Go it alone or a partner

[Jusmowin]

Here in the last couple of months I have been thinking of asking a friend of my who has a lawn care biz like myself to partner up. We both have about the same amount of lawns (30 to 35 ), but Im wondering what the pros and cons were of having a biz partner. Would I make more money or less with a partner especially if we expand into anouther crew and other lawn care related services such lite landscaping or landscape lighting. What would you all do?

[Kent Lawns]

Keep your business, keep your friendship, keep separate.



Partnerships work best when 2 partners bring 2 different things to the table, such as:

When 1 guy has money and is looking for an investment. The other has ideas/ambition and looking for an investor.

or

When 1 guy is a designer or paperwork guy and the other guy wants to only work in the field.

I don't know if you'd make more money or less (probably less) but the ingredients as described are not the ones for a long-term, mutually benefitial relationship.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

I did it once.

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kent is right on with what he wrote.

[P&J Lawncare]

stay solo

[Bob Minney]

Stay solo. Save a friendship. I have not seen a business partnership work out long term yet. Somebody needs to be the boss.

[Bladewielder]

Our company is a true lawn service partnership. It works well for us because we have good chemistry and the same goals for our company. Don't do it unless both of you want to for the same reasons and also only if you both agree that the partnership ends the second it starts adversely affecting your friendship. Being friends is more important than being business partners. Bad partnerships can ruin friendships. On the other hand good partnerships can make life easier on both people. In our company all of the "chores" are split up between the two of us. For example I don't usually grease machines but I do sharpen most of the blades. Also, taking days off is very possible as long as we schedule a light day in advance. It's not something either of us do a lot of but it is far from an impossibility. There are a lot of sole proprietors out there that are virtually chained to there mowers all season. I'd say the biggest drawback for me is splitting all the profits. But if we grow like we want to both of us will be operating our own crews anyway.

[65hoss]

Its possible to work, but not likely. Very few can make it. Most of the time friendships are lost. Too many cons to why to stay solo and not take a partner. Not very many pros.

[bobbygedd]

never again

[GrassCtr]

not me!

[JimLewis]

I tend to think of partnerships in the same light as I think of hot coffee enemas.

[65hoss]

Originally posted by jimlewis
I tend to think of partnerships in the same light as I think of hot coffee enemas.


:eek: :angry: :blob2: :eek:

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by jimlewis
I tend to think of partnerships in the same light as I think of hot coffee enemas.

Ouch:angry: :angry: :blob2: :angry:

[LawnLad]

That wasn't a visual I was looking for, but it sums up what I'd have to say about partnerships.

Too many potential problems with a true partnership. People's pride and egos get in the way. Unspoken expecations will sink the ship.

Try working together, but keep your finances separate. Maybe one or the other of you could go into more installs, etc. and you can refer work to each other. Partner on larger jobs, but let one person keep the contract and then let the other person work as a sub.

[mike payne]

I started my business so I could be my own boss. Sink or swim, I control my own destiny.

[TOSLC]

I like LawnLad's idea. Both of you keep your lawncare biz seperate. Then one of you start a landscpaing division, and the other could start a lighting division. Each of you could refer work to one another. However I would not become partners.

[jaybird24]

Lawnl Lads idea can work. I have a group of about 4 friends who all do this. It works out real well, just make sure you set some boundaries in the beginning such as not encroaching on the others accounts-EVER. Like a partnership it works out well because if I need some time off I can sub these guys out for a couple days and vice versa. Something to think about.

[parkwest]

The only reason to enter a partnership would be if you absolutely couldn't do it alone.

Number one objective of someone in a partnership should be to buy out your partner.

There's a reason why no ships have two captains.

[heygrassman]

I have a friend that is looking to partner financially and will agree to no control and I still will not have it. We are good friends and it is better that way..

Jim Lewis.. nice visual.. lol...you need to get outside more...

jf

[johnhenry]

Go Solo or get ready for some hot coffee like Jim said

[anythinglawns]

After losing his job a long time friend of mine asked if I could use a partner. At the time I was desparate for help as I had taken on more work than I could do. We worked out a deal for him to "buy in" and drew out or agreement on paper. Within two weeks I gave his money back to him and saved a long time freindship.
Jason

[AGG Lawn Maintenance]

I used to have 2 partners!!!! At the time I was going to school for horticulture (landscaping), and didn't have the money to start a company. We all put our money together to buy everything. We lasted about 4 years. Now 14 years latter I stand alone sole owner of AG&G. If you ask me I would say go solo but I'm bias.
Although I have seen some partners work. But most don't.
Travis

[Tyner Lawn Service]

Go it alone. No matter what you feel is right!!!

[Guardian]

"How bad could a hot coffee enima be?" ...asked the unsuspecting lawn boy