Solo Boys

[larryinalabama]

Originally Posted by TuffWork

Heard that. You can make money Solo, but you can't make any real money running a few crews. At that point you really just have keep the mowing around to keep labor and cash flow around for the real jobs. (and for customer contact)

To all you solo guys: Don't think the guy running a business is doing much better than you are. I don't net much more than most of you and I have four employees, and a boat load of headaches. In fact, I would be willing to bet there are a few of you who make much more than me by having the right clientele at the right price.

The flip side to that is.... I don't have to push a lawnmower any more. Which is good cause my knees can't take it.

I enjoy being solo. I see some weird stuff from people running crews.

Theres on contractor who tows 3 new xmarks and 4 fellers do the yards, dont even ask me how anyone is making money on that deal...

[smallstripesnc]

I am a solo guy and I'm 22 years old haul with a 1983 BMW 320I turbo charged. Have a 4X6 trailer and 36 inch Gravely Hydro walk behind, Redmax trimmer, redmax blower. 32 accounts total. 4 bi-weekly and <2 as needed (I do this as a favor since they're friends).>

I get around $2500 a month gross. I spend $45 to fill up once a week in car, $20 in mower per week, and around $4 for gas/oil for handhelds.

Insurance and taxes suck and taxes are very complicated. Best advice people will give you is to save all receipts and really keep track of everything.

Your off to a better start than me!

[reliablelawn]

I am 18. Second year in business, 60 accounts (some EOW.) during a normal (non drought) week I will gross around 1,100. The landscaping and cleanup side of the business can gross 200-3000 per week. It probabky averages out to 900 a week for that, so 2K a week total.

[jwsland]

How many times do I have to say it, the number of accounts you have is irrelevant. 300 lawns at $35 or 100 at $105 its all the same. Some days I cut 3 lawns and walk away $900 and some days you might cut 25 little ones and makes the same. What you make shouldn't be compared with anyone else or matter unless you have the same truck, mowers, and same exact monthly bills if you ask me! Its apples and oranges. What you make is important but what your spending is twice as important kids.

[orangemower]

Originally Posted by jwsland

How many times do I have to say it, the number of accounts you have is irrelevant. 300 lawns at $35 or 100 at $105 its all the same. Some days I cut 3 lawns and walk away $900 and some days you might cut 25 little ones and makes the same. What you make shouldn't be compared with anyone else or matter unless you have the same truck, mowers, and same exact monthly bills if you ask me! Its apples and oranges. What you make is important but what your spending is twice as important kids.

Why you bringing me into this? LOL j/k

I totally agree and you are 100% correct. That's why I don't bother to post my personal income on a public forum.