The Green Industry's Resource Center

cutman2000 · #1 08-10-2012, 05:53 PM

How long did you work solo before being financially able to hire someone, and how many accounts did you have?

Pro-Lawn&Grounds · #2 08-12-2012, 11:34 AM

How long isn't really the unit of measure you should be looking at. It's really how much work can you handle alone, yet still be efficient. Some people might pick up 50 accounts in a month while others might be doing 10 lawns for a couple years till things pick up. Most people are looking for full time work. So unless you have at least 20 or so hours a week to hire to someone you're probably best off solo.

slowleak1 · #3 08-12-2012, 11:41 AM

It also depends on how much work you feel like accomplishing per day, or per week etc. If you can do 15 yards per day solo, but have 90 yards to do, you could hire someone to work 2 days with you and get 60 of those 90 done in 2 days leaving you with 30 more to do alone. You just cut your week down from 6 days to 4, freeing up some time to either pick up more yards or doing landscaping etc.

123hotdog · #4 08-29-2012, 06:45 AM

I have bout 40 lawns, been in business since 2007. I have a part time guy. He only weedeats the big accounts such as multiple townhouse jobs ect. I bring him in on all landscaping jobs requiring allot of manual labor. He has a third shift job and I make sure he can start work as soon as he gets off work. He only makes between $60 and $250 a week.

gcbailey · #5 08-29-2012, 07:21 AM

3 years before hiring one full time, 1.5 years before part time help. I have a BIL in Charlotte who is full time solo with 73 accounts, all small 21"-36" mower sized yards.

BeachysLawn · #6 08-29-2012, 07:33 AM

Depends if you are trying to actively grow your business as well. If you need time to market and take those phone calls then you will need help a lot sooner than someone who is simply growing the business up to himself and an assistant.

cutman2000 · #7 08-29-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123hotdog

I have bout 40 lawns, been in business since 2007. I have a part time guy. He only weedeats the big accounts such as multiple townhouse jobs ect. I bring him in on all landscaping jobs requiring allot of manual labor. He has a third shift job and I make sure he can start work as soon as he gets off work. He only makes between $60 and $250 a week.

This is the idea I had in mind, having someone to come in 1 or 2 days. Do you pay under the table?

cutman2000 · #8 08-29-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcbailey

3 years before hiring one full time, 1.5 years before part time help. I have a BIL in Charlotte who is full time solo with 73 accounts, all small 21"-36" mower sized yards.

whats a BIL?

123hotdog · #9 08-29-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutman2000

This is the idea I had in mind, having someone to come in 1 or 2 days. Do you pay under the table?

I'm sure most of the bigger companies on here would disagree but yes, he is paid $10 per hour cash and hasn't missed a day in three years. I've got a good one.