Who runs multiple crews?

[MowJo]

Who has made the transition from solo operator to multiple crews?

What is your primary role?

What are some keys to your success?

Is it worth the stress to take on the extras involved in running multiple crews?

I am establishing a new crew and would like some fresh insight.

[Jason Pallas]

I've run two crews for the past 10 years. It's a headache and a half. It geometrically increase everything - except your net profit! I would actually look at staying with one crew and trying to make that crew as profitable as possible. My primary role now? - a damm babysitter for the 2nd crew. It's a lot of stress and headache. If you'd like more detail/adivce I'd be happy to give it to you. I've been in the biz for 20 years. But just briefly, 2x the operating cost (more or less), 2x the repairs, 2x the excuses from employees, 2x the complaints (or more!) from customers, 2x the paperwork (outside of the bookkeeping), 25x the stress. It's a real pain in the A$$.

[_GUNNER_8]

Hi,
Tend to agree with that fellow.Nobody is going to be as picky as you,nobody going to take care of equipment like u will, and nobodys going to go the extra mile like u will.Yes there is lot of stress that goes with multiple crews.I made the mistake paying out more money would solve most of problems,but it doesnt.If you can find great forman than try like all get out to keep him happy.Good help is hard to find ,Great formans well........... good luck!!!!!



" Practice doesn't make perfect!! Perfect practice makes PERFECT!!!!!"

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I have been runnign multiple crews for years.

I agree with the above, but the pay off is sweeter!!!!!!!!!

Will not discuss it on here.

[AL Inc]

I have to agree with LGF on this one. I started a second crew in the middle of 1999. I was running with 4 men and myself with a dump truck and trailer. We were doing about 100 accounts per week. Almost as an experiment, my brother suggested that he take my pick-up with a small trailer that we had, one 36", trimmer, blower and one man. We split up the route, my brother taking the small properties, and I had 2 men and the other rig. That first day, we finished an hour and a half earlier than usual. Smaller crews are just more efficient for us. We've been running two crews for maintenance ever since. Now, I have 2 drivers and really don't cut much grass anymore. I just travel between the crews and keep everything (hopefully) running smooth. It has also given me more time to speak with customers and sell more work, rather than rushing from account to account. I can agree that everything has increased-expenses, problems with machines, customer complaints, but I make more money than ever. So if you can put up with the BS, I would go for it. Good luck!

[dmk395]

If a second crew is unprofitable, then why have one? Seems quite foolish.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

There is a big hurdle in getting past the 2 crew thing.
Problem is, systems have to be developed in order to operate correctly.

Once you get past the 2 crew hurdle it's all down hill after that.

Find the right guys for the job and it's easier.

But all things are made up in numbers and volume, the sweeter pot at the end has a bigger pay off.

[scott's turf]

dmk, i believe they mean the percentage of profit goes down but the volume is higher. I am not at the point where I can run a couple crews but I would if I had the work. I see so many companies running crews of 4 guys. That is when your profit margin goes down. Even if you just look at traveling time. If a crew of 4 does 30 accounts, which should be easy in one day, and it takes 5 mins average between each account, it adds up to 10 man hrs of time paid for traveling. Also if one guy can mow a lawn in 30 min, it is rare for a crew of two to do it in 15 min, and almost impossible for a crew of three to do it in 10 min. The bigger the crew the more standing around.

[MowJo]

LGF hit the nail on the head! We have a winner!

Actually I have run multiple crews in the past with varying degrees of success. It really doesn't matter if you run 2 or 4 man crews...its all about your SYSTEMS. If employees don't have a system to guide them and know that your inspecting their work, your doomed.

I suspect another key factor is your becoming a manager not just a laborer. If you work with crew A all day long and crew B knows you can't check on them, watch out.

I guess my true interest is in learning what makes other companies systems successful and how those systems are managed. Maybe that info is more than people want to openly share here.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by MowJo
If employees don't have a system to guide them and know that your inspecting their work, your doomed.

I suspect another key factor is your becoming a manager not just a laborer. If you work with crew A all day long and crew B knows you can't check on them, watch out.



My crews all know that even if I or the Mrs. are out mowing, that someone will more than likey come to check on them at some time.

Never knowing when, where, or what time.

BTW I feel that the systems should be developed to fit both the employer and employee. No two people are alike. I fit mine for the entire crew so they work together. I base if off of a general design but taylor it to fit the crews. No two crews are going to do identical jobs, even if they are both doing the same tasks.

[mowing king]

we run 5-6 crews per day. your role really changes. Your nolonger the tech but the teacher and trainer. I find it easier with 5-6 crew than even 2 crews. We have a pert time mechanic, full office manager. So my paper work is less.
We are big on systems and numbers and operations systems. You could run my entire mowing while Iam away. Because we have a system that tells you what to do and when to do it. We have systems for billing,selling ,etc,etc. Once the systems are in place the business takes on a life of its own.

[Turfdude]

Anyone can implement a system to work for themselves. You all should have figured it out hopefully in the first six months. The object to multiple crews is to pound your system into a responsible crew leaders head, so that the work gets done to your satisfaction. LGF definately is on trac w/ this as is mowing king, mojo and a few others. Get your staff to keep positive attitudes, weed out disgruntled employees and reward those who deserve it. This is the only way to suceed. My foreman is almost irreplaceable. He commands respect from the crews as only I myself can. Work w/ your crewchiefs and aid them in decision making and they too can help relieve your headaches.
Being your own boss can be rewarding, but you will always have a lot of headaches to deal w/. Try to delegate as much as you can as many will feel rewarded w/ the entrusted responsibility and a goo "pat on the back" for a job well done.

Bob

[Bluegrass Lawn Service]

I have ran two crews last year one 3 man and one two man and one man doing maintentaince of shrub beds and trimming shrubs. I fell in, in place of absent employees. Most of the time I was selling to more accounts and checking on customers. I believe if growth is in your future you have to quit being a worker and be a human relations person. We do about 140 accounts per week and always looking for more. More headaches all around but more money for me and my honey.

[JimLewis]

Well, I will try to go back to the initial questions. Before I do I'll say that I don't necessarily agree with the posts above that say it's all a major headache. But I do agree with most of the other statements made above.

Now, to answer your initial questions....

My primary roles are; marketing manager, customer service manager (landing new accounts, talking to clients, being the primary contact for clients), estimator, office manager, inspector, and I oversee large projects. Everything else is delegated and the crews have a very clear cut system that makes it easy for them to follow.

Some of the keys to my success is good marketing skills, being good with creating systems, being good with people and always keeping an eye out for our company image.

Is it worth the stress? A resounding YES. I wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe some people relish the thought of mowing lawns every day for the next 30 years. I never did. If that was all I could see myself ever doing in this business I'd get out. That doesn't sound like fun to me. I did it for the first few years. But it was the promise that one day I'd be managing that kept me going. I love to run things. I love marketing. I love creating systems. I love taking a vacation every couple of months and knowing I am still making money. I love my job, NOW.

Sometimes it can be a little stressful. But my wife can stay at home now and raise our kid. And my workload is fairly flexible and the financial rewards are nice. So to me, yah, it's worth it.

[Mike Paulsen]

You guys that have crews say that profit decrease over being solo which a can understand. What would you say would be a safe(know everyone has different overhead) percent you get out of a gross dollar. So if you want ( for example) to take home 10,000 do you need to generate 100,000(10%) or 50,000(20%)



thanks

[LAWNGODFATHER]

You get the idea Mike, but just as an example.

[Mike Paulsen]

Well LGF what do you say your percent would be??

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Mine will vary from yours or most others since my cost of living and other expences differs from yours.

[Fantasy Lawns]

Great post Jim .... hit that puppy on the head .... the ability to delegate is hard for some ….. but fore me I find proper work procedures & training has allowed me to have a Life … I can take off for a week n be proud of my lead guys to run things and be able to put out fires

Once your out of the saddle you see thing different ... you can market yourself .... be available for customers …. Old & New …. I'm NOT saying running multiple crews as well as running a crew …. That just won’t work …. That’s doesn’t mean I don’t work …. I do … I may show up on a site n do something for a few hours (mow, trim, repair) but I elect to do that .... I'm able to do that .... I'm flexiable around MY time

I love my job .... I'm running my business not my business running me .... I know I have workers that work as hard as I did .... I never really liked cutting grass ... I still like installation work ....but I love making the sale .....working with the customer's .... inspect work with pride of my guys ..... training … running the #’s ....

Bob your right about the Foreman ....ours (Rick) is Irreplaceable ...took five years to find him .... but he's here for the long haul .... Strong Steady Growth