Wisconsin Fox Valley and beyond.

[MOW ED]

I am looking for Cheeseland LCO's to compare notes with as well as spew unsolicited advice and wisdom.

This is like an internet singles bar of LCO's.

:p

[C & S]

Sorry Mow Ed, I have no advise or wisdom to offer since I am still pretty new to all of this. I would enjoy discussing any of the few notes I have with you though, but they probably won't do you much good, since I got them from you in the first place. :)

[promower]

Cheesehead myself. Im also pretty new at this but live in the big city of madison and there lots of new constuction going on here all the time. Finding new work shouldnt be to hard. Was wondering when you start doing your doorhangers/flyers though if you use them. Still snow on the ground but I would hate to be to late. Good luck to you the white will be gone soon and our as will our rest time.

[MOW ED]

Hi there Chad - better get your shovel ready.

promower-I did all my mailings to regular customers last week. I also did direct mailings to new homeowners. It had good initial results but people still aren't thinking lawns. Unless its you or me.

I am gonna wait until we get into the 40's and then go out. We are supposed to get clobbered with another snowstorm today and that is gonna put things off.

I still haven't found out the perfect time to advertise because when its too nice out I am too busy to get the flyers in the newspaper boxes. I don't use door hangers, just because I have had good luck with the flyers. I get more info on them and it is easier for me to target certain areas with newspaper boxes and just drive down the block. I know that I am missing a certain portion of potential customers but then again I can only do so much. Good to see you here, is that the Parthenon with the gyros? Been to Madison a time or two. Nice town.

[Randy Scott]

I'm about an hour or so east of you promower. I did flyers last weekend and will be doing them this weekend also. It's never too early as far as I'm concerned. People that need your services will suprisingly hang onto flyers for awhile. They've been thinking about spring work for awhile I believe. Besides, your marketing campaign should never really stop.

P.S. How much snow you got on the ground by you Ed? We just got about 5 inches a day ago and that's about it for groundcover.

[MOW ED]

Hey Randy,
We had about an inch to two on the lawns with it snowing right now to beat the band (Sat. 11am)
Obviously the shaded areas had a little more but the sun was doing a nice job until now. We are in the middle of getting 3 to 5 according to the weather. Its good to have the moisture but man I am ready to get moving. We have at least 4 feet of frost in the ground here with it up to 8 feet up north. I know a guy whose spetic tank actually froze. It was because it was colder than hell with no snow until mid Feb. We never did get a good storm to talk about.
Hope things are going well for you, I haven't been thru your parts in a while. Take care

[C & S]

I put out 240 flyers last night. Another 200 or so in the next few days. The way I see it, I'm new and NEED to get my name out there. Mow Ed, you mentioned septics freezing up. My father in law is a farmer and had his pump that cleans out the gutters freeze up. What a mess! Like a good son-in-law I spent last week shoveling out the gutters once a day. Crappy work, but a little hard work never killed anybody. Bring on the warm weather.

[mklawnman]

Hey guys, I'm down near milwaukee, in Richfield. Already know Randy and lawnsRus inc which is from Pewaukee. Cold here today but they are saying 50's by the weekend, let the melting begin and let that grass start to grow.
Going to advertise in the local free paper next week along with doing flyers then too.
Matt

[Marshall]

Hi Ed, et. al.
I measured up a lawn Saturday. Started to snow while measuring. 15 minutes later, I had 2" of snow on the ground and I was a snowman. :D
I have sent some introduction letters out and will be sending more out this week. I bought the letter template package so want to see if I can get a return on my investment. I may also do some door knocking since some know me by sight rather than by name.
Ed, I finally got my logo created. It is very similar to the one I showed you but added some small stars to separate my name. If I can figure out how to add it to my signature, then everybody could gaze upon the likeness!

[C & S]

Hey everyone, I have got about 600 flyers out right now. and not one phone call. Am I getting worried for no reason? Is it still too cold. My customers from last year haven't responded from their renewal letters either. Just starting to get worried!

[MOW ED]

Don't worry, its still only 45 degrees and there is snow on the lawns. I have had a bunch of calls but most customers haven't called yet.
Once the snow is gone those people will be thinking lawns. Now they arent thinking that yet.

Keep the faith, its coming. I am going out tomorrow morning to place about 300 or so. By the end of next week my answering machine will be overworked.

[C & S]

With the upcoming weather conditions it shouldn't take long to melt the snow. I hope you and I both have "full" answering machines by the end of next week!!

[mklawnman]

Just saw the local advertising paper that we get on Sunday and Tuesday and so far we are the only landscape company advertised in it. Maybe I'm abit early but the lady who helped me put the ad in the paper said this is about the time that companies put ad's in. Well its a good thing cause I havent advertised in the paper before so its always good to my name out there.
Going to do fliers sometime this week, going to hit some subdivisions around 1-4pm right before most get home from work and get their mail and also see my flyer in the paper box.
Hopefully I'll get some calls by the end of the week considering the temps are spring like already.
Matt

[LawnsRUsInc.]

good deal its pretty neat to get all of us together like this. Matt how are you good to hear from you oh i might have some condo complexes out near you you can have them more than likely ill iron it out this week with the company. I cant wait for the green grass and picking up my new mower this week. All the employees come back to work tomorrow Mon. the 17th. Let the games begin we are going to do flyer's in the morning and then i have to go meet with some clients while they get the shop back in order for cleanup jobs we got. Talk to you all later
Jason

[mklawnman]

Hey Jason check your e-mail.
Talk to ya later
Matt

[C & S]

Just wondering if anyone was getting any responds to their advertising yet, or is it still too early?

[mklawnman]

So far no calls. I think its a bit early and with the war its slowing things but I have a feeling that next week will pick up along with me putting out fliers tommorow will help. The newspaper i advertise in doesnt have many landscape companies in it yet so maybe we are early, I think sooner or later people will call.
Matt

[Butchs Lawn]

HELLO,,,,fellow chesseheads,,,hehe,,R we all ready for spring,,it,s been another dismal winter,cold very little snow.bring on the grass!!!,,,hopeing to strat spring clean ups soon.phones just been a ringing here,hope you all have good season.

[MOW ED]

30 calls, many repeats, 5 new. Estimates out on the new. Dunno about closing rate yet.
Its 36 and rainy on March 21. Once that sun hits its really gonna fly. I'm feelin good. Got the trailer out and starting to get the dethatchers ready.

[C & S]

I got one call-back from last year. With over 800 flyers out, new stickers on my truck, ad in the phone book, and an ad in the paper and thats all I have gotten. I better figure something out quick!!

[mklawnman]

Hey Chad, calm down, Patients is key, you may start to feel something is not going right with all your advertising your doing after reading this thread that other people in the state are getting calls. IT all depends upon your area, I'm having little luck right now with my newspaper ad, but going to be doing more fliers tommorow. If your target area is residential I think alot of people aren't really thinking about lawn care work or landscapign for that matter. Id say give it a few more weeks, this year has been crazy already with this war going on, and now the stock market has jumped up again, so I'd say give it time and things will come. For me its good cause I've never advertised in my area before, just by word of mouth so it takes time to get my name out there but I just feel in a couple weeks my phone will be ringing for landscape jobs or maintenance jobs. Little early in customers minds.
Matt

[C & S]

Hi Rich, glad to see someone else from the area!

[PR Fect]

Chad, try the phone. When they don't call me, I call them. Only lost one customer from last year. Only one new this year, but its early.

[MOW ED]

ANy of you Valley guys do fert?

Who do you use for a supplier?

[PR Fect]

Ideal Green, If you are putting any amount down you need to be booth certified and liceanced as an aplacator. You also need a licance for your Ideal Green. $60 per aplacator, $125 for Ideal Green even if you are an owner operator like me. We just went threw it this winter. This is for any amount you get paid for, spot treat, or even weed and feed you bought at Fleet Farm! Im still trying to figure out if we need a licence to aply fert, fro the info the state sent us. In some cases you do. Our plan is to expand into the weed market this season. I have been looking at Rinders and Weyers prices so far. Booth seem close. Trying to decide what to lay down. Sounds like you have a idea for me Mow Ed?

[PR Fect]

Ideal Green, the 500 acre for exchange of goods, services, or money, applies to farmers doing it for their neighbors. Me and you get screwed. We too only do a few lawns, won't even make any money of what we stuck into it this season. We got the PAT books,$45 x 2, and took a class at the Tec. $53 x 2, School book,$100 X 2. Plus the $185 I told you about before. $446 for a "professional" broadcast spreader.:confused: What else have I missed? O yes those little mandated red and white 4x5 flag's with our name and number on them. I did learn alot from the FVTC class. But if you go to the day long seminar from the UW before the test and read that book end to end that they sent you you will be fine. 75 multiple guess and you can get 21 wrong and pass. I got a 92, 70 is passing.

[PR Fect]

Rich, OK it looks like we both read enough to get through that. Now how about the fert. Do I or Do I not need a license for hire to apply fert? PR

[MOW ED]

The applications biz is very good and you do have to be licensed as a business and as an applicator in Wisconsin. You also have to abide by the prenotification law too. I get the book every spring and have a few calls to make. God forbid someone catches you applying without the proper papers.

Valley guys I asked about the suppliers to see if we use the same people. I have been with Reinders since 1998. Art, Jamie, and Kurt are great to work with. It was Art that actually got me started after I bought my WB from him. Been to Weyers a couple of times and will possibly buy an Exmark or a Hustler from them this year if things get better.

Its starting to smell like money outside.

Helpful links;

http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/app/license;sesessionid=9F8M6pxEoaa4-J78VkG3bSGi?COMMAND=gov.wi.state.cpp.license.command.ShowPermitTypes&selectedLicense=2001010315212523897143

http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/app/license?COMMAND=gov.wi.state.cpp.license.command.ShowPermitTypes&selectedLicense=2001010315212561758979

http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/app/license?COMMAND=gov.wi.state.cpp.license.command.ShowPermitTypes&selectedLicense=2001010315212664142742

[MOW ED]

Anyone working yet?
I got the stuff out and it is all fueled up and on the trailer. I have to mount the JRCO on the Toro and put the blades on but I can be ready in a couple of hours.

There is still frost at about 2-3 feet down. We need a warm sunny streak or better yet a 3 day warm rain. I have been getting at least four calls a day form previous customers and mayby 2 or 3 new inquiries a week. The bad thing is I got 2 potential mowing customers that are basically turds. They are either demanding p.i.t.a.s. or have a 3/4 acre lot that almost has to be mowed with a 21" wb. I'll pass on those.
Almost time to get my fert supplies.

[MOW ED]

One of the big guys started "dethatchings" yesterday. Today its gonna rain.:(
Many homeowners were out towing rakes on the small lawns too but it sure looks wet to me (even before the rain).

Still getting calls and tomorrow I'll be heading to my favorite supplier for some pre-em and fert.

Looking at the extended forecast it looks like we are still in Wisconsin. 30's and rain/snow with lows in teens possible.

[mklawnman]

Hey you guys up north, get those plows back on the trucks and put away the rakes, its sounding like mother nature has a mind of her own before we get into April, 5-10inches of snow by sat.
Ouchy, im just mad that its gonna be 30's this weekend, when last weekend was like 50, spring like.
Ah well thats Wisconsin
Matt:cool:

[Randy Scott]

Worked full days so far this week. Nice job putting a dry stack lannon stone retaining wall back up that fell down for a customer. It was built three years ago without any set-back and obviously didn't survive. A little bit more intense labor than I would have liked first thing into the season, especially just coming off the couch. I felt like a squid trying to lift some of those stones. Did a small 3 hour cleanup this morning before finishing the wall job. Pretty much rained lightly all morning and then cleared this afternoon.
Sure feels good to be doing something, and generating a little revenue.
Still have a lot of estimates to get done. It's go time now though, things are getting hectic. :)

[unclebuck]

hi cheeseheads,i'm from appleton and just found this site from a friend. i too and waiting to start the mowing service season.

[unclebuck]

HEY FELLOW CHEESEHEADS, GREETINGS FROM DARBOY,
HERE'S A LIST OF MY EQUIPTMENT, JUST STARTED GETTING SOME CALLS ON FERT BIDS AND HOPE TO HERE MORE ON MOWING BIDS I SUBMITTED!


MRP SERVICES
APPLETON WISC 54915


2003 FORD F-250
14' CHILTON TRAILER
2002 INGERSOLL 4020 W HYDRA BAGGER
JRCO FRONTLINE THATCHER
7000EB REDMAX BACKPACKBLOWER
ECHO TRIMMMER
48'' ROLLER ( TOW TYPE)
48" SLITSEEDER
EARTHWAY 175LB TOW SPREADER

[unclebuck]

HEY IDEAL,

I WAS IN A PARTNERSHIP BACK IN 1992, AFTER DOING MOST OF THE WORK, I LEFT AND RESTARTED LAST SPRING, MRP ARE MY INITIALS, BUT ALSO STANDS FOR MOWING ,RAKING AND PLOWING. I LIKE MY F-250 AND HAVE A 8' WESTERN UNI- MOUNT PLOW FOR IT. I'M WORKING ON A DEAL TO GET RID OF THE PLOW OR MAYBE THE TRUCK TOO. TO MANY HEADACHES AND NOT ENOUGH SNOW TO JUSTIFY KEEPING IT, I'D RATHER MOW GRASS. I MOW FOR A MORTGAGE COMPANY THAT SELLS USED HOUSES AND SOME RESIDENTALS AND A FEW COMMERRICIALS ACCOUNTS. I AM WORKING ON 40 RESIDENTIAL FERTILIZING ACCOUNTS AND A MUNICIPAL ACCOUNT RIGHT NOW.

[PR Fect]

Rich, if you need someone to deal with that Neenah account let me know. We like the little ones, its our main B&B. Do you know of anyone in the area that does snow removal on small residential drives and walks? That we can count on? Don't do any snow removal myself, and my accounts ask every year. Hate to loose one because of bad or no winter service. janpat@execpc.com

[William Camp]

:help: Hi fellow mowers in the Flint Michigan area I'am looking for some more work If you get to much and want to pass it along give me a call or email me.



Thanks
Fourstar Lawnscaping
810-621-4301
wcamp@power-net.net
:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p
Think Spring

[MOW ED]

Originally posted by William Camp
:help: Hi fellow mowers in the Flint Michigan area I'am looking for some more work If you get to much and want to pass it along give me a call or email me.



Thanks
Fourstar Lawnscaping
810-621-4301
wcamp@power-net.net
:p :p :p :p :p :p :p :p
Think Spring

Not to be a smart ***** but you would get mow help if you posted in the Detroit thread. We are across the pond from ya.:blush:

[unclebuck]

HEY PR,

WE DO RESIDENTIAL SNOW REMOVAL AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT IT

MARK


MRP SERVICES
APPLETON WI

[C & S]

Just wondering what guys around here do with tree branches? Can you take them to the city dump site if your collecting money for this service? I would think not, huh?

[C & S]

O.K. here is my next problem. I want to upgrade to a better trailer this year. Getting bigger equipment is the reason. Was thinking about a 16 footer but could probably get away with a 12 foot. I looked at Captain's, but is their any competition out there? I just might have to make my own!

[PR Fect]

Rich, just got home from my "part time" job at the city yard wast site. Thought I would check in with my "full time" job freinds. Thanks for the laugh!:D It's just what I needed after a day dealing with the public. I must have not mentioned that I work for the DPW. What color did you tell Chad that truck of yours was?LOL Chad, we just went through the trailer buying thing. I looked for a long time. Try Double H Trailer Sales, Marion. Hwy 45 just out of Clintonville. They built one to my spec's for less than the ones I looked at Chilton and Captins. Eazy going, good guys to work with. PR

[MOW ED]

I guess I am lucky so far up here in De Pere with the compost site being free. They take commercial cutter stuff with no problem. I have seen tree guys roll up with a 5 yard truck of chips and dump. They don't care.
Whats cool is that everything is composted or ground with a huge tub grinder that shows up 2 or 3 times a year. The composted stuff is sort of like sterilized black dirt, I can even get lucky and get the screened stuff for free. It works great for topdressing or reseeding jobs.
The city figures that if you are gonna haul it there you are saving the DPW time and money because they have curbside pickup and the stuff shows up in the same place one way or another.

I like it but I really don't haul much anymore.

Man the ground is wet. I can't get a break here. The only guys out are the TG Scumlawn blowing green water on the cheepys lawns. I'll be out fertilizing today. I guess its good for aerating but I'm gonna put that off a while.

[promower]

Wondering if anyone near the Madison area has started power raking yet?? Thinking its really to early for that. I didnt do any dethatching last year, not quite sure when to start.

[PR Fect]

Went out and detached a lawn today. plan on doing another tomorrow. Sounds like a day to go out and do bids on Thursday, more rain coming. Rich seen you working on Calumet St. today, I was in a city truck. Blew horn, but you had your blower going, and a head set on, or was that ear protection? So your truck is maroon and gray.........

[C & S]

Have to do a clean up tomarrow. Boy I could use that grass growing. I am BROKE.

[mklawnman]

I'm finally getting more calls from my fliers and also the advertising I've been doing. Haven't done any cleanups yet, been so busy with paper work on my truck and my business stuff with bid's, hopefully nextweek I'll get started cause they are saying rain tommorow. I dont do dethatching or power raking. I havent done dethatching and I'm guessing power raking is raking leaves, dirt, stones out of the lawn which I usually do with a good ole rake, but i know they make them for the Echo trimmers and such but someday I'll get into that stuff, getting low on money already so I need get get going, might have mulching to do on Friday maybe?
Good luck to all and happy mowin
Matt

[C & S]

Laughing at my expence



I was emptying my truck and trailer (manually) today at the dumps when another company pulled up. The two guys got out of the truck and smirked a little. They hit the button and DUMPED their leaves. I was going to say hi, but they were not there long enough! O well, gotta start somewhere, right?!

[PR Fect]

Chad, I'm with Rich. Anyone can spend money, the banks have lots to give! But we are in business to MAKE money. One of the mowers that has made me more money than I know was once in someones trash!

[mklawnman]

So you guys go to the local dumps or called "recycling centers" and dump grass clippings, leaves,brances and other natural stuff there?? Cause my town has a recycling center where they have a burn pile for leaves, branches and stuff and I was getting worried that if i start dumping stuff there alot this year that it will look tacky?? Driving there everyday to dump some debris from a cleanup or trimming job. It would be free for me to dump it cause I'm paying taxes on the center.
Yeah I started out with a 91Ranger and still have the 6x12ft trailer. Finally have a 99 GMC Dumper now which is nice. I know of a company around here who buys new F450's like every 3yrs. Chances are they lease them then trade them in, maybe thats a good thing but I'd rather have a truck for years that will last and save me money.
Matt

[LawnsRUsInc.]

Just wanted to come on and say hi to everyone just got back into town. About the dumps we dump all of our waste there for free, but we have had a contract with our local museum for 5 years. Well hope all the snow leaves soon so we can get back to work. I just got back from cancun mexico with my girlfriend and i we were there for a week. I learned some new things (ideas) about lawn care and landscaping down there. I got my picture taken with a mexican gardener and me and (i wore my company shirt) his lawn mower its a funny pic the only get 50 pesos a day tops or 5 dollars. If the speak English they don't cut grass they have other jobs and they get 10 dollars a day and two meals. Figured i would put that info in there. Makes you wonder how much some of our local LCO's are paying there illegal immigrants.

Jason (hope to see you guys out on the road working soon)

[LawnsRUsInc.]

I had a ? what are you guys charging for sod installs? I was seening if my numbers are wacked or what i have been charging people 55 cents per sq ft of sod installed. Is that to much i get the sod delivered for 12.1 cents per sq ft (so like $1.10 per yd/roll)? Let me know what you guys think i am just practicing what i was told be local companys. Also this doesnt include prep work.
Jason

[Randy Scott]

Originally posted by IDEALGREEN
Try doing a search for "SOD PRICING" or just "SOD" on the lawnsite forums. You should pull up all kinds of pricing and topics on it.

I had no idea that sod installations and the cost of that stuff was that high. I just about dropped my jaw when I saw even how much you pay for it. Not saying I know were to get it cheaper but man, that stuff is pricey!

A guy down the road had his whole yard done, about 4700 sq ft. He must have a lot extra green sitting around to pay almost $260,000.00 @ 55.00.


Rich

That was $0.55 per sq. foot. Not $55.00 per sq. foot. It would be $2585.00 not almost $260,000.00. :)

[LawnsRUsInc.]

I cant search for it through the site this type of topic (sod) changes so greatly, just by 100 miles it could change up to $0.50 per roll of sod from Milwaukee to Chicago. Just curious about the topic many new homes that need sod just want to be in line.

Are you guys ready for the SNOW this evening i was hoping to hit the yards this week landscaping. Drive safe to all.

Thank you Jason

[PR Fect]

Matt, if you can dump, don't worry about tac! We have a general rule that no "contractors" can dump at the yard site. They worry is that they will bring stuff from other than the town of Grand Chute or Appleton. Thats the area that pays for the site. Anyone can come and pick up material at the site though. We have mulch, compost, wood chips. The chips go fast, we run them threw "the Beast" a shredder. Makes a nice product for planting beds. Its made from mixed wood from cut trees that are brought in and pallets. The beast takes out all the nails. The attendant will even load you. I only work the site in the winter but if I seen one of you guys come threw, I would let you dump. :angel:

[MOW ED]

If you run out of chips and need more then come up to De Pere. There is usually a huge load of them at the site. There is also black composted dirt, sod, and lots of flies.

Right now there is lots of snow.

[mklawnman]

STUPID SNOW :angry:
Was going to start cleanups this week, well that just got delayed till next week, and this also hurts the advertising, no one calls when its snowing out :(
Only hope is that its gonna get warmer out this week. Yeah I would think it would be ok to haul debris and branches there because basically nobody watches the dump piles, only on Saturdays when the recycle center is open, but the debris area is open all the time cause its behind some baseball dimonds. I may haul aload in there once and see how things go.
Matt

[C & S]

Where is everyone???

Too busy working. I'm going to call the phone companysoon to make sure the phone still works. Having my doubts. Had one call today, lady wants brush and trees removed. Only problem is they are not hers!!! Have some bigger acounts STILL waiting on. Boy can these people drag their feet. If I don't get some action pretty quick, I'm going to have to get a 9 to 5 job. I'm going to cross my fingures. Sorry, just had to vent. Good luck to everybody, see ya.

[promower]

I hear ya Chad. I have enough work but one guy I started talking to end of last summer and he is still draging his feet. Problem is he has 6 properties so I kind of need to know what he is doing. I dont want to turn someone down then not have him sicn up. 2 more days, if he loses his spot then oh well

[rick1961]

Rich,I am looking for a little more work maybe a job or two .My main contract is on a cut-back of money spent on non-profit items.
So lawn care is low on the list. My equip. is on the larger side, 60" mower with cart bagging system, hand mowers ,sprayers, core aerator,and blowers and trimmers,all my equip. is 2000 or newer
I was doing lawn installation and landscaping but sold out all that last fall,now just doing the lawn maintenance.If I can be of some help feel free to e-mail me at Brunoash@famvid.com

Rick

[MOW ED]

I worked on Sunday the 13th and then it rained like crazy. Fertilized and estimated on the 17th but man am I behind. I am still getting calls and from those calls I am getting work. I have a couple of grand in spring clean/dethatching work sitting on my clipboard. I need lots of sun and wind to convert that to cash.

Sure is rotten to be sitting inside looking at a forecast of another freakin inch of rain in the next 2 days.

How are you guys doing??

[C & S]

I'm still waiting for the phone to ring. Got one bigger mowing job last week, and still waiting for a few more to decide. Hoping the warmer temps will get people thinking about their lawn and not shoveling the drive. Time will tell.

[Randy Scott]

Poured the coals to her this week. Business is great and I'm excited about this year. Half a dozen calls a day and just about all referrals. Depressing about a $500 a month phone book ad not generating much work although the referrals are coming in like crazy. Good luck to all you guys and perform superior work and they will come!!

[C & S]

Is there anywhere locally I can get trimmer racks for my open trailer? I would rather not get them on-line.

[MOW ED]

How far into the mowing season are you guys?
I have 1 round in but am still hammering out dethatches and clean ups. I have a bunch of aerations on the board but the dryness won't let me . Thats a good thing because I am swamped. Rain tomorrow, Thurs and Friday are gonna sock me. I am close to spraying for weeds also. Anyone running into time problems.
You got to love those last minute calls too, oh can you come tomorrow- I really need my lawn dethatched!!!! AHHHHHHH. Everything is possible for the right price.

Time to buy a new Z also. I have increased the customer base by about 50,000 sq ft and have to be faster. What problems to have huh. I hope things are going good for you guys. There certainly is alot of work here.

[promower]

I just started friday, only did have the accounts some still to short. And yes still getting those clean up calls.

[slider53072]

Since I am the new guy on the site, I would like to say that I look foreward to networking with you fellow Wisconsin LCO's, and learning a few things...

If any of you area LCO'S need any help with either commercial accounts or landscaping...I just wanted to tell you all that we have 2 J.D. Lawnmowers with 72in decks as well as weedeaters and all of the assorted other goodies that come with the business.

We also have 1 single axle dump truck w/10yd box as well as a Mustang skidsteer, we will take work anywhere within the 5 county area of S.E Wisconsin

[MOW ED]

Its been a while. How is the rain treating all of you? I got to mow yesterday but thats it. I am way behind on the spraying, as a matter of fact I didn't spray one yet. Where do you Valley folks get your spray tanks? Any dealers close? I only know of one guy that builds them north of GB.
If it ever warms up we are in for one heck of a growth spurt.

Mayby I'll take a ride to Weyers and see if I can set up a demo. Do they sell outboard mowers??:D :p

[C & S]

I got to mow a little on tuesday, had to try out the new ZTR in the rain on wednesday, and worked my butt off yesterday so I could beat the rain. Man is that grass growing fast!

[PR Fect]

Mow ED, ask Dale at Weyers about that outboard mower. He talks up those EX-Marks all the time how they cut on water! I need to know wear I take a sample of turf for identification. I have a problem patch in a customers lawn and he wants it gone. I could just round-up and re-seed, but I would feel better knowing what I killed off and how to control. PR

[MOW ED]

Hey I just want to say that it is very cool that this thread has has 1123 views up until today.
Do we have more LCO's on the board or just like to talk lawns more here in Wisconsin.
From rain to wind. Man was it blowin today. Had to park the big sprayer and take a backpack around with me today. Sore shoulders and tired legs.
Its warming up, this will be the first full week of hitting all the customers. I still haven't gotten to demo the Exmark vs the Hustler yet. Too busy.

[MOW ED]

Come on guys. I know you are busy but we have to keep Wisconsin in the top 2 posts on this board.

I am finally caught up. So caught up that I got to finally do a spring clean and cut of MY backyard yesterday. Got a few loose ends today like spot spraying , fert for the 5 ap customers and a couple of mows but life is good. I will be able to do some preventive maintenance today.

How are things in the Valley? Do you guys notice lots of newbies with lawn tractors cruising around. There are more of them this season. I really could care less except for the fact that there are a few that are doing the lowball/lowlife thing of following established guys around and lowballing them. I have a good friend that was doing a gas station for 75 bucks. Good pricing for a tough job. He had a jerk that he knows come in and hammer him for 35 bucks.
Just waiting til the Murray breaks down.

[PR Fect]

Mow ED, yes we are still out here. I check the site and read some, about every other day. Mowed every night till dark last week. Did mower maintenance and two bids Saturday. Got drunk Sunday and we are back at it today. I have not seen grass grow this fast before. Yes life is good. Many guys out there laid off. I seen one day before last with a $500 truck $50 worth of oak timbers for ramps and a $300 lawn mower. Did not stop to ask his rate. Going to start broad leaf control applications this week. And mow,mow,mow!

[C & S]

I can't understand these people that have not mowed their lawns yet. After you give them your price including the PITA factor for the first time mowing, they think your crazy. I just don't get it.

[MOW ED]

Originally posted by IDEALGREEN

What does everyone think about advertising Lawnsite's web address on there trucks or equipment? Bad idea or good idea? There is plenty of bad I think of but some good ideas come to mind also.

There has been much discussion about this topic on this site. I would say that it really isn't a great idea to invite the public to the break room so to speak. Even though the site is free and access is open I don't think that we should go around advertising to the public. Now if you see a noob out there and you want to talk to him and mention the site, thats great. Or if you don't want to talk then put a note with the site on his windshield when you see him getting out to pee in the bushes;)

Even though I am not ashamed of what I post or what is posted here, I believe that we should keep the site to the community that actually do the work. I wouldn't want to have all my customers or new customers questioning me because they know that lawn care is cheaper in another area and why am I charging so much. But I will tell new guys to take a look at the site because I wish that I had this site when I started. It would have saved me time and money in getting to this point in my business.

Its a growin now guys. Good Luck. Have a GREAT Holiday!!

[C & S]

Gave a girl a cheap price on a one time cut. Went there to do it and told her I required payment prior to mowing. She didn't look like she would pay, trying to be careful. Her responds was "what if I think it sucks?" That statement came with alll the attitude I could handle.

I told her that it would not look like a golf course when i was done, she has not yet mowed this year, and that is not the service she requested. She wanted it cut down so she could do it.
I told her for that price she was not going to get perfection and holy cow did her blood pressure rise!!

After my behind started getting chewed out, I kindly interuped her, and suggested she call someone else, so beware!! Not worth my pease of mind.

[PR Fect]

I agree with Mow ED on advertising LawnSite. Chad I have a $26 min. on residental lawns if they want it cut all season. I time shot, and the lawn is a mess, $30 to $35. This is for lawns 7 to 10k sq ft. This is what we started at 3 years ago and have turned down customers last two years. And as you read, we are full this year. Any more calls, we pass. The only account we do for less is four lots down from home base, and she pays $25 a cut. Our minamum for fert and weed controle that we started this year is $34. And the same goes. Our next door neighbor pays $30 and I never start the truck! Do good work and they will come. My old boss, a LCO, told me once"I want you to do good as job as you would do at your own home. Then I want you to look it over and do at least one more thing to really make the job. After all if it were not for that job, you would not have your own!"

[PR Fect]

Seen some leaf drop on Ash trees. Two jobs about 7 miles apart as the crow flies. Anyone else seen this? What and why? One job I just help with debris removal, the other is a full service account. Weed control, mow, and trim. Does not really look like frost damage. Lots of drop though and just ash so far.

[MOW ED]

Who got slammed by the rain. Man is it wet. I was thinking about mowing today but there was no way. Now my Tuesday lawns will be 9 days of fertilized growth when I cut them Thursday. One good thing, my dealer has a ferris 3000(i think) 4wheel independent suspension for me to use thurs and friday. Got to see what it does. I am looking forward to it and I could sure use the bigger deck.
I guess it was a good thing that I couldn't mow, water in the basement because the window well drain was clogged. Flat on trailer, new tire. Garage door opener chain flew off the track, fixed that. 3's a charm its got to get better.

Anyone getting behind. I am but I'll catch up. Good Luck.

[C & S]

I have had enough rain for awhile.
Will try to combine 2 days work into 1 day. My biggest problem is try to keep air in my tires. Slow leak. I'll have to get some "fix a flat".

[MOW ED]

Anyone run the Bellin in Green Bay?

I tried. Finished in 56 minutes. Not good but not bad. Never walked once but it was warm and humid. I started a thread about TG/CL in off topic. Got a great breath of pesticides during the run.

Happy Fathers day to all tomorrow.

[PR Fect]

You guy's are starting to scare me with those flats. Have not had one this year so far. Today is the first time in the last week I do not need to mow or sleep. Ed, you did not say how the Ferris worked?

[C & S]

Hey Rich, is that a new truck? (Blue Ford). Looks nice either way.
I saw you on atlantic street today. I was the one with the silver and brown Dodge.

[C & S]

I have been having enough flats. If there are any takers, I have extra!!!

[unclebuck]

we should not advetise this site! we have got enough problems with lowballers already! if we discuss pricing or charging on this site we are giving up our business. i have helped and will continue to help people on this site to get ahead, but to let these low ballers cut my throat? no way,
right now two guys from kaukauna, you all know them are cutting everybody's throat. i wo'nt let them drive me under, keep the site and your pricing between us, we need every advantage we can get!

[unclebuck]

RICH, THAT GAL NEVER CALLED ME ABOUT THAT RESEEDING, CALL ME WE'LL TRY AND CALL HER AGAIN?


THANKS MARK

[unclebuck]

HEY MOWERS,

THE LOWBALLERS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN! I LOST ONE TO A MURRY AND A SNOWMOBLE TRAILER WITH NO INSURANCE! THESE FLY-BY NIGHTERS ARE RUINING OUR BUSINESS. THE ONLY THING A GUY CAN FALL BACK ON IS REPUTATION, SOONER OR LATER THEY ALL COME BACK AFTER THEY FIND OUT WHAT POOR QUALLITY THESE "LOWBALLERS" DO! SORRY I LOST MY HEAD. WE GOT CT-THROATS CUTTING LAWNS FOR $15.00 THAT SHOULD BE $ 22.00- $ 25.00 . AND CORE AERATING FOR $29.95< I USED TO GET $ 40.00.

[MOW ED]

Unclebuck
About those 2 guys from Kaukauna. Do they ride around in a red window van that is painted red?
If so, I know exactly who you are talking about and they come up by me too.
Let me know.

I do see many more scumbags towing around junk on a pallet this year. I think there are lots of guys without jobs scavanging whatever thye can get. Time weeds them out but they do lots of damage in the process.

[PR Fect]

Rich, may have one more account for you. As you know I plow for the city. Need someone I can trust for snow removal on my lawn accounts. Same rules as you. Must be on the job EVERY time it snows. Do you haul snow also?:blush:

[bbhlawn]

My wife and I have started out this season with one goal in mind....Have fun together. I travel all the time and am looking forward to the time when I can have enough customers lined up to be able support my family. I live in the Lake Geneva area and have really pushed the flyers hard the last couple of weeks to try and get lined up for next season and do whatever jobs come our way this season. We started late this year(July) but have 7 steady mowing customers and have had a few landscape jobs.

Was wondering what words of wisdom you guys can offer for getting the name out there and being set-up for next season?

[PR Fect]

BBH - welcome abord! So far your on track, you found Lawnsite.com. I whish I had this sight my first year. We are now in are 4th season. Part time (Ya Right) myself, Jan, and my 13 year old started too help some this year. Do good work, Always try to better your work, don't get slopy. Its OK to do a small freebe now and then if it is a regular account, it will come back to you. Don't lowball, see first ansewer, good work cost. Remember you never know who is watching, I landed one of our largest accounts because I stoped as I walked across their parking lot and picked up some trash and trew it in the back of my truck. The owner came over and asked if I could do some work for them! LUCK.

[MOW ED]

The Dallas Ft Worth guys have us beat, comeon Cheeseheads we have more to say than them.


Its really starting to slow here in GB. I hate to say we need rain but we do. Lots of dust when I mow those that don't suck water from the river to water the lawns. Looks like a possibility at the end of the week.
take care.

[C & S]

My phone is starting to ring off the hook from customers telling me not to stop. We need rain!!!!!!!!!!!!

[promower]

We need rain so bad, but now I think It's just to late. We need so much rain that when the grass finally get green again and grows It will be time for fall clean-up. This weather is ridiculous and I'm starting to get kinda P.O. First year trying this full time and of course, dryest season I can remember.

[PR Fect]

Good Luck Rich, Maybe some of mine will rub off on you. Was mowing at a two week interval. But it has all stopped now. That new account we got has over 230 shrubs, and 35 trees. They want us to clean them all up! Some have not been clipped in five years. I told them $26 per man hour with a $10 dump fee when needed. They said, when can you start? My Echo 1600 clippers is getting a hell of a work out, wile the Toro's rest.

[promower]

Thanks for the monthly billing input. I've been throwing that idea around in my head for a few weeks now. I'm not sure how to go about t, If set up on a monthly would customers expect me to come every 4 days or so in the spring when the grass is really growing. I guess it would only be fair since they would still get charged the same when its not growing. I think the montly bill is a good idea, Is that how you invoice. It would be easier bookwork to being I wouldnt have to keep track of each person I mowed for each day.

[promower]

Good post IDEAL. Think I'm going to pursue the monthly billing next year. Just let them know that they will receive the extras during the dry periods, hedge trimming, edging, etc... So they dont feel like they are paying for nothing. Thanks for the reply, Good luck to you
Matt

[PR Fect]

Rich, I was at the job site doing weed controle. As I walked across the parking lot I stoped and picked up some trash and threw it in the back of my truck. The manager and co-owner seen me and came over and asked me if I could do the work. I also got the mowing. The guy who plowed the snow was doing it before. Right place, right time! Now I know what went wrong with my flyers. Last month I gave out 85 door hangers. It took me around 2 hours to hang them. Covered about 10 city blocks. Not one call for even a quote. I should of hung 915 more. :D

[C & S]

I put out 1300 flyers this spring. Not 1 call. I'll have second thoughts about doing that again.

[bbhlawn]

I put out close to 2000 this past spring not many calls at first, but now I have started to get calls for other things. I'm still handing out flyers this year. I know you might not get many calls from them, but I want people to see the name and maybe stick in there head the next time they need some work done. Plus the excersise never hurt anyone.

[unclebuck]

THANK GOD FOR RAIN! RICH,I HAVEN'T SEEN OR HEARD FROM YOU IN AWHILE? GEARIN UP FOR FALL CLEAN-UPS AND CORE AIREATION

[PR Fect]

Got a call just after that last post. They read my door hanger! Ended up with a core aeration job! 5K real straight and square with two trees. Hit him for $9.30 a K. Made them and us happy:)

[MOW ED]

Hey PR, great to see. I have aerated about 200K sq ft this season but not at that rate. Some of mine are real big and I use the tractor and classen pull behind for all of them. I really would like hydro and down pressure on my 3pt but thats a future goal.

Hope things are going good for you Valley guys. We certainly have not been hurtin for moisture. Could have mowed yesterday but got rained out. Good thing the customers dont care. I'll get em next week. Stay warm.

[PR Fect]

Rich, took new job at the city. I am now a Operator II. Drive street sweeper at night, cut grass in the day, sleep and eat in between. Appleton has two dump sites for snow. They are not open too the public. Some for hire trucks have a place to dump snow and some want you to have your own place. The key is to have a site close to the job. If you get a Tri axel dump at $50 per hour, but it takes a hour round trip to dump, compared to a Tri-axel at $45 an hour , but it takes an hour 15 minutes, you can see it will make a big difference at the end of the night. After 10 loads the $50 truck is $165 cheaper. Also, haul at night. Less cars on road, faster times. PR

[PR Fect]

OK, we will change the name of this thred to the Pat and Rich show. I have been busting my --- on leafs all ready. We charge per hour for fall cleen up, over the bid of seasonal mowing. Go back 3 or 4 times to get it all. Its kind of fun when we do one in Appleton. We put the leafs in the gutter line the way the city crews want them. Then at night I change hats and get paid again to move them from the gutter with my street sweeper! God bless the USA! We do a set of condos, have not put one leaf or is it leaves on the trailer yet. Have not talked to that manger yet about who is going to do snow removel. Can I give him your number Rich? 24 units and snow would need to be hauled.

[C & S]

I've been busy trying to get contracts signed for next year. Got lucky and had a big one renew for three years. I have also been getting the papers ready to file for court. Customer desided to get a mower and forgot about his SIGNED contract. Now he won't even return my phone calls. I have also been trying to find a job for the winter, with little luck. Strange how nobody wants to hire someone with a lawn care name on the side of their vehicle. O well, I'll keep trying.

[PR Fect]

I'm not asking were you got our pictures from, I look a little old in that shot! LOL I will talk to Jan, take a look at the properties, and get back to ya. Anyone else need the snow removal work if it comes up?

[C & S]

Rich, I am always looking for more work. I tried to get yor e-mail address through your profile, but was unable do to server problems. I'll have to try it some other time.

[C & S]

I also looked into the PLCAA a few months ago. I'm still trying to justify the fees.

[sodzilla]

I'm new to business but joined PLCAA right away. I'm taking their Cert. Turf Grass Prof. coarse the offer through the Un. of Geogia also. Normal price is $309 but price for PLCAA members is $249. I also put their logo on all my advertising saying I'm a member. Just figure it makes me look better than the next guy. They don't offer any health ins. though, but that is where my local Chamber of Commerce comes in.

[PR Fect]

I looked into the PLCAA last year. Your damn right there dues are high! Maybe this should be it's own thread on LawnSite. I wrote them and explained that small independent owner-operator LCO's can not justify that high of dues. I told them if they were to have a lower rate for one man LCO's they would get many to join. After all, there is no other representation for us out there. I was told to call, so I did. The gal I talk with said I should send whatever I thought was fare, and they would start my membership. She said "we would rather have you pay a little and be a member than to not have you involved". When I pushed for what was a fair price, she would not say because their by-laws do not allow for a reduced rate.

[sodzilla]

Just wondering who you guys prefer for fert. weedcontrol etc. Do you use Reinder's, Lesco or whoever? I know you Valley guys don't have a Lesco up there, but I know a guy in Green Bay that has them ship it to his place from their Milw. area store. From looking here in Madison it seems like Reinder's has better prices but I'm not to familiar with all the products yet since I'm just starting.(yes, I'm getting my apl. lic.)

By the way I see a lot of Lawn Care Companies when I'm in the Valley area but I don't know if any of them are you guys or not. I'm in the Valley everyday because my fulltime job is hauling cattle. I go from Madison to Green Bay to Milwaukee everyday. So if you guys see a Black F350 pulling a cattle trailer it could be me. Company name is Badgerland Cattle from Cottage Grove. We have 9 trucks on the road but I'm the only smart one that drives a Ford. So if you see me give a wave or something.

[PR Fect]

Hey Sodzilla, welcome aboard. I work the two job hours also. Did not know I could have Lesco ship it up, we buy from Rienders or Weyers Equipment in Kaukauna. Same product, comes from EC Grow out of Eau Claire. Rienders and Weyers give a brake on the per bag price if you buy in bulk. Don't know if you can buy direct from EC Grow in Eau Claire or not. Maybe if you get up that way in your truck, look them up.

[TreffertLawnWrx]

hey guys, just thought I should out a "Go Packers" from my neck of the woods! Im from Hudson right on the St Croix River across from the twin cities. Im a happy owner of a solo+1 operation. I service about 30 residential accounts and a townhouse association. Just though i would get in on all the cheesehead chatter. Scott

Treffert Lawn Works

[idugaholez]

Hi guys,

Im from Green Bay, and do mostly design and construction, but a little bit of maintenance. I dont see myself getting too big in the maintenace area, just enough for about 1 day a week's work, except in the spring, gotta do that thatching thing. I was wondering if you any of you guys, or if you know of someone, would be interested in doing my fertilizing... i don't want to go and get my lic. for that. Let me know if anybody is interested...


Doug

[MOW ED]

Hi Doug,
Happy New Year.
I sent you a PM that you haven't checked yet about the fertilizer and spraying. I'll bet you are hopin for another Super Bowl appearance. Take care,
Ed

[sodzilla]

Hey, were is everybody? Let me guess keeping warm and finally plowing snow. Just thought I would post to get us back on the first page again. By the way I passed my Pest. test a couple of weeks ago.

[sodzilla]

Idealgreen,

I took the test in Madison. I recieved the book back in Aug. and read a little here and there. Whenever I had the chance. I payed alot of attention to the calibration section. However, there were alot of questions having to do with insects. I knew that insects were important, but didn't think there would have been that many questions about them.

What book do you have? Mine was the forth edition. The lady refered to it as the old book. She also said the test was harder for the old book than the new one. Just my luck, I figured as I was about to take it.

What really helped is the fact that I got laid-off the weak before I took the test,(laid-off on thursday took test the following tuesday) so I had some motivation to pass it. If you fail it the first time you have to wait 24 hrs. to take it again. If you fail a second time you have to wait 30 days to take it again. Thats why I took it in Jan. I figured I could fail it twice and still have my licence by the end of March if I passed it the third time. But I got lucky and did it on the first try.

Good luck on your test,

Brian

[MOW ED]

Congrats on passing the test Brian!!!

Its time to start that advertising blitz now. There is good money to be made in apps and TG/CL is a great company that makes our work easier. Time to buy the spreader and tank sprayer. Good Job.

[sodzilla]

ED,

Speaking of tank sprayers. I am looking into one. 300 gal. turf master from Contree Sprayer and Equipment here in Beaver Dam. Like I said it's 300 gal, 5 hp. Honda, can't remember the pump, and 400' 3/8" hose w/ electric reel for around $3,300. I could save some money going with a brigs and 300' of hose(unit comes with 300' I wanted 400'). Is this a good price?

Also Paul at Reinders here in Madison told me that to do liquid weed control with a tank sprayer you need around 100 gal. per acre to spray it properly. I'm not to familar with the products yet, but is this true?

Thanks for your help,

Brian

[MOW ED]

Brian,
First thing to consider is what vehicle are you putting that 300 gallon sprayer on. You have to remember that 300 gallons of water weighs aprox 2400 lbs. Add to that the dry weight and any additional weight you will carry I.E. fertilizer. If you have the rig a 300 should do you but you have to know how much you are gonna be spraying.
My Walker sprayer is calibrated so I can get about 50,000 sq ft on a 35 gal tank of mix, spraying Speedzone. Each herbicide has a different rate as you learned and the application rate for you walking with a hose is different than me spraying out of a 4 nozzle 8' coarse mist sprayer at about 3 mph.
I currently do not have a tank/hose combination but will pick one up for the small properties this spring. I would stay with the Honda if you can afford it. That price seems in the ballpark if you get a decent pump with the Honda. 400 feet of hose can get to be a bear if you don't have a helper. Heck we only have 200 feet on our fire engine jumpline for 2 guys and that is 1 3/4 dia. I know thats not a fair comparison but hopefully you will have access to areas not that far from the truck. The electric rewind is a must.
Talk to the Reinders guy and have him write the calibratrion figures down for Speedzone. I don't know what tank mix he is saying will require 100 gal per acre, I'm not saying he is wrong. I just know that my sprayer is different and I cover more area with less mix. You have lots of work ahead of you. Can't wait til the temps raise a little. -10 is a bit too cold for me to get fired up about anything but eatin. Good Luck.

[Randy Scott]

Originally posted by sodzilla
ED,

Speaking of tank sprayers. I am looking into one. 300 gal. turf master from Contree Sprayer and Equipment here in Beaver Dam. Like I said it's 300 gal, 5 hp. Honda, can't remember the pump, and 400' 3/8" hose w/ electric reel for around $3,300. I could save some money going with a brigs and 300' of hose(unit comes with 300' I wanted 400'). Is this a good price?

Also Paul at Reinders here in Madison told me that to do liquid weed control with a tank sprayer you need around 100 gal. per acre to spray it properly. I'm not to familar with the products yet, but is this true?

Thanks for your help,

Brian


Brian,

If you're interested I can give you the name and number of a different supplier for spray units that are a little more cost friendly and what I believe may be a better unit than the Contree. He's a little pricey. I had one of his units on hold this summer and just couldn't swing buying it. I let that one go and in the mean time found a better deal, glad I did. I haven't purchased one yet, but most likely will once the season gets rolling. Like $500 better for comparable, if not more of a unit. Let me know if you want the name and number.

Randy

[sodzilla]

Just wondering, do any of you guys do Irrigation? It is something I thought of getting into in a couple years. I actually have an install this spring/summer. It is for a friend of the families. We are going to have Reinders come out an help with layout and design. It will be on a $400,000 house on about 1 1/4 acre. We are also going to install the lawn.

After talking to Adam at Reinders in Elm Grove, (he is their Irrigation guy) he told me about a tradeshow and seminar they are having in Feb. I believe it is 2/24 in Neenah and 2/25 in Oconomowoc. Just wondering if anyone will be going to either show. I live in Beaver Dam so either show is only an hour drive for me. I thought it would be nice to maybe get to meet some of you.

Talk to you guys later,

Brian

[promower]

Hey Brian if your serious about going to the show I'll go with you, I can drive or give you some gas money if you drive.

[sodzilla]

I was wondering, do any of you guys plant flowers fo your customers? I am going to offer it this year. I called around to some nurseries this past week to see which ones offered discounts to contractors. The cheapest one I found will sell flats for $10. Is this a good price? They told me they retail for $17. Also what do you charge for planting? I did a search here on LS and found some people are charging around $30 per flat to plant. I've found though that alot of the prices on this site are not accurate for this area.

Matthew, incase you are interested the best prices I found were at Irish Lane Nursery. They are just down the road from Messners Lawn Care at the corner of Fish Hatchery Rd. and Irish Lane.

Thanks for the help,

Brian

[promower]

Thanks Brian when I was reading your post I was wondering were you found those prices. Sounds like a good deal to me, cheapest I found was $12 and talked to a few other nurseries and they dont even offer a discount for contractors.

[promower]

Brian I also wanted to add that JR's wood sales inc. has some great deals on mulch and they also give a contractor discount. They also do free mulch delivery. I know you said you might have a large mulch job this year check into them if you can get free delivery it would save a lot of time and money.

[sodzilla]

Well everybody I think spring might be coming. Mid 30's today and low to mid 40's the rest of the week. This snow will be gone in no time.

[MOW ED]

You get it a little earlier down there but it is in the low 30's today with bright sun. I am not gonna get any equipment out just yet. Been disappointed before but it good to know we are over the hump. Take care.

[PR Fect]

Spring Green called me day before last, wanted to know if the could service my lawn. Told them I run my own lawn service, and thanked them for getting people thinking spring. He was surprised with my answer. Nice guy told him keep up the good work. I have found out that the "Jones's effect" works well for us. The more people having professional lawn care, the essayer it is for us to sell a job.

[sodzilla]

Well guys I don't know about your area but the snow is all gone here. Except for where it's been piled up from plowing. But that is going fast also.

[lawnlubber]

Sodzilla, Isaw the post about planting flowers. FYI the local minimum security prison (Oakhill in Oregon) grows flats of seedling flowers and veggies for sale to the public. I think it was $4.00 a flat last year. First come first serve, no deliveries.

[mklawnman]

HOw much is ur dump trailer? Im thinking about buyin one this year for hauling debris such as grass clippings and leaves from my lawn mower bagger, but also use it for hauling a skid steer around when i get that.
That was a nice trailer, bit small for me. Nice truck by the way :D
Matt

[sodzilla]

Lawnlubber,

Thanks I'll have to check that out. I use to know the Warden there. I use to go to church in Oregon before we moved. I know the Warden from the church. I also interviewed him for my criminal justice class years ago.

I can't wait to move back to the area. Driving from Beaver Dam to Madison area just about everyday to do bids is getting really old. I've got one mowing contract in Oregon this year so far. Plus 3 for fert & squirt.

I can believe how much houses are selling for in that area now. I've only been away for two years.

[bbhlawn]

Anyone passing out flyers yet. the weather isn't great yet, but I was wondering if anybody is showing interest yet for the upcoming season.

[promower]

I think I m starting on thursday were in the mid 30's right now. I'm starting to get calls already so people are starting to think spring.

[sodzilla]

Idealgreen,

There is a guy here in Beaver Dam that is a LCO. He also does parking lot sweeping. There must be money in it because he has two new John Deere sweepers with cabs on them.

Its something I am thinking of doing. But right now I can't afford to buy one.

Brian

[sodzilla]

I had one of my wifes friends from church call today. She said her husband is sick of doing their lawn care. So he called TGCL for a bid. Not knowing of course that I am able to do it. So his wife called today to have me bid it also. She said TGCL was there this morning and gave them a bid. The guy said that actually the first application should be made RIGHT NOW ( 3/16/04). Am I not aware of something here, or is this just their way of preasuring people into signing up with them.

[promower]

TGCL will do anything for a dollar. Last year when we had that drought where it didnt rain for 6 weeks TGCL came out and fertilized one of my accounts 5 weeks into the drought the grass was completely brown when they sprayed it. Talked to my customer and he said that the guy from TG told him it needed fert and it would green up after spraying. The customer, not the sharpest tool in the shed most people would know that you need regular watering to make it green up but I think TG took advantage of him.

[MOW ED]

Originally posted by promower
TGCL will do anything for a dollar. I think TG took advantage of him.

There has been no truer statement made.

I always shudder when I see the big white and green truck. That soon turns to joy when I take one away from them. Sometimes it takes a while but if I get talkin to the customer I can usually change their mind. If not, the high quality work of the little guy in the big white truck eventually speaks for itself.

Yes the phone is ringing and I am lookin forward to getting dethatching dust packed in my nose and eyes once again.

[PR Fect]

TGCL in the Appleton area does a 7 step every 6 weeks program. They do tell you up front that they come every 6weeks rain or shine. They will do a reapplication if it rains. Not sure what they do if nothing is growing and is dormant.:confused: Talked with Dave at the new Lesco store in Kaukauna today. Nice store, was quoted some low prices for supplies. Dave told me TGCL is putting down Dimension right now. The window for the Dimension .103 is 8 to 12 weeks control. If it hits 50 degrees ground temp in the next 8 weeks it will do its job. 6 weeks from now they can come back, and every six weeks after, till November. That way they can charge for 7 applications. I wonder if the Dimension works if it is put down before you Spring rake or de-thach? I know aeration is not suppose to make any change. Can you help me with that one ED?

[sodzilla]

PR Fect,

Your right aerating is not suppose to have a significant affect on the barrier. However, dethatching will affect the barrier and should not be done.

[MOW ED]

I am not sure about the mechanism of action in Dimension but as stated, I would not dethatch (power rake) after the app was down.
I just don't know that much about Dimension yet, still using Team Pro.

[PR Fect]

Ok, that leaves the question, how much hand raking or tine raking can be done and still not affect the barrier. My thought is it should be done before the application, but I wonder is it a must?

[MOW ED]

I always do all of my work first for a few reasons. The barrier can be broken but more so it just looks better it you aren't vacuuming up any of the product that you put down. If you have to do thatching after a product is put down it isn't the worse thing in the world as long as the product has been on the lawn for at least a week and watered in. (team pro)
Thats why they make post emergents and Drive 75.

Can I ask why you want to work after the pre-em is put down?

[PR Fect]

Yes Ed you can always ask. The reason to my madness is to get my spring clean up done and then do all of my fert/Dimension apps done all at once before the first mowing. About half of my lawn care clients are not my lawn maintenance clients. So if I do an app. before they do clean up, I wonder if it would effect the control. That would then make us look bad. There for I would wait and squeeze it in after the mowing season started. Also most customers do not like to see two apps. on one monthly bill. They think if we treat there lawn 5 times and summer is 7 months long, they should get a bill every 6 to 8 weeks. Not two in the same month. It's hard to build there trust if they think you are double charging them. If we get the Dimension down early, we can keep that bill and the spring Three-Way apps. a month apart. Does that make any sense at all?

[MOW ED]

I'm with you on the billing part but I never had anyone complain. I have seen some bigger bills from doing it that way.
I did have one customer question me once about bagging after I applied fertilizer. I know that if I am cutting low as in the spring before the growth starts, I am down about 2" on the Walker GHS deck. At that height I will pick up medium fertilizer prills. That is another reason I don't fert first and then clean. At 2.5" and above the mower doesnt pick them up but then that is later spring settings.
I'm still workin thru Reinders with my pre-em because Lesco can't come close to price but I am going to Lesco's Open house on Monday. They supply Dimension and I will try and find out about its mechanism of action and residual. Are you going? I finally got my scratch and sniff card in the mail. They seem like good guys there.
On another note I did load my truck down with 20-3-5 w/Team Pro. My business is gettin a little bigger each year and I almost popped the front wheels off the ground on the 1/2 ton.
Has your phone been ringing? Its pretty steady up here. I'll be as good if not better than last year and the warm sunny days haven't even started yet.

[MOW ED]

I looked at the lable for Dimension and it states that you should not disturb the soil after the application of the product. I am assuming that a barrier is formed and cant be disturbed. Check it out;

http://www.cdms.net/ldat/ld606004.pdf

[PR Fect]

The business phone is unlisted for the most part. Because we are "part time" we go by word of mouth. As of now don't know if we can take another job or not. I'm thinking the clock is full. I may go to Lesco Monday to pick up the fert. The plan is to meet Rich from Ideal Green there again on Wednesday for lunch.

[Crew Cut Lawncare]

Has anyone started dethatching yet? When do you think we will cut for the first time? I hope the rain stops so it dries up. Have any of you in the area tried doorhangers?

[PR Fect]

Crew Cut, I looked back in my records and last year we started clean ups first week in April. Same as 02, first week in April. We started mowing last week April in 02 and first week May 03. If you go back in this thread you will see a discussion on door hangers. For us, we get a call for about every 75 to 100 given out. If you look at the time it takes to hang that many and what they cost to make, you can make your decision there. If we need to advertise again, it will be in the shoppers or newspapers.

[MOW ED]

I have seen a few homeowners out with the rented dethatchers but I haven't seen any trailers out yet. Oh the boys from TG/CL have been out watering their customers dormant lawns.
The rain Sunday put me back to working in the garage. I have some mulch jobs lined but its too wet to wheelbarrow back.

The phone keeps ringing so I need some warm and wind.

[LawnsRUsInc.]

Long time no talk to all here. Hope your seasons are rolling ok. This year with advertising my yp dollar bill size ad has been slow for a couple weeks just wondering from a feew of you more experianced guys in WI if it (might pick up a bit)? Door hangers have been great so far. We are busy with other jobs but the calls for lawn maintenance have not really been coming in. Do you think its becasue the grass really hasnt greened up yet? Or am i in trouble LOL. Hope things have started off differently for you all.

Jason

[MOW ED]

Jason,
The lawns are greening up here alot sooner than the same time last year. Lots of antsy people want things done yesterday. I don't have many calls for weekly mowing but I have about 2 weeks of spring work backed up. It frosted last night so it gives me a little time to sit here this morning but I'll be out soon.
Keep your prices up and let the lowballers take more than they can handle.

[promower]

Been pretty busy here with clean-ups and other one time jobs. Weekly maintenance calls are coming in very slowly. I think last last year I got most of my calls for mowing in mid and late April.

[LawnsRUsInc.]

Yea thats what i meant the weekly cutting customers are scarce.

[promower]

well I think I may be cutting on friday thought the day would never come, these WI winters are are long. Cant wait to get on my regular schedule I hate checking all my accounts and only mowing a few think in a week I should be in full swing. Anyone else cutting yet?

[PR Fect]

Mowed ours day before last. Had to try out the doubles I put on the Toro Z. Next week we will start the rotation.

[MOW ED]

We are real green but I still have lots of spring work to do. I will probably hit a few mows next week and then its off to the races. This is much earlier than last year. My records show a mow start in May.

[promower]

This is when I get stressed, mowing is starting and theres still spring clean-ups and odd jobs yet to do. Trying to fit everything in gets crazy. When everything settles down it's MILLER TIME!!!

[MOW ED]

Its Saturday the 24th and I have to say the great weather has made it a record start for me.

Anyone in GB or the Valley spraying weeds yet? I got my pre-em down and have even mowed half my accounts. I am noticing lots of weeds in the lawns. I see the squirt gun boys out but they are so full of customers that they don't know one from the next.
So whats happening?

[PR Fect]

Sunday the 25th. All pre merg is down, one lap in on all mowing accounts as of yesterday. Trying to keep up on the "odd jobs" list. Doing some aerating and over-seeding, hedge trimming. I need to get out and practice on our new Pro Lawn sprayer before I need to use it. Two weeks out or so maybe?

[promower]

Almost a full week of mowing here. It's been raining a crap load the last few weeks ready for some sun and 70 degree weather.

[promower]

Well I had a clean up I was supposed to do today but it's snowing.:confused: Gotta love the WI weather!

[MOW ED]

I went from GB to LaCross to Point and back over the weekend. First off, man is it beautiful country on the western side of this state. Never been there until now. Things are really green out west. Trees are starting to leaf out quite well. I'm still looking at mostly buds here. Nice to see a hard freeze overnight on May 3. I was gonna cut a couple early morning commercials but no chance with that.
Got to start spraying. Lots of dandys and a few calls already. Its early but they are out. One small mulch job to finish today. On that note, on 54 outside of Plover is a factory that had raw materials (pallets and scrap lumber) on one side and finished product on the other. Dyed hardwood mulch. I still like cedar.
Went to see my pals at Reinders for some Embark to cut back on my trimming. Backordered. I really want to see what that stuff does.
First week of full mowing too. They all need it now. Take care.

[PR Fect]

Ed, try the Embark on some turf when you get it. Let us know how it works. We were thinking of trying it on edging to save string trimming.

[sodzilla]

Ed, let me know how the embark works also. I have a commercial property with a nast 3 level retaining wall. I almost lost the mower on it the other day. It would been about a 10 foot fall. I don't think Hustler would have warrantied that. One section is so steap all I can do is sting trim it. I was thinking last week about useing a growth reg. on it but I have never used one before.

[C & S]

Hey PR,

If you were wondering who it was waving at you on east "oo" on Tuesday afternoon, it was me.

[PR Fect]

I new it was you. Who else would be ridding a mower painted "county orange" ! LOL

[PR Fect]

Chad, no come back? I thought I would here all about how great those Scags are. Any way if any of you guys want to spend some money, the Appleton public auction is this weekend May 15th. You can look at the stuff they are auctioning off Friday 8am to 3pm. or Saturday at 7am just before they start. They sell everything and everything goes. If you are the only bider, it's yours. Trucks, cars, equipment. Some of the stuff this year is three Toro 325-D Grounds Masters, nine 21 inch mowers, a Jacobson Riding mower, blowers, weed eaters, snow blowers, brooms. Its at the Appleton city garage, 2625 E. Glendale. Just a FYI.

[C & S]

There is no need for a come back, The results speak volumes! ;)

[MOW ED]

Are you guys all caught up?
I finally think I have a handle on it. Finished a last minute thatching job yesterday. I had to take almost 200 bushels to the dump on my trailer since the city quit picking up last week. It was worth it$$$ and the lawn really needed to be done.
I also finished all of my spraying yesterday. I'm sure there will be an odd call or two so I am keeping the stuff ready until the end of the month.
Gonna lose a customer to natural causes. His wife died last year and he was moved closer to the family in Minnesota. The son still wants us to mow until it sells. He was one of my original customers when I started 9 years ago.
On the up side, later that day I was asked to mow a 2 acre open area for a neighbor. Pretty good job to take on and I think I can fit it in with the way my year has been.
I hate to say it but I need a vacation.

[MOW ED]

Holy krap I just passed the gas station and the dirty buggers have now raised it to $2.09

I must say that I am a little bit happy that the 5% fuel surcharge is now in effect but with gas this high, I am wondering when its gonna hit the top. Sure glad I bought a Yukon last fall.

How much are you guys paying around the state?

[PR Fect]

Ed, sorry to hear about you loosing a customer. We had our very first customer just die. Five years. I took the total number of gallons of gas for the lawn service last year and divided it into the total gross sales. Truck, mowers, trimmers, ect total gallons divided into total dollars collected. It gave me the number that last year, it took us 1 gal of gas to bring in $20.30. So if my math is right.......... a $ 0.50 increase per gal of gas is a little less than 2 and 1/2 percent loss in total sales. My truck gets 5 miles to the gallon and runs on 92 octane! I think I will put a note in some of our billing that there will be a 3 percent surcharge next month if gas does not come down. I think the price in the valley is the same as De pere. $2.23 for the good stuff.

[C & S]

I was looking at a 6 cylinder diesel the other day. Can someone tell me if there is a big difference between a 6 and an 8 cylinder.

If it matters, it was a Dodge.

[MOW ED]

PR, those gas prices are nuts. We are close and the dealers have a better pricing structure than we do as lawn care owners. Hell, I'd like to be able to raise my rates every week and basicallyhold people hostage to pay it. At the start of the season I told all customers of the surcharge if prices hit 2 bucks. I instituted the charge last week.
Amsoil is great stuff. I use the 2 cycle 100:1 mix and it is excellent. I have been using it for 7 years in all 2 cycle equipment. (lawn boy, string trimmer, husky and Shindy backpack blowers) Its synthetic and basically has no smoke like conventional oil. It burns better and has no deposits or gum from over mixing. I would never use anything else. I use Mobil 1 in my mowers and vehicles. Amsoil also has great filtering systems and Dixie Chopper uses their system. The one thing that is a little kinky is the marketing program. Its like Amway or Watkins. Sort of a pyramid kind of thing but legal. I wouldn't get involved in the whole dealership thing it seems like a pita. Either way Amsoil produucts are real good and are made up in Superior WI. I will continue to use them as they haven't failed me once.

[PR Fect]

100 to 1 mix, wow! Don't be look'n around when you mix that ED. One drop less and your mix would be off. Jan sent invoices out with out a fuel charge letter. She said our rates are up from last year and we should do OK. A 2% loss over all sounds like allot, but we are small potatoes. So we are only talking less than a few hundred bucks. High test better not go over $2.50 for very long. And our rates will go up for next season. Wounder how the scabs are doing?:D

[MOW ED]

Where are all my Cheesehead buddies at?

I know, you are mowing and in some cases floating. Man I have not seen moisture like this in many years. 9+ inches in May for Green bay and over a foot in Racine. WOW.
We had a 9 day break on our cuts because of the holiday and the wetness. I am glad I held off on fert ap 2 for my mowing customers.
This will put lots of the scabbers to the test, the crapsmans will be burning up in the wet deep stuff.
Hope everyone is doing well, I am very busy here.

[imalandscper]

hey guys fond du lac here.....we should all meet in a central city for a cook out some day? what are your thoughts?


andy

[PR Fect]

Andy, sounds good to me. Maybe the next open house our equipment show. I tried to hook up with some of these guys when the Lesco store opened in Kaukauna. Free lunch. Did see two other LCO's that I new. Anyone notice the turf turning yellow? I think to much clouds and rain, no sun. Some is not growing as fast as you would think with all the rain.

[imalandscper]

prfect.....just let me know we are close...where is everyone esle? i am in the mood for beer and burgers!



andy

[sodzilla]

I live in Beaver Dam, but I do most of my work in the Madison area.

[sodzilla]

Idealgreen,

I'm sure we do. If I remember correctly I think the YP has about 6 pages worth of ads for LCO's in it. It seems that at every property I mow at least 4 other LCO's drive past while I'm mowing. I have one large commercial property that is at a buisy intersection and I bet a LCO drives past once every 10 minutes on average.

That is why I'm thinking of moving the business to Cody, Wyoming. The town is about 10,000 people, in the mountains, and only has 3 LCO's in the area. I've been talking to a guy out there that is an LCO. He only does Fert/WC and said he will give me all the mowing referalls I would need. He has over 1,000 customers for fert/wc in 4 cities. Another guy I talked to out there said they need lawn care bad. The companies that mow now do really bad work. They go on a small lot with a big Z and leave ruts, mow to fast and look like crap. He said I would be the only one in the area with a walk behind mower. Plus there is no state income or corporate tax, and property taxes are really low also. I almost forgot to mention the hunting and fly fishing is great also.

[PR Fect]

Sodzilla, wow, good luck if you move. I have been meaning to ask you how you did on that class you took on the computer? What did you think of it? Good/Bad? How did you sign up? I was thinking on taking it this winter. How long does it take?

[sodzilla]

PR Fect,

If your talking abut the Certified Turfgrass Professional course I'm taking through PLCAA. I'm still working on it. It's not actually on the computer. They send you a book(three ring binder with about 400+- pages in it). I was doing good until the season started. Now I haven't looked at it since the first of May. They give you a year to complete it and if you need more timeyou can ask for a 6 month extention.

I took the first exam back in jan or feb and past it with no problem. It was kind of nice being laid-off back then I was able to do the first 7 chapters in about a month and a half.

[PR Fect]

Yes, thats the one. Do you need to be a PLCAA member?

[sodzilla]

PLCAA members get a discount on the price. $249 if your a member or $309(i think) for non-members. You can get more info at www.plcaa.org I just got an e-mail the other day from PLCAA that after the first of the year they are going to join with ALCA to form one big Green Industry organization. So membership dues and everthing may change. Actually they merge sometime soon but the new membership changes take place in '05 the way I understood it.

[lbz]

Hi all-

A fellow wisconsinite located in Janesville - I was wondering if you guy could keep your eye out for a used walk behind 32" - 36" for me. I'm a homeowner looking for one. I would love to have this type of job - mowing and landscaping. I use to work at a golf course. In the pro shop, but should have been the grounds crew:)

Well let me know if you have any leads. I all ready posted in the "equipment for sale" but have had no responses yet. You can PM me with info.

Thanks for your help

LBZ

[Aaron Marshall]

Hey everyone, just found this link. I was wondering when I was gonna be able to figure out how to find all the wisconsin people! Hope business is going well for everyone!

[MOW ED]

Ya found it Aaron, hi LBZ.
Welcome to the Wisconsin corner. Grab a beer, a brat and sit on a block of cheese.

Being that its Wisconsin I guess some packer talk is allowed but not encouraged as I am a Bears fan.

I know I'll take some lumps for that. Hope the grass is still growing for all of you. I am enjoying a great year now that the monsoon season has seemed to move east.

[PR Fect]

Aaron and LBZ welcome aboard. LBZ go back in this thread and send a email to Chad at C&S. He has a 32 inch Scag that they are selling.

[lbz]

Hi PR Fect-

Thanks for the tip. I've contacted C&S, but have not heard from him yet.

Thanks again,
LBZ

[PR Fect]

Andy, Weyers Equipment is having there annual open house Thursday July 29th. 10am to 3pm. Don't know if that works for you or the rest of the guy's, but I plan to be there for lunch. Anyone else going? O ya, they are in Kaukauna just off the Hwy J exit on 41.

[sodzilla]

Thats exit 150 on hwy 41 north if I remember correctly from my days of hauling cattle. I use to stop at the Citco station (badger quick stop) and have lunch everyday. I got to know Steve the owner very well. I'll have to go up there sometime again.

[bbhlawn]

I was wondering if anybody else was down around southern Wisconsin? I'm down around the Lake Geneva area just looking for some friendly faces. Maybe we can pass some work around.

[ALarsh]

So... hows your season going?

Grass is dead for the most part here...

[LawnsRUsInc.]

Pewaukee WI here

Jason
Idealgreen it would cost $840 for the hydroseeding

[PR Fect]

Just checking in. This thread has not seen any action in a while. Hows everyone doing? I know we have a few new guys in the Appleton area, Mark or Gary. :waving:

[Nickrosis]

Hello....I work the family biz - Crawford Tree & Landscape Services here in Milwaukee.

[MOW ED]

Welcome Nickrosis, lots of info here.

Hey PR did you guys start throwing down the final round of fert yet. I am behind and have to go to get my supply. I am gonna get the spraying done later this week and throw the fert next week. Lawns are still growin but the leaves are comin.

[PR Fect]

Good to here from you Nick. We got the last of our "Fall" fert applications done 10 days ago. Started right in with spraying Fall broadleaf control. About half way with them. Looking at some real brown lawns. Do not know if I should keep spraying our not. We only have a few after that, that we put down a "Winterizer" application of fert. We need rain in the valley bad. My gage showed 6 tenths in the last four weeks. And there was not much before that. :cool2: How about a rain dance?

[sodzilla]

Well my days of being a cheese head are numbered. We just got an offer on our house and are set to close on Nov. 19. We are going to move in with my in-laws in Fort Collins, CO for a few months until we find a place up in Wyoming. I decided to move to the Jackson Hole area. If you don't know the Jackson Hole area it is beautiful. It is about 30 miles south of Yellowstone and surrounded by the Teton Mountains. The average price for a house in the Jackson area is between $2-$4,000,000 with some places being upwards of $16,000,000. Most homes are retirees our vacation homes (must be nice). I found a piece of land out there, 151 acres in the mountains for the bargain price of $37,000,000. That's just the land there is no house on it. So needless to say I won't be living there. I will be living about 30-40 miles south in an area called the Star Valley. Houses there are in the mid 100's-$200,000 range.

I know a guy out there that has a fert/squirt company that has been helping me get things set up. He has 4 offices in NW Wyoming with about 1,200 customers. Because he doesn't mow he is giving me referrals to his customers. He is also going to put info about me in his newsletter that he sends to all his customers. He has already gotten me a few accounts for next spring. One account he is working on for me is with a construction company he has a contract with. They are building the new golf course in the area and they also are building all the homes on the golf course. He has a Forestry degree and is a consultant for the development and will be doing the tree care for 6,000 trees. He told me the company would be interested in talking with me about mowing their properties when I get out there.

Due to our agreement I will not be doing aps. out there so I will be selling my Sprayer. If anyone is interested it is a 200 gal. space saver. It has a 5.5hp Honda, Hypro D 430 pump, Hannay electric hose reel with 400 feet of 1/2" hose, and a lesco gun. Engine and pump are on the drives side, hose is on curb side. The sprayer fits between the cab and the wheel wells so there is still room for bags of fert and a spreader. Unit was bought new this spring and is in great shape. I would like to get around $2,800 for it but make me an offer. If you are interested PM me here on LS.

Talk to you guys later,

Brian

[MOW ED]

Wow Brian, I knew that you were looking to get West so I am saying Congrats and I wish you the best. Don't be a stranger on this site. I am glad you can go after what you want and it sounds like you have a great opportunity.
Beats drivin truck hey!
Good Luck with the move, I just moved also and I will be unpacking over the winter. Too busy and too broke to do anything else right now. Take care my friend and stay in touch.

[wojo23323]

I was thinking about starting a fert / squirt biz in Milwaukee. Since I will be visiting Milwauke for 1 week per month, I'll need something to do while I'm there. I have not seen many LCO's in the area (2 or 3) in 2 weeks. I could not believe it. Here in VA all you see is trucks and trailers.

[PR Fect]

WOJO, hell you should move to the north end of Madison. You could take off where Brian left. ( read prior post ). Well we got the rain we have waited for. Its over two months and NOW it comes when I want to do leafs. I did get the last broad leaf control down last week as well as the last fertilizer ( winterrizer) last week. WOW what a screwed up end of the year. Brian if you still are reading this good luck friend on the new life! PR

[ALarsh]

I was thinking about starting a fert / squirt biz in Milwaukee. Since I will be visiting Milwauke for 1 week per month, I'll need something to do while I'm there. I have not seen many LCO's in the area (2 or 3) in 2 weeks. I could not believe it. Here in VA all you see is trucks and trailers.

There are defiantly LCOs here, but not too many directly in Milwaukee. Once you get out to the suburbs there are quite a few more since the median house hold income in Milwaukee is only $32k/yr.

Once you get out to Brookfield/Waukesha/Sussex/New Berlin/Menomonee Falls you will see a denser population of LCO's.

[PR Fect]

Fox Valley LCO Breakfast


We have a table for 10 reserved for us at the Cruise In Dinner, Exit 150 Hwy 41 and Cty J, Kaukauna. Saturday December 4th 8:30 am. If you are bringing your better half, all the better, they have more tables. Jan will be going with me I am sure. If you wish to bring someone else with you I am sure that would be fine with everyone. All are welcome. So far those who say they will try and make it include.

Rich Dotterer, owner Ideal Green Professional Services
Gary Knapp, owner Gary's Quality Lawn Care
Ed, owner Bay Area Lawn Care / De Pere Fertilizing
PR Meyer, owner PR Fect Lawn Service
Tim Lowney, Superintendent Versatile Lawn & Landscape
Mark, owner MRP Services
Chad Scheibe, owner C & S Lawn Care
Mark Priddis, owner Atlas Lawn Services

Any questions or comments?. Come hungry, Cruise In has great food. See you there, PR

[MOW ED]

See you there!!!

[PR Fect]

Yes Rich. Everything went well at the breakfast. Hope things get better for you both. Both Jan and myself went and we met Ed from Bay Area Lawn Care - DePere, Mark from MRP Services - Darboy, Tim from Versatile Lawn & Landscaping - Appleton, Chad and his Dad from C&S Lawn Care - Appleton, Mark from Crew Cut - Oshkosh. Also Dave Werner and his young daughter took time to stop in to see us. Dave works at the local Lesco store in Kaukauna. We all talked about sharing equipment, fuel surcharges, what's the best insurance, what's the best accounting/billing softwares. We talked about the upcoming trade shows at Conex in West Allis in February and Reinders in West Allis in March. Also the big show in KY next October. Some of us even stayed an hour and a half drinking coffee and sharing ideas. A BIG thanks to Tim from Versatile for picking up the entire tab for everyone's breakfast! Very large of him to do! For those of you that didn't make it - there was some talk of doing this again soon. P.R.

[PR Fect]

OK, looks like its time to bump this thread forward a bit before it get lost. No new Wisconsin LCO's? Is any one going to CONEX? PR http://conexshows.com/conex/conwi/index.po

[wojo23323]

I'd go but I'll only be in Milwaukee from 1/18/05 to 1/27/05.

[ToroMaster]

hey idealgreen i heard that the apartment complex on nicolet switched its management company. I worked for premier in north appleton and had a switch of managment in the middle of the season. I still have the job but I have lost contracts because of switching companies before. I hope you still got it. Let me know what is going to happen. And let me know if you know anyone that wants to cut grass and plow full time. Jason 277-6766.

[ToroMaster]

I purchased a 12' v-box spreader for my dump bed this year which so far has brought in more money then my plow. The biggest advantage is buying the salt for around 60 bucks a ton. Then charging prices that everyone is with bagged salt. Premier seems like a great company to work with. Danny Hoffman seems to like me and wants to give me work. She knows I am in school so she doesn't give me big jobs. I am very interested in the Breezwood Apts. but it seems that someone (manager?) has a commerical rider that they use. If you have any info on new properties or properties that looked shabby last year let me know. Your John Deere walk behind never gave me any trouble last year and it got a lot of abuse! If I were to give you advise for taking the fertilizer exam I would have to tell you the best way of studying is using the cd-rom they include with the book. The book is so detailed it gets boring. the cd-rom touches on the key points they test for in the exam. Also the last 10 questions of the exam are all about the labels for the chemicals, no those well. They will make a big deal out of calibration, but there wasn't a question that I can remember about that in the exam. Good luck with that. and if you know anyone that could work for me full time, please let me know. thanks

[PR Fect]

We will meet once again Saturday February 12th 9 am Golden Coral Restaurant West side of Appleton. Golden coral is next door to the Home Depot on Westhill Blvd. We have a table reserved for LCO's. Everyone welcome!

[Hartlawn Services]

Matt-

I operate out of Hartland, about 30 min south of you. I'm already very good friends with Jason, but get in touch with me as I don't have any solid contacts your direction at all. So email me if you are interested.

Jason-

Take it easy dude and let me know if I can help you out at all this spring. I may be calling on you as well.

Peace
Peter

[ALarsh]

Are you talking about Jason from LawnsRUs?

He stopped me while I was mowing in my neighborhood (Five Fields). Nice guy. Gave me tips and pointed me towards this site. Since then, I have taken his advice about getting commercial equipment, purchasing a Toro Z557, Stihl FS110 and Redmax 7001. I am getting my website finished up, getting logo design finalized and working on getting door hangers made. I'm pumped for spring. :cool2:

[Hartlawn Services]

yes, jason from lawns r us. i've known him for quite a few years now and we know each other (and our respective businesses) quite well. he's a good man.

[Hartlawn Services]

ALarsh-

Looks like you are just getting going in our SE Wisc area. Good work on getting into commercial equipment; if you have the work to keep the machines running, they are well worth the investment. Let me know if you are looking into any more commercial equipment, as I have 2 machines that I bet would fit your operation quite nicely that I am selling this spring.

Take care and good luck!

Peter

[ALarsh]

Thanks Hartlawn. I'm not looking for any more machines right now but I was 2 months ago. Have a good season.

[Hartlawn Services]

Sounds good. Best of luck to you. I started out just like you, and this business has certainly worked out for me. Let me know if I can help you out at all or if you have any questions. Happy mowing!

[MOW ED]

How was breakfast on the 12th??? Haven't heard a thing. Sorry I couldn't make it this time, I had to work at the fire station.
This weather is nuts. I am going crazy waiting. Lots to do. I know PR and his lady are going to be at the recert exam in GB on the 4th of March, anyone else???

[PR Fect]

The II LCO breakfast was great. The Golden Coral is an buffet style restaurant. Dave from the Kaukauna Lesco was the first one there and set it up so we could all just walk in to our reserved table. Then when we were finished, Dave picked up the tab and tip! Had a few new faces at the breakfast. Colin and Ben from LAWN TOOLS in the Green Bay area. I think a few of the other guys could of used a reminder, or they where out stabbing sturgeon. We will try to have one more before the " off " season ends. Any ideas on when and where? Let me know and I will let all the guys know. Hey Mr. Larsh, Jan and I will be down your way 16 March for the Reinder's Show. You going? Can't get you to drive 90 miles for breakfast, maybe we will see you there.

[PR Fect]

Hey, need new insurace. American Family does not cover the fert & squrit end of things. Who do you guys have?

[Randy Scott]

What the hell ladies? Letting Wisconsin get down a page and a half here of threads. Back to the top we go!

American Family blows monkey nuts. We got rid of them two years ago. Prices keep going up while coverage stays the same. F them. Try Farmers Insurance. They're pretty good with prices. Even West Bend Mutual is pretty good.

Anyways. Even though we've had some snow lately and looking to get a little more this week, been pretty busy getting ready for 05. Calls and estimates are coming and going and I'm getting pretty stoked to grow the biz this season. Take the next step. I'm pulling myself out of the field and concentrating on sales, growth, employees, and the office work. More and better marketing ( I hope it works), additional employees and equipment. F it, balls to the wall. I've been pretty conservative until now. We built a pretty good name, do good work, demand what we're worth, and now it's time to get something back. Tired of falling into the bidding category of small time companies that spend three years dragging the market down only to fail, live at home boys in the business, and any other monkey out there that thinks they are something. Pursued some other avenues this season and hope better work stems from it. Starting to get responses, just took a few years to build to that level. Not being arrogant, just trying to get something out of the past four years of busting my a$$. Seeing business in a different way.

Any-who. Best of luck to you guys out there! Spring will soon be here.

[MOW ED]

Hey Randy, good to hear from you. Things are snowcovered up here but I think it may be an early spring as we don't have much to melt off. Glad to hear you are startin to kik azz in the business. You always tell it like it is and I appreciate that. Too bad you couldn't make a morning for breakfast up here with the Fox Valley crew, hell mayby you could. Anyway, I'm gonna raise some rates and cut some dead wood if they don't like it. The apps end of my business is really doin well and I am hard pressed to keep mowin for a little but I still make money at that.
I am gettin ready also. Good luck this season. I know you will do great.

[Randy Scott]

Hey Ed, I don't always follow this thread and sure enough, you guys had your get together before I even knew it. I will make a point to get together and meet some of you next year. Be neat to meet and see some faces.

Best of luck to you and sounds like you're rolling right along as well. That's good.
We've got about 8 inches of snow on the ground from this weekend. Pretty wet heavy stuff. Another 35 hours of plowing. I hate it. It's bad enough you're up for two days straight, the next two days area a loss because your body is so screwed up from it. Funny, I work straight through the storms until done, yet I have to run my guys in two shifts because they can't take it, pussies! Oh well. Such is life huh?

Good luck this season and we'll be chatting with you later. Take care.

[sodzilla]

Hey fellow Cheeseheads, how are things back in WI. I know I'm no longer living in WI but I'm still a cheeshead at heart. Everyone out here in Colorado calls me cheesy or cheese wiz. I guess their just jealous.

Hows the weather? It's been in the 50-60 degree range for most of the winter here. Sure beats the weather back home. The landscape companies are working year round out here.They might have to take a day or two off here and there to let some snow melt, but it only lasts for a few days.

Well I suppose I better get going. Talk to you guys later,

Brian

PS. PR FECT try General Casualty. My policy last year was was like $540 for a $1m policy with pest. coverage. They will insure you as long as pest. is less the 50% of your business.

[MOW ED]

Hi Brian,
Long time no type. :rolleyes: I was wondering how you are doing. The family has to be takin up some of your time too I hope. Remember that they grow up fast.
So what are you doing there? Are you just doing apps or are you into mowing and landscaping? How does the $$$compare to Madison? I would imagine that your gonna get pretty busy in the next week or 2 if the weather is that good. Glad you stopped in. Keep us updated. Take care.

[PR Fect]

Saturday Mach 5th. Machine Shed Restaurant 220 N. Fox River Drive (41 at College Ave) Appleton. We have a table reserved for 9am. All are welcome. This is the day after the group testing for state certification in Green Bay. For those who are going to Green Bay, Good Luck!

[bbhlawn]

Gentlemen....I was wondering if anybody here is down around the Lake Geneva area? Have you guys started any advertising yet? Was planning on doing some flyers this week, but the snow kinda dampened the mood...Come on Spring!

[ALarsh]

I am in Pewaukee. I am going to wait until the snow starts to melt or it starts to get warm out. Thats when people start to worry about the lawn.

[bbhlawn]

I have to agree with you on the snow melting...Just don't want to be late on the advertising. Looking for another good year hope everyone else has one as well.

[PR Fect]

Going full speed setting up the 05 client list. Most commercial properties need to make their decision by the end of the 1st quarter, (March). We need to get them their numbers before that. Also need to order our spring pre-emergant. Helps to know how much we are going to need. Chemlawn is out, they have been for the last few weeks. The large Landscapers are also doing bids. The way I see it, the ones that do not want to talk now when you call, will call you later when you do not have time to talk. ;)

[ALarsh]

Yeah, the commerical accounts need their bids now. Most homeowners will not read a flier right now because it just snowed yesterday...

[grassdoctor]

I like this thread .... I am from appleton just saying hi guys. Breakfast at the machine shed? hmm sounds good

[Randy Scott]

Although there is still snow here, it's really time to get going. We had advertising going since the eighth of February and will go non-stop for the next three months. In the last two weeks I wrote almost 70K worth of bids. If I close half that I'd be happy. Mostly lawn installs so it will take a couple weeks for all bids to be compared by the homeowners. Some referrals, some cold calls. That first warm spell is going to hit and it's off to the races. We're basically 30 days away from pre-emergents. It's go time!

[bbhlawn]

Where abouts you from Randy? I would love to get going, but I'm not sure with it being 25 degrees that I wouldn't just be wasting paper

[Randy Scott]

Where abouts you from Randy? I would love to get going, but I'm not sure with it being 25 degrees that I wouldn't just be wasting paper


We're in the Germantown, Mequon area. Northwest of Milwaukee. The suburbs. You're probably about an hour Southwest of us. I can get to Beloit in about an hour.
I know it's not ideal, but it's really a numbers game to get the advertising going and get people thinking. Depends on how much work you're looking to gain for the year. We're looking to grow considerably so any and every avenue out there I am trying to take. Good luck. Spring is coming!

[bbhlawn]

Yeah same here, we are really looking for a great year. I can't wait for it to warm up a few degree's then the flyers will be flying. Until then I'm just finishing up on some tree trimming and getting the equipment ready. Best of luck to everybody.

[PR Fect]

I checked the books and last year we started last week in March with clean-ups and put down pre-emergant first week in April. Thats only two weeks away! There is always some time between clean-ups and the first mow, but maybe not this year. See you at the Machine Shed Saturday morning. PR

[ALarsh]

Randy - I have family in Mequon... What is the name of your company?

[JDRep2]

Randy
How do you get from Mequon to Beloit in an hour? It takes me at least two, if not more. I must be taking the wrong way.
Bob

[Randy Scott]

Randy
How do you get from Mequon to Beloit in an hour? It takes me at least two, if not more. I must be taking the wrong way.
Bob


Jump on the freeway at 145 and 41/45. Take it to the rock freeway and head SW. Maybe an hour and 15 minutes, but not any longer. I can get to the Byron MX track in an hour and 50 minutes. Near Rockford. Usually about 9 MPH over the speed limit.

[Randy Scott]

Randy - I have family in Mequon... What is the name of your company?

Extreme Green Lawn & Landscape.

Where does your family live. We service a few different neighborhoods around Mequon. Mostly the Northwest side of Mequon. Toward Homestead High School. Also around Mequon Road and Wauwatosa Road/76Th Street.

[MOW ED]

The breakfast at the Machine Shed in Appleton was EXCELLENT. A huge THANK YOU to P.R. for picking up the tab. I didn't have to eat for the rest of the day.
Lots of good stuff eaten and also talked about but one thing is for sure, everyone is itching to get back to the lawns.
There was some talk of possibly getting together for a Bar-b-q in the summer and I think that would be a great idea. I think a little bit of Wisconsins favorite beverage would make things even more interesting. Its gonna be 50 degrees here today so I think I am going to see bare ground again. Almost time to put the batteries back into the mowers.

[Randy Scott]

Ed,
I'm pissed about yesterday. I woke up and started doing some things outside, washing 3 tons of salt off the trucks, shoveled the patio and then fricken' realized the breakfast was at nine. By now it was 10:30.

I'd definitely like to meet some of you guys this summer for a BBQ. Probably be fun. The next challenge is making time for it. It's gonna burn a day and the next morning if we make it an alcohol induced gig.

[ALarsh]

Extreme Green Lawn & Landscape.

Where does your family live. We service a few different neighborhoods around Mequon. Mostly the Northwest side of Mequon. Toward Homestead High School. Also around Mequon Road and Wauwatosa Road/76Th Street.

She lives on Sunset Road or something similar with sunset in the name. It is near the Harley dealership by walgreens.

[grassdoctor]

Missed you guys at breakfast on saturday. I went to the machine shed and tried to find the group to no avail. Hope to catch you guys next time.

THanks

Troy

[Hartlawn Services]

hey guys

sorry a little late, but to jump back onto the insurance train.....

i've got a great guy doing my insurance this year. i switched from Amer Fam to an independent agent (who i worked for) and his prices and service have been awesome, especially considering the amount of equipment insured. I would be happy to pass along his name/number to anyone who is interested.

[PR Fect]

Missed you guys at breakfast on saturday. I went to the machine shed and tried to find the group to no avail. Hope to catch you guys next time.

THanks

Troy
Makes me wonder what you thought we where when you seen us! LOL What happens most of the time is whoever gets there first tells the staff that they are from the LCO's and sits down at our reserved table. If you ever try to hook up with us again, just as the staff for the LCO's. Sorry we missed you Troy. Pete, go ahead and post his name number. I don't think that breaks any LawnSite rules. I found an independent agent who wants to hook us up with Acuity. We have the Harleys insured with Acuity all ready, so we go Wednesday to see if its what we want. He said $714.00 a year 2mil 4mil and it will cover the fert and squirt end of our service. The trucks still will have American Family insuring them separate from the business insurance. We don't plow snow. Does it sound like we are in the ball park? We where paying $350.00 a year for 1 mil 2 mil from American Family, but they do not insure the Fert & Squirt. PR