So much business....I'm turning it away...

[Liendeni]

No, that is not me....I wish. I just wonder if this is a "realistic" scanerio for anybody out there. I will have to give it to you long term guys out there though....this is a much harder business than I think most "newbies," like myself, realize.

I pretty much expected the worse and hoped for the best so I wouldn't say I am disappointed...but also wouldn't be lying if I had said that I had "hoped for" a little better start at this point.

I have picked up 10 accounts since starting 6 weeks ago. An honest opinion....is that a good start....just okay....or not so hot. I don't know any other lawn guys except you online guys so I don't have anybody else to ask or compare it to. Anyways....appreciate the input.

And like I said, I have a whole new respect for you guys out there with a full work week and/or employees. Some people think you just grab a lawn mower and anybody with half a brain can do this. Not so....I think it takes much more business brains than brawn. Just my two cents.

[k911lowe]

if you work,there will always be work for you.

[Liendeni]

Man...wow...that was a great insight. Don't quit your day job.

[Roger]

if you work,there will always be work for you.

Man...wow...that was a great insight. Don't quit your day job.

I suppose the second comment is rhetorical, at least I read it that way.

However, I believe there to be much truth in the first comment. Being at work creates opportunities that you might not otherwise get. In other words, being out working provides the possibilities for getting more work from other sources. This is in contrast to those who have stated they would rather stay at home sitting on the couch, unless they get top money for what they believe their work to be worth. No, I'm not suggesting giving work away. What I am saying is that when work is slack, taking some work at less than top money will provide opportunities to get more work to fill the slack. This will not happen sitting at home watching TV.

To answer the question of the initial post, turning work away? Yes, every year turn away as much work as I already have. And, most of the opportunities come from folks living very close to where I am working. People see me working, stop and want help. This is why I made the comments above, ... just being out working gives you an openness for getting requests for more work. My major problem is saying "no" to the requests, and finding myself overwhelmed with too much. At this season of life, I have no interest in expanding. My intent was to cut back this season, but I am finding that I'm a failure in that regard.

[dura to the max]

10 is a decent start. talk to some large lco's in your area. build a relationship and they many times will send you work. i do a LOT of crap for a larger company, but make good $$$$$ doing it

[RollTide11]

I started about 6 weeks ago as well and have only about 8 yards. I guess this must be about normal with all the competition.

[RonB]

10 sounds like a real good start imo. About three years ago I took up lawn care with less than that starting out.

I work solo. Looking back on my calendar just now, since the season started here (March), other than todays rain-out the last day I had off was Sunday April 27th. Seven day week 10-12 hr days. Other than an ad in the paper for a month last year which brought me three customers, all the others have been referrals.

Right now all I can say is be careful what you wish for! j/k go get'em.

[topsites]

And like I said, I have a whole new respect for you guys out there with a full work week and/or employees. Some people think you just grab a lawn mower and anybody with half a brain can do this. Not so....I think it takes much more business brains than brawn. Just my two cents.

Thanks, I really do appreciate that.
And no I'm not being funny.
Peace out man.

..................
Other notes: I really wasn't trying to be a naysayer when I said it was a bad year to get into this, heh.
I don't think anyone else was, either.

[Uranus]

Some people think you just grab a lawn mower and anybody with half a brain can do this.

EXACTLY

Now if you could only tell every customer out there that thinks landscapers are dumb cuz we work in or around dirt.

You reminded me about a conversation with a customers wife from last year. We got chatting and she asked where I lived. I told her my wife and I build a house 1 town over. In a surprised voice she said, "Oh, you own a house? I was pissed cuz I felt like I was being looked down on again because of her previous experienced with people in our field. Then she asked what my wife does for work, which made me feel like she thought "How nice of a house could this guy actually have just by mowing grass?" So I told her what my wife does for work and she had the deer in the headlight look. Man I hate being looked down on because I'm a landscaper.

[JohnnyRoyale]

watching TV.

To answer the question of the initial post, turning work away? Yes, every year turn away as much work as I already have. And, most of the opportunities come from folks living very close to where I am working. People see me working, stop and want help. This is why I made the comments above, ... just being out working gives you an openness for getting requests for more work. My major problem is saying "no" to the requests, and finding myself overwhelmed with too much. At this season of life, I have no interest in expanding. My intent was to cut back this season, but I am finding that I'm a failure in that regard.

I agree you must draw a line somewhere, however, saying no completely shuts the door to making your work life easier or more profitable. What I mean is, you may take on more work closer to existing jobs, in turn, building more density, with less window time and/or putting yourself in a position to walk away from anyone who has caused you any slight bit of grief, ie: slow payers etc. I personally have a hard time saying no, I'd rather ask for more than I would normally charge, and figure it out if they say yes. We have made our best money, when we had to scramble, and temporarily re-arrange the schedule to fit a rush job in. but then again, I'm in no position right now to cut back my work load. I figure, I'll take as much as I can when the sun shines-cuz you never know what tomorrow brings.

[kleankutslawn]

10 is a good start imo,stay at it

[Big C]

10 is a decent start. talk to some large lco's in your area. build a relationship and they many times will send you work. i do a LOT of crap for a larger company, but make good $$$$$ doing it

Same here!!

[ALC-GregH]

I talked to a guy I see cutting each week just a few houses down from mine. I gave him my card and mentioned if you get overloaded, I would be glad to help out as I too have just gotten started in the last 6 weeks. I have 9 weekly accounts as of now but want 30-40 to be comfortable. It seems, everytime I go out and scout out for work, I get a few calls the next day. For awhile I was getting 1-2 a day the first couple weeks then it died off again. One thing that bugs me is, I see 10+ homes within a mile of me that have someone mow their lawn. If I could convince them to have me do them, I would be very happy as I could just ride the mower to their house a few hundred feet to do them! Should I try to work on them or leave it alone?

I talked to one guy for a few minutes that was mowing the house next to one of my customers, I asked him (not knowing) if he lived there and he said no, I'm just cutting their lawn. We talked for a few minutes and I gave him my card. He said he gets calls all the time but doesn't want to take on anymore work as he's over booked now. I told him I'd be happy to help him out or take over some of his calls. Haven't heard from him yet. :(

[Liendeni]

EXACTLY

Now if you could only tell every customer out there that thinks landscapers are dumb cuz we work in or around dirt.

You reminded me about a conversation with a customers wife from last year. We got chatting and she asked where I lived. I told her my wife and I build a house 1 town over. In a surprised voice she said, "Oh, you own a house? I was pissed cuz I felt like I was being looked down on again because of her previous experienced with people in our field. Then she asked what my wife does for work, which made me feel like she thought "How nice of a house could this guy actually have just by mowing grass?" So I told her what my wife does for work and she had the deer in the headlight look. Man I hate being looked down on because I'm a landscaper.


Ohh...I hear you...it has honestly been a hard start because just about everybody, including my own family, is laughing at me because I want to work in this field. My wife is a drug dealer....legal one - does medical sales and makes about as much money as an unspecialized doctor. I did Physical Therapy for a while and then started my own separate business. We live in a very nice upscale neighborhood....much nicer than most people's who's lawns I am mowing but they also seem as though they look down on me. "I'm just some poor sap who has to mow lawns to cut ends meat."

Its funny though....the last house we owned prior to this one was super nice...in a very small 25 home gated community....and you know who lived three houses down from us? A lawn guy! This lawn guy also had a brand new black Corvette and one of those new station wagon type Mercedez...and his wife stayed home with their two young children.

Its not about how much money you spend....its about how much you keep!

[Ryanwhite5]

i picked up 6 yards this year just in my neighborhood because im not old enough to drive yet it makes things very tough

[MJS]

i picked up 6 yards this year just in my neighborhood because im not old enough to drive yet it makes things very tough

And that's probably ok - cause when you can drive, things start to happen in a hurry (if you do good work). Don't worry about that now. Eight years ago, I couldn't drive yet, but I still had 11 customers that kept me busy when I wasn't immersed in school.

I have picked up 10 accounts since starting 6 weeks ago. An honest opinion....is that a good start....just okay....or not so hot. I don't know any other lawn guys except you online guys so I don't have anybody else to ask or compare it to. Anyways....appreciate the input.

I think 10 is a pretty good start. :)
IMO A business like this tends to grow exponentially - kinda like the Fibonacci numbers: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55,89 You get my drift - you'll probably have plenty of work before you know it.

[ed2hess]

I think part of the problem may be that young people come on lawnsite and read all this stuff about $1/min and not dropping gate for less than $35. When we need to increase our concentration in an area we just lower the price until we get the numbers we need. We have accomplished getting almost 30% of our income within the driving distance of a ztr machine-Our next goal is to increase this to 50% and then we will drop the 10% that is across town. I have 12 hours of mowing with 60" unit close enough to my house that I keep the machine in my garage. The trim team obviously uses a trailer.

[Paradise Yard Service]

You will get referrals from the 10.

Aloha, P.Y.S.

[RECESSION PROOF MOWING]

EXACTLY

Now if you could only tell every customer out there that thinks landscapers are dumb cuz we work in or around dirt.

You reminded me about a conversation with a customers wife from last year. We got chatting and she asked where I lived. I told her my wife and I build a house 1 town over. In a surprised voice she said, "Oh, you own a house? I was pissed cuz I felt like I was being looked down on again because of her previous experienced with people in our field. Then she asked what my wife does for work, which made me feel like she thought "How nice of a house could this guy actually have just by mowing grass?" So I told her what my wife does for work and she had the deer in the headlight look. Man I hate being looked down on because I'm a landscaper.

You know, the dirty little secret is that most busy landscapers net more money in their pockets by far than the majority of the homeowners they work for. You can get pretty wealthy mowing grass...believe it or not. I'm doing it. Don't bother with snide comments...cash their checks and smile. I could buy and sell just about every one of my clients whether they realize it or not.

[mowtime]

Yes it is true. This is my 3rd year in business and I cannot take on any more work and I am giving work to other landscapers that are new in the area. I have been coming to this site for a few years and I owe it all to the people here for my success. One person told me on this site that when I got my first account to make sure it looked top notch, even if it meant staying longer on the property than I would be paid for. I did more work than what I was paid for, and since it was an upscale community that was just being developed, it paid off handsomely. This one yard turned into 8, which by word of mouth led me to other developments. I have not advertised in almost a year and a half, you will learn to be successful by coming here and reading and taking advice of the senior members of this forum. Pay attention to the going rates of services across the country and apply it to your services. Be loyal to your trade by not lowballing and take pride in your work, honesty will make you some good profit and be patient. good luck

[HOOLIE]

10 is a decent start. talk to some large lco's in your area. build a relationship and they many times will send you work. i do a LOT of crap for a larger company, but make good $$$$$ doing it

I get more business from other LCO's then anything else. Meet as many local guys as you can, they don't have to be 'big' companies even. Gas stations, lunchtime, whenever, most guys are friendly and are glad to have another guy to network with.

[topsites]

One thing that bugs me is, I see 10+ homes within a mile of me that have someone mow their lawn. If I could convince them to have me do them, I would be very happy as I could just ride the mower to their house a few hundred feet to do them! Should I try to work on them or leave it alone?

hmmm...
It would be breaking a rule in my book to go up to them in person knowing they have a man doing it, that to me would be taking another man's work and it just ain't right.

You could, I think, get away with it if you simply door hung these houses the exact same way you normally would put a flier somewhere and let it go at that... Now they might not call but I think this would be relatively clean and fair game. Matter of fact, do the entire block... Better yet, the whole neighborhood, NOW it's clean and fair you're not picking out any particular houses.

On another note, try and leave the flier on an OFF day, that is, sometime when that Lco ain't going to be around lol... Not sure how you might time this, but worst case scenario would be to flier their houses while he's working on one, is all I'm saying (because if it were me I would pull that flier of yours myself, see it's just kinda rude to flier my customer's house while I'm there working in my opinion).

But put a flier on those houses, nice as can be, then let it go at that, see what happens.

[bill8379]

I had WAY TOO MUCH work last spring, during the spring clean up season. I put out way too many flyers and was literally swamped. I put out 30k flyers and I couldn't do over half the people, I was literally turning away work and that was with three of us working 7 days a week unless rain.

It didn't turn into much weekly maintenance though. This year I decided to put out ZERO flyers and was still busy with previous customers but with just two of us working but I did raise my prices pretty good. Good spring, I still have a couple power raking jobs going, got some new weeklys and some new fert customers to.