How much money is there in lawn Care

[steve184]

Hi,

Apologies if this has been discussed before but I just wondered how much it is possible to make in lawn care in the US.

Any states offer better opportunities?

I am currently abroad and don't have a lot of qualifications / opportunities to go back to so am considering a small business.

I am thinking that I'd like to start a lawn mowing business and I just wondered how attainable six figures per year is. With hard work and a bit of luck how long do you think it would take realistically.

Steve

[johnnie5]

6 figures

is that the turnover ? or the profit that you hope to achieve ?

[steve184]

Thats profit.

Not right away of course - but possible after several years?

Steve

[johnnie5]

as with all business's work smarter not harder and anything is possible

[topsites]

After all the costs are paid, not much is left.
That's regardless of initial sum.

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

Steve - your probably better off being a diversified 'green' organization rather than just doing lawn mowing - thats too cutthroat to make huge money in after just a couple years. Do you landscape? Hardscape? Other?
Diversification is where its at.

[B_gerrits]

Steve - your probably better off being a diversified 'green' organization rather than just doing lawn mowing - thats too cutthroat to make huge money in after just a couple years. Do you landscape? Hardscape? Other?
Diversification is where its at.

Diversification is totally the only way to survive here as the mow blow and go is all being taken by the 15$ a cut illegal mexicans. How much you can make will vary by location and the competition is huge you have the mexis, the part timers, and now I'm even starting to see retirees doing them. Here the trend is going away from lawn to xeriscape, and other water smart options.

[lawnpro724]

If your mowing only your not going to have much profit with gas prices the way they are now and with everyone under the sun mowing. What people are willing to pay is considerably lower than it was 10yrs ago and prices for everything are through the roof. Diversify your business with landscaping, patios, walls, water features, overseeding or whatever works for your business. Mowing only accounts for 30% of my total revenue every year, sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less but lawn renovation/installation and landscaping bring in 70%.

[ALC-GregH]

doing landscaping work requires additional workers in most cases. It's kinda hard to do EVERYTHING yourself when it comes to hardscape/landscape work. What happens when you get a few big jobs? Your almost forced to hire a employee just to get them done. What happens when the retaining wall takes a few weeks to complete and you have mowing that needs to be done and the customer wants their retaining wall finished? I just can't see the diversity unless you have tons of work already and you HAVE to hire someone. I prefer to work solo and don't want to deal with figuring out how I'm going to get it all done trying to build hardscapes and landscapes and get all the mowing done.

[k911lowe]

Thats profit.

Not right away of course - but possible after several years?

Steve

the smarter and harder you work the more money you will make.you could become the owner of this domain if you work hard enough and offer enough money.

[bohiaa]

you will have to do your research where there are results, just posting here your going to get a few people mad, a few telling you there oppenion and a few Mr. Know it all's...

go to the government web sites, this will give you study cases, where there were real studys, trends and what's going on in the markett.

From the post above that I have read, It's nothing like what anyone had said so far.

Good Luck

[B_gerrits]

you will have to do your research where there are results, just posting here your going to get a few people mad, a few telling you there oppenion and a few Mr. Know it all's...

go to the government web sites, this will give you study cases, where there were real studys, trends and what's going on in the markett.

From the post above that I have read, It's nothing like what anyone had said so far.

Good Luck

Oooh yeah I would go to govt websites after all these people cant balance their checkbooks, they say we aren't being gouged at the pump even though the oil companies profits are setting records for the most profit made by any company ever in the history of Americia 11.7 billion in 3 months for exxon moble alone and they still say we are not in a recession. I really think these guys got the real scoop.

[DuraCutter]

doing landscaping work requires additional workers in most cases. It's kinda hard to do EVERYTHING yourself when it comes to hardscape/landscape work. What happens when you get a few big jobs? Your almost forced to hire a employee just to get them done. What happens when the retaining wall takes a few weeks to complete and you have mowing that needs to be done and the customer wants their retaining wall finished? I just can't see the diversity unless you have tons of work already and you HAVE to hire someone. I prefer to work solo and don't want to deal with figuring out how I'm going to get it all done trying to build hardscapes and landscapes and get all the mowing done.

That's why you'll be making less but hey, if you're happy with that amount, the more power to you.

After all, not everyone needs to have a 26' boat to go fishing, you can do with a wooden boat with a few holes... just carry duct tape...

I'm not trying to insult here, just state the obvious...you don't want employees, just get used to eating macaroni and baloney...

:)

[topsites]

Oooh yeah I would go to govt websites after all these people cant balance their checkbooks, they say we aren't being gouged at the pump even though the oil companies profits are setting records for the most profit made by any company ever in the history of Americia 11.7 billion in 3 months for exxon moble alone and they still say we are not in a recession. I really think these guys got the real scoop.

Maybe not, but it gets a bit deep here some days, too.

[Liendeni]

I think it is funny how people who have never owned a business...thank it is just a matter of buying a mower and off you go....and $100K is your realistic goal. Most business in general....approx. 95% of them go under. Why? Because they only made
$90K instead of $100K? No, its because it is very hard to start any business and make it successful.

Most of the guys on here who are have been in business for many years are the exception. For every person on here who has been in business for just 5 years....there are statistically 19 others who's business has failed and they went under.

Its just not that easy to make 100K.

Its like with anything else. There is a possiblity to making a 100K at McDonald's...start off as fry cook, move up to taking orders, assistant manager, general manager, regional manager, etc. etc.

What you have here is the equivelent to people who have made it to the "etc. etc." point in their business. Most, I would assume, put a mountain of time and energy into their business....something the vast majority of people are not willing to do.

So....long story short....I do believe 100K can be made in this business, regardless of what avenue you choose to take, but don't think it is going to be that easy. Making $100K annually is very difficult in any business.

The average general practitioner (general doctor) only makes 80K his first year after four years of bachelor work, three to four years of medical school, and then residence.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Family_or_General_Practitioner/Salary

If it was that easy to make what your average doctor makes...by simply purchasing a mower and heading out the door....than that would honestly be just to simple to be realistic.

Sorry....I am also new to this industry but every newbie seems to think you just on a ZTR and 100K come rolling it...without giving any of you long term guys any credit for hard work and desire to succeed.

I just hate questions like, "Hi...I am thinking about buying a mower....can I make 100K?"

No respect.