself =P Well as I said before i only have one account right now but its just 40 duplexes or so as i stated before. He's not too picky and understands i'm going to be new to the business so I figured it's a good place to start. Im just having a hard time or maybe im thinking about it too much and can worry about prices...etc after i see the property and figure out how long it will take me. Being as I havent picked up my equipment yet I dont have a clue how efficient I can be with it. I guess ill wait until the equipment is here and practice on the family members yards and time myself from start to finish...etc.

[supercuts]

you did right, my apology

[supercuts]

once you learn how to use a Z efficently, you can do alot quickly. advice on running one, never try to drive down a steep hill or along one if its wet or if there is no "landing zone". once they let go and loose traction they are gone. you are right in my calculatoins about 1/2 acre for $35 range

[CkLandscapingOrlando]

Alot of guys have said 60 or so an acre.I think about time not land.You also want answers on how much to charge from people in your area.It will change a lot from place to place.I do 22 zero lot lines in about 4 hours with a 48 gravley.Thats edge,line trim,mow and blow.The trick is round up or the like.You can almost rid your self of line trimming,broken ac lines and wires,screens,irg parts, and so on.I would stay away from the belt drive if you can afford to.When its wet you wont like it.

[rameigh]

Yea I didn't like the idea of the belt drive but i would only use the walk-behind if i couldnt get the zero turn into where ever im at. I also purchased a small commercial toro push mower so I will probually use it instead and use the walk-behind as a backup if anything happends to my zero turn. Its a package deal so they wont break it up and ive already put my deposit down on it.I already own a quick 36 walk behind as well so I may just use the toro for home use or resell it if i decide i dont need it. But hey its always nice to have a backup mower. ANyone have any ideas as far as ways to advertise from the start? How many jobs can a 1 man operation handle in a days work without killing himself? I just dont want to take on more than i can handle from the start which im sure the first season is usually slow anyhow for a new business. Thanks for the great responses guys forums like these are better than any book you can read.

[topsites]

There really doesn't exist a problem with belt-drives so long you have a T-bar'd Toro, all the issues concerning this drive system have mostly to do with pistol grip controls and related comfort issues. You'll replace 1-2 belts / year and make sure to keep at least 1 brand new spare on the truck at all times, but beyond some practice and knowing when to step off the velke to help conserve the belts, there isn't any more maintenance than would be on a hydro, except you'll save fuel because the hydros eat a TON of horsepower and thus require bigger motors.

Toro T-bar Wb's are the cadillac of Wb's, the 40" is designed for lots from just under 1/4 acre up to around 2/3 - 3/4's acre, at which point the Z will become the more efficient machine. It is a matter of maneuverability and agility, where the Z has raw power and speed, the Wb is the machine of choice in situations requiring frequent turns (smaller yards) and the Z is the faster machine on lots where it can do some running flat out.

As for wear and tear on your body, I find both standing on the velke and sitting on the Z wear me out about the same. I used to think the Z would be more comfortable, but it's still a rough ride and instead of the bump-related shocks going through my ankles and knees, the Z sends it straight into my spine, so I'm wore out after a day pretty regardless.

Use the force when deciding which machine to use, Luke. :laugh:

excuse how rude i am, even more, excuse how clueless i am to what thread i was in. man am i stupid

Don't feel bad, wait until you reply to your own post :laugh:

[supercuts]

Don't feel bad, wait until you reply to your own post :laugh:

i think this means we are getting old, and in my case grumpy! oh well, at least it should bring out a laugh or two

[jeffscap]

Originally Posted by topsites


Don't feel bad, wait until you reply to your own post i think this means we are getting old, and in my case grumpy! oh well, at least it should bring out a laugh or two

This was too funny,you guys wait it gets much better. 75503

[CkLandscapingOrlando]

My views on the belt drive may be out dated because I have'nt used one in 5 or 6 years.Back then the belts would slip when it was wet out side.You also had to put them in gear.If this is still the case then you save alot of time with a hydro just in the fact that you dont need to go from drive to rev then back to drive to get right up on something.They could have done something about this though by now though.If you dont need the walk behind then I would sit on it.Its always good to have a back up.You could try fliers for a fast response but I dont know.Its all about numbers.The more you put out the more you get back

[rameigh]

Well i appreciate all the good feedback i've gotten so far. I purchased a 6.5x12 trailer today as well as a stihl backpack blower and trimmer. As far as the mower since the average lot here is .5 to 1 acre with flower beds/trees...etc i got a 48 inch Great Dane Zero turn. Its got the 23hp vanguard motor in it. I only payed 8k for everything i baught today so it seemed reasonable to me. Will just a zero turn be enough or should i also bring along my push mower for the tight spaces? Thanks so much guys feedback on the mower would be great i dont know alot about them but it seems to be extremely heavy duty.

[CkLandscapingOrlando]

I can line trim as fast as I can push mow so I never bought one.If you cant go that fast or dont have the control to make it look good then I wouldbring one.Is it a right stander mower

[rameigh]

No its the sit down zero turn. Ive got a bad back so i didnt want to stand the whole time. It seems great so far lets hope it holds up!

[MattsMowing3535]

You sound like your headed on the right track! Just rember to advertise ALOT, and good luck to you.