I can do about 7-9 yards a day with a 21'' but the grass only grows good for about 6-7 months here then it slows down to about 50 percent in October and November and then probably 30 percent growth up until march. I average about $30/yard cause some people pay $25 and some pay $40. I know their are other jobs besides mowing that I'm not including like bush trimming, but usually that just ends up getting in the way and I end up making less money cause that kind of thing takes longer then it interferes with my mowing. Maybe it's just cause I'm using a 21'' that's slowing me down. What do you guys think? I prefer to stay solo cause it keeps it simple. I see the crews with the big mowers knock out the mowing in like 8-10 minutes where it take me anywhere from 15-30 with the 21. what do you guys think?
Can a solo guy mow enough yards to make a living?
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I can do about 7-9 yards a day with a 21'' but the grass only grows good for about 6-7 months here then it slows down to about 50 percent in October and November and then probably 30 percent growth up until march. I average about $30/yard cause some people pay $25 and some pay $40. I know their are other jobs besides mowing that I'm not including like bush trimming, but usually that just ends up getting in the way and I end up making less money cause that kind of thing takes longer then it interferes with my mowing. Maybe it's just cause I'm using a 21'' that's slowing me down. What do you guys think? I prefer to stay solo cause it keeps it simple. I see the crews with the big mowers knock out the mowing in like 8-10 minutes where it take me anywhere from 15-30 with the 21. what do you guys think?
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Short answer, yes.
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Figure 9 yards times 30$ is 270$ per day. Expenses should be real low using a 21" mower. So lets say you clear 225 per day.
225 per day is 1350$ per week. At 30 weeks its 40500$ with 5 months to do some other stuff.
All in all not to bad, not a get rich scheme but still better than any entry level job.
225 per day is 1350$ per week. At 30 weeks its 40500$ with 5 months to do some other stuff.
All in all not to bad, not a get rich scheme but still better than any entry level job.
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So you're basing it off of 6 working days a week? How many more yards do you think I can do with a big mower? Like a compact zero turn that can get into back yards. That's what I'm thinking about getting.
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I work 5 days a week solo, 50 clients, 80% residential. I mow Tuesday thru Friday. Monday is set aside for sprinkler repair, trimming, and other odd jobs for my regular mowing clients. Once in a while I have to work on a Saturday, but not very often. I average 8-9 hour days.
Last year I grossed just over $100,000, with a profit margin of around 80%.
So it is possible, at least in this part of the country.
Last year I grossed just over $100,000, with a profit margin of around 80%.
So it is possible, at least in this part of the country.
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You would probably knock off a few minutes per yard, but your expenses start to get high.
A 21" mower is actually a productive machine, I wish all I had was garden homes, that's all I would run.
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I can do 12-14 a day. 5-10k. Mix of 36" WB and 52"Z. Averaging about 30min each with trimming and such. Some have gated yards. Groupings of 3-5 cuts down on drive time.
I like to think as a solo op, that I can support me and my family. My wife is a teacher, and we have some investment property(rentals) that bring in some passive cash flow. I also work weekends at a country club in the winter to keep some money flowing in between the leaf jobs.
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Yes, Get a walker b23i with a 42" deck It will literally quadruple your productivity over a 21". About 12k but worth every dollar it will save you so much time. By far the most compact and manuverable zero turn around.
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depends on your definition of "make a living".
assuming the worst work rate based on the numbers above you're working less than 5 hours a day. bump that up to a full 8 hour day and decide if you're making a living
assuming the worst work rate based on the numbers above you're working less than 5 hours a day. bump that up to a full 8 hour day and decide if you're making a living
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I'm going to get a trailer and a gravely compact pro 34 zero turn. I have 37'' gates to fit through.
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Don't spend a ton of money the grass season is going to be over soon. Pick up something used with low hours and in good shape, that will fit through your 37 inch gates. I've been solo 7 years,I support kids and someone else, every year seems to be better. You can do well if your physically able and mentally ready. A lot of bigger lcos started out with next to nothing... Sounds like your off to a good start! Anything else bigger than a 21 will speed you up and you won't be exhausted
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From talking to people on here and in my area, not saying everyone
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I don't think a 36'' mower will fit through my gates. Most of them are 37'' A 36'' mower is bigger than 36''
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True. Not telling you what to do but you might want to look into a toro or exmark commercial 30. IMO a WB is a bad investment you're better off with a stander or z.
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apparently the guy who goes by geek to freek lawn on youtube does work grass for a living
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