Tampa area anyone

[kleankutslawn]

Im in the Tampa Bay area just looking for some people to network with

[kleankutslawn]

no one here in the bay area?Hillsborough,Pinellas,Pasco,Polk?

[mikecaldwell1204]

Im up in Hernando.

[kleankutslawn]

are you in the Spring Hill area?

[mikecaldwell1204]

Yes for now I am about to move out to ridge manor.

[kleankutslawn]

Yes for now I am about to move out to ridge manor.

how far do you go?

[lawnshark2420]

here in south tampa.

[kleankutslawn]

here in south tampa.

I have a few down there by Plant High school.That is where im marketing at all this week.Are you doing good in that area?

[lawnshark2420]

KLEANKUTS, Youre marketing in a pretty good area. I do pretty good down here, but i mostly have comm. accts. so i go from tampa to apollo beach to wesley chapel. but business is good! how about you?

[tamadrummer]

Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, and Dade City here.

The past few days have been very good for me. I have picked up 8 accounts in he past 3 days.

I will be getting some commercial work from a friend that is getting out in a month or so and starting a new business.

Good Luck to everyone this season. Only 3 weeks left to weekly service.....

[sweetz]

Where are you at in Tampa? I'm over in St. Pete. PM me. :waving:

[kleankutslawn]

Where are you at in Tampa? I'm over in St. Pete. PM me. :waving:

im all over Tampa and sorrounding areas in Hillsborough County

[kleankutslawn]

where are my Hillsborough county buddies?

[tamadrummer]

I'll be over on Van'Dyke Farm doing an install/bed renovation if I win the bid at the end of the month. I don't do much work in Hillsborough because it is just too far to go but this is someone my wife knows so I went and bid on it.

[kleankutslawn]

so you do pretty good in Pasco?

[tamadrummer]

It is beginning to get heated up. I wish it would really get going but in time it will. I have been growing at a healthy rate and I feel that in a couple months I should be right where I need to be to sustain life.

I don't believe I will be able to manage the installs during our weekly season but once Nov hits I will be selling them again.

I have been building a relationship with "The Gardens" nursery on Ft. King road in Dade City. They are HUGE into woody ornamentals and have a just about everything you can imagine. They have become a major supplier to Disney and Universal in the past couple of years.

[kleankutslawn]

at least you are staying busy

[crbrock]

I'm here in South Tampa. This is my first season giving it a shot part time. Any advise would be much appreciated. What are the going rates for 50x100, I don't want to under cut anyone.

[kleankutslawn]

I'm here in South Tampa. This is my first season giving it a shot part time. Any advise would be much appreciated. What are the going rates for 50x100, I don't want to under cut anyone.

Tell me what area and i will let you know the going rate in that area.welcome goodluck

[Absolute Lawn]

Hey locals... I work from Port Richey down to Dunedin, over into east Tampa, and up into Lutz/Odessa. Just picked up a few in Land O' Lakes.

[crbrock]

Tell me what area and i will let you know the going rate in that area.welcome goodluck


I am south of Gandy. Thanks

[Absolute Lawn]

I'm here in South Tampa. This is my first season giving it a shot part time. Any advise would be much appreciated. What are the going rates for 50x100, I don't want to under cut anyone.

Just don't go less than $50.00 a month on mowing only. Full service prices could vary quite a bit, generally you won't undercut more than one or two before you realize it's gonna put you out of business or compromise the quality of your work. Some neighborhoods are already ruined by undercutters. I just stay out of them as far as marketing goes, but if I do bid on any of them I overprice by 15-20% and see if they go for it. Then provide quality work and wait for the referalls to come in. Again, $50.00 min. and ONLY if you have to and it's an in and out 2-3k yard. (I was assuming 50x100 was a lot dimension). Good luck man!

[crbrock]

Just don't go less than $50.00 a month on mowing only. Full service prices could vary quite a bit, generally you won't undercut more than one or two before you realize it's gonna put you out of business or compromise the quality of your work. Some neighborhoods are already ruined by undercutters. I just stay out of them as far as marketing goes, but if I do bid on any of them I overprice by 15-20% and see if they go for it. Then provide quality work and wait for the referalls to come in. Again, $50.00 min. and ONLY if you have to and it's an in and out 2-3k yard. (I was assuming 50x100 was a lot dimension). Good luck man!

Thanks that helps alot.

[kleankutslawn]

Is that price for bi-weekly service?

[woodbutcher44]

I'm in Ocala area or just west of it.
In this area how many cuts per year do you figure in your contracts ?
Better yet in what months do you actually cut once'twice' weekly?
actual cuts not just a service showing IE trash, blowing, edging etc...

[kleankutslawn]

I'm in Ocala area or just west of it.
In this area how many cuts per year do you figure in your contracts ?
Better yet in what months do you actually cut once'twice' weekly?
actual cuts not just a service showing IE trash, blowing, edging etc...

I normally come every week from April 1st-October31st,bi-weekly Nov-March.really can't say how many actual cuts because in the winter months i just do edge blow like you said.hope this is helpful.If it is needed i have a uncle in your area (Marion County) which is sucessful in our industry. good luck looking forward to hearing from you.
Reggie

[woodbutcher44]

thanks Reggie that helps . I'm having a hard go of it. I'm a tree guy that was forced to change to a different line of work .
I was a climber but due to nerve damage my feet are numb so climbing isn't't possible any more.

[kleankutslawn]

that area is very good.you should do well there.let me know if i can be any help.

[kleankutslawn]

thanks Reggie that helps . I'm having a hard go of it. I'm a tree guy that was forced to change to a different line of work .
I was a climber but due to nerve damage my feet are numb so climbing isn't't possible any more.

how has it been going for you?

[amor4421]

Hi guys i'm here in riverview. I just started my biz less than one year ago. not to many clients yet but starting to pick up.

[kleankutslawn]

welcome.what areas are you in Edge?

[amor4421]

I am in the riverview area. but i also am in apollo beach, valrico, bloomingdale. Where are you at?

[kleankutslawn]

im all over Hillsborough County this year

[amor4421]

My wife said she saw a company whose name was klean kuts in our area earlier this week. Do you have many accounts in this area? I have been told that this area is hard to make good money. Do you feel this way? I am averaging about 70.00 monthly. Just trying to get a feel. Thanks for all your help.

[kleankutslawn]

i have about 3 in your area,in these sobdivisions,it is getting unbareable.i was down in Heather Lakes and a lady said a local lawn guy quoted her yard at$40 a month!i try to get at least $80 amonth (weekly service)60 bi weekly but its getting hard. i do ok in valrico/Bloomingdale area.

[amor4421]

That sounds like what I am running into down here. I had a lady in fish hawk and her son in bloomingdale. I told them at the start dec.- march was going to be 2 times monthly, because the grass doesn't need every week cutting. They were fine with that. They dropped me because I was not coming out every week. Some people just don't understand bi- monthly. That was 180.00 monthly for those two accounts. But I guess you learn as you go sometimes. Have a good weekend.

[lawnshark2420]

i have about 3 in your area,in these sobdivisions,it is getting unbareable.i was down in Heather Lakes and a lady said a local lawn guy quoted her yard at$40 a month!i try to get at least $80 amonth (weekly service)60 bi weekly but its getting hard. i do ok in valrico/Bloomingdale area.

Heather lakes in Brandon? I cut in there , right now i have 2 accts. in there $25 to $30 per cut . $5 more if i spray roundup. we handed out 200 flyers in there not one call ! Oh well!

[amor4421]

Valrico and bloomingdale seem to be pretty good. But riverview is pretty hard to get good accounts.

[kleankutslawn]

in Valrico i only past out flyers on about 3 streets and got 3 accounts!

[woodbutcher44]

how has it been going for you?

SLOW Ive done a few clean ups but tough getting local accounts.
I had to let 2 accounts go over in hommassa due to the mileage and unable to get enough accounts to make it worth the trip.
My insurance agent said that he had 21 canceled policies last month and nearly 50 that he was notified have been notified of cancelation if not paid.
What is worse the fact so many are in trouble or that ONE ins co. in my area has so many lawn companies .
I have started doing some rental prep work here and there till things pick up.
I'm beating a dead horse

[kleankutslawn]

hope it gets better 4 you Woodbutcher

[Mikol]

Tampa here!! I do most of my work here in the North Tampa area and have a few in the Riverview and Valrico area.fuel is killing me out there.

[sweetz]

fuel is killing me out there.

Ya, no kidding!!!:dizzy:

[kleankutslawn]

and gas isn't getting any cheaper!!!

[sweetz]

it's suppose to hit at least $4.00 a gallon by summer!
:(

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz,what is the closest Hustler dealer to me?the only one i knew about in Tampa closed down

[amor4421]

I bought my hustler from north east mowers in st. pete. I am looking for one closer too.

[sweetz]

On the HUSTLER web site they have a link that you can follow to find the closest dealer by your zip code. Northeast mowers is the closest to me (by about 2:30 - 3:00 hours) but I don't like dealing with them at all! For that reason I may start going to the place about 3 hours away!:cry:

[amor4421]

Why don't you like north east mowers? What did they do or not do for you? I don't like driving there it is about 90 miles round trip. I love my hustler but I need to get it serviced, I want to do it myself but I don't want to void the warranty. Any advice would be helpful

[sweetz]

I don't like N.E. because they rude every time that I have to deal with them. They sold the Hustler to me with the tracking WAY off, the tires filled to 45 - 50 PSI, etc, etc, etc. I had to contact P.J. & he contacted Chad for me to basically MAKE Northeast Mowers allow me to demo this HUSTLER, they told me that they wouldn't do that. Just VERY poor customer service in general. The lady up front, Lisa, doesn't like me & I don't blame her. I'm an a-hole most of the time because they're geared more towards the lazy lawn guy. Not the ones that actually want to make money. IMHO I just don't like N.E., others may love N.E. That's why I say IMHO. I tried to get them to look at the connection for the clutch on my mower today (because it wasn't working, then it would, then it wouldn't. She told me to leave it all day. But she also told me that they might find nothing wrong at all?

[amor4421]

Wow that doesn't sound very good. I may lean towards not going back there anymore. I just don't want to drive to far because of gas prices. Thanks for the advice.

[sweetz]

Wow that doesn't sound very good. I may lean towards not going back there anymore. I just don't want to drive to far because of gas prices. Thanks for the advice.

You're welcome. And ya, gas is a killer and it's only getting worse.
:dizzy:

[amor4421]

I think there is a place down in bradenton that might be closer for you . Depending on where in pinellas you live. I am going to start going to that place. Will my warranty be able to be transfered to that store? I might start to put out some flyers down that wy too.

[kleankutslawn]

the next closeest one to me is in Lakeland i think.im having the same problem with my clutch,i can hit the button to engage it an nothing,wait a min try it again and it works.i wanted to get this checked out.

[tamadrummer]

the next closeest one to me is in Lakeland i think.im having the same problem with my clutch,i can hit the button to engage it an nothing,wait a min try it again and it works.i wanted to get this checked out.

Dang, these problems couold not come at a worse time! Being weekly now does not leave much in the way of time for service.

I am glad I opted for the green fleet deal with JD, if my mower isn't working in one hour, I am out the door with a loaner. Yes it costs a bit more but working alone only leaves so much space for down time.

Good luck fellas. Hope you guys can find a decent dealer and get back to running!

[kleankutslawn]

well it is working now but i want to get it taken care of before it stops working all together,worse case use my wb.

[sweetz]

Ya, I need to put a new spindle on my TORO to make sure that I have a backup.
:hammerhead:

Will my warranty be able to be transfered to that store?

Yes.

[kleankutslawn]

i know where a few shops are but they don't seem to stock Hustler parts

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz who does the work on your Toro?

[tamadrummer]

Hey Klean were you in San Antonio today? Having lunch at the San Ann Market?

[kleankutslawn]

no .it wasn't me.It is another CO in the area that is spelled Clean Cuts.i spell mine with k's

[sweetz]

sweetz who does the work on your Toro?

Myself, a neighbor across the street or Affordable Mowers (on 58th street & 38th Avenue North in St. Pete). They have decent prices & they will even show or tell you how to do the work yourself next time.

[kleankutslawn]

is the turn around pretty fast?

[sweetz]

is the turn around pretty fast?

Compared to Royal, no; compared to Northeast, maybe about the same; I just like the people alot more than anywhere else. Royal is probably my next choice. IMHO

[kleankutslawn]

took my Toro wb into a dealer in Lutz and they told me it will be 10 days before they can even look at it!

[Dripit good]

Hey Tampa.............................is Be-Mac still around and kicking???

Used to work for him in the 70's & 80's. I learned a lot from that man.

[tamadrummer]

Compared to Royal, no; compared to Northeast, maybe about the same; I just like the people alot more than anywhere else. Royal is probably my next choice. IMHO

Why not take it out to Al's out on Dale Mabry? They are fast and excellent! They are an eXmark dealership but they can and do work on everything.

[sweetz]

Compared to Royal, no; compared to Northeast, maybe about the same; I just like the people alot more than anywhere else. Royal is probably my next choice. IMHO

:hammerhead:

[sweetz]

hit wrong button in last post?!?!

took my Toro wb into a dealer in Lutz and they told me it will be 10 days before they can even look at it!

:hammerhead:

[kleankutslawn]

Hey Tampa.............................is Be-Mac still around and kicking???

Used to work for him in the 70's & 80's. I learned a lot from that man.yeah they have a pretty big outfit around here

[Dripit good]

Back in the day we were running 7-9 full landscape crews (heavily equipped), 16 or so lawn crews, a couple irrigation crews and carpenters for decks and gazebos. Full nursery and tree farms too! We worked all around the state. I was proud to be part of that outfit. It was a great team.

It's been a while. I often wonder how he's doing. He always was a winner and a mentor in my book.

[kleankutslawn]

yeah i don't know him personally but they are making the dough

[Dripit good]

That's good to know. Thank you. :drinkup:

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz,everything been ok with you?haven't heard from you in a couple days

[sweetz]

Ya, thanks for asking klean. Just been busy (working sunrise till sunset 6 - 7 days a week) so I've been trying to get a decent amount of sleep after all the equiptment maintenance is done.:rolleyes:

[kleankutslawn]

good to see you are staying busy!

[sweetz]

Ya klean, I'm not complaining at all!:clapping:

[kleankutslawn]

it isn't picking up for me like i want it to.

[kleankutslawn]

so how are things going for you guys in this area?

[amor4421]

Things are going okay for me. I just picked up 4 new accounts this week. All are pretty close so thats good. I went to one estimate yesterday. I told the lady that I cut 4 times monthly. She looked at me confused and said 4 times a month seems like alot to me, does it really need 4 times a month. So I explainedto her yes and so on. Needless to say it looked like her lawn hadn't been cut since dec. or jan. I just walked away and laughed to myself.

[Patriot Services]

Hey guys finally remembered to check in on this thread. I serve the west side of Hillsborough county. I am in Carrolwood up to Land o Lakes off hwy 54. I also cut a few in my home town of Hudson. 85 residential clients in all.:usflag::usflag::usflag:

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421,im heading to Riverview/Gibsonton today to advertise.im closing on a house in Carriage Point next month so in need more business in that area!maybe ill see you around

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz how are you buddy?

[amor4421]

I hope you get that house. Its been pretty good for me around here. I think I am gonna focus more on riverview/apollo beach/ruskin/suncity center.

[kleankutslawn]

what is the average monthly price in this area?i see the average yard is really small.

[amor4421]

Mostly pretty cheap. I think I average 60.00 monthly. Sucks but it is what I have to work with

[sweetz]

sweetz how are you buddy?

I'm doing good klean. Staying busy!!! That's a good thing!!! :cool2: How are you doing?

[kleankutslawn]

I'm doing good klean. Staying busy!!! That's a good thing!!! :cool2: How are you doing?

its been slow but i can't complain.been mostly busy with trying to move!

[sweetz]

its been slow but i can't complain.been mostly busy with trying to move!

Where to klean???

[Patriot Services]

Hey guys I am currently running an ad in the Tampa Tribune. I receive several calls a week from outside my area. I would like to be able to refer these people to you guys. If you PM me with you company name , phone number and area you service I can compile a list so I don't have to send these customers away empty handed. Some area's requested so far are Summerfield, Riverview, Dover and Clair Mel. :usflag::usflag::usflag:

[sweetz]

Where to klean???

I just reread your old PM to me - so.... nevermind. :hammerhead:

[kleankutslawn]

Patriot pm sent .Thanks

[kleankutslawn]

Patriot what happened with the leads?

[Patriot Services]

Hang on now! I didn't promise anyone any leads. I said IF I got a call for service outside my area I would refer them to whomever I had a contact for in that area. I have not gotten any calls since then. :usflag::usflag::usflag:

[kleankutslawn]

sorry i misunderstood what you where saying.but any leads you come up with outside of your area you can send my way .thanks

[kleankutslawn]

bump,,,,.,.,.,.

[kleankutslawn]

Sweetz ,i guess you are really busy

[sweetz]

Sweetz ,i guess you are really busy

Well, I was working till about 9 last night & I'm getting ready to head out the door now.

[kleankutslawn]

im still slow.i think this is my slowest start ever.i need to get on the ball and get some more accounts!!

[kleankutslawn]

anyone with advice on advertising in deed restricted areas?

[Patriot Services]

I have posted door hangers in deed restricted communities with no problems. Even if there is a no soliciting sign posted you are not violating any law. I know I tried to keep TrueScam(green) out of my community and off my property with no luck. They still come and leave a hanger telling me they can get rid of the non-existant weeds in my lawn. Some day I will catch the SOB and tell him about himself and the company he works for!:usflag::usflag::usflag:

[kleankutslawn]

thanks Patriot i will go at it.i moved into a deed restricted sub division and want to try and get some business in there

[lawnman_scott]

Mostly pretty cheap. I think I average 60.00 monthly. Sucks but it is what I have to work withSadly you are about 10 years behind the times, but your need for work is helping keep the price affordable for the homeowner. The average is actually $100-120.

[amor4421]

I will start to try to hit those prices when I get more new customers. But around here those prices just seem pretty high.

[lawnman_scott]

I will start to try to hit those prices when I get more new customers. But around here those prices just seem pretty high.I am in St Pete/Clearwater, I find that very very low. I always assumed Riverview would be a high priced area (just from what I hear about, never been there and I honestly dont know exacty where it is). I just find alot of people here leave alot of money on the table to just pick up anything. I do have to walk away from alot of estimates that I know I could get for cheap, but I am not interested now. When I started, I would go down to what they wanted wihtin reason, but not now.

[kleankutslawn]

also u have to remember some of the yards in this area(riverview}are so small a ztr may not fit in the back yard!

[amor4421]

That is my situation I am new. Just started in aug. of last year. So I am tring to fill up my weeks with accounts. I think I might be called a lowballer but I am a solo operator and working to get my client count up. So any and all help is greatly apprieciated. Even if that means you all telling me my prices are to cheap. I will start to increase my prices by a little and see how that works.

[lawnman_scott]

That is my situation I am new. Just started in aug. of last year. So I am tring to fill up my weeks with accounts. I think I might be called a lowballer but I am a solo operator and working to get my client count up. So any and all help is greatly apprieciated. Even if that means you all telling me my prices are to cheap. I will start to increase my prices by a little and see how that works.just remember that by starting them so low it will literally take years and years to get them up to what they should be paying once you have enough customers. In this day and age, $75-80 a month you should get customer after customer, thats another $15-20 each a month, and that will add up.

I have common sence, I realize that at this point a $60 customer is worth more to you than no customer, just dont leave too much on the table. There is a fine line, and you have to test the waters to find it.

[amor4421]

Thanks lawnman scott. I will start to get $75-$80 for all my new customers.

[kleankutslawn]

80 a month is a fair price.do you think a$25 minimum is to low?

[lawnman_scott]

80 a month is a fair price.do you think a$25 minimum is to low?It all depends. You have to analyz (its spelled wrong), the situation. I only have 2 that pay per cut because its not worthit. They only want you when you are the busiest anyway. But as far as a one time cut, this week (holiday week) you can and will get more than you would have last week.

[kleankutslawn]

i sure need it.this has been a slow year for me!

[RoofCleaningTampa]

:waving:i sure need it.this has been a slow year for me!
Me too !
I live in Brandon, just east of Tampa.
I own Apple Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Of Tampa (http://www.saferoofcleaning.com)

My Girlfriends Cousin Bill owns Cutter Power, the Dixie Chopper People in Tampa area.

I clean roofs

[kleankutslawn]

hi and welcome to the site.Cutter Power is a pretty big co.

[amor4421]

Hey gys one of my customers wants me to remove her hedges. It it about 9-10 ft long 3 1/2-4 ft tall and 2 ft deep. How should I charge? By the hour or just a flat rate? I am really stumped here. This will be the first time I have done any removal of shrubs. Thanks for the input.

[tamadrummer]

Hey gys one of my customers wants me to remove her hedges. It it about 9-10 ft long 3 1/2-4 ft tall and 2 ft deep. How should I charge? By the hour or just a flat rate? I am really stumped here. This will be the first time I have done any removal of shrubs. Thanks for the input.

Personally I charge by the job on work like that. You need to figure out how long it will take and then add a couple of hours because you probably under-estimated and get out the chainsaw and axe.

The way I like to pull shrubs is to cut them off at the base with the chainsaw and then dig out what I can and cut out the roots with an axe. I also always add the price of renting a tiller and tilling into the job. It will help to get alot of the root material out.

Good Luck and happy bidding.

[amor4421]

Thanks tamadrummer I will start to price the job that way.

[Patriot Services]

Is the customer replanting or just covering with sod? If your covering there is no need to till. I have an old Poulan saw i use just for this job so i dont care if it gets in the dirt. I got 200.00 for a similar job with removal of most of the roots.Took just under 3 hours. :usflag::usflag::usflag:

[amor4421]

200.00 was about what i was coming up with. It was more like 260.00 with a 20.00 dump fee. she wants to put flower beds in the area but not right away. Also I think she wants those decorative curbs, but I don't due that. Maybe I will get to do the flower beds for her. anyways thanks for all of your help.

[kleankutslawn]

good luck on the job

[kleankutslawn]

Happy Memorial Day To all!!! enjoy be safe

[tamadrummer]

Happy Memorial Day To all!!! enjoy be safe

You too man! I was at Sea World yesterday and they actually recognized all of us veterans and active duty guys and it was pretty nice. Have not had too many times I have been asked to stand up since I got out of the Navy in 95.

Maybe since there are about 5 or 6 of us that post in this thread regularly and none of us are in the same area as the other, we could all get together for breakfast or a drink or something and share some crazy customer stories....

[amor4421]

Happy memorial day to all and especially the veterans and the family"s of fallen veterans. Thnks for all you do and have done for my family and us as americans

[kleankutslawn]

where are u Tampa guys!

[srqlawn]

Sarasota here......

[kleankutslawn]

You too man! I was at Sea World yesterday and they actually recognized all of us veterans and active duty guys and it was pretty nice. Have not had too many times I have been asked to stand up since I got out of the Navy in 95.

Maybe since there are about 5 or 6 of us that post in this thread regularly and none of us are in the same area as the other, we could all get together for breakfast or a drink or something and share some crazy customer stories....

thats a good idea.

[kleankutslawn]

hi srqlawn.welcome to the florida page

[srqlawn]

Thanks Kleankuts........ I have run across severals guys from Manatee and Sarasota county in here as well.....

[amor4421]

welcome srqlawn. hope your biz is doing alright.

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421.i finally made it down to your area

[amor4421]

I hope everything is going well for you klean. I have been averaging about 1 estimate every week for the last month. Got 1 account and 1 still pending. Also got a call about a commercial estimate in tampa,off nebraska and fowler. I am gonna give them an estimate but it is too far for me to service. So if you take care of that area pm me and I will give you the contact info. Happy mowing to all tampa lco's

[sweetz]

Hey everyone - can't wait for some rain!!! Even well taken care of yards are turning into dust bowls!

[Lawn-Sharks]

here in south tampa.

LIKE the LOGO!

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz i know what you mean we need it bad around here.

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421 pm sent!

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421 thanks again for the info

[amor4421]

anytime klean. hope everything goes well for you.

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421 maybe we can hook up for lunch sometime

[amor4421]

Sounds good. are you gonna take that job? we should try to get as many tampa lco's as we can and set up lunch or something.

[amor4421]

Hey guys tell me what you think of my new logo

[kleankutslawn]

nice.who did you get to do it?

[amor4421]

plan-it graphics..plan-itgraphics.com the huys name is bob that I was dealing with. It cost me 50.00 and only took 3-4 days to do it. He has some examples on his site or if you know what you want he can do it.

[kleankutslawn]

i had a guy on here working on one for me but i guess i was a bit to picky for him

[amor4421]

this guy was really good. he got one we likedin about 2 days. it is pretty cheap. go on his website and look at his sample logo's. he is really good.

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

Finally had some rain this weekend, thank god. Did you guys get some up in Tampa?

[amor4421]

Yeah we got some today. I had to call it a day around 4 due to lightning. i don't mess with lightning. Hope everyone had a good day.

[kleankutslawn]

thank god 4 the rain!

[sweetz]

Amen to that!!!

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

It's been a really weird year as far as rain goes.:confused:

[kleankutslawn]

yeah the grass around here really isn't growing yet!

[kleankutslawn]

maybe the grass will start growing now with this rain

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

I hope it keeps coming, we need to make up for time lost...

[amor4421]

Yeah I agree it needs to rain, but only at night after I get done with all my yards for the day. hope all is going well for everyone.

[kleankutslawn]

its getting better,trying to pick up accounts out our way now amor4421

[amor4421]

what are you doing as far as advetising in this area klean. I have door hangers but haven't got them yet. when i do i will put them out. Is this what you have found to be a good way?

[kleankutslawn]

i do flyers,they are alot cheaper & i get better response but thats just what works for me

[amor4421]

okay I have some flyers. i will try those. Maybe you could pass out some of my flyers when you are passing out yours.lol just kidding. have a good weekend to all.

[kleankutslawn]

lol,yeah just make sure you do the same for me

[kleankutslawn]

I will like to wish you guys a Happy Fathers Day!!!

[sweetz]

Same to you Klean, Thanks!:waving:

[westsweeper4]

hello all :waving: wanted to introduce myself. just moved here from ohio and am thinking about getting back into lawncare. I had a business back in Ohio with about 30 customers for a few years. Sold it to my buddy when I had the chance to move here. I will be 21 in a couple months fyi.

had a couple questions. From what I gather so far it seems like the cutting is bi-weekly in the dry season (nov-apr?) and weekly in the wet season (may-oct?). is this correct? with all the rain this past week, is there ever a time where you have to cut more than once a week? Still trying to get adjusted to the type of grass down here.

I also can buy back my old mower for relatively cheap. It is a Ferris I4500 with a 28 hp diesel and a 61" deck. I know there are a lot of small yards down here and didnt know if this was overkill or not? I would in the Brandon, Valrico, Bloomingdale area.

I also saw a large discrepency in the pricing. Someone says 60/mo whereas another guy says 120/mo. Thats a pretty big difference.

Like I said before, I had a business before so I know about the ins and outs of mowing, Im just looking for some things to help me better understand the Florida aspect of it.

Thanks in advance!

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

Hey, does anybody do any accounts in Wesley Chapel? It's quite a hike up there huh?

[kleankutslawn]

mulchman,i don't have any accounts up in that area but if its something you need done,i can get it done for you

[kleankutslawn]

westsweeper,welcome to the area.yes the pricing does vary in this area.alot of properties in that area are in subdivisions and they are really small.some yards the 61 may not even fit .but if you have questios just pm me and i will help you the best i can

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

I just had a couple nibbles from up there and I don't know much about that area....

[kleankutslawn]

me neither but i know it is right on the border of Hillsborough & Pasco counties

[westsweeper4]

well i guess you cant pm until you have 25 posts, so I guess I need to start posting up.

looks like i will have a 36" walk behind on the way as well. Found one for a good price, so I think that it will be good for the small back yards.

Been driving around lately and just trying to see what the yards are like and just get a better feel for the area. Another question I had was how is the competition down here? Is everyone and their brother in the grass cutting business?

[kleankutslawn]

there is alot of competion but you have to stand out with your work!

[sweetz]

For those who do good work, there is plenty of work out there.:usflag:

[kleankutslawn]

i have to amen you on that one sweetz

[sweetz]

i have to amen you on that one sweetz

:drinkup:..........................

[mULcHmAN.wLs]

Let the heavy mowing begin. I've had to cut mine twice this week.

[kevinlane]

Just thought I'd say hello, I have accounts in St Pete, Tierra Verde, downtown and a few in Clearwater. Are you pinellas guys getting any new accounts this season? I've noticed its alot slower than last year, had some cancell due to their financial situation...just wondering of you guys are seeing a slowup this year in this area. Peace
:gunsfirin

[kleankutslawn]

hi kevin,sweetz works in your area.he post on here often,he would be the guy to answer that

[sweetz]

Just thought I'd say hello, I have accounts in St Pete, Tierra Verde, downtown and a few in Clearwater. Are you pinellas guys getting any new accounts this season? I've noticed its alot slower than last year, had some cancell due to their financial situation...just wondering of you guys are seeing a slowup this year in this area. Peace
:gunsfirin

Ya, I'm seeing some of the same, but I'm also seeing an increase in accounts. You just have to be willing to work with the customers.

[kevinlane]

Ya, I'm seeing some of the same, but I'm also seeing an increase in accounts. You just have to be willing to work with the customers.

Yeah I work with em alright, until they stop payin, or pay late as hell....lol

[amor4421]

hi guys. nice rain we have been getting. hope every one has a good weekend

[kleankutslawn]

Amor4421 its been a while,yeah we really needed this rain

[kleankutslawn]

how about this weather!

[sweetz]

My family, my wife & I actually went boating today. We called it a day at about 2. It was a beautiful day! It began to storm at about 3-4. It was a nice day!

[kleankutslawn]

sweetz did you catch any fish?

[sweetz]

Well klean, this trip was just to play around with the new canoe and kayak. We didn't do any fishing this time.

[kleankutslawn]

just wondering.i haven't been fishing in a while myself

[sweetz]

We're planning on going again this coming weekend (so I'm driving around working with the canoe strapped to my truck!), maybe to Ft. Desoto, and we'll probably do some fishing this time. :)

[kleankutslawn]

im going to try to go soon myself

[amor4421]

Hi guys. Its been a couple of days since i last checked in. How is everyone doing? I love all this rain. Hey klean how is the advertising going down here? i hope it is going good for you. talk with you all later.

[Patriot Services]

1" hail stones . Great way to end my day! I need a cold beer:drinkup::drinkup: and my hot tub. :usflag::usflag::usflag:

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421 i really haven't had time to hit the area yet.when i think ill have time,i get another call.Thursday isn't a busy day for me so a might have time today

[woodbutcher44]

The daily rain are finally here! GROW LAWN GROW.now Is the time to advertise.
Looking for more accounts in this area .
Give me your PITA accounts.
PM me with what you got.

[kleankutslawn]

woodbutcher,i will ask my uncle if they can send the work they don't want your way .they have been in business in Marion County for over 29 years!

[amor4421]

I am loving all this rain. can't wait to get all those potential new clients. good luck to all of us tampa/sarasota/pinellas/dunnellon lco's. if i left anyone out sorry.

[kleankutslawn]

amor4421 how are things going for you in our area?

[amor4421]

they could be better if my wife would let me go out and advertise more. i am hoping all this rain will help stir up some new work for me. and also for everyone else.

[Hortus]

Just spotted this thread.

Mostly down in the Sarasota-Bradenton metro area.:waving:

[amor4421]

welcome aboard hortus, i am in riverview just north of you.

[sweetz]

how are things going for ya klean?

[kleankutslawn]

how are things going for ya klean?

things are going pretty good .i think i landed 7 new accounts this week!!!

[sweetz]

things are going pretty good .i think i landed 7 new accounts this week!!!

NICE!!! Ya, things are definitely picking up now that the rains have started.

[amor4421]

Wow klean thats really good. I hope to pick up some in the coming weeks. if you have any good paying customers i will be glad to take them off your hands.lol

[kleankutslawn]

amor, im going to start marketing our area today

[amor4421]

good luck with your marketing klean. i know that they(lawn customers) are out there, just have to find the good ones. i am going to start marketing really hard next week in the early afternoon. hope everyone has a good weekend.

[kleankutslawn]

well good luck amor

[kevinlane]

How are you guys landing new accounts this season? I gotta tell ya I'm coming up with nothin other than what I had from last year. Just curious why,maybe my area sucks or something. LOL

[kleankutslawn]

i have been getting accounts from flyers,word of mouth,online

[CajunCutter_dotcom]

Hey guys I am currently running an ad in the Tampa Tribune. I receive several calls a week from outside my area. I would like to be able to refer these people to you guys. If you PM me with you company name , phone number and area you service I can compile a list so I don't have to send these customers away empty handed. Some area's requested so far are Summerfield, Riverview, Dover and Clair Mel. :usflag::usflag::usflag:

I'm not sure how to PM, as I just joined this site, but I have a website with the areas I work in...I would appreciate the referrals. cajuncutterdotcom

[kleankutslawn]

cajun you have to make so many posts before you can send a pm

[kevinlane]

I have a referral in Palm Harbour if any one wants-too far for me to drive.

[kevinlane]

Do any of you locals do Palm Harbour, Dunedin areas? I get lots of calls from that area, too much driving for me.

[kleankutslawn]

kevin, i have a friend that works in that area if you want you can pm me the info

[westsweeper4]

I was wondering if anyone here is into mowing any of the sports fields? Is there a market for this for the average LCO? What about schools or parks?

thanks again in advance

[kleankutslawn]

westsweeper i have done a few private schools in the past but nothing i have went after in the past 2 years

[amor4421]

hey guys. how is business for everyone going? i hope good. klean how are things going? i was wondering did you ever get that account in tampa for the dollar store? talk to you later.

[kleankutslawn]

amor yes i took care of it,glad you said something about it because i haven't billed them for that yet!lol thanks again for the account

[kevinlane]

Man I need to get a hydro, my exmark belt driven wb won't cut nothin this rain, lol. Can't afford one yet, but I can't wait to get one.

[kevinlane]

I was wondering if anyone here is into mowing any of the sports fields? Is there a market for this for the average LCO? What about schools or parks?

thanks again in advance

I do some churches, best accounts I have, and they pay ontime every month. I thought most schools had their own maintenance for the lawn, however the thought did cross my mind if some do hire lco's.

[sweetz]

I do some churches, best accounts I have, and they pay ontime every month. I thought most schools had their own maintenance for the lawn, however the thought did cross my mind if some do hire lco's.

All of the Pinellas County Schools do mow their own grass (I know, I use to work for the School Board doing that & maintenance). Don't know about Hillsborough County or any of the private schools. How would someone go about bidding for a church??? :confused:

[kleankutslawn]

i got a private school in Pinellas from a d.o.t guy.as far as churches,i do two in Tampa & both say the found me online

[kevinlane]

All of the Pinellas County Schools do mow their own grass (I know, I use to work for the School Board doing that & maintenance). Don't know about Hillsborough County or any of the private schools. How would someone go about bidding for a church??? :confused:

Hey sweetz. One of my regular customers referred me to my church properties, I think one of them picked up my card inside a bank as well. That has been my best source of advertizing. But anyways, church secretaries are the ones to talk to. Pastors don't like dealing with us dirty landscapers. lol...I bid commercial properties using the labour hrs method. How many hours will it take me. How many acres? Will they need fertilizer, mulch, trees trimmed? I just add it all up. I try to get them to tell me what they were paying before, and then I add a little....lol. Not sure if that helps, but hopefully it did.
:dizzy:

[sweetz]

Hey sweetz. One of my regular customers referred me to my church properties, I think one of them picked up my card inside a bank as well. That has been my best source of advertizing. But anyways, church secretaries are the ones to talk to. Pastors don't like dealing with us dirty landscapers. lol...I bid commercial properties using the labour hrs method. How many hours will it take me. How many acres? Will they need fertilizer, mulch, trees trimmed? I just add it all up. I try to get them to tell me what they were paying before, and then I add a little....lol. Not sure if that helps, but hopefully it did.
:dizzy:

Ya kevin, that does help, thanks. Kevin, my name is also Kevin. What part of St. Pete. do you work in? Depending, you may have even seen me driving around in my truck & trailer. You can't really miss me. If you have seen my truck & you know my name, then you know what I am talking about. I pretty much work in St. Pete., Seminole, Gulfport, Pinellas Park & Kenneth City.

[westsweeper4]

So are most of you guys one man operations?

With gas prices going up, my guess is that some guys will be getting out of business. Anyone hear of LCOs selling accounts?

Right now Im gonna take some classes at HCC in the fall and then start the business in the beginning of 09


man it feels like im a newbie again....

[kleankutslawn]

what classes are you taking westsweeper?

[sweetz]

Ya, west a good amount of us are solos. I have a helper 2 - 3 days a week & my wife helps me from time to time (like last weekend & this coming weekend) but for the most part I am on my own. :rolleyes:

[kevinlane]

Ya kevin, that does help, thanks. Kevin, my name is also Kevin. What part of St. Pete. do you work in? Depending, you may have even seen me driving around in my truck & trailer. You can't really miss me. If you have seen my truck & you know my name, then you know what I am talking about. I pretty much work in St. Pete., Seminole, Gulfport, Pinellas Park & Kenneth City.

As a matter of fact I think I have seen you, now that I think about it...lol. Yeah I do some downtown St Pete, South St Pete, Tierra Verde, Tyrone and few in Clearwater.

[kevinlane]

I'm solo, girlfriend helps sometimes but she hates it. rofl. Gas is killin me yes, so I did have to go up on some of my accounts, they were understanding and I still have those accounts. I just take it as it comes, I'm not quitting, too much at stake, ya know?

[tamadrummer]

So are most of you guys one man operations?

With gas prices going up, my guess is that some guys will be getting out of business. Anyone hear of LCOs selling accounts?

Right now Im gonna take some classes at HCC in the fall and then start the business in the beginning of 09


man it feels like im a newbie again....

I am solo everyday except Monday. Monday I cut all of my big properties and so I need a second mower going to make money on them and actually make it home before 10:00 pm.....:dizzy:

I plan on taking some classes at the Plant City extension of UF to get my bachelors in Turf managment or something in the Hort field. I just need to get control of my schedule and then go for it.

[sweetz]

Kevin, what color is your Ranger? I think I may have also seen you. My truck is a Tundra with a topper, both white. The windows on the topper are tinted dark & the name of my company & phone # is on them in white letters (They stand out even at 2am). My trailer is black. I have some in S. St. Pete. & Tyrone & my P.O. Box is at the Tyrone Post Office.....lol.

[westsweeper4]

Yea I hear you about the too much in it. Hard to get away from it when its something you like to do.

As far as classes, not too sure yet. Probably take a class on irrigation, some pest control/fert classes, and just some other basics. Havent decided whether I want to delve into the fert application side of it or not. Basically just to get a formal knowledge of the St Aug grass. And it will help me put off student loan payments for another 6 months :hammerhead:


tama, what kind of "big" properties do you do? seems like they are rather scare down here. id take 40-50 big properties over 100+ of the pesky HOA lawns any day.

[tamadrummer]

Actually I don't too much like the big ones, they take so long that they don't pay as well as the smaller ones but the people absolutely love our work so I will stick with them.

I have my brother-in-laws auto shop on 301 in Dade City which is about 3.5 acres, and then a 5 acre in St. Joe, and then, 2 acres again in Dade City, and then 1 acre in Dade City.

The 5 acre property takes forever because it is LOADED with trees so we have to walk the property weekly and pick up sticks that have fallen and the owner has been having me plant annuals and some other stuff. I will be putting in some Mexican Heather and African Iris and some Marigolds this week and mulching one more bed on the pool deck. We did 2 beds on the pool deck last week.

I only have 26 properties right now but I am sending out a few hundred more postcards to places where they see my vehicle each week and then I will do doorhangers one more time. I need about 10 more accounts and I will be good to go.

Once my Limited license gets here I will be able to start selling bed maintenance to my current customers and make a bit more money that way.

[kleankutslawn]

well guys i'm heading out,hope you guys have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

[sweetz]

Happy 4th!!!!!

[kleankutslawn]

time to get ready for next week guyS!!!!

[sweetz]

You had to remind me?!?!?!

[C4chris70]

We work in Pinellas

[South Florida Lawns]

Hello guys, wow it used to be that i was one of maybe 3 people from Florida on this site. Now I come back and there are all you guys. this is cool. Any help feel free to ask me I'm all over Pinellas county. BTW I'm Ryan

[kevinlane]

Yeah I service in Pinellas too, mostly south.

[kleankutslawn]

welcome back Ryan

[sweetz]

welcome back Ryan

I second that.

[Jaysondavislawnservice]

kind on new to the site don't post that often but I am located in New Port Richey and I just wondering if some of you guy can tell me a good place to get some decals made and a logo design for a GOOD PRICE

[kleankutslawn]

hi Jayson and welcome,there're a couple guys on this site that design logo's fairly cheap.do a search for logo design and you should find a few.i know a guy on here Grits use to do them and i think Tee Wolf.hope this helps good luck!

[amor4421]

hi jayson. klean is right there are alot of guys that do that on this site. i found one at plan-it graphics . com. he made mine for 50 bucks. i really like the way he got it done with in 3 days. check him out. hope everyone is doing good. happy mowing to everyone.

[kleankutslawn]

thanks Amor4421,i knew there were others that do them but i couldn't think of them right off hand,hope this info helps

[Jaysondavislawnservice]

thanks guy let me see what i can get done for my logo and will post it when i finally get one i like

[kleankutslawn]

yes keep us posted

[kleankutslawn]

guys,how are you Florida guys doing?

[sweetz]

I can remember the conversation I had with the guy, I can even remember where he told me that he lives in St. Pete. I think that I talked to him on this site, but I cannot find any record of it at all. I'm talking about a guy who owns a company with a bright red truck & trailer with a curved tree in the logo/name. Please help, I'm drawing a blank. I think that the curved tree in the name represented a "P." :confused: Whoever this is I saw you yesterday. :waving:

[kevinlane]

This heat is killin me, geez I should be a gatorade stockholder! lol

[sweetz]

This heat is killin me, geez I should be a gatorade stockholder! lol

Definately!!!!!!!!!:laugh::laugh:

[kleankutslawn]

i like high quality h2o lol

[sweetz]

i like high quality h2o lol

lol.....:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

[kleankutslawn]

guys we should try to set up a lawn care lunch for us guys in this area.what do you guys think of that?