what is considered solo

[Darryl G]

Originally Posted by CowboysLawnCareDelaware

I feel like you can get it all done by yourself, but that is what I can do, everyone pushes themselves at different paces.

If only 2.5 acres are mowed on a 5 acre property, make sure you say that your are mowing 2.5 acres. Because you just went from apprx. 3 hours of cutting down to 1.5 hours with one 60" mower and one guy weedwacking.
-Michael

Ummm...pretty sure he did say that. At least that's what it says on my computer screen...not sure what yours says. And pretty sure he has a 52 inch mower too...where'd the 60 come from. Are you alright dude?

[zackvbra]

Ill quote myself

Originally Posted by zackvbra

my average lawn size is around an acre. some smaller, others way bigger.

my first year, doing everything by myself, I would average around 7-9 a day. some times more.

when I hired a worker my second year, I doubled my production immediately, mowing anywhere from 13-18 a day, just depends on which account i was doing that day, as i have one 5 acre property and another 5 acre property, but only 2 1/2 acres are mowable.

I got so much done my second year, we only worked 1-2 days a week, sometimes 3, because I only had 25 accounts we serviced on a schedule.

[CowboysLawnCareDelaware]

Sorry 52" mower, and just state that your mowing 2.5 acres. You don't need to say five acres.

I am just gonna stop posting on anything you post on Darryl, thank God we don't work in the same neighborhoods.

-Michael

[Darryl G]

Originally Posted by CowboysLawnCareDelaware

Sorry 52" mower, and just state that your mowing 2.5 acres. You don't need to say five acres.

I am just gonna stop posting on anything you post on Darryl, thank God we don't work in the same neighborhoods.

-Michael

Sorry...didn't mean to hurt your feelings or anything....you just don't seem to make much sense...maybe it's just me though. Actually you're on my ignore list and have been for some time because you keep getting all huffy with me over nothing. I think you have a false sense of propriety actually...telling this guy how he should state things...things that I dare say are pretty clear. I maintain a lot of 2+ acre properties that are between 25 and 50% turf...is it ok if I say it like that or do you need me to spell it out for you in square feet?

[zackvbra]

it is five acres, but 2 1/2 acres are mowable only because of the two big ponds on the property take up close to 2 1/2 acres.

[CTPTURF]

Originally Posted by Kings of Green LLC

Sorry hit submit before I was done!! Ill give them 5 days or less to complete those lawns. If they seem to handle those 20 okay make them "full" time with 30- 40 per week. As far as quality before and after photos sent to my phone after every cut. To me per cut instead of per hour eliminates the lazy ones who milk the clock loading and unloading smoking and talking on cellphones etc... they set there own schedule as long as they get all properties done. If they don't complete there work on time or bad quality for say three weeks they are cut back or cut off! Whats your thoughts?
Posted via Mobile Device

A pest control company in our area was paying a technician solely based on commision from each account he serviced. Unknown to management, this employee was keeping a detailed log book of all his job activities that was related to his job but could not be tied to a particular account ( picking up chemicals from supply house, washing service vehicle, etc.). Needless to say, after he was fired (did things on purpose to get fired), the pest control company received a letter from an attorney requesting back pay for this employee plus attorney fees. It cost them six figures to settle.
I would submit paying your employees minimum wage for all time at work PLUS a commission based on billable work. This would reward the gogetters and the lazy ones would get acceptable pay. I would definitely require a certain minimum done each day or you would have grounds to replace them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[sgbotsford]

I've tried with piece work here at the tree farm. I don't like the results. They do the job to the minimum possible standard. I pay by the hour, pay 10% over what they can get pumping gas, and have a relaxed attitude about things that don't matter. (E.g. if they want to weed wearing just running shorts, I don't care. If they are working on their own, they can play their music. If they can't show because of football practice, and they phone me, no biggie.)

You are better off to run a semi-franchise, I think.

Step 1. You have them as your assistant. You both take both roles until you are comfortable that he is competent.

Step 2. You put him on his own working solo, using your equipment. From previous experience with the yard, you pay him a percentage of the contract. The percentage is X% at the beginning. Initially you check up the job at the end of the day, ideally with him.

Step 3. You give him an assistant. The assistant is payed a wage, but you handle that, but the wage comes out of your guy's percentage. Lot of guys will like this setup, because they have the work, but none of the paperwork.

Step 4. You give your guy the opportunity to buy into the company. He gets a larger percentage of the contract. He can start getting his own contracts. As a tier 3 partner he rents his equipment from you. You handle all his bookkeeping, collections, and payroll. This is the level you want most of your team. They have incentive to do the job right. You make money on the equipment rental.

Step 5. As a tier 2 partner, he owns most of his own equipment, but still can rent from you. E.g. He rents from you while his mower is in the shop. You negotiate with the shop for him. Moving him to to tier 2 means he has more incentive to take care of the equipment, and take a larger cut.

Step 6. As a tier 1 partner, he shares in the profit of the enterprise, but also bears the costs. Adding a new tier 1 partner will likely be two companies merging, or it will mean a guy buying into the company with a hefty lump. This is also how you handle the transition when you want to retire.

[Wayne's Lawn Service]

Originally Posted by Kings of Green LLC

i know this topic has been going on for ever but what is considered solo? I have read post on this site and heard from guys in my area stay solo never run multiple crews etc... but what is considered "big"? how many lawns per day can one guy do? myself its me and one full time guy we do 80 lawns a week i think im making a good living. i hate turning down work but you can only do so much with two guys! what about giving an employee a truck and a mower and paying him per yard say $10 give him 30 lawns per week still considered solo but as the owner your making x per lawn? right or wrong thinking?

There are a lot other factors to consider. Big, small, or whatever is only a term as stated by someone before me. Look at production possibilities of adding a crew. Don't simply look at additional lawns possibly mowed. Look at diversification of services. This will allow you to sell your existing clients more services as well as selling more profitable services to clients that mow their own lawns. These are just a few things to consider.