Any advice? Getting into the biz...

[TGMC]

Okay, I'm a bored software engineer... One day I looked outside and seen these guys smileing and laughing as they mowed our lawn...

After about two months, I bought a trailer. Then, I know a guy that buys and fixes lawn mowers, I bought a mower w/ a 72in cutting deck. Then got on eBay and bought an echo back pack blower. (and so on...)

I would just like some advice or useful hints to get started.

PS. I still have my day job!

[RaleighGuru]

TGMC, I would recommend using the search function as you will find lots of information. When you have exhausted that, come back and ask specific questions. I have not been reading here long, but I do know that you wont get much help with a generic question that has been answered a hundred times.

Good luck! I am in a similar position and thinking of doing the same.

[grebwv]

Hey TGMC,

I am doing the same thing. Drop a note to my email and let's see what we are thinking.

I backed into this idea and now it is kind of grown way beyond what I meant to start!

Regards,

William
grebwv@hotmail.com

[stslawncare]

hey, welcome to lawnsite.com, you have come to a great place. what size trailer did u get? what brand is the mower? do u have any other mowers? i reccamend u get a smaller one or two also. how about a truck? do u have any lawns yet?

Most of all i agree with the other guy, do a search, u will find all your answers, anything u dont see please ask away!!!

[TGMC]

I have a 12 ft X 6 1/2 ft trailer, a full size Dodge 1 ton. The mower is a Toro GroundsMaster(?) not too sure of the name... I have one commercial acct. that I will start doing in March. On the weekends of course...

[stslawncare]

you will need a smaller mower also, depending on the property either a 22" or if u can fit a 36" go for it. great start with the big truck and trailer. how big is the commercial property?

[TGMC]

It's about 3 1/2 football fields. Have no idea acreage wise. I truley don't know what to charge either. A friend of mine is willing to let me get my feet wet, and it looks a heck of a lot better to have at least one ref.

I do have a smaller 22" walk behind. The prop has a few islands in the parking lot.

I think, it would take me about 4-5 hours to do including blow off. It's all flat land. What do you think?

By the way... Did your wife think you were crazy when you started too?

[Charles]

Originally posted by TGMC
One day I looked outside and seen these guys smileing and laughing as they mowed our lawn...



Maybe you should have watched them on the bad days before jumping in lol. I can't say that overall that I think this is a fun business. I had fun in the beginning, but after a few years it became a grind just like any other job.
Oh well, as they say the always looks greener on the other side

[grebwv]

TGMC,

I went the home route first. I am trying to land some commercial accounts later this week.

I placed a 7000 piece flyer in a local community paper (not the city paper). Had a few calls this weekend. Then I went on home visits this Sunday.

What I learned was:
1) People are either looking to cut price.
2) People hate the service from previous company.
3) People want to change but have a loyalty to the other company. They can't make up their minds whether to move or not.
4) I tried to go to a monthly subscription fee price versus weekly billing. People just want to pay weekly. Either I didn't sell it right, or, more likely, they are just used to doing it weekly.

Hopefully, commercial will go smoother as I gain some practice. I just checked VM and have 4 more messages, even with the snow flying outside today.

Regards,

William

[CSRA Landscaping]

TGMC, best advice that I can give is to do a quality job, no matter how bad you want to quit for the day. I find it's the little things, the details, that earn a company its reputation, even though most people can't seem to pin down why it looks so much better when so-n-so does it compared to when Billy Bob does it. ;)

[stslawncare]

first off i reccamend u get a measuring wheel or something similar and find out exactly how big this property is, u say 3.5 footballs fields, is that one big open field? how abuot obstackles like trees buildings etc? if this is the case u might need a bigger mower? find the area of the property (square footage) of the property then we will convert it for you then help u with a price.
best of luck
Scottie

[CS Lawns]

Only thing I can say is dont expect to get big like some of the guys here. I started last year and by word of mouth I have gaind double the accounts most are residential. Doing a good job for someone is the best way to get more accounts.

As for my wife, she is very suportive, but hates the fact I only work 4 days a week and somedays Im home by 3:00.

As for my kids they love it! I take them to school everyday, pick them up and dont miss a sporting event they are in.

Good Luck ! :blob3:

[CS Lawns]

Oh yeah! dont forget the search button it does wonders! I have spent alot of hours going thru the many threads to the point where I dont have any more questions YET! :D

[TOSLC]

I can relate to you TGMC. I too have a day job (mostly for the insurance) and hate the corporate BS. Yes, my wife thought I was nuts, and has thought that on several other adventures, but all have proven to be sucessful! I think it will actually strenghten your marriage. It did for me, I'm gone 80 to 90 hours a week, and the only time I see her I'm handing her money! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Nah, just joking. I do have a few tips for you. Read, Read, and Read some more. This web-site will help you more than you could ever imagine. Second, find a reputable dealer and stick with them. It will pay off in the long run. I bought a mower in the spring and paid about $300 more for it at my favorite dealer, than I could have at another dealer. Middle of summer, I threw a rod (we won't mention manufacter's names) and I went begging to the dealer for help. He put me in front of a few residential customers, and loaned me a used mower to keep me going. Four days later I got my mower back and was back on track, never missed a beat!!! It could have cost me more than $300. Third, be careful not to underprice your service. This is one of the nine deadly mistakes of small businesses. Forth and final, try to make it to the Lawn Care EXPO in Louisville, KY. It can also provide a wealth of knowledge. Good Luck.