scheduling

[smithf36]

Has anyone tried using two shifts for landscaping?
1) 530am - 230pm
2) 130pm - 1030pm
during the peak season only of course. Looking for ideas on how to increase productivity, use of equipment as well as only making the guys work 8-9 hours. I would like to also be able to work safer. Once people work 8-9 hrs, they get fatigued and safety becomes an issue. This would also reduce overtime. Any suggesttions, comments - please.
Thanks
Joe

[kutnkru]

The two biggest drawbacks to this theory is:
1. When we need the most light we havent got it. In the spring and fall its usually too wet to do anything before 830am and not light til 7am anyhow -LOL!!!

2. There are laws that prohibit the use of powered equipment inside the city limits before 7am and after 7pm.

[LawnLad]

I guess if you're planting annuals or doing something that was quiet and not equipment dependent, it might make sense.

As well, depending on the sites, a weekend shift during daylight hours might be able to get some of the work done.

[bubble boy]

have considered this.

concluded rain delays, equipment breakdowns would be difficult to co-ordinate. training double the guys a pain. double the papaerwork on payroll, workman's comp.

but it could, with the right guys, be worthwhile.

we dont schedule work on saturday but i also have thought about hiring someone on sat. perhaps someone older, or a student, to do a few commercial props. if i could trust them...

[King City Lawns]

I have in the past run two shifts mowing... I would have my crew mow in the early moring and early after noon, then I would take over and mow till dark with a third emp. works very well for us to keep up in spring when growing wuth out the extra expense of one mor truck and mower setup.... Do this a lot with bushog work also... In Ilolinois there are a lot of people who have acreage in set-aside conservation programs, these have to be mowed every year during the month of Aug and Sep. can not keep up.There has actually been a week when we mowed nearly 24 hrs a day. All set-aside is open fields usually 5-50 or more acres. Good mowing and still safe to mow at night.

[LawnLad]

King City - aren't Aug/Sept full of ozone action days? Have you ever thought about the harm you are causing the envirnoment by cutting for 24 hrs straight? lol.

[beck]

Who do you have that will come in at 5:30 am?

[smithf36]

This schedule (if we do it) would only be used during May thru Aug, when we have summer help and could kick things in high gear without making everyone work 12-15 hours per day and pay a @#$% load of overtime.

Our community does not currently have any laws prohibiting noise before any certain time.

We are putting training programs into play this year and within a few weeks every employee would have the basic knowlede of how to do things. Currently with some key employees that we have on board, we feel that this may be possible. I am definately looking for input and what you guy feel are the pros and cons, etc. Thank you so far.
Joe

[LawnLad]

As an owner/manger there from 6 am until closing on normal days, you'll either need to be at work 18 hours a day, or have a very trusted "general manager" or right hand man that can either open or close for you. You certainly don't want to burn yourself out or the other good folks you have around you. As an owner, your inclination is to watch and make sure everything is running smoothly. If you open up at 4:30 am or 5:00 am, can you go home at 3 or 4 pm knowing that everything will be fine until 9 pm? Or will you be worrying constantly? If you have good managers, and you're not a worrier... than it might just work. Seems like a great concept.

[smithf36]

I entend on having a "right hand man" as an operations manager or something to that effect. Still working out the details. My hours would be something like 7am to about 6-8 pm. Monday - Friday. These hours don't bother me too much as long as, like you say I have someone I can trust of do the kind of job I expect. Thank you for your input.
Joe

[beck]

First of all what type of jobs are we talking about. commercial or residential? Are you talking about weeding and litter patrol, (something quiet) or are you talking mowing and hedge trimming (something noisy)

Even though there are no laws pertaining to noise. Do you think your customers want you outside their bedroom window at 6 am.
Or even they neigbours to a commercial property. My friend has a property that is enormous but on one side it is adjacent to homes. A few times he was behind schedule and started at 6am. He had several complaints, one involved the cops.

Even though it is a busy time of the year make sure your wages cover your overtime. When I have prospective clients for side jobs I ask them their time frame. If they want it done soon, instead of my next available time(non-overtime) they pay a higher price.

and once again I dont know anybody that would be willing to start that early.

[Loosestrife]

A good solution, if you can run 7 days a week. 2 crews, 12 hour days. Crew A works 3 days this week, four days next, while crew B works the opposite. This gives you 84 hours per two week period. It works, IF you get the right employees.

[JimLewis]

I agree with Loosestrife. If I was going to do something like this I'd work two crews three days per week, 14 hour days. First crew works M-W Second crew works Th-Sa. The employees would LOVE to have 4 days off per week and I'd only have to pay 2 hours of overtime per person - ever.

This is all assuming you actually have work you could be doing that early and that late each day without pissing people off.

[Randy Scott]

I'm thinking common courtesy just wouldn't allow work much before 7 am or after 7 or 8 pm at the latest. I personally don't like it when homeowners are home at night and are watching over me. I would say on new installation in new neighborhoods it may work, but alot of times there is one or two people already living a house or two away. Sure, maybe on ideal properties, but how many is that? Maybe your work load and criteria would fit this though. You know best. ;)