Part-Time Solo Operators

[Jimbo]

Curious how much part-timers are making. It might help to include how many hours per week you log in.

[stevo22]

I STARTED KIND OF LATE IN THE SEASON FOR THIS AREA, END OF MAY...SHOULD GET FOUE SOLID MONTHS OF CUTTING IN BEFORE FULL FALL CLEAN UPS...CURRENTLY WORKING ABOUT 19-23 HRS WK...WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT NEXT YR HOPEFULLY W/ BETTER EQUIPMENT...PROB GOING TO GET MY ARSE KICKED THIS FALL WITH LEAVES...GOTTA CRAWL BEFORE YOU CAN WALK...

HOSS---IF YOU READ THIS WHERE ARE YOU IN MEMPHIS??

[Tony Harrell]

I'm not going to vote because I've only started this year and things are not very consistant yet. I can say that I've missed a LOT of work because of working part time.

[bruces]

I just started this year so it is too early to vote. I hope to wind up in the 20 to 25 range.

I am working about 20 to 30 hours per week.

[SIG]

Jimbo,
I voted 30K and over, but I am not truly a solo op. Although part-time, I usually have a helper with me. I have 2 60" Lazers, so we can mow alot of grass.

[gravedigger5]

Average 5 to 6 hrs a day, usually 4 days a week, depends on the weather. Only on the weekends if I have to catch up on some odd jobs, like this friday/saturday I've got 30 acres of brushhogging (about 10 hrs) along with about 4 hours of commercial lawn mowing. Guess my average hrs this week will be more like 30hrs+:dizzy: Marc


Are We Having Fun Yet???:sleeping:

[swonkeg]

4 years now part-time - each year gets better, working smarter not harder,(Due to this site)
average 22-24 hours for 16 yards per week including servicing equipment each week.

[lsylvain]

I'm a part time solo well sometimes the wife helps out a little. It takes me about 20 to 30 hours every 10 days to finish up everyone. Yes I'm in the dreaded 10 day country. I pull in just over 30k a year, with my 36" derby w/b. I could be pulling in a lot more if I wanted it. I'm trying to finish up my degree. So I only take the good jobs, and every fall I do job costing for each customer and decide if their worth the trouble and thin out the list.

I'm selling the business next year if anyone is looking in the WV area

[MOW ED]

10 hours a week summer
20 hours a week early fall
30 hours a week fall
+35 hours a week spring
0 hours winter.

+30K no prob.

This year is the first year with my wife helping so I am not really solo but she is still on the learning curve.

I am still set to do everything by myself if I have to but I am getting spoiled. Best part is, we keep all the money. and no workmans comp issues.

[MJStrain]

I justed started this past March. I probably work 5 hours a week in the dead of Summer, four times that when things are growing well. I'll probably fall into the 20k area.

Michael

[Jimbo]

You guys can see the results right? If not I will post them.

Jim

[parkmaster]

been solo for 10 years made 1200.00 first year. about ready to retire from f/t job. i like the work :D :blob2:
keeps me busy have about 14 customers now.
voted 20k average for last few years.
don't know about this year because of the
drought here in MD. :confused:



_________________________
you plant it, I'll maintain it

[darryl gesner]

Some of you guys work more hours than I do and I consider myself full time - 30 to 35 hrs a week is full time to me.

[Sean Adams]

Interesting survey.... Equipment today makes it possible to do things quicker and better than ever before.

[kturner]

10 hours a week summer
20 hours a week early fall
30 hours a week fall
+35 hours a week spring
0 hours winter.

+30K no prob.


I'd agree with Mow Ed. We do a bit more work than these numbers and pull in a little more. I find that each year we make a little more and work a little less as we learn. Having one good employee willing to do the things you don't want to makes for more hours billed too.

[Jimbo]

I just thought of another way of looking at this. Here goes...


What if you figure the total number of hours worked per year and divide it by your yearly gross. With this figure you could compare against Full-Time solo, and Full-Time with crews to determine where you fit in $ per hour worked.

However, the ideal way would be net figures because then you could compare overhead for workmans comp, higher insurance, equipment cost, etc. You could use this info to help determine if full-time or more employees would be benificial.

I personally have a very high dollar per hour worked rate, since I am doing mostly commercials.

Jim

[bobbygedd]

wait a minute, did i hear that right? one guy is making 20, 000 a year mowing, and ready to retire from ft job? ummmm, do u eat, and live indoors? i think that is below poverty level. anyone NETTING over 50, 000?

[Jimbo]

bobbygedd,

I guess your referring to the post from "parkmaster". I dont know this gentleman, but did you consider that maybe he was really going into semi-retirement? Maybe he is 59 years old or maybe he is younger than that and has a pension coming his way. This could explain why he doesnt need a great deal of income.

Jim

[greenshoe]

Unfortunately I fell into this business this year (drought). Everything was going great in the middle of spring and then it just died. I am not sure what I will end up making this year but hopefully it will pick up for a little while.
I took over this business from an older guy who just couldn't keep up anymore in the spring. I bet he wouldn't have too much trouble now though. Oh well - it's got to turn around sooner or later.

:blob2:

[thfireman]

ready to retire from f/t job. i like the work

Yea, I think he is meaning to say that he is retiring from a Full Time job but likes cutting grass and has had an average of $20,000 yearly from that which is his part time job.

Just my translation...:confused:

[parkmaster]

hey bobbygedd,

i'm still bulding a customer base, been with the parks 30 years!
for part time work i may do a little more than 20k, but that
was average for about 6 years to date.


__________________________
you plant it, I'll maintain it

[bobbygedd]

ok, now i understand. but, anyone netting 50 or more? that is what id like to do in the near future