Looking to start a landscaping business in the spring, need tips and pointers!!

[tigerphan]

Originally Posted by Above Par Lawns

I'm going into my first year as well this Spring. From what I've learned just use your hourly rate of $50-60 + material costs for all your mulch jobs. You'll be able to get a feel for how long it takes you to do certain jobs after you get some experience. At $60 per hour with low overhead you are going to be making some money. It's hard to truly know what to charge and what you're worth until you get a year under your belt. Keep track of all gas, oil, repairs, etc. throughout the year and figure out your true costs next year at this time. Never mow a lawn for under 25 I don't care how small it is. You have to figure that between driving there, unloading, trim, cut, blow, and load back up it'll be at least a half hour. Then you add in equip costs, overhead, gas for truck/equip, insurance, etc. If you charge somebody under 25 you aren't making ****!

The best thing is when you land 3 or 4 houses side by side and you can fly through it and make a killing per hour.

I dont know if I can charge more then 20 a yard for lets say a 40 foot front and 50 deep, since i have to also add in 13% sales tax.

good luck op we are in same boat,

[wildstarblazer]

Buy a business book and read it and don't think just cause you should charge 60 per hour that you will get it...lots of competition in this business.

[Smallaxe]

From the time you begin to load the truck, until the time you're done for the day IS the amount of time dedicated to the particular job... Somedays it may be,,, just that way... becuz of drought or rain your ONLY job may be the one lawn, so make sure it is always worth the trouble to do that one lawn...
Be sure to charge, Mileage on the truck and Hours on the mowers...

Learning horticulture is always a plus,,, planting plants is not that hard, but scapers kill a lot of plants by careless plantings... have fun...

[LandFakers]

You can also work on hardscaping if it interests you. Not sure about prices on that as I don't do that, but I've heard it's good money.
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[rppaving]

Originally Posted by LandFakers

You can also work on hardscaping if it interests you. Not sure about prices on that as I don't do that, but I've heard it's good money.
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Technically what does hardscaping entail?
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[LandFakers]

Originally Posted by rppaving

Technically what does hardscaping entail?
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Im no expert, but when I heard hardscaping I think Patios, walkways, stonework(ie facing), pools, and stone driveways. I may be way off with this, but I am no expert and Im sure another member can really tell you.

[rppaving]

Originally Posted by LandFakers

Im no expert, but when I heard hardscaping I think Patios, walkways, stonework(ie facing), pools, and stone driveways. I may be way off with this, but I am no expert and Im sure another member can really tell you.

Well ive done blacktop work for many years so a stone walkway or driveway shouldn't be tok bad. Also i wonder about the complexity of the other things you mentioned,how difficult would those be to construct for a potential client??
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[Smallaxe]

Hardscape is really common sense from the ground up... Pardon the pun... Experience is good becuz it teaches you the consequences of some detail, you may have overlooked... using sand/gravel in most foundational issues is generally you best bet... When clay or rock heaves or settles is when your hardscape issue become a problem...
Don't be intimidated by it...

[LandFakers]

Originally Posted by rppaving

Well ive done blacktop work for many years so a stone walkway or driveway shouldn't be tok bad. Also i wonder about the complexity of the other things you mentioned,how difficult would those be to construct for a potential client??
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I know of hardscapers that do pools, but there are people out there that do pools ONLY, and most of that work goes to them... But i have done stone facing for my mothers house and it isnt too challenging at all. I know my stone place near by holds classes every other saturday and im sure there is someone where you are that can teach you the basics. Another thing to add to your list may be stone, brick, and cement staircases. Everybody needs them for their house and its pretty simple stuff.

[rppaving]

Anyone else have any tips or pointers??
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