The Green Industry's Resource Center

tlc1994 · #51 06-06-2011, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reelcuts

Im just starting out and would like some help in the right direction be for I get the bad habbits and would like to know if foreclose homes is a good place to start. Thanks

No, no, no... and no- unless you like your equipment getting abused for a bum paycheck. Start with residential, wear a smile and know your stuff.

tcdodge4000 · #52 06-29-2011, 08:41 PM

I would buy a commercial truck earlier, and not get into bad debt like payday loans, and watch out for jealous people when working a job and hustling on the side. and get sign contracts instead of customer sob stories about not wanting to do them.

cpllawncare · #53 07-14-2011, 06:18 PM

I would definitly recommend year round monthly service agreements, it'll save your tail come winter time. I didn't in the beginning but do now with all new customers.

MDLawn · #54 07-15-2011, 11:46 AM

Seeing as I am leaving this industry this is an interesting thing to ponder. I posted in this thread before but now my view is a little different. Background: part time, solo, 5 years working for someone, 5 years on my own.

Things to do differently (whether it could be done or not)

1.) Hire others to do the work, even when running a part time business. Teach 2 or 3 guys the what and how of doing things right. (yes there are problems with this) Then pay them well and take the smaller percentage of income until things grow. After a while decide whether to make the full time jump. I'd rather have people doing the work while running the business not beating myself up everyday. This doesn't mean I wouldn't work.

2.) Better equipment purchase decisions. Not that I made bad ones but just review things better.

3.) Better advertising/networking when starting out. This was hard to do part time as I didn't have the time to run around.

I don't think I'll ever go back, unless there is a necessary reason to. Part time the income was great but couldnt ever see the jump to full time as a good income maker vs. the work needed to make it.

But that is only me and there have been MANY successful landscapers. I just don't find the need to work that much, family is more important. Good luck to all who make the run up the hill!!

scotts lawn care · #55 07-15-2011, 01:04 PM

Know what services are profitable for you, and focus on those. Don't try and provide every service to your customers. Do what you do best.
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cutsmartboys94 · #56 08-19-2011, 03:35 PM

Hi my brother and i have been cutting grass and been doing land landscaping jobs for about 2 years we have about 12 clients we want to grow and get more clients. Can i get some pointers on how to do that?

cutsmartboys94 · #57 08-19-2011, 03:37 PM

Hi i was wondering if you could give me some pointers on how to get more clients?

H & M Yard Improvements · #58 10-27-2011, 11:23 AM

1. Go solo. 2. Advertise earlier. 3. Pick and choose my customers

FoghornLeghorn · #59 10-27-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.A.G LAWNCARE

To old , to dumb , to lazy and don't wanna work for anybody!

Am I the only one who saw the irony in this post?

FoghornLeghorn · #60 10-31-2011, 12:28 PM

1.) Never partner with anyone.
2.) Don't lowball. They are the worst customers, and they NEVER get add-ons/extra projects. So essentially you're working for free.
3.) Don't buy equipment you want. Buy equipment you need, only AFTER you have a need for it. If you buy equipment expecting a job to come, you've already bankrupted yourself...