would you do it for this price ?

[fivejcb]

I have the chance to get a new account, The home owner is not happy with the LCO she has now, said he does not blow off the clippings from drive & walk. The lot is 190' x 600' has a long single drive the house garage and one small building about 10 large trees and a low area that she said floods in the spring. She wants weekly cutting for $75.00 (this is what the other guy charged) what do you guys think sounds to cheep but I need the work and it's close to home, but she won't move on the price I told her I would clean up better than the other guy but she won't move. What would you do ?:confused:

[Jimbo]

Depends on your equipment. If you can cut 2.5 Acres of grass in two hours or less I would do it ($35.00 hour)

[MikeLT1Z28]

i do a lot that is 55,000 sq ft with a 3000 sq ft house for 70 a week. i'd say work fast or tell her you can't do it for that price.

[KenH]

Originally posted by Jimbo
Depends on your equipment. If you can cut 2.5 Acres of grass in two hours or less I would do it ($35.00 hour)

You cant make a living in this business on $35.00 per hour. You have to take into consideration AT LEAST $25.00 per hour for your truck and equipment (and thats cheap) ...that leaves $10.00 per hour for yourself. You might as well work at Home Depot.

There was a reason why the other guy was doing a crappy job...he probably relized he wasnt making any money.

[fivejcb]

I have a 48'' Ferris hydro WB.

[fivejcb]

KenH

That's what I thought his trimming was no good either.

[Bob Minney]

I'd walk away.
Spend the time you would have been mowing there looking for good customers.
When they are not happy with current LCO but won't pay more to get a good job, thats got to tell you something.
Anyway
If you really need the money then do what you got to, but cutting your rates is a bad habit IMHO.

BTW-How much lower is the $75 than what you need?

[gogetter]

You said she won't budge on the price, then I'd tell her that you get what you pay for and she'd better get used to unblown drives and walks (of course in nice terms).
Tell her if she wants it done RIGHT, then it will cost a bit more.

Otherwise you'll be kicking yourself everytime you're there mowing it, knowing that you're not making the money you should be. It's a crappy feeling.

[fivejcb]

I would like to make min $45 to $55 per hour maybe this is high but if I can't I should stay at my present job $21 + benefits.

[cos]

Do it once and then tell her sorry, you can't do it for that price. If she feels like pushing another LCO around on price, than that's not the customer you want!!!!

[geogunn]

take the job.

you need the job so do it.

being in the the biz with a mower that sits at home is doing no one any good. good luck.

GEO

[KenH]

Yes-- but putting wear and tear on your truck and equipment is not worth it---especially in the long run. Your thinking is very dangerous, especially for newcomers.

[1MajorTom]

I agree with Geo.

Fivejcb said in a previous post that he is new this year.
Don't know his exact situation, but if he says he needs to work, then I say pick the customer up for the time being.

Yeah the price is a little low, but there are other opportunities here. Being in the neighborhood attracts other poeple to inquire about your services.
No one said he has to keep this customer forever. As his business becomes established, then he can either raise the price, or replace this customer with a more profitable one.

Now if Fivejcb is only doing this parttime, then sure I say he can be more choosy. But if this is going to be his only familys income, then I say it's sink or swim. Take the customer on, and capitalize on the opportunity to upsell other services to her or pick up more accounts in the same neighborhood.

[65hoss]

Thats 2.617 acres. There is no way I would cut 114,000 sf of turf for $75. Not to mention edging and trim time.

These are the types of customers and LCO's that cause the prices to stay way to low. Aren't we about raising the standards in this industry?

[Brickman]

This much mowing should be around 3 times more than the $75. No way would I do it for that cheap. There was a reason why the previous dude wasn't blowing, he wasn't making money on the mowing, let alone any thing else.

[scottb]

Thats alot of work for a little money so only if your really hungry.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by fivejcb
I would like to make min $45 to $55 per hour maybe this is high but if I can't I should stay at my present job $21 + benefits.

You sound like you haven't been doing this too long. I didn't start out making big bucks, it took time. IMO, expecting to jump in the business and make what the "big guy's" are isn't realistic. Actually, pricing still varies with location. Finally, as I've mentioned before, I don't get my exact price for every lawn. Some lawns I make a ton of money, and others I make the minimum I'll accept. last, if you are on your own, you can afford to make a bit less, just to keep the money coming it. As one of the other guy's said, "an idle mower makes no money". Also, worrying about wear and tear on one or two extra lawns, doesn't make any sense. Our machines will last years if properly taken care of.
Pete

[TLS]

With a 48" walkbehind....NO WAY!

With a 60-72" ZTR, not a "real" jackpot lawn, but you won't be loosing money. I figure about 1hr to 1hr 15min to mow(60") and blow, maybe 15-20 min's to weedwack every other cut! This is where your gonna save time! The trimming is a big time eater! I'm sure that even at every other time, it'll still get trimmed better than it was by the other guy.

I'd go in at $80 and tell her to take it or leave it! Next year, $85....etc.

I would stay away from propertys this large with the equipment you have now. Concentrate on smaller properties where that 48" can out-mow larger machines!

[The Lawn Choupique]

I would do it for that. Take all then accounts I can get. I guess my equipment cost less than $25 an hour to buy and maintain. At $25 per hour I can pay for my house, cars, trucks, business equipment, and put my kids through college.

[rodfather]

$105 - $125 depending on the amount of trim...case closed.

[fivejcb]

Yes I'm new and I'm part time, but I plan on going full time next spring. I need all the accounts I can get to try to make a living. My equipment is paid for except for my truck, but to make a return on my investment I need $45 per HR min.

Truck payment & insurance
CPA
Taxes
Insurance
Gas
Advretising
Health Insurance ( wife & kids )
Profit

I don't know if I can make it on less than 45-55 per HR ? At least I'll be my own boss and out doors after 20 years in a shop. Next year I'll have a 60'' ZTR so if I can do this lawn now maybe next year I'll do better on it ? for now my job will off set the no profit.

[TLS]

Rodfather,

$83/hr! :D:

People pay you that much :confused:

Must be nice!

[KenH]

Originally posted by The Lawn Choupique
I would do it for that. Take all then accounts I can get. I guess my equipment cost less than $25 an hour to buy and maintain. At $25 per hour I can pay for my house, cars, trucks, business equipment, and put my kids through college.

I hate to tell you, but you are working hard, not smart.

If you can live on $25.00 per hour, Im moving next to you.:dizzy:

[KenH]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com

I didn't start out making big bucks, it took time. IMO, expecting to jump in the business and make what the "big guy's" are isn't realistic.
Pete

Think back to when you first started.... If you had this board to guide you, wouldnt you be much better off??? We have someone new asking for advice....based on what we have already learned, why tell him to settle for cheap??? I wish I had someone to guide me 18 years ago.

[TGCummings]

Do it right, right from the start. If you already know what you need to maintain a business, then charge it. If you charge less you are not building an opportunity that can support itself.

When I started I settled for less. For the first five years I was in business I built on low-cost, high volume. After five years I had all the business I could ever need, massive debt, and no money. For the last two years I have been dismantling the monstrosity I built and turning this thing into a business to be proud of.

If I had it to do over again, I would never have settled for less than I needed to cover expenses, and make profit. Not once.

You said it yourself, you know the rate level you have to charge to make the profit level you need. Charge it. Figure out what it will take you to make money on 114,000 square feet of property and deliver that quote to this woman. And stand by it. She has the option to choose someone else and you can utilize your skills and equipment on properties that pay your rate.

If I've learned anything on LawnSite it's never to undersell yourself.

Shame on you who give him advice to lowball! :blob3:

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by rodfather
$105 - $125 depending on the amount of trim...case closed.

He is still just starting out, yes??? Not everyone lives near the Old Kennedy estate, the Hansen's, Jeff Haines, John Smith, Josh McGraw's Dad, or Mike Tyson's old place like you :p Some of us have to suffer with the regular crowd.......

Pete

[TGCummings]

Originally posted by Switchless@aol.com


He is still just starting out, yes??? Not everyone lives near the Old Kennedy estate, the Hansen's, Jeff Haines, John Smith, Josh McGraw's Dad, or Mike Tyson's old place like you :p Some of us have to suffer with the regular crowd.......

Pete

That doesn't matter, you're missing the point. This is what he needs:

Truck payment & insurance
CPA
Taxes
Insurance
Gas
Advretising
Health Insurance ( wife & kids )
Profit

As he posted above. He's done the math and has figured out that what he has to make to cover that, and make a profit to live by, is $45-$55 per hour. Everyone should be so diligent about figuring their costs! If that is what he needs to make the business a go, that is what he needs to charge. Whether he's new, an old pro, or somewhere in between. It's what he has to make to be in business! :D

[CSRA Landscaping]

Originally posted by fivejcb
I need the work ...

Take it.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by KenH


Think back to when you first started.... If you had this board to guide you, wouldnt you be much better off??? We have someone new asking for advice....based on what we have already learned, why tell him to settle for cheap??? I wish I had someone to guide me 18 years ago.

Ken,
I don't think you're out of line. However, in the beginning I did take on work because nothing else was there. Then, I started weeding things out. Of course, my equipment got better too.
If I needed the money, I'd take the job, rather than sit at home. I remember how is was to be unemployed..... Any work is still better than none. Just my opinion.
Pete

[dmk395]

You have to really figure how long it will take you first. I probably wouldnt for that kind of money, however lets say you could fly through it in an hour, with a 60" ztr, then maybe its not all that bad....otherwise forget it.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by TGCummings



As he posted above. He's done the math and has figured out that what he has to make to cover that, and make a profit to live by, is $45-$55 per hour. Everyone should be so diligent about figuring their costs! If that is what he needs to make the business a go, that is what he needs to charge. Whether he's new, an old pro, or somewhere in between. It's what he has to make to be in business! :D

Tom,
I don't disagree, but isn't that what working more hours is for. How can he say how he needs to make per hour. Just work more hours in the beginning. I remember all of us talking about working 50/60 hours a week, for a 40 hour week. It took me a while to have enough work to turn the lower paying jobs. Again, I don't disagree with the theory, but if the choice is sit home, or work a lower paying job, the answer seems simple...... Work, make more money....... Stay home make nothing.

Pete

[The Lawn Choupique]

Anything over $20 an hour is gravey. It is not about how much you make per hour. It is about what you do with the money you make. I average $25 per hour cutting grass but my investments without fail return me 200%+ per year. I have never made over $25 per hour in my life cutting grass or at anything else. Do not confuse hourly rates with making money.

[TLS]

Originally posted by The Lawn Choupique
I have never made over $25 per hour in my life cutting grass or at anything else. Do not confuse hourly rates with making money.

Made, or CHARGED $25/hr?

If you've never "charged" more than $25/hr, then you are not helping the industry any.

If you've neber "made" (profited) more than $25/hr, then,.....Join the club. Profiting more than $25/hr is often times difficult, especially considering all the time you spend with mower maintenance, billing, estimating, getting supplies, etc.

Big difference here!

[The Lawn Choupique]

Anything over $20 an hour for cutting grass, is as I said is just gravey. If you make $350 an hour, and at the end of the day have nothing to show for it, what have you accomplished?


2 Brush Hooks
2 Chain Saws
2 Axes
3 Rakes
3 pair of Gloves
2 Scythes (european Style)
1 Bow Saw
2 Shears
1 edger
1 weed eater
2 Hoes
1 21" push mower
2 trutle hooks

[coonman]

I totally agree with The Lawn Choupique....Also everyone is looking at this through their own situation which varies greatly from person to person.

My situation...

Advertising......almost nothing....some flyers...but mainly word of mouth referrals....50 dollars for truck signs...

CPA.....have a friend that charges me very little....

invoice and billing......almost nothing....

Truck payment....none.....truck insurance...cheap

Equipment payments none....Two 21 inch commercials and some trimmers a blower and edger....not alot of money

health insurance....no cost....carried by wifes employer

Taxes...of course just like any job.....

this is just my situation......If I make 25 dollars an hour it is alot more to me than to the guy that has 30,000 dollars in equipment and advertises heavily......

just my opinion though....

[David Haggerty]

They paid $80 for about 2 1/2 acres.
They never stopped complaining for a whole year.
No chance of ever raising the price.
They never considered any extras.

They were the type of customer to make you reconsider the wisdom of choosing lawn care as a vocation.

I feel sorry for whoever picks them up as a client.

I've already ruined them as customers, because they now believe they can get 2 1/2 acres of lawn cut for $80. (yeah right)
It was a lowball bid. I'm not going to be stuck with it.

My mowers don't make any money sitting in the driveway. But by the same token I'm not going to loose money just to work.

Dave

[KenH]

Originally posted by The Lawn Choupique
It is about what you do with the money you make. I average $25 per hour cutting grass but my investments without fail return me 200%+ per year. I have never made over $25 per hour in my life cutting grass or at anything else. Do not confuse hourly rates with making money.

You should write a book. Id be the first in line to buy it. Why are you cutting grass?? You could put every brokerage and investment house in the US out of business.
Unless you are doing something illegal, I find it hard to believe you are able to make a steady %200 return on investments.
How much do you pay for your equipment per hour?? If all you make is 25 per hour, take out 10 per hour for all the equip (which is dirt, dirt cheap, and I can guarantee your equipment costs you more than 10 per hour) Add in taxes, insurance, gas, etc. ,you are probably walking with $6 per hour in your pocket. Why kind of house do ypou live in???? Now Im intrigued.

[fivejcb]

I don't know how anyone who has more tham a push mower and some hand tools can charge 25 per HR ? If you pay taxes your at about 17 an HR then you've got operating cost. How can you make a year round living on that ? In Michigan you have about 30-34 weeks at best to make your $$. If all I charge is 25 like I said I should just stay at my present job at least I get paid vacations, 401K, insurance.

[Hawkeye5]

Which is better, your rig sitting in the drive not making money, or your rig running and loosing money? I don't understand the "if you need the money take the job" attitude when the job is a looser from the start. Cash flow means nothing in the long run with out profit. True, you go in the hole either way, but you go deeper faster running at a loss. Seems to me the other guy did a poor job with the intent of being fired by the customer because he recognized that the price was too low, now she is looking for a new fool. Let some other mower loose the money unless this is an area that you really want to develop and feel the exposure will add customers that you can charge the "right" price (for you). JD

[65hoss]

I can go broke from the house!

[cowman66]

id talk to her and do it at an even 100 dolla bill

[TGCummings]

Okay, I'll concede the point that sometimes you have to operate a little below target to get going, and to get your name out there. Pete makes a good point on that one. And yes, you can work more hours to make up the difference if you have to (and if you want to).

However, you can't work at a loss and make money. How much can you afford to fudge the price on this property and still make out? If it takes you three hours to mow, trim, edge and cleanup and you charge $75, will $25/hour cover your expenses and make the job worthwhile as a 'loss leader'? In my case, it wouldn't and I don't have a full schedule either. Nor do I have $30,000 worth of equipment or a high-priced accountant.

You can survive in business on $25/hour if you keep your costs down, but you're in business for yourself. Your objective should be to thrive. It's the American Dream. ;)

[lawnworker]

Originally posted by fivejcb
I would like to make min $45 to $55 per hour maybe this is high but if I can't I should stay at my present job $21 + benefits.


With your present job that pays 21.00 per hour, and your current mower;I would let this one go. I agree with others that have stated leave room for better paying customers. Smaller lots are best to make your targeted rates. In some areas big residentials just dont pay well.

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by Jimbo
Depends on your equipment. If you can cut 2.5 Acres of grass in two hours or less I would do it ($35.00 hour)

I'll stick to my word regardless of what KenH, and some others say. The guy says the job is close to home, he needs it, etc. Plus it sounded like he was just starting out. When you are a one man operation close to home you should be able to make money at $35.00 per hour. This is my very minimum as I shoot for $50-60 hour, but if I need extra work to fill my day I would do it. What I wouldn't do is a one hour job for $35.00 hour. There needs to be a minimum charge or at least a few hours work involved. It's hard to make time on a one hour job, but I have a couple jobs that use to take me 2 hours, and once I bought my first ZTR I was done in 1.5 hours.

I wouldn't take this job if I needed to go out and buy a 72" ZTR or anything, but if I already owned my equipment it's not doing me any good sitting. Take the job until another comes along. You can twist it anyway you want but once the monthly bills are paid any extra money is extra money regardless if it's $35.00 an hour or $10.00 per hour.

I guess this was a dumb thread anyway. He knows what he wants to make and its more than she wants to pay, so WALK AND FIND ANOTHER CUSTOMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[strickdad]

should be somewhere around 1.05 to 1.10 a thousand

[ADMowing]

Don't get into a contract with her. Just do the job mow by mow and when you get a better account that pays what you want, leave her. That way your equipment isn't sitting idle. She obviously doesn't have much respect for your or your business, so I wouldn't worry about leaving her and asking her to find someone else to do it when you find a better paying customer. In fact, I might tell her that. Tell her that you found customers who are willing to pay you what you are worth. If you've been doing a good job and she doesn't want the hassle of trying to find someone else, she might even pay you more. But then, you have the upper hand. Right now, if you are hurting for business, do it but work diligently on getting some better paying customers.

In reality, how many businesses start out making a profit in the first year? Some sacrafices need to be made. I'd get your prices up to market level as soon as possible, though. This will help your self esteem, your professionalism -- not to mention support for your business and your family.

I agree with others that you need to target smaller properties with your equipment, but if you don't mind walking back and forth for 2+ acres, trimming and clearing off debris for this amount, do it temporarily until you get a better paying account.

It is ultimately up to you and how you decide to do business. You may not feel so bad about doing the job if you realize that sooner or later you will be out from under it when your business gets off the ground. Good luck and keep us posted!! :)

A & D Mowing (Alex & Debbie)

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I would take the job if I was in your shoes. The season is 1/3 over with anyway. Mow it til the end of the season. If you need to raise the price, raise it at the start of next season. Wait as long as possible to tell her. Preferbly 1 week before the mowing starts in your area. This way she doesn't have much time to go scrub shopping for lawn care services.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[awm]

yea id take it for 75.00 but id want an contract for weekly mowing . none o this skip a week stuff. i believe i could get it pretty fast w my lazer.
another factor is whether she is going to let u do your thing, or is she going to advise u. if thats the case more like 175.

[AztlanLC]

Get her until you find a better paying account?

c'mon he already has one, he's job
making $21.00 plus benefits it's like making over $30.00 hr.
and that doesn't include any equipment expenses, insurance, truck.
plus don't have to worry about rainy days, droughts, sharpening blades, repairing equipment, etc..

After you take this customers she's going to find you couple more for the same price. You won't be able to make a decent job because the time will kill you and everybody else it's goin to think that's the way you work. Your best form of advertisement or business card is the work you do.

You have a good paying job if you're gonna live it make worth.
$40 or $45 dls. an hr. ain't something that only the big companies have to make is a rate that everybody should be making in order to survive in this business

[bobbygedd]

i cant stand people that tell me how much they r gonna pay me for my work, then tell me how im gonna do it, and how often im gonna come, etc. the last person i dealt with like that said she will pay 25, no more(i needed at least 35) she will pay by check, once a month, and will not pay sales tax, and will expect me there every week on friday, unless she calls and tells me to skip that week, and she will not sign a contract. i said, ok, no problem, but i see your grass is very high, and i cant start till next week. she said well thats my problem, im only makin it harder on my self. next week came, i called and apologized cus i had personal matters to deal with, another week goes by, shes away and doesnt even know i didnt show, finally she gets home, her grass is 10 feet high(chemlawn.....) she calls and says when r u coming? i said, ahhh, i changed my mind, cut it yurself, and hung up on her

[fivejcb]

I took the job after talking to her again, and she agreed to $85.00
per cut. She is not a bad lady she has lived there for 6 years and had two LCO both the lowest quoet and she got what she paid for. After she saw my work she was very happy. I worked my butt off for 2 hr & 20 min so this this does not make my hourly rate but it's not to bad. It's not the customers fault I don't have the right machine for the job. I did tell her it was for this season because I have time in my schedule and next year I would like an increase or if my schedule was full she would have to find someone else. She seemed surprised but I think she's starting to see the light. GOOD WORK'S NOT CHEEP CHEEP WORKS NOT GOOD. At least I have set the standard for her. Thanks for all the input thats what makes this site priceless:)

[65hoss]

Nice job :)

[CSRA Landscaping]

Good show!

[KenH]

Excellant work...This is what I was talking about. To all those people who told him to take it because he needs the work, you have to realize this board is set up to help newcomers not fall into the same traps you did. They are here to learn from the experienced.
Good luck with the account.

[TGCummings]

A very good solution to the problem. Kudos!

[ADMowing]

Sounds like you worked it out nicely with this customer and were up front with her about your position. Great job!!!

[CSRA Landscaping]

While it is true that LS is here to bring together the experienced and seasoned LCO's with the ones that are looking for advice in certain areas, it's also true that different folks are looking at things from very different perspectives. Try to think back to when you started your business. Already, you have at least two different classes:

A) Company owner A started his business on the side (usually either with another job, or while still in school) and could care less if he got the current job, if it ain't gravy, he ain't takin' it!

B) Company owner B transitioned from having a steady income to being self-employed suddenly and has to feed himself or himself AND his family. Company owner B has less leeway for turning jobs down than company owner A.

So before looking down on a certain perspective, let's try to see where that perspective may be called for.

Again, good job on getting the account at $85.

[Doc Pete]

Originally posted by KenH
Excellant work...This is what I was talking about. To all those people who told him to take it because he needs the work, you have to realize this board is set up to help newcomers not fall into the same traps you did. They are here to learn from the experienced.
Good luck with the account.

I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say, but it seems to me that if it wasn't for many of us "telling him to take the Job" he never would have bothered to talk to her a second time.
Second, one of your earlier posts said you thought those of us suggesting to take the job "are dangerous to new comers" .Well, this sure doesn't sound like you suggest or offer an incentive to talk and discuss the job with the lady.

Pete

[KenH]

Hey Switchless--- If he was to listen to some, he would have taken the job for $75 and not even tried to negotiate. I was referring to anyone who told him to take the job because he needed the work. I told him NOT to do it for 75$. There was an attutude from some in this thread that "It is OK for you to do it for $75, but its would not be OK for me, because Ive been doing it longer....." To me, that is the wrong advice.

ReRead this posted by TGCUmmings, it is excellant advice:" Do it right, right from the start. If you already know what you need to maintain a business, then charge it. If you charge less you are not building an opportunity that can support itself.

When I started I settled for less. For the first five years I was in business I built on low-cost, high volume. After five years I had all the business I could ever need, massive debt, and no money. For the last two years I have been dismantling the monstrosity I built and turning this thing into a business to be proud of.

If I had it to do over again, I would never have settled for less than I needed to cover expenses, and make profit. Not once.

You said it yourself, you know the rate level you have to charge to make the profit level you need. Charge it. Figure out what it will take you to make money on 114,000 square feet of property and deliver that quote to this woman. And stand by it. She has the option to choose someone else and you can utilize your skills and equipment on properties that pay your rate.

If I've learned anything on LawnSite it's never to undersell yourself.

Shame on you who give him advice to lowball!"

__________________

[scottb]

Good work congrats!

[tlcservices]

Thanks for reminding me why i got out of the lawn business.People like most that responde to this thread,its like a fire sale out there.Not one of u thought about wear and tear replacement costs,self employment tax, cost per hour , getting to the site, much less you could mow three smal lawns for $75.00 in 1.5 hours and actually make a profit. have fun in the people.

[ADMowing]

I've got another option for you, Fivejcb....

If you know of another LCO in the area with larger equipment, maybe you could trade this large job for three or four smaller jobs that LCO has. You would be spending less time and making more money. The LCO with larger equipment will be spending less time on this large property and would be making more money too! If it only takes them 1 hour to do the job, they'd be paid $85/hour. If you do 3 yards at $50/mow and it takes you 1.5 hours, you'd be paid $100/hour. Just a thought.

P.S. I didn't get the impression that you were trying to lowball from your original post. You weren't trying to get the job for less than the original LCO. I think it is cool that you got the customer to pay $10/mow more when she originally told you that she wouldn't budge!!! KUDOS for you, Man!!!

A & D

[jsaunders]

you worked your a$$ off for 2 hr 20 min for $85
THIS job is going to be a pain after a while- get smaller jobs that you can get in and out of and make more money with less work.
114,000 sqfeet is that with or without house etc... Even though you should be getting $1 per min- I always try to make at least that or more for each job-
Years ago with a 21 inch self-propelled snapper 33ksqft lawn would take 2.5 hrs by myself $85 per week=$34 per hour

[John DiMartino]

JB,your still working too cheap.Id get 110 at the minimum,and i can get that mowed in 1/2 the time you can with my 60"Dixie.I hope it works out for you.I tend to rush on low paying jobs,not now but down the road,especially when your busy with much better paying jobs.Good luck.