10 year old doing my landscaping!

[BRIAN GALLO]

One of my lawn customers asked me a few weeks ago about doing some ls work for them(planting some things, mulching, clean-up). I said ok and that I would complete the work over the next few visits to their property, when I came out to cut the lawn. I get out there today and while I'm halfway through cutting, a 10 year old kid from the neighborhood shows up on his bicycle and starts doing the ls work I had already discussed with my customer! :mad: I didn't bother to even discuss it with my customer tonight because I had to calm down first. I don't bear any ill will aginst this kid, but it makes me mad to think that my customer put me in the same category as him, and figured they would get the same quality job. I feel like I should lower my standards when I deal with these kind of people, because they must not care too much about quality. :confused:

[darryl gesner]

Brain - Don't worry, just wait until she sees all her plants die and a total mess in the yard.

[James234]

Who knows? This 10 year old could be the next Jerry Baker! Ten years of age is a great time to work in the lawn and garden industry. You should help the young man along if you can!

[wolfpacklawn]

there goes james234 again reminding us how worthless we all are. Thanks for giving us the proper perspective and reminding us that we really are no different than a 10 year old boy and have no more knowledge about how to maintain landscapes than the same boy.

[proline32]

It's lately been happening to me more often, Yesterday I show up to one of my real high end waterfront homes to work on the yard and there is this kid out there edging the landscaping. The owner walks out and I politely ask what is going on, so he tells me that he hired the kid for $15.00 to edge the landscape because I only edge it every other week( hello, this is what is in the contract dude). He then procedes to tell me that the kid will be cutting the grass on tuesdays and then I come out and cut it on fridays:rolleyes: He also then informs me that he had the true green guys out and treat the lawn with fert and he turned on the sprinkler system without even calling me to let me know, so now he wants the lawn cut lower and the clippings bagged and hauled away, I just had to inform him that it will cost more for me to do this because I had it bid for mulching and keeping the cut at 2.5 inches so it looks nice and full.( I don't like the scalped look of grass being cut to low. ) Well, he informs me that we have an agreed price for mowing and that He will not pay for an increase, I politely tell him no problem, He'll get a letter stating that I'm cancelling the contract here in a few days. What bothers me is that these were good customers that I have taken care of for a couple of years now, they are very wealthy and I just don't understand what has changed so that they feel that they couldn't call me but instead hire a local kid to do some of the work on a multi million dollar home. I'm like you brian, I just don't get it...... It really shouldn't bother me, but when start to have issues with GOOD customers, I have to wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

[lawnstudent]

There are child labor laws in most states for kids working under the age of 16. Hate to see a 10 year old get hurt on some ones yard mowing for a fee. Maybe you need to point out the liability these homeowners assume.

jim

[Bob Minney]

proline32
Lets see, you have to deal with tgcl, mow it shorter and now bag & haul for same $, plus share the work with a kid?
I don't think the problem is you- sounds like a customer that got bit by the cheap AH bug.
-its time to walk away.

[scottb]

its time to walk away. [/B][/QUOTE]

Dont walk run and smile while doing it. Kind of looks like the customer's true colors are showing. (PITA)

[tremor]

What happens if (God forbid) that kid gets injurred or killed on your customers property? That boy probably doesn't have insurance. So they'll have to file a claim against their own Homeowners policy. It won't even matter that the kids folks will probably also sue them right into bankruptcy.

Then again, maybe it's just their nephew or the son of a down & out common associate from church???

Either way, it's up to our industry to execute work & communicate effectively so there is never any doubt as to the outcome of a professional job. Shame on us if consumers don't know there's a difference.

Steve

[jsaunders]

customer has deen bite by the cheap bug- not saying the kid doesn't do a good job-that used to be me 14 yrs ago. It's just a SHAME to see good customers go BAD

[khouse]

I have found that the more wealth someone has the more bitching about pricing compared to the average Joe (or Mary).

[PR0 TURF]

James234,
Who is Jerry Baker?????????

[Bushman]

Wealthy people get and stay wealthy by watching their money, I always treat my clients as the purchasers of a fine luxery item (which it is). Clean trucks, equipment, and uniforms lots of yes mam's and no sirs' and big smiles. We work very hard to make them look very good to their neighbors (Like stopping all work if a child enters the work zone or idling the blowers and pointing the tip up if someone walks close by). It a like a upscale resterant almost the same food as a diner but lots of atmosphere with true proffessional waiters. Almost the same for lawn care, people will pay much more for good caring services.
But their is a need for the kids to work. Many folks will start with a neighbor's kid and after getting use to not doing their own lawn will look for a pro after the kid discovers women and quits.
I like seeing kids cutting grass. I was pulling weeds at age 6 on a nursery (1960's). It definately beats watching them ride their motocycle around you or shoot bottle rockets at your crew ( truly happened, we immediately left the jobs as is and contacted their parents by cell phone to explain our departure. Never saw either kid again. :)

[hubb]

James234,
You take this kid under your wings. And then when he gets hurt, you can tell your insurance agent that you had a 10yr old working for you. I would love to see the look on his or her face when that little bomb is dropped.
Customers that hire a professional shouldn't go out and hire some kid and expect the same quality of work. Would they hire a 10yr old to work on their plumbing? Or their car? I think not.

[lawnkid]

What kinda equipment was he using? :D j/k. I'm a kid but I don't go easy on people except for my next door neighbor who is very old and has always been nice to my family. I feel for you guys though because you have families to support.

[tpd312]

How old were most of you when you started doing yardwork?

Don't underestimate the kid because of his age, he may very well do a good job. I was out-working many adults when I was his age, wasn't yardwork though, but thats beside the point. Don't critize, teach. The kids are the professionals of tomorrow.

[jaredslawncare]

Well, Im sorry you lost your account but kids ---(like me) need to have things to do, It's better than us being bored and vandalizing stuff and doing drugs. One day when your 82 years old and crippled with artrithis in your left arm are you gonna hop on your Skag turf tiger and cut your own grass. I think not. Maybe im wrong?

[James234]

Originally posted by PR0 TURF
James234,
Who is Jerry Baker?????????

America's Master Gardener:

http://www.jerrybaker.com/JerryBaker/assets/html/homepage.asp

Haven't you ever sprayed beer on your lawn on July 4th?

[tremor]

I almost hate to admit his.

I was 13 when I left the carnival for a summer of grass cutting. And aside from a degree in electronic technology & a three year career in computer rooms with no windows, this has been my calling. After 25 years, there aren't many who'll challenge my agronomic ability either.

I went back to school to study agronomy. So can anyone else.

Hey 10 year olds. Stay safe. Stay legal. Study hard. God Bless. Despite what many will tell you, this can be a decent career path. The rewards are many for those with a head, a mouth, and a back.

Just don't let the slugs get you down.

Steve/Tremor

[thfireman]

Hey!! What happens if this kid is hurt bad or killed doing this work? Who will finish the job when he is gone?

[bobbygedd]

tell u what, as long as im not allowed to play pop warner football, or little league, i dont think kids should be allowed to do "big boy work" they wont even hire me at mcdonalds(but they will hire the kid) cus hes workin for bubble gum money. so, lets see, i cant play little league, pop warner, or flip burgers at micky dees. the little kid cant drive a car, drink in a bar, say four letter words without being slapped by mommy, and he sure as hell should not be using any equipment on a strangers property that could cripple, or blind someone. sorry junior

[James234]

Originally posted by thfireman
Hey!! What happens if this kid is hurt bad or killed doing this work? Who will finish the job when he is gone?

Young "kids" in the 1950's and 1960's mowed lawns all the time. This entire thread seems to be devoted to the "fear factor". Don't hire a young person to cut your lawn because if they get hurt then an "insurance nightmare" will result. Sounds to me as if too many folks are trying to protect their turf.

[SLS]

Last time I checked we are living in 2002....not the 1950's or 1960's.

The difference?

There are about a zillion more lawyers per average Joe now.

AND...

The average Joe is a zillion times more likely to:

A) Not assume any responsibility for their, or their childrens, actions and...

B) Bring a legal suit against anyone and everyone in an attempt NOT to bear responsibilty for their, or their childrens actions....oh yeah, and to pick up a quick buck or two.



Case in point:

Woman spills hot coffee on her 'private area' in McDonalds drive-thru. Woman brings suit against McDonalds. Woman wins HUGE settlement in court. Woman gets rich because she is clumsy...and the rest of us are now served lukewarm coffee...:dizzy:

Another one for the books:

A man smokes cigarettes his entire life...some 50+ years. He is finally diagnosed with lung cancer. Man brings suit againt tobacco company. Court rules in man's favor...awarding him BILLIONS. Poor guy (and stupid court system) never figured out that smoke inhalation was dangerous..much less life threatening. Of course the rest of us know these things (deeply breathing in smoke) are bad for us...but I digress....



I miss the 'good old days' sometimes....when 'accountability' meant more than just crunching numbers at the office.

[heybruck34]

HEAR HEAR SLS!!!!

WELL SAID!

I've read a lot of posts on this site that blast young kids for doing landscaping because they are cheap, don't pay taxes, have insurance, have good equipment, etc....

I guess I don't understand the problem with being young and cutting grass for 10 bucks an hour. That's twice as much as kids make bagging groceries. If EVERY customer wanted a perfect striped lawn they would definitely call a pro but there seems to be a market for the people who just want their grass cut every two weeks for $20 bucks. And do these kids REALLY compete with the professionals???? I'm not so sure.

Personally, I was one of those kids from age 12 to 18. I started with one account and was up to about 15 when I quit to go to college. I bought my first vehicle at age 18 for cash and still am driving it. Now I'm working on a Masters and my CPA license. And throughout those 7 years I cut grass I don't feel I took a single account from a pro- the people I cut for would never have paid pro rates.

I'm not trying to be snooty but have wanted to post my opinion on the "kid-bashing" I see here. What am I missing? If I haven't picked up on something let me know!

Thanks for listening and I appreciate all the info I've picked up on this site. Can't wait till we get some rain here in CLT to green up my lawn at my new house!!!!

[tuffturf]

First let me say, I am not a lawn care professional. I enjoy reading these posts to pick up tips on taking care of my own lawn. I get a lot of useful information. I also envy most of you for having the guts to live your dreams of having your own business. Lately though, there are many posts complaining about kids stealing your business by doing odd jobs around your clients home. I would rather see a kid doing work and realizing the value of a dollar than reading in the news that they were arrested for shoplifting, vandalism, etc... I live in a typical neighborhood with postage size lots and there are plenty of 10 year olds running around. The only thing I don't see, is them working. They don't do work around the house or in the yard but Mommy and Daddy sure do get pressed to give them a couple of bucks for the ice cream truck when it comes around or for going to the movies with their friends. When I was 10, I was washing and waxing my Dad's antique cars, painting our barns, mowing the lawn or field, bailing hay for farmers down the road or helping clean the house. Kids should be praised for helping out instead of watching TV or playing Playstation all day. Some disguise your bitterness as concern for the child, "they could get hurt or killed", but that could happen whether they are playing baseball or swimming.
Unfortunately, many of your clients don't recognize that when you are taking care of their lawn or landscaping, you are taking great pride in your craft. These clients don't see what is involved in making their lawn the envy of the neighborhood because they have never, or rarely, taken care of their lawn themselves. They have always paid someone to do it for them. But you shouldn't have a chip on your shoulder and think the client is comparing you to a kid. Kids take jobs away from a legitimate business all the time, it doesn't just happen to lawn care providers. It all comes down to "you get what you pay for". Kids lose interest fast enough (once they have enough money for their new playstation game), It's just my opinion that if you keep servicing these people, once the kid is done, you will have them back completely and also have the upper hand when contract time comes up again.

[Alan Bechard]

Seem's to me that the kid, his parents and the "employer" should be commended for instilling some values and a work ethic.

I agree wholeheartedly that I would get rid of the customer. Two LCO on one property doing the same job, one on Tue and one on Thur or whatever sounds like a bad deal to me and I would not be party to it, but, I would not blame the kid.

All this malarky about the kid dying, hurting somebody, suing just gets to be so much junk. How old is old enough? What if the kid is a freind of the family? What is the kid supposed to do? Do you want them to sit in their rooms and play video games? Do you want them riding their skateboards on the steps downtown? What if an 18 year old goes out with a mower and throws a rock and hits something, is it ok because they were 18?

Go to the thread where it asks what have you run over, look at all the stuff we (LCO's) have hit and launched out of a deck! There is a possiblity that any of us could have killed someone, sure, those of us that are responsible carry insurance, but man, can you imagine if the rock you slung hit some 4 yr old in the head and they went into a coma? What difference do you think it would make to that parent wether you were 10 or 100? And by the way, your insurance would run out fairly quick and they would be after any assets you hold.

I guess I am wandering but just wanted to say, don't blame the kid, IMO he is out working and doing something positive.

Get frustrated that you lost a client, be mad at the way it comes out from the Homeowner, review what has happened and think about if you could do or have done anything differently to achieve a result you would prefer, figure out at what rate you will charge when the client calls you back to have the job done again, then move on.

Somewhere there was a thread about kids working with their parents and how great it was. Might be worth a read as well.

Al B

[James234]

Originally posted by SLS
Last time I checked we are living in 2002....not the 1950's or 1960's.

The difference?

There are about a zillion more lawyers per average Joe now.

AND...

The average Joe is a zillion times more likely to:

A) Not assume any responsibility for their, or their childrens, actions and...

B) Bring a legal suit against anyone and everyone in an attempt NOT to bear responsibilty for their, or their childrens actions....oh yeah, and to pick up a quick buck or two.



Case in point:

Woman spills hot coffee on her 'private area' in McDonalds drive-thru. Woman brings suit against McDonalds. Woman wins HUGE settlement in court. Woman gets rich because she is clumsy...and the rest of us are now served lukewarm coffee...:dizzy:

Another one for the books:

A man smokes cigarettes his entire life...some 50+ years. He is finally diagnosed with lung cancer. Man brings suit againt tobacco company. Court rules in man's favor...awarding him BILLIONS. Poor guy (and stupid court system) never figured out that smoke inhalation was dangerous..much less life threatening. Of course the rest of us know these things (deeply breathing in smoke) are bad for us...but I digress....



I miss the 'good old days' sometimes....when 'accountability' meant more than just crunching numbers at the office.

Hi SLS. Unfortunately it seems that you are a victim of urban rumor concerning the legal system. First the McDonalds case. Based upon the news reports you heard or read, one might assume that you are correct. However the real case was very different than what you described. The real fact of the matter is that the woman in question had visited that same McDonalds on many occasions and always bought coffee at the drive in window. She routinely put the coffee cup between her legs without incident for a period of over 10 months. Then one day after she purchased her coffee and put the cup between her legs, the Styrofoam cup melted and the hot coffee spilled upon her legs. McDonalds had just changed their supplier of Styrofoam cups. They bought a cheaper cup which saved them about $0.001 per cup. They didn't realize that the cups would melt when the heat from within was not allowed to have free air flow around the cup (i.e. as when put between ones legs). In short, the woman was not clumsy, McDonalds was selling a clearly defective product and I bought coffee at McDonalds today and it was piping hot (they use good cups now).

As for cigarettes, I don't think I really need to respond except to say that it is the only legal product for sale that I know of that if used as intended by the maker will harm your health. It might even kill you. Any other product sold will only harm your health or kill you if you use it improperly or with disregard.

[jaredslawncare]

OK so a ten year old is doing landscaping,(planting shrubs, putting new mulch in, etc.) how is this kid going to get hurt or killed??? I see how its possible, like to fall and maybe break an arm or leg, but get killed? I think thats a little extreme and I think you LCO's are just as likely to get hurt using big mowers. I rock could easily hurt you as bad as ther kid could get hurt.

[MJStrain]

Jerry Baker enters the room...pauses... looks in PR0 TURF's direction and notices the proper amount of awe, respect and wonderment in PR0 TURF's eyes...does a snappy about face and leaves the room.:p