Working Hours

[Mr Distinctive]

Just bought a Lawn Maintenance business (not yet taken over) The crew work from 07:00 to 4:00pm (8 hours) which does appear to be very typical of the other companies around here.

Is there any reason to limit the working hours to 8, or is it unique to FL ? e.g. you only mow during working hours so as not to disturb the homeowner when they return from work.

I obviously want to add more accounts when I take over and see increasing working hours (with appropriate OT pay) as the way to increase capacity and equipment utilization.

Any thoughts?

[yergus]

In missouri you don't have to pay time and a half for over 40 hours because it is considered seasonal work. we work on an average of 9 to 11 hours per day, especially since the weather we have had, however, as the company grows, i will try to keep the work schedule at 40 hours, by adding a new crew when needed. the more hours worked, even if you pay time and a half for over 40 tends to cause more of a turn over on the workforce.