Confessions from a part-timer

[BAMARED]

I am a perverbial part-time grass cutter that services about 15 accounts in addition to my regular 7 - 4:30, M-F job. I was just wondering how many others that frequent this site are in the same boat as I?

I cut grass for (2) reasons:
____________________________________________________

1. Income supplementation. If I didn't generate this extra $ during the months of April - October, there's a very good chance that my wife would have to go back to work due to the declining industry where I'm presently employed. (Not good w/ (2) children.)
2. I enjoy doing it. After sitting behind a desk all day, the thought of going out and mowing someone's lawn sounds pretty good. Not to mention the excersie.

I've been averaging $1000 per month cutting (1) yard a day on M, T, Th., F. and Sat. and 2-3 yards on Sunday afternoons from a customer base of 15. I feel like with a very spread out schedule like this, I'm better able to maintain the delicate issue of time with the family vs. at work.

But like I was saying, I was just checking to see how other part-timers do it and balance their time?

Thanks,

BAMARED

[Russo]

I've been in the industry for over 10 years and decided to go on my own. Thus, I am a part-timer until the biz grows enough to support a family.

I do about the same thing as you. 1 or 2 weeknights, a 6 hr Saturday, and installs or mulch on Sundays if I have one.

Mowing brings in around $ 1,000 extra / month, but the big bucks come from the tree work, weeding, pruning and all the other add-ons that I pick up from mowing customers. Usually the add-ons are at least $ 1,000 more / month.

You're very right, the family time issue is a delicate one. No one puts on their grave stone..." I wish I'd spent more time at work ".

The only consolation my family has is that they understand that it is a short term sacrafice for a long term gain , and that they are supporting my dream. I am truly lucky.

Anyway,....that's how I do it.

[HLC]

Bamared,
I'm in the same boat. I work fulltime, service 15 accounts and am bringing in about 1k a month from the lawn biz. I am married but don't have any kids.

I do it for the same reasons.....Supplemental income and I enjoy it.

As far as balancing time. I work 4-10 hour days, always off on Monday. I try to cut all day Saturday, about 1/2 a day Monday, and I try to do one or two yards on my way home one or two days a week.

[wmsland]

Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?

[wojo23323]

i am part time now, but will be full time next year when i retire from the navy. i am licensed and insured and will be taking my commercial pesticide applicators exam in 3 weeks. i also claim every dime that i make on my taxes. last month my gross sales was almost $5,000. Not to bad. I also have 1 part time employee, who i pay $10 per hour. I bought a hustler super z last week and a 36" exmark metro last month. i'm really looking forward to retiring from the navy!:D

[maple city]

My husband is a full time firefighter. We do the lawns on his days off from the fire dept. We do about 20 accounts/week plus extras like rock beds, edging, clean ups, etc.

We do claim all income from the lawn care on our taxes, and we carry insurance.

Doing this allows me (the wife) to be able to stay home with our kids on the days my husband is at the fire station. It also allows my husband and I time together. Even though we are working, it's kind of nice to do it together.

Right now it is EXTREMELY hard for us to balance our schedule. I do all the house work on the days that my husband is at the station. On the other days (never Sunday, usually not Saturday), we mow from about 8-4, then go to the gym. Our older son is in little league, so we are making time for his games as well. If it ever stops raining here, we will get on a better schedule.

I guess if something is important enough to you, you find a way to make it work. Since this is our chance at working for ourselves and owning a business, we work it out.

Good luck!
:)

[AltaLawnCare]

Originally posted by wmsland
Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?

Would you full timers prefer if all the part timers quit their jobs, went full time? This would mean that their survival would depend on the Lawn Care business....

Whos more likely to low ball, a Part timer whose time after work is compared to a second job with no benefits and a chunk of overhead OR time and a half or double time from just working overtime at their regular job????

Everyone needs to go slow, figure out what to charge and learn the business - AND DO IT RIGHT!!!.

Even if you're part time, theres too much money not to pay taxes on, unless they're killing the market making an extra $50.00 or so a week.

I had 2 million Liability, before I ever even bid on any commercial accounts,
I pay a lot of money to an accountant,
I pull into a driveway with about $40,000 worth of equipment,..
I wear uniforms!

I see Full timers in my area using a $200.00 truck pulling Snappers, Lowes mowers, and everything else. I wonder if THEY are paying the overhead I am!

If theres anyone servicing any accounts for too cheap of a price in my area, it doesn't bother me...I don't want those kind of customers anyway.


I work 7 days a week. If it rains, I service the equipment, or do book work. I run it like a second job with set hours.

Anyone can cut grass....BUT FEW CAN RUN A SUCCESSFULL LAWNCARE BUSINESS, STAY IN BUSINESS, AND SHOW A PROFIT.

[fastcut]

I have been part timing it for about 12 yrs. Had about 35 accounts at one time early on then my first wife got sick of me mowing all the time so cut back to about 15. Didn't make much differance, we still ended getting divorced. Any how my new wife is behind me 100 percent. I do work a 40 hr week job but I have Wed. and Thurs. off so I can get most of my accounts done those two days. But during July & Augest I have weekends off so Its a little more difficult to get every thing done but I allways seem to manage. I dont like to mow on weekends If I dont have to. Cliff

[cantoo]

I'm not sure why even part timers wouldn't pay taxes etc, the write offs make it worth it. It's not worth the hassle of trying to sneak around I would think. We do spraying and work for Townships so we have do it by the book. As for insurance, you would be crazy in today's world not to have it.

[We do 4 U]

I am a full time firefighter and I have about 20-25 lawns I do by myself. I have good equipment, insurance, a business license and pay taxes.It is hard for me to balance my time between the fire department and the family. I usally work at the station 24 hrs then leave there and cut gass utill 6 or 7. But i get at least 2 days off a week from working so late.
I like doing what I do but I am hoping to give it up in 3-4 years when my wife gets out of shool. And I do notice that some of the "full time" guys kind of look down on me. Like thier isn't enough work out there for everyone. If you do good work, you will stay as busy as you want.

[bobbygedd]

i work full time, 4 pm till midnight, i service 32 lawns per week, plus 17 fert accounts, and do landscaping, mulch, etc, do it all. how do i do it? i dont know, im dying! there r days when i swear i cant walk, but i keep going. i get up at 7 am, go cut, or landscape, come home at 2:30, take a showeer, and off to my "real job". y do i do it? well, about 8 yrs ago i had a job working in my current field(graphic arts), the company was real ****, they treated their employees badly, but i just took it cus i couldnt afford to leave. well, i made up mind to never take anyones **** again, and now that my lawn biz is 7 yrs old, i dont have to. its nice to have an income to "fall back on" . im licensed, insured, experienced, and do nice work. see ya

[deason]

Originally posted by wmsland
Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?

To answer your question... YES.

I have liability & theft insurance. Also licensed and pay taxes. I also make it a point to talk to other LCOs in the area just to make sure that my prices are in line with the market. I have about 25K of equipment including truck and trailer. I work a mon thru fri 10 hr day at regular job. Cut in the morning b/4 1100 and on Saturdays (solo) on 15 residentials and 1 commercial. Installs and mulching on Sundays. Computes to 18 hour days but I have a blast and the family doesnt mind the extra income.

The income is nice but the work is even more rewarding.

[Mykster]

Last year I was part-time. This year I'm full time with part-time work but, I'm working my ass off trying to get more work to make up for the income I lost last year.

[watatrp]

I'm a part-timer too. Yes, I have insurance and pay taxes. I can account for every cent and know what my overhead is. I've got 60+ accounts.(46 of them are condos all in the same subdivision) Have part-time help and only spend about 25 hrs. per week with the lawns. Never advertise and turn down work all the time. I've been doing this for over 18 years now and have always wondered when I should go into it full-time. I guess my answer is never. This is just a means to get my kids raised and through college. It allows my wife to work part-time and stay home with the kids. I'm usually home by 7 pm every night and only work half days on Sat. and am home all day on Sundays.

Some of us part-timers have everything the full-timers have just not the hours. I'm one of the lucky ones that enjoys my full-time job more than my part-time one. Just wish it would stop raining every 12 hours!

[HOMER]

I guess you are lucky.

But 18 years????????????????????

This site has probably done more to educate part timers and full timers than your competition ever would. I never got any help when I started so when I have an opportunity to talk to a part timer or a new guy I make a point to educate them as much as I can.

My point is those part timers that haven't been here (Lawnsite) are probably not getting supported by the full timers in their area. I was there and know how the looks were towards me. Didn't bother me too much but had they taken the time to talk with me I might have made fewer mistakes and returned the favors somehow.

[davesgs75]

I am part time,have been for 7 years. Had planned to go full time this year, but found out I have chronic arthritis last summer, so I will stay part time to keep the good insurance, and bennies from the full time job.

15 seems to be the magic number. I now only have 15 lawns. I was at a total of 34 before I slowed down. I am Licensed, Insured, and Pay alll taxes.

The Family time is not much of an issue as most days I mow my 2 son's are with me, and alot of the days my wife comes along. I only mow monday thru Friday this year, to free up saturdays to go fishing, or what ever with my family.

[Pro-Cut Lawns]

This is my 3rd year as a part timer. I work behind a desk all day and run my business every evening Mon thru Friday mowing and do my side work on Sat. I have good equipment, and run it as a true business. Have a CPA that does my taxes and answers bookkeeping questions. I report EVERY penny of my business income, cash included!! I have tee shirts printed with my company name that I wear, and have some made for my Stepsons when they help me on occasion. Im insured.
Plans were to go full time this year. My wife works a good job that pays well, but we felt I needed to keep my regular income one more year as we just bought a new house and bought her a new car in the fall.

Thus far, my proceeds from my business have gone back into the business. Ive upgraded equipment and vehicles yearly until I'm comfortable with what I have. I have studied the business and do good work and make sure I have a good rapport with my customers. I have 18 accounts that bring in 1200 monthly mowing. I have a good monthly income from shrub trimming and side work in addition to that. I help a buddy on his side work that brings in few hundred more a month.

As far as balancing home and family time, it's not happening. Im covered up and dont get in until 9:00 to 9:30 at night and am gone all day Sat. Sundays I service equipment and do work at home. My wife, however, is my greatest supporter (she even tilled our garden for me Sat. cause she knew it would be late when I got home and she didnt want me to have to worry about it getting done). She knows that in the future I will be self employed, which has been a long time dream of mine.

I've seen my share of poorly run businesses (not necessarily lawn care business either) and I vowed I would run my business professionally and to the best of my ability. At this point, Im very satisfied with the results. I can always improve and I know that, but that's what its all about. Striving continuously to be your best.

[Russo]

Originally posted by wmsland
Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?

That is a fair question.

Not only do I have ALL the necessary insurance and business licenses, but also...

- Pesticide applicators license

- uniforms

- lettered vehicle with logo

- all commercial equipment

There are MANY fulltimers around here who don't match this criteria. Let's not equate partimers with scrubs, although I know that that's not what you were saying.

[awm]

i really need to get something like your deal bobby. only mabe 5-6 hrs instead of 8.

[Mid Rivers]

WMSLAND, do you have all the proper insurance, , business license and as you put it "more importantly pay taxes on the extra income"?

Because a person does this part time doesn't mean he doesn't do it correctly.

I pay taxes and have insurance, haven't always had insurance but that would be my problem not your or any one elses to worry about.

Back to the post
Part time have a full time Engineering/Design job. Work 9 hours on Saturday and 3 to 5 hours on Thursday.

[wmsland]

Yes I carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses, pesticide applicator license and I do claim all of my income and have for the last 15 years that I have been in business. It just seems to me that around here the majority of the partimers are doing the jobs for cash at a reduced rate while not having to pay for taxes, insurance etc. Around here on weekends you see a lot of part time tree companies out working because they don't have licenses/permits and the city inspectors do not work on the weekend. So I wasn't putting down part timers, like my reply said I was just curious. I hope that someday I will be able to work part time ( all legal of course).

[Vibe Ray]

Originally posted by wmsland
Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?

Personally, I carry no insurance. Business license is optional as far as I am concerned. Oh, I almost forgot.....taxes?! What are those??? What difference does it make? And do you think anyone will ever admit it if they don't?! I understand you would like for all of us to have these things and I agree, but this is Lawnsite and unless it is the topic of the thread, it doesn't need to be discussed or worried about!

[Mark]

Im full time now for 14yrs, i pay all taxes ,insurance,ect, I noticed that Pro Cut Lawn does 18 accounts and only pulls in twelve hundred per month, around 17dollars per acount,this sure seems like a very hard way to make so little especially with the small business tax running around 15.1%, but i reckon if you love what your doing the bottom line doesn't really matter. Marks Mowing Service

[Pro-Cut Lawns]

Since your running my numbers I guess I should have mentioned that a few of those accounts are every other week. Dont forget to add back in the several hundred I bring in monthly on the side work I mentioned which is more profitable and a by product of my mowing. Some of those in the 17.00 average you mentioned take 15 minutes to mow trim and blow and are next door to each other. Not bad money in my competitive market.

[Mid Rivers]

Mark, What if that 1200 per month is over a 12 month period but he only cuts 7 months a year? Now when he is cutting he is actually making a little over $2000 a month. All depends on how you look at it. 1200 x 12 = 14400, 14400/7= 2057.

Not bad part time money. Beats the sh*% out of working for someone else.

[bobbygedd]

still is only 14, 400 a year, less than poverty level.

[AltaLawnCare]

Originally posted by bobbygedd
still is only 14, 400 a year, less than poverty level.

Depends on amount of time spent doing it.

If figured on a full time job basis:
52 weeks per year * 5 days per week * 8 hours = 2080 hours.
$14,400 / 2080 = $6.92 per hour, gross.....

Thats less than poverty level.

:o

[bobbygedd]

if this is your only income, then it is poverty. even if its not though, at 14 a year, is that gross or net?

[lawnworker]

Originally posted by wmsland
Just curious if all of you part-timers carry all the necessary insurance, business licenses and most importantly do you claim all of your "extra Income" on your taxes?




In my opinion anyone in this business without insurance is extremly stupid. One rock into a childs eye will wipe you out for life. Wise up out there protect yourself you fly by nighters.

[bobbygedd]

one thing to remember about insurance is, if u have nothing, u have nothing to lose.

[MOW ED]

I call both of my jobs full time. I am a LCO with 25 customers and I am also a fire Lieutenant/Paramedic. I love both jobs.

I pay taxes and insurance and it is a business. I have over 40 grand in equipment and my wife works with me.

I put 56 hour weeks at the fire station and I also put in at least 40 hours with the lawn business so whatever your idea of part and full time is, mine is different.
I am far from a low baller as a matter of fact I have lost many jobs to lowballers. It does not bother me as I am going to get a dollar per minute from whatever I do or someone else can do it. I keep the lowballers in business but more importantly I raise the rate for the so called full timers.
This year I was referred to 2 jobs that will net me well over 4000 this year from what you call a full timer who has expanded into other areas of lawn service. He knows my reputation and quality of work and he did not want to leave 2 of his former customers with a turd that didn't measure up.
So I know what you are getting at because I see alot of "part timers" riding the Murrays and the Sabers around the yards for beer money and NO I am not one of them. They exist and I wave at all of them and say hi at the dump but they are not in the same park as I am.
Can I expand and make this a "full time" venture. You bet I can. I am in America and I am quite happy doing it this way. Good Luck.

[Albemarle Lawn]

15 customers should be 3000-4000 month unless the yards are tiny 1/2 hour jobs.