First time out

[Propdoc]

This, as you may have already noticed is my first post here and I must admit I have been very impressed with the discussions that I have read over the the last week, since becoming a member. Now for my question. I'm wanting to start a lawn care business in my area within the next 6 to 8 months. By what i've read most people start out with just a 21" mower and trimmer or perhaps a small riding mower. Would it be naive to go out and buy perhaps a good used commercial mower that would cost a few thousand $ or should I aim a little lower and try to start out on the cheaper side of things till I have a good number of clients. My thinking is with better equipment clients will be easier to obtain and keep, than with the consumer equipment. Of course I realize that there is a lot more envolved than just having good equipment but I thought that I would run it buy you guys and see what you thought.

[Eric ELM]

I would start out with the biggest commercial mower you can afford and use on the properties you have or expect to get. A used commercial mower will outlast a Brand New homeowner type.

Make sure you get insurance also. There is a lot of posts on starting out and there is a whole page of topics with the search results on my website that might help you out.

[Lawn-Scapes]

Definitely get the best you can afford... There's no better feeling than to walk up to a property and have no doubt in your mind that you can get the job done.

Remember... what you can afford.

Good luck!

[GreenQuest Lawn]

I will agree also. When I started out (I had many years of expirience working for other LC's) I bought a commercial ZTR and all the goodies. definetly buy what you can afford & as big as you can afford.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

3 good guys gave very good suggestions. What you need to do is search some of the posts and look at what is going on. Good luck with your new biz, be well and don't be shy.

LGF:blob1:

[65hoss]

I agree. Get the best commercial unit you can. The cut will be better and regardless of you current knowledge, the homeowner will perceive you as better for the job.

[awm]

ill take it a step further and say why not skip the hard stuff and get a good used ztr. i wish i had many yrs ago.dont know where id be now but i get a couple new accts every month and im not close to being booked. on a lt i use to be turning work down this time of the yr. good luck to you.

[dmk395]

For about 5k you could get a 6x12 trailer (used), Exmark 48" (new), Echo trimmer and blower (new), and a 1/2 ton pickup (used). Don't go out and blow 6k on a ztr until you find out if you can succeed in this business.

[RYNK]

Good luck to you. I'm just starting out myself. Well, I haven't actually started yet. I've been buying equiptment and trying to learn about the biz. I went ahead and got my comm. apps. license and began learning everything I can. I went with a used walkbehind mainly for the price and ease of operation. I mostly use it on my property but ocassionally cut other lawns. I think its a great idea to become familiar with your equiptment before you take it out on someone else's property and make a fool out of yourself.

[Propdoc]

Thanks guys for all the help, I'm still looking and of course reading the forum everyday. I kind of got my mind on trying to pick up a good used Walker, or something similar. A local dealer has mentioned the Walker name a couple of times and he doesn't even sell them. He does sell Grasshoper though and there 600 and 700 series looks good but fairly expensive. I've no doubt you get what you pay for though. It just seems that maybe these are a little extreme for just starting out. I don't know if this is one of those build it and they will come things or am I going to have an 800lb paper weight. Thanks for the replies

[Buttered Waffle]

Propdoc,
I noticed in your first post that you want to get started in six to eight months. In my opinion, the best time of the year to get started is now. With leaf removal on the horizon you will be able to get a gauge of if you REALLY want to be in this business or not. Most contractors are going to be up to their proverbial butts in leaf removal and wont be able to take on any more clients. If you already have a lawn mower, all you need is a commercial back pack blower (around 425 bucks) and transportation. Get a leaf removal flyer together and get some exercise after work dropping them off at places that do not look like they are cared for by other commerial businesses. Place an ad in you local paper when the leaves begin to fall. You should get some residuals from the flyers and immediate response from the newspaper ad. the main thing is to get your foot in the door with the 10 to 15 leaf removal jobs you will likely land. make sure to charge like you are an owner and not a laborer. method of leaf removal without commercial equipment would be to blow out flower beds, bushes, etc......get the leaves in a pile eventually and grind them up with your mower. bag them and then you are done. (provided you told the customer that you would leave the bags at their curb) If you still want to be in the green industry, you will have some people that you have done work for that will call you to mow their grass in the spring. Then we can talk commercial mowers.

[sheppard]

IMHO get (at least) a 36 inch WB (with a ProSlide), trimmer, edger, blower. It would definatley help you to have your truck and trailer looking good. Enouph of your competitors wil not look good. I'm definitely into having your business looking good- have had customers say to me "Is that brand new equipment?" I tell them something like "I take good care of my tools".

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Randy]

Yes like someone said already now is the time to start . The leasves are already falling here. They well need to be picked up, which my lead to a posable cliant next season. As all the folks here have said to start with the best you can. The comm. eqiupment will do a better gob, and that is what you well need to shot for. I personaly have seen the positive side of the word of mouth help grow my biz,and it can work for you. I would say my best advise to you and all new folks to the green industy is take pride in your work. Be proud to said I did that yard and your hard work well pay you in the long run. So injoy your work and have a good time. Because like my dad told me when I was a boy it's easier to get up in the morning when you whant to then it is when you have to. Good luck to you and many happy years in the biz. Randy;)

[MuskTurfKing]

I'm just starting to really expand next year, and for this season I made the huge mistake of buying a res. riding mower. Get the biggest comm. mower you can get, it really helps out. I was one of the guys with just the 21", and I'm moving up.

Can't afford to get a comm. anytime soon because I need a trailer, new trimmer, and new blower. Guess it'll be the good ol' tractor next season, at least I'll get my money's worth. I say go with hydro on a w/b...that's what I'm doing w/ a 36" or 48"...hopefully a 48".

[eslawns]

You have gotten good advice. Go with the commercial stuff. If you can't afford a commercial mower, trimmer and blower, you may need to borrow or save until you can.

Why? Because it will be more reliable, more productive, and less fatiguing than the homeowner quality stuff. All of which means you will make more money. BTW, if you decide to leave the biz, you can get back some of your money. Take a look at the difference in prices asked for used commercial and howeowner stuff and you'll see what I mean.