New to the web site, new to lawncare, and new to being self-employed.
Long story short, Ive been wanting to do this for a few years, have a friend much younger than me making what I do, and he is doing it after school. Used to pressure wash, but only after work. Got laid off from work yesterday so now Im full time lol.
Bought a 48" hustler super duty, 2 Shindiawa T270's and a Shindaiwa blower (dont remember the model) ended up buying another truck to pull it all with too.
Just wanted to drop in and say hey, and keep my eyes oper for any tips.
sorry about the tough luck. hope this works out or you. unfortunately i think your jumping the gun. the equipment that you just mentioned is very premature. you have got to cut a ton of yard for the payments you now have. you could have gotten equipment used that would suit you just fine. i wish you the best. and welcome to LS
sorry bout the lay off.. good luck with your new venture and welcome to the site! If you have any questions ask away (thats what I do). Most of these people are willing to help a newcomer out.
sorry about the tough luck. hope this works out or you. unfortunately i think your jumping the gun. the equipment that you just mentioned is very premature. you have got to cut a ton of yard for the payments you now have. you could have gotten equipment used that would suit you just fine. i wish you the best. and welcome to LS
Fortunately my payments are $0. I probably should have started with a walk behind, and considered it, and some lesser trimmers, but oh well I went all out. I had planned on a bigger mower, but was advised to stay with a 48 to get in more backyards.
Thanks for the concern though. The layoff is common in my line of (previous) work, Im happy about it, but not comfortable with it I guess is the best way to say it. It was tough working 10 hours a day, then running home and trying to cut grass. I was only getting one yard done, and wasnt getting home till about 8pm every night. At least now I get more time with the family
if your already cutting yards then great. i wouldnt have bought all that equipment at once though unless i had 30 contracts w/ ppl that already knew my work so i would know that i had $$$$ coming in for sure. but you know your business and i dont, so i apologize if i was harsh, still seems a little premature, but i wish you the best.
if your already cutting yards then great. i wouldnt have bought all that equipment at once though unless i had 30 contracts w/ ppl that already knew my work so i would know that i had $$$$ coming in for sure. but you know your business and i dont, so i apologize if i was harsh, still seems a little premature, but i wish you the best.
I didnt take it harsh. And I really did appreciate the comment. This has been something Ive been wanting to start for a few years, and I was financially able to get everything new at one time, so I jumped in with both feet so to speak. I have no payments, so Im not in a financial bind with it, but I will be happy when I get 30 yards so it starts paying me back lol
i thinks it cool, you jujst went out and bought a bunch of nice crap , we worked from the botem up, and looking back, i should have just done wat you did, it would have made 2 years of our lives alot easier and funner, but who cares we are all set know!!
i thinks it cool, you jujst went out and bought a bunch of nice crap , we worked from the botem up, and looking back, i should have just done wat you did, it would have made 2 years of our lives alot easier and funner, but who cares we are all set know!!
Well it was a little more to it than that. Like I said, Ive been wanting to do this for a while, I changed jobs a few months ago, and had to do something with my retirement. I cashed it out and now this is my retirement plan.
I started out the same way almost. I worked at a steel mill doing maintenance and landscaping mowing on the side. I quit there to go to work for a friend of mine and it just didn't work out with him. So I took the plunge and started full time landscaping out of nowhere just like you. I started full time in 02 and now I love it. Hope it will all work out for you. Sounds like you are in good enough financial shape to do this. So stick with it and let your existing customers know that you are now full time. This may open doors to mulch, trimming shrubs, etc. plus they will let friends know about you. Look back in 5 years and you will probably be glad you did this.
Hope all works out for you. Be sure to calculate your cost per hour of operation before bidding or getting too many jobs. Too many times, contractors get jobs based on the theory that they need the work and they take it too low.
I did the same thing the first eight years I was in business.
If you need any help calculating your cost per hour of operation, proposals formats, service agreements or marketing information, feel free to visit my web site at www.profitsareus.com or give me a call at 800-845-0499.
I have many easy to use products that will help you with your business. The best thing about my products is that I am a "Lawn Guy" too. I still own and operate a full-service lawn and landscaping business and have since 1979.
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