Things I Have Learned My First Year

[Rhett]

1. I am alot dumber than I thought
2. Most potential custumers are all single mothers with a limited budget and a child with 6 toes, or at least that is what they would like you to believe
3. If you advertise one time or all the time that will mean the last time they had the lawn cut was when the big hair bands were in vogue.
4. Never, I mean never offer a discount to anyone but your mom
5. The list could go no and on but would like to hear your special twist.

Just Venting :blob2:

[dlandscaping]

Heres a few things ive learned this year from this site and incorporated into my biz.
1. bagging is waste of time
2. Lesco mowers are junk (personal experience)
3. Importance of dealers
4. PITA customers come and go dont get discouraged keep with it

[Rhett]

6. If the mower does not go thru the gate Ido ot want it.
7. All jobs are not worth bidding on

[CWPacky]

8. you can not make everyone happy, if tyou have not figured that out yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[greenman]

1. How to better price a job and feel comfortable with it.
2.Someone else got the job because he/she was cheaper.
3.Quality counts. If you get the job, do your best, always be professional, that way when the low bidder comes around your customer will tell them, "I already have a professional lawn service, No Thanks."
4.Realtors are cheap.

[Lawn Wizard]

In my experience :
1. Trust my instincts
2. Collecting money from deadbeats is the worst part of my day.

[Alan Bechard]

Never ever ever say "It has been a while since you broke anything!!"

If something does not seem right with a customer, it wont get better.

Al B

[steve122]

seems that the part that broke is always the one the dealer just sold the last one of.

[m&m]

and never say no to a job.......give them your price and go on............u may/may not get it

[darryl gesner]

Rhett - I disagree strongly with your #4. You just have to discount from an inflated price! Why do you think everyone wants you to present discount coupons at the time of the estimate?

[Cooper Landscaping]

The customers not always right :) well it depends lol
-Coop

[Got Grass?]

Things I learned in my first year include:

1, It's a lot harder to get up in the morning when your not on a time clock.

2, Never put anything off, thinking you will have time tomarrow, somthing will always go wrong.

3, Always quote what you are worth, not what your customer think your are.

4, If people think you are just another neighboor hood kid looking to make extra cash, you are not. Prove that to them.

5, Old people think anyone under 35 is the nighbor hood kid.

6, Never tell a customer you are in school/college, as thay will think you are looking for exta cash.

7, Push mowing with a 21" sucks in 90 degree weather.

8, Never get yourself into something you are not positive you can handle.

9, Do not offer fert. services if you don't have a pesticide licence. Someone will always want weed-n-feed or round-up.

10, True-Green/Chem-Lawn is truly as bad as everyone here says they are.

[crawdad]

1) If you are not turned down now and then, you're working too cheap
2) You don't lose money on the jobs you don't get
Crawdad

[John Allin]

If you think you can, or you think you can't.....

You're right.

[Remsen1]

Don't lower your price to land an account.
Look professional on the job site, never know when you'll get a walkup.
Be reliable. People will pay extra for that. I can't count how many times I have heard "I can't rely on my current lawn guy."
Show that you care.

[SLS]

I learned not to feel sorry for little old ladies who say "I can't afford to have it mowed weekly...I can only afford to have it cut every 2 weeks or so".

My first season I quickly found out that I cannot afford it either...especially during the wet, heavy-growth periods.



I went and looked at one of these 'penny-pinchers' yesterday. The last guy was mowing it with a Craftsman rider ( I mow next door on a weekly basis and have seen him). Nice big piles of thatch...every two weeks. He finally hit an exposed root too hard and the deck came completely off the mower. It left a perfect outline of the deck and whirring blades on the front lawn...It looked like 3 perfect crop circles with a border around them. I guess he "couldn't afford it" either...as he dumped her. He was the third guy I've seen there this season...I politely declined the opportunity to become the forth.

[kerr lawn]

In my 10th season of doing this
1. I truly understand the meaning of "Money talks and Bulls**t walks"
2. I don't own and operate Free Landscaping so don't even ask for a discount because that only makes the price go higher
3. Ppl that think I'm overpriced are ppl that i don't want as customers.
4. Quality takes time and time is money
5.Don't worry about what somebody else is doing not matter what, focus on what your doing making sure your square.
6. Don't be afraid to try something new. If you need help call somebody
7. Meet as many ppl as you can so you can have them for contacts
8. Pita customers are a waste of my time.
9. Don't let money break up a solid friendship.
10. Never let your guard down, because once you do the S**T will hit the fan.
11. Realators aren't cheap, just gotta work for the right ones
bryan

[m&m]

i know this is a lil off subject, but what exactly ia a PITA cusatomer?

wait, this is right on subject, what i learned this year........

ok ,someone enlighten me with knowledge

[Alan Bechard]

Pain in the go figure Takes a while, I have to think on some of the acronyms here as well.

Al B

[m&m]

lol...ok.........i like that..... keeps it clean saying it that way.....

ive seen it a lotta times and every time i saw PITA, i kept thinking of taco bell

[walker-talker]

I always think of those "animal rights activist" when I see PITA.

MATT

[turfman59]

Things I learned over the summer, by the way my first year...

Dont try to be the Biggest, Just the busiest

[Fantasy Lawns]

The sour taste of poor quality last much longer than the sweetness of a cheap price :->

Do what we say n when we say it

[Art Stubbs handy 58]

ALWAYS, Always, tie your agressive shoes on tight every day.....

Keep the dream alive everyday.......


And always talk to 10 people everyday..........



Hey Got Grass your comment on #8 " Never get yourself into something you are not positive you can handle"

How do you grow then?????????????????? :jester:

[FrankenScagMachines]

Life sucks, get used to it.

As mentioned, DON'T EVER EVER LOWER YOUR PRICE after quoting one to someone and never let them talk you down. There might be graceful ways to do this but it's not worth getting screwed over...

Don't ever take a job you can't handle in a timely manner with your equipment, ie. dont' take a 4 acre lawn with a 32" mower! LOL... don't ask....

For your everyday items such as trimmer and blower and mowers, don't skimp, get the best you can afford and you'll never regret it especially as you finish up a lawn in 15 minutes after watching the guy next door on his craftsman riding in circles for 2 hours!

Don't even bother stepping outside on a wet day when leaves are down except to get the paper and mail, it's a waste of time to fire up a mower then.

Most elderly people don't realize your worth nor do they care what equipment you use. They generally don't appreciate a good stripe either :p

PITA customers are just that. Rid yourself of as many as you can as soon as you can afford to.

Good customers are worth keeping, and keeping happy even if you must go out of your way alittle.

More later if I think of 'em.

Everyone else has good ones too, good advice keep it up guys.
Eric

[Lawn Specialties]

It's easy to see how some people have so much money, they've never spent any

[1grnlwn]

Never think that tomarrow will be a rain day. Work till its pouring.

Mark

[Got Grass?]

Originally posted by Art Stubbs handy 58



Hey Got Grass your comment on #8 " Never get yourself into something you are not positive you can handle"

How do you grow then?????????????????? :jester:

Sorry about the confusion. What I think I ment then is dont take on a job at a set price unless you are sure what it will take to complete it. Say you take on a job installing shrubs for $X per shrub then find out your digging in solid rock.
Don't take on a job installing a flagstone walk then relize you have no way of lifting the stone.
Don't take on a job mowing a lawn then relize thay have a dog or you cant fit your mower thru the gate.

Thoes were just examples, I didnt actually get myself into that situation but it can easily happen.

Know the details about the job before you agree to do it.

[jokatico]

I need to learn how to say "NO". You cant get all the jobs you bid on.
I just hate it when i give the cust. a price and they say "well the last person did it for $10 cheaper"
If he did it cheaper...where is he now?

[bilbo7021]

Things I learned in my first year...........

1. There's a reason other LCO's hand the "newbie" a customer. (usually they don't want them anymore)

2. Not every lawn is worth the time and the headache.

3. Lean how to bid correctly! (oooooo this is a biggie)

4. Most little old lady's think we're still in 1929. (you wouldn't believe how many depression stories I've heard so far)

5. If you hear a customer say "In my day we..........", you know you're in trouble.

6. Hills are a B***H!

7. Lawnsite should be a required course for all beginners.

8. Never be afraid to ask for what you're worth.

9. If a customer agrees to the price too soon, you regret it later.

10. Always, always (and again), always check out the entire property before trying to get the job!

11. Never say "no problem" to a question. (you get stuck that way)

12. Make sure you have the equipment BEFORE you take the job.

[Gravely_Man]

PITA would mean Pain In The A**.

Gravely_Man

[rodfather]

(1) Learn how to say NO and walk away without looking back.

(2) Set your rates accordingly and don't discount unless there is an extremely good reason to.

(3) Do and be the very best you can...if not, find another occupation.

[Expert Lawns]

this is my second year in the biz. the one thing i learned is don't compare yourself to another LCO, especially one that has been in business since before you were born. do what you can and know how to do. i find myself comparing my work to the biggest LCO around here, i used to think they were gods of the industry. (runner and shep know who i'm talking about, red trucks and trailers). As i started to get calls from THEIR customers wanting estimates from me, i soon learned that they are too big to care and too busy to personalize each lawn and customer. i love being a solo and being tight with my customers :)

[1grnlwn]

Oh here is one don't work for people who are renting. Let the scrubs have em.

Mark

[DLS1]

Don't do monthly contracts. Get paid at time of the mowing or have them send the check for the last mowing before you mow again. This helped me cut my losses real quick on 2 customers who wouldn't pay. I would never go with those monthly contracts where you spread it out over 12 months. I could see these 2 customers paying up to end of the mowing season and then not paying the rest of the months.

[Vibe Ray]

1.) Edging w/ a trimmer is much faster than a stick edger!

2.)That I need a truck and trailer and need to ditch the van setup.

3.)That I should try to make some LCO friends next year.

4.)Wake up early.

5.)Work till it rains and don't quit because it is SUPPOSED TO.

6.) You learn many new things each and every day of your entire life.

[Ryan Lightning]

1) Dont charge by the hour! I will make more if I just give a price, except sprinkler repairs, and even then Im going to start trying to just give a estimate, people dont like to hear so much $$ per hour.

[The Lawn Choupique]

Time is not money. Time is much more valuable than money.

Never do today what you can put off till tommrow. If it can be put off till tommrow, it must not be to improtant. So it will leave you more time do the the important things today.

[GarPA]

THe "grunt" work is the easy part....the part that wears me out is the marketing, office work, equip repair, planning, estimating, keeping current on continuing education, blah blah blah...I really thought the grunt work would wear on me more since I'm no pup...but the other stuff is more work....welcome to the world of owning a small business

[GarPA]

by the way...did you notice this thread has already been viewed 1500 times??? must be allot of people getting into or out of the biz, or still in their first year

[Tom023]

Originally posted by Got Grass?

6, Never tell a customer you are in school/college, as thay will think you are looking for exta cash.



Does anyone disagree with this? I'm 17 and was thinking i could play off of my young-age, and the fact that i am saving all of my money for college. If they do ask, do you think they will:
#1- believe me that i'm saving for college? (mostly true)
#2- even care that i'm saving- since most people just care about their lawn?

Thanks

[stevo22]

i would have to disagree with the stick edger not being faster...if the edge has already been made i can bet prob anybody that i can edge faster w/ my stick edger than anybody..i can jog w/ it..my be opening a debate here but is is true..

[Tvov]

Whatever your bid, increase it by 20%! (Only partly kidding!)

[Got Grass?]

Originally posted by Tom023
Does anyone disagree with this? I'm 17 and was thinking i could play off of my young-age, and the fact that i am saving all of my money for college. If they do ask, do you think they will:
#1- believe me that i'm saving for college? (mostly true)
#2- even care that i'm saving- since most people just care about their lawn?

Thanks

#3, Old ladies will think you are working for spending money & school dosnt cost much (wrong). So thay think you will work for less $.

#4, Others will think you will only be in buisness untill you graduate & the high payers are looking for a "true professional" who will be able to do it all & be arround for years to come...

Now, if you are in school taking cources for this field it's a diffrent story.

[sheppard]

Ditto's on so many points!

Here's mine:

1. Stay away from seniors- especially female seniors

2. Get prepared for flat tires. Get a portable air unit. Got mine from Home Depot for $30.00.

3. If my intuition is screaming a warning beleive it and turn down the job.

4. Make residential secondary to Commercial: in prospecting and mowing priority

5. Read Lawnsite.com every few days to keep sane and sharp!

Cordially,
Sheppard

[Green Pastures]

Originally posted by sheppard
4. Make residential secondary to Commercial: in prospecting and mowing priority


I'm beginning to get a grasp on this. The only exception is REALLY high end residential.

[Vibe Ray]

OH YEAH! DO NOT GET PERSONAL w/ your customers. it is a waste of time and it will backfire on you many times! Although, do make sure they like you and get along w/ you though. Almost like they think that you could be great friends w/ them if you "hang out" w/ them more, but they can see that you have no interest in doing that. I'll make that my #1!

[GarPA]

DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO on the old farts....they are a complete pain in the rump.....regardless of how well you treat them....their mood swings are incredible.....I now keep clear of all of them

[Jim Feder]

take care of old folks and it can get u a lot of work. If someone calls you go see them most of time they just want it done and dont care about $. If a loco mows next to you make your lawn look way nicer then his no matter how long it takes you. If you dont know how to do it learn. Take care of your eqmt. Look good on the job. :D :( :p

[Expert Lawns]

Originally posted by kitzy
DITTO DITTO DITTO DITTO on the old farts....they are a complete pain in the rump.....regardless of how well you treat them....their mood swings are incredible.....I now keep clear of all of them

my experiences with the elderly have been nothing but good. the pay me up front, for a months worth of mowing. they refer me a lot too. probably their bingo pals. :D

[bubble boy]

the elderly we have are the best payers. but they do complain a bit. and some will talk FOREVER every week.

but pay, they do, and on time

[mike9497]

Mikes 20

1 if a customer calls to tell you that you broke there new sidewalk with your mower 4 weeks ago drop them.one of my old fart customers did this to me but the damage was from the landscaper that did it the year before.

2 old people B**** about the lines.they say it damaged there whole lawn.drop them

3 old people think fall clean up is 20 bucks

4 old people call to ask if mikey will come rake there leaves.

5 customers will cancel service in september and want you to come back in june drop them.

6 people who run there own biz out of there house seem to forget about paying you

7 never do favors for customers.like picking up a ladder at there sons house.cause then they start calling you to pick stuff up at home depot cause it doesn`t fit in there cars

8 don`t make friends with customers keep it prof

9 be firm with your price

10 stay away from church accounts.they want cheap and they never pay on time.when the grass burns they want you to come out and do spots for free

11 if customers don`t pay on time or you have to keep calling them just drop them your better off.

12 be the best not the biggest

13 if the mower don`t fit don`t bid the job

14 people names ravi,ramanda,rawane you know seven 11 like in the simpsons.are cheap they never pay or answer the phone i had to run down a mail box with my truck at one of these customers house to bring to the front door and show him there was know check in the mail box

15 if they call better buisness on you cause you wont return there money that they paid double one for the service you did 3 months ago and one for the next service they want you to do.keep the money send them a refund check in six months thats know good.

16 keep your equipment looking good

17 stick with 90% commercial

18 go up in price every new year charge tax have contracts

19 cut lawns every week not every two weeks or when they feel like doing it

20 don`t feel sorry for old biddies they have plenty of money if they didn`t they would be living with there kids or in an old fart home

i learned all this in my first year which was back in 1999. i`ve stuck by this and have done very well for a 80% one man company

[EHesseyLawns]

1. LISTEN to the vets, people who have been around
2. experience is priceless
3. wear PANTS not shorts (especially if you are trimming!)
4. not all dogs are as loving as the one you have
5. learn how to save money!!! (ie: dont make several pit stops for drinks/food and such, carry a cooler; learn simple repairs, belts, air filter, oil filter, changing oil, greasing, changing/sharpening blades, etc)
6. CARRY DUCK TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and a leatherman tool) for all your quick fix needs!

[Strongmd]

Become as professional as you possibly can, always continue to learn.

If you mow, mow every week. If the grass doesn't need to be cut some weeks, spend a comparable amount of time there doing something else, weeding, string trim, blow, whatever. The type of people that want weekly service generally have much higher quality turf too, which is much easier on you and your equipment, and will normally need to be cut weekly anyway. It's the only way to run a mowing business. If you make $X/week in May, you should be able to know you're going to make that exact same amount every week, even in the summer.

In my opinion, high end residential is better than commercial when done the right way. Much more loyal, not as cutthroat, you don't get put out to bid every year. They don't have management companies w/employee turnover who will bring in their own guy. Another nice part of this is that you don't have all of your eggs in one basket, or even 5-10% in one basket.


Just my thoughts.

[lawnworker]

Originally posted by 1grnlwn
Oh here is one don't work for people who are renting. Let the scrubs have em.

Mark

This is good advice, especially in the residential rentals. I have yet to bid on a rental yard that was worth my time. These yards are usually sub par. A good rental operation would have someone already to handle their properties. When a renter calls it is a big red flag for me.

[Doogiegh]

If you have a leaf trailer and you fill it with leaves, empty it that night when you are done..

Did leaves on Saturday, didn't feel like emptying the trailer cause it was dark and I was tired.

Went out to empty it Sunday morning instead. It was about 30 degrees colder, leaves were wet, now they were frozen in layers and probably took me twice as long to empty.. Not fun.

Goes back to what someone else said, never put off to tommorow what you should do today..

Gary

[David Shaw]

Okay, since you were brave enough to ask what a pita was, wich I had already figured out. Here goes my dumb question, what the heck is lol?

[cantoo]

lol is a term used when the leaves are too thick to mulch, it means Lots Of Leaves. It means it's time to break out the Walker and suck them up.
After all this is a lawn care forum.


Lesser people might tell you it means laughing out loud or lots of laughs but don't believe them it's Lots Of Leaves.

[m&m]

laugh out loud

[PR0 TURF]

Learned the value of good, reliable, hard working employees and when to reward them & keep them happy. Learned to try to treat them more as partners in the business then just a laborer...try to get them to give me there input...ask for there advice on the jobsite etc...pay them a few days early if they need it...let the borrow a piece of equipment to do work at there house etc...

Learned the value of preventive maintenance & to carry spare parts with you...if you don't have a spare it will break...if youve got a spare in the trailer...it wont break!

Don't be afraid to tell a customer your that your in college...i think if anything that is a positive thing that they know your still in school working hard to pay for your education...instead of some guy working to take the $$ and go to a bar each nite after work and blow it...not to say that if your not in college...that your gonna go down to the bars each nite & blow your $...just an example

Buy the best equipment you can afford & constantly upgrade your equipment...sell your old stuff & buy new or newer

Enclosed trailers are great in every way!

Sh*t happens...dont let it get ya down...deal with it & move on

This was also my 2nd year full time...

[southerngent]

cantoo...lol

[SpudsM15]

After my first year I've picked up a few things. To bad I found about lawnsite to late!
1. Make sure you charge enough so you are making more than your workers! thats a bigge i would have to say
2. Cut your lawns on a weekly basis.
3. Buy the best equpiment you can buy!
4. Don't do a half ***** job!
5. Make sure you have a trialer (saves your back!):cry:
6. Make sure when giving an estimate you don't say it will be only couple hundred when you mean $500 and then when the time comes to get paid the old lady says you told me $200!

I guess there is always next year.

[deason]

1) The only stupid question was the one that was not asked.

2) Realizing that I was turned down not because of my high price, but because the customer did not desire that much quality.

3) Write it down. You cant remember everything.

4) When you write it down, remember where you wrote it.

5) If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, chances are that it is a DUCK.

[Got Grass?]

Deason -=- I'm still tring to learn your #3&4.

When you get busy you tend to forget the little things customers ask for but charge the most for...

There has been many a time I've sat in my truck outside someones house tring to remember just exactly what small thing thay wanted done.
"Oh yeah I think is was this, oh mabey not, that was someone else, no thay wanted that, ok so what the heck am I forgetting? I know I wrote it down somewhere, but where the heck is it... Ok I give up onto next job..."

Keep a notebook w/ Lined paper in your truck & write EVERYTHING down BEFORE you forget. DO NOT forget to write down the adress/customer, price & odviously what the job was.
Write it down RIGHT after thay tell you. DO NOT think you can finish mowing the lawn or whatever then remember because you WILL forget & it takes away from your profit...

[Tom023]

I've also found that writing things down is VERY important. You don't want to feel like a moron having to ask again-it shows that your not organized, and makes you look unprofessional.

[Doogiegh]

Snowblowers can be more dangerous than lawn mowers, even when turned off. <G>

[darryl gesner]

All the new guys starting out this spring should read this post. The big lesson I learned my first year was not to expect a 17 year old plow truck to be dependable.

[snippy]

How do you know if your customer is one of those undesireable rental property customers you all seem to dislike?

[GarPA]

real simple..."Are you the owner of this property?"

[CRM Lawncare]

This being my first month working part-time I have found that my church is a prime source for referrals. I told as many people as I could that I was starting my business and have more work than I want right now just off of referrals from fellow church members. Trying to stay away from their personal lawns just in case (don't wanna ruin relationships over business). It sure beats having to go door to door.

[Rook00]

Originally posted by deason


3) Write it down. You cant remember everything.

4) When you write it down, remember where you wrote it.


THIS IS IMPORTANT! SAVES SO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY! COULDN'T AGREE MORE!

[indmowing]

lol they usually tell you snippy. It never ceases to amaze me how many people tell me they have a rental property when wanting a quote. And generally the reason they tell you that is so you know they don't care need a good job done they just need to keep the grass down to keep the landlord happy.

This really gets under my skin! :mad:

But then not all rental people are like that of course. Oops almost made a generalisation!

lol Deason #4 is brilliant!!! I love it, I need to put that up on our wall!!

Ebony

[clipslawnservice]

thanks guys I love reading this stuff before I go out for the day,
I am new of course and really appreciate all the info I can get,
Lawnsite is a god send, Keep up the good work. Two things that have stuck with me for life have been: poor man has poor ways.
rich man says takes money to make money.

[Clark Landscaping]

Great advice from everyone, the only things I would add is:

1) Know where you are going. Have a long range plan for your business and your life and filter your work through that plan.

If you want as I do to have a 2 person operation so you can take a vacation occasionally, buy your equipment and bid on jobs with your future business in mind, try to set up your job mix accordingly. I have an excavator, would love to have a bigger one but need to follow the plan.

2) I try really hard to understand my business numbers so I really understand how much profit I am making (or not)

I need to make a fair wage whether the market will bear that number or not. Charge what you need to charge and what you are worth, If market will not bear, find a new market or change you business structure to have less overhead or do it cheaper.

3) Lawn care is a real business, we talk a lot about mowing, don't forget about the marketing and planning which is really easy to do . I like the talk to 10 people a day rule someone had that is really good advice.

4) Enjoy your business and your life or change it.

[exmarkjockey]

Things I've learned in my first year or two.

1. Organization is key
2. Business plans work
3. Don't let anyone borrow anything!
4. If the little old lady says she used to be a school teacher, run like hell.
5. If you find a good quality employee, do whatever you can to keep them.
6. ALL hoa suck.
7. Great Dane isn't so great.
8. Wear sunscreen!!!
9. Don't let customers set you up on blind dates!

[kootoomootoo]

Dont steer a skid steer into a wetlands area. That was fun.

[shepoutside]

Be Honest with customer's. They (most) will understand if there are proplems. Treat their lawns, like they were your own. Treat them like you want to be treated, (Invoice them late, don't grumble because there not paying on time.) and most of all, BE HAPPY, otherwise, why do it !! Life's a Jorney, not a destination !!!

[m&m]

Other than mowing, I do side jobs of landscaping and grading and so on.... I always bid a lil high and reason being is this.........i take into consideration what may happen, what may change, what the materials will definitely cost instead of guessing. and so on..... i try to give them a budget and show them exactly where there money is going(or tell them).... normally i come out a lil cheaper than what i originally quoted, sometimes the same as quote.....but when i come out cheaper, it getss me more referrals.......i try to run an honest deal here and treat everyone fair.......

I guess bottom line is, dont cut yourself short. when i first started in this business, i wanted the work so i tried to use best stuff and so on but make it where it was affordable for them and job guaranteed to me...... thats not always best plan.....so , just make sure you always cover your hiney

[Rhett]

Things I learned my third year. Man this is an old post.

1. the ability to say NO. In example. Sorry mam the wind is still blowing 60 miles an hour I will be there at a later date. Sorry you could not wait and the contractor you hired did 2000 in damage with his tractor. No I will not clean your gutters, haul your constuction debree, baby sit your kids while you run to the store.

2. Never Ever give an employee an advance. We are a business not a lending institution.

3. You have to set aside a day now and then for other than work. Have not had any sucess with this so far. If you do not it is kinda like ground hog day only with mowers.

4. Get to know not only the other lawn guys and mechanics but also the ones in other trades. Be amazed at the quality of accounts that be aqquired thru the pool, paint,roofing guy.

[tinman]

Rhett - I disagree strongly with your #4. You just have to discount from an inflated price! Why do you think everyone wants you to present discount coupons at the time of the estimate?

Maybe Rhett means offer discount in order to get more work from them. That rarely works out. Sometimes it does , but most people will get you to do more work if they need it & are happy with you.

[tinman]

Make a list of things you will not do under any circumstances & post it at your desk / in work truck , etc. Ex. - no 3 ft tall overgrown yards, no excessive "skip mine this week" , Once you suspend service for late payers do not start back even after thay pay unless they pay for th cuts they missed.

[tinman]

This is good advice, especially in the residential rentals. I have yet to bid on a rental yard that was worth my time. These yards are usually sub par. A good rental operation would have someone already to handle their properties. When a renter calls it is a big red flag for me.

Same for me. Lady asked me about doing a yard for one of her renters & said she was alittle behind on rent. I told her , "if she's not paying for shelter over her head I doubt she can pay me to mow".

[tinman]

Deason -=- I'm still tring to learn your #3&4.

When you get busy you tend to forget the little things customers ask for but charge the most for...

There has been many a time I've sat in my truck outside someones house tring to remember just exactly what small thing thay wanted done.
"Oh yeah I think is was this, oh mabey not, that was someone else, no thay wanted that, ok so what the heck am I forgetting? I know I wrote it down somewhere, but where the heck is it... Ok I give up onto next job..."

Keep a notebook w/ Lined paper in your truck & write EVERYTHING down BEFORE you forget. DO NOT forget to write down the adress/customer, price & odviously what the job was.
Write it down RIGHT after thay tell you. DO NOT think you can finish mowing the lawn or whatever then remember because you WILL forget & it takes away from your profit...

Take a voice recorder with you so you can just record any info & write it down at night or right before you get out of the truck at the end of the day.

[tinman]

How do you know if your customer is one of those undesireable rental property customers you all seem to dislike?

Trash bags everywhere, trash / toys in yard, junk cars scattered about, grass looks like a pasture. Not all, but majority of them.

[Smithers]

4. If the little old lady says she used to be a school teacher, run like hell.


ExmarkJockey, you are killing me..... :D :D :D :D :D :D

i must have gotten the old widow teacher that you ran away from....I swear, man.

She just bought a $300K house (4 bedrooms - she is ALONE), on a big lot. She is a suibstitute teacher and gets her hair done EVERY Friday. Every time i offer to do this, do that (like bush trimming and what not) the first thing that comes out of her mouth is "Oh, dear!! How much is it? I am a widow, you know...I can't afford much".

SHe probably can buy me and two other established LCO's. But she claims to never have money.

george

[fairwayCuts]

In my first year I learned

1. Make sure you know how to bid correctly, ortherwise you'll be making 8 bucks an hour :angry:
2. Find a reliable and friendly dealer
3. Don't mow a 4 acre lawn with a 36" deck :dizzy:
4. PITA customers are a PITA
5. Reserch equipment before you buy
6. Every day will end... keep working hard
7. Scheduling is very important