nashville tennessee

[imograss]

anyone service the nashville area?

[dklawncare]

I am in the Nashville Area... I actually though do most of my work in the Eastern Davidson Area (Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Old Hickory). But I do have some properties in the Antioch/Nashville Area.

[jkelton]

I mainly service the Davidson, Williamson, and Rutherford county areas, but occasionally go to other counties, such as Wilson, Sumner, Maury, Coffee, etc.. I own/operate a mulch blower service, so I end up going wherever the job is at.

[danny m.]

I mow in the Nashville area, mainly around Donelson/Antioch/Nolensville Road area. Also Rutherford and Cannon County.:) :)

[dklawncare]

Just wondering what you guys' costs are around here...I paid taxes for the first time this year on my commercial accounts but don't necessarily pay Uncle Sam for the residentials. How much do you guys make compared to how much you put in? Also, where would I go to get a real business license and also a chemical sprayer license? How much does that cost? Thanks for any input...

[jkelton]

dklawncare,
Check out http://www.state.tn.us/revenue/new_bus.htm for the instructions for filing a new business.

[Fireman D]

I'm in the Nashville area too. I service the Sumner County area.

[dklawncare]

What do you guys use to get rid of clover and those lil' white flower lookin weeds? Also, what kinda equipment do you guys have? I have an enclosed trailer with a 52" Exmark Lazer Z HP and I am looking for a nice WB.

[shorty7616]

I work in the hendersonville area. How has the advertising/new business been going? What do you use most in terms of getting new business. etc....

[imograss]

ive never had much luck with advertising. i had magnetic signs on my trucks once but it attracted alot of idiots so i took em off. i will not solicit lawns that are taken care of by another lco. i pick up all my new clients by referrals from current customers. the only way ill take on a lawn thats taken care of by someone else is if the homeowner is unhappy with the current lco. theres enough grass for all of us so i dont loball anyone to get the job. i cut my first lawns today, man it felt good to be back in the swing of things!

[dklawncare]

Man, now we are getting into Spring weather...you never know if you are gonna be able to mow or what with these "scattered showers"... Hey shorty, if you mow in the Hendersonville area, check out the U-Haul place there. Last summer I mowed all the U-hauls in Middle TN but time (and gas) has caused me to drop the account. Its a fairly decent size right by New Shackle and plus would be good advertising or whatever. Just tell them that the guy who mowed it last year referred you. And hey, if anyone knows any yards or any yards for bid in Hermitage, lemme know. Thats why this thread is so cool. :p

[EHesseyLawns]

i need yards baaaaad. im runnin toro's, a dixie chopper and a great dane (the rock in my shoe!):D ...i cut a lot of green hills, brentwood and forest hills. if anyone ever needs someone to cover a few of their yards, drop me a line. dk, did you demo a dixie chopper or did you just demo exmark and thats it? what's everyone runnin?

[dklawncare]

i demoed (sp?) them both...the dixie chopper is faster but in my opinion you just can't beat the Lazer Z HP. It is definitely more comfortable and i think it cuts a lot better (especially with the baffle-mulching kit). I also think that it handles quite nicely. Of course, you know what they say...opinion are kinda like butts, everyone has got one and they all stink.

[jbt]

jkelton, how far will you travel to blow mulch? I live in Sevier county, and have some commerical mulching jobs in Knoxville and Sevierville. Email me if you are interested.
jbtlawn@esper.com

[Russo]

Hey all. Been a member for a long time but haven't posted in a while...felt like I was getting caught up in debating rather than helping each other. That truly is what this site is about.

Anyway, wanted to say that I am an LCO in Wilson county but worked for TruGreen in Nashville as Area Manager for design / install for the past few years. During the last year there, Jkelton did a few jobs for me and I stand as a referrance for his work.

Thanks J, and good luck to all you Tennessee guys.

Jon

[Trent]

I also cut in the middle tn area. Mainly Wilson Co. Some in East Davidson Co. This is my 2nd year. Love this business and i love lawnsite.:blob4:

[imograss]

i am selling a lesco castering sulky that i purchased 2 weeks ago. its very comfortable, and follows the path of the drive tires. probably should be used on hydros only. it takes up my trailer space and doesnt pin up when not in use. i gave 345.00 for it and i might take a small hit if needed. if anyones interested contact me. more than welcome to try it out.
thanks
tim

[UGA]

Hey guys, I just got back on the sight after being away for many months and noticed this new thread. EHessey, what don't you like about your Great Dane? I live in Robertson County and only mow a few yards on the side each year. My buddy however does a lot of work here as well as in Hendersonville and introduced me to this sight a few years ago.

[UGA]

prefer and which ones do you have horror stories from. I've dealt in some fashion with Commercial Lawn, Dickens Supply, Chiltons, Freeds Ace Hardware, Bryant Equipment (Clarksville). Also where do you guys get most of your replacement blades, belts, etc. I guess most will say your dealer but since my dealer is about 50 niles away I prefer to go elsewhere unless it is a specific Great Dane part. Thanks

[EHesseyLawns]

the great dane just breaks down a lot, not a very reliable machine, i prefer my toros over that one any day. i dont use the dane anymore though. commercial lawn, i've done some business there, phil is a good guy. i mainly use brentwood lawnmower, the guys are hella nice, heh, they kinda "mother" me

[dklawncare]

Dickens Supply is pretty on top of things when it comes to grass seeds and other landscape items...

[crazygator]

Well I must be an old man, didnt even see this thread going....hahaha

Most of my accounts are Brentwood, Antioch and cool springs area.

Equipment I run are Exmark Lazer HP 52", Exmark Turf Tracer 36" and love them to death.

I deal with Lesco for blades and all my seed/fertilizer and have had awesome results.

Oh yeah, I am pushing aerating and seeding and have the equipment and knowledge of both. If anyone here close to my areas needs help or wants to hook up for work let me know. We will work a deal for both you and me!

Lets get a Nashville lunch meet and greet going soon so we can network with everyone, and get to know each other. Good idea?????

[dklawncare]

I was wondering why you hadn't replied yet to this forum crazygator...that lunch idea seems like a good idea...by the way, anyone actually mowed in the past 3 days....i am thinking about getting a boat to pull my trailer with all my gear:rolleyes: I am going to be backed up for at least a couple of days...:cry:

[imograss]

the nahville lunch sounds good to me , if i can find some time. ill be backed up for a great long while due to the rain, hope it slacks off soon.

[Trent]

all this rain SUCKS!!! :dizzy: :(

[UGA]

I haven't had enough of a break to even clean up all my downed trees let alone get the mower going. I'm using the time running around between TSC and my welder to build a striping kit for my Surfer.:cool:

[imograss]

sorry to hear that uga, good luck with your stripe kit. i just built a chain striping kit for my deere ztr.

[UGA]

For a total cost of $80 in chain and welding I have a chain kit that I think works pretty darn well. I can't wait to test it out at home on my fescue. I tried it out at one of my jobs that wanted to see what it would do and it did stripe but not as well as I would have liked considering I have to cut it so short and the yard has many weeds and isn't very lush.

[crazygator]

UGA,
Funny you post your findings on the kit you made.

Last year I had a Dixie Chopper that I made a chain kit for, looked very very similar to the zebra kit DC sells. I used it at 1 place especially and was sadly disappointed.

This year I have the Exmark Lazer HP with striping roller and WOW what a difference. Its like night and day. If you do not get the results you want try and make some type of roller. Trust me I have been there. After we move into another house I will get a welder and make a roller kit for my walk behind, so it can match the stripe the Lazer puts down.

Its so good now my lawn and my mothers are plaid. :D As soon as my new digital camera comes (Monday) I will get some shots to brag...hahaha

When and where on the lunch idea? I am game. And I agree with doing it when everyone catches up after these nasty storms we have had!

[crazygator]

Oh yeah,

When we do get together for lunch, maybe I can bring some of those silly name tag stickers and we can have on our shirts who our lawnsite nickname is......so everyone will know who is who! ;)

[imograss]

what part of town yall working in? im in the green hills, belle meade forrest hills area.

[jkelton]

ALL OVER THE PLACE

I end up traveling all over Mid Tenn, but I have been in Nashville and Franklin/Brentwood area more lately than closer to home (M'boro).

[UGA]

yard at home (tall fescue) at 3" and the striping was pretty good but at 3 1/2" cut height it was AWESOME. Also I'm finding it really depends on what time of the day, how much sun there is and the angle your looking at it from as to how good the stripes look. My buddy (who runs a Lazer) is looking to get a roller so I will compare after I see his stripes on the same grass. Thanks

[crazygator]

How would a tentative date around first of June be for a lunch meeting for us Nashville people?

This way we have time to schedule it and plan for a place as well.

And if the rain will slack off we all can catch up! ;)

[imograss]

sounds ok to me.

[BeanCounter]

Hey guys...sounds like you all really love the business. I've been reading this forum for hours. I've learned a lot about the business in general, but would like to query the group in the Nashville area specifically: Is business extremely competitive in the Nashville area?
In other words, is our area just covered up with lawn maintenance companies or is it still a pretty lucrative business?? In case you're wondering...I'm just beginning my research into starting up in Davidson and Williamson counties...just curious??

Thanks for the replies in advance folks!

And no...$$ is not my only motivation...it's important, but definitely not everything!

[crazygator]

Pretty much any where you go in the country of USA there is work to be had. No one company or one place can have everything all taken care of.

Nashville and surrounding area's are growing by leaps and bounds everyday. There is work to be found. Only problem with a new start up with no experience is quality of workmanship. That is what gets me work. Leaving a place spotless, always being on time and showing up and being able to communicate with the customers.

With that being said, have you thought about trying to work at another LCO for a time to get experience and see if this is what you want to do for work?

One other thought, dont drive around and write down addresses where another LCO is working. If you start trying to get work that way they will find you and who knows what they will do.....at least with some of these jokers out there.

Welcome to Lawnsite and when we get our lunch date all set your welcome to come as well! :D

It might help open your eyes to see if this is the way you want to go.

[imograss]

beancounter,
like crazygator said, theres alot of work available in our area. there is also a slew of other lcos. this doesnt concern me the least bit. getting your foot in the door in a nice area is the key. from there doing an excellent job with dependable service is what takes you to the next level. i have never advertised, i only get work by referrels of current customers. let me know if i can help in any way.
tim

[dklawncare]

Is it just me or is everyone else pretty backed up from the torrential downpour that we had last week. I just caught up today with all my stuff, but I am seeing a lot of businesses and neighborhoods with some pretty high grass. I guess those big time commercial companies have a lot to make up, eh? Oh, and Bean Counter, you might just take it slow and gain some experience and map out a plan and some goals for the years to come. Right now it is hard to start a business cuz its a late start, but you might pick up some yards and just practice the little things. Your first purchase should be a commercial trimmer, cuz that is where you really will gain new customers/referrals...just my opinion though...i am lookin forward to that lunch too, crazygator you seem pretty much on top of things, so just give us the details...

[BeanCounter]

Thanks Guys!
My road to getting into this type of business is long, but that should allow me to adequately plan and get practical experience. Things that would have to happen are:
- both kids out of day care;
- wife finds a higher paying job...easily attainable I think;
- keep following Dave Ramsey's teachings;
- bank as much cash as possible;
- acquire good equipment (slowly) while I have good income;
- manage a few lawns and get comfortable with billing and pricing
- read read read read...

I expect all this to occur over 3 - 4 years.

I do know someone who may be willing to let me work on the weekends in his business. He actually is thinking about getting out of the business, so I could possibly take over eventually...who knows? My biggest concern right now is operating commercial equipment...like ZTR mowers. I've only pushed small mowers and traditional riding mowers in the past.

Are there any books, specifically about the LCO business, that could help me? I have no doubts about my customer service abilities and business knowledge...I just need to learn the more important stuff like leaving a lawn looking like a professional's been there...haha! And don't laugh out loud, because I've been trying to pick this up without asking...what is "LCO"?? Lawn Care Operator?

One more thing...thanks for including me in the lunch meeting. Unfortunately, I travel quite a bit in my current job and will be out of town the first three weeks of June..uugh!

[dklawncare]

Bean Counter, sounds like you have a plan...a few things...

Dave Ramsey is an excellent source for info on starting a business, so keep on following his teachings...

Don't worry about operating commercial equipment, it will come to you eventually and in no time you won't even be thinking about operating it when you are mowing yards, it becomes second nature, no one jumps on a ZTR for the first time and becomes a pro, it takes experience (The best place to practice is your own yard!)...

You can read some books out there, but most of them don't even compare to the information you will find on this website, you might want to search around though and subscribe to e-mail newsletters from the pros or even subscribe to Lawn and Landscape Magazine...both of those are great sources cuz they are so up to date...

Leaving a yard professionally done...start practicing your trimming and especially your edging skills...like i said earlier, buy a commercial trimmer, it will get you more yards than perhaps a newer mower....

LCO?...Lawn Care Owner/Operator...same thing pretty much, and you might want to check out the STARTING A BUSINESS forum on here for any other questions you might have about being new in the biz...

[EHesseyLawns]

anyone interested in buying or anyone you know interested in buyin a used velke? single wheel? it's in decent shape. i just never use it so i might as well sell it ya know?

[imograss]

i just bought a hustler super z tue. i love it, so ive got my deere ztr up for grabs if anyones interested it has zero probs. 370 hrs e mail me if anyones interested.

[crazygator]

Ok everyone, when do we set the date for the Nashville Lunch?

And where?

[imograss]

i dont know about everyone else but im more flexible on mon. and tues. not shure about yalls area im always in the green hills area, belle meade ect.

[UGA]

nm

[U-SteppedInDogPoo!!]

Monday's are good for me.

[crazygator]

A Monday is good here also!

[65hoss]

Originally posted by crazygator
A Monday is good here also!
So is tuesday thru sunday. hahahaha:D

[joelpcox]

Since we are all from the same general area, I would appreciate your advice on this post:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47466

[Hawkeye5]

Hendersonville. Lunch? Sounds interesting.

[crazygator]

When can we set a time and date for our lunch?

Or did everyone forget?...hahaha

Ive been slammed with lots of things and havent had time to even log into the site. Lets try and get something soon, so we can network our Nashville connections.

I have some ideas to toss around too! ;)