Tips for 14 year old lawnmower?

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

I have been mowing grass since I was probably 10 or younger with a toro self propelled mower, I can remember when I had my mom come out to help me start it, haha:laugh:. Right now I mow two yards (mine and my neighbors), this will keep me busy for probably around two hours or more. I was thinking, just thinking about enlarging my "business" and picking up a few more lawns around the neighborhood. I could probably find a quite a few since the house are close together (so I wouldn't have to travel far) and most of the owners are older, or would just rather be golfing than mowing grass. The only problem would be trying to compete with major commercial businesses, I would guess that 80% of the lawns mowed are not by the homeowners, but by commercial businesses. I was also thinking about upgrading my 20 in. (I think) toro self propelled mower to a commercial grade used scag or similar walk behind or possibly a heavily used ztr. I have some money saved up so I don't think I would have a problem buying one as long as it could pay for its self in a season or two.

Are there any other concerns at my age like insurance or business license, etc. Remember I;m only 14 (almost 14).

Thanks in advance for all of your help!
:help:

bohiaa · Jun 19, 2009

you cant enter into a contract with a minor

ontheouter · Jun 19, 2009

I really do wish you the best of luck with your new venture, but at your age I think you are approaching this entirely wrong.

As the previous poster mentioned, you cannot enter into a contract, you will probably find it very difficult to get insurance too. I'm not sure what business requirements are needed to be met under your federal, state and local laws either, but I believe you would have major problems there too.

I reckon you have 2 options:

1) stick to pocket money work, let your customers know you don't have insurance etc. keep it simple and earn a few dollars. Whatever you do... don't try to pass yourself off as a legitimate contractor, this will only cause you, and possibly your parents problems in the future.

2) if you're one of these whiz kids who can make a million bucks before your 16'th birthday, then go for it!!! But get yourself set up properly and legally. This means your parents will need to be the official owners and operators of the business for legal reasons. The trouble is the insurance company probably still won't insure YOU to do the mowing work because of your age. If you go down this route you'll have to hire staff from day one.

Don't forget, the best training you'll receive is being a worker for a legitimate and respected contractor. A bit of work and training and you'll be ready to go on your 18th birthday with a far higher certainty of success.

Again, good luck and all the best.

dan1a1984 · Jun 19, 2009

Glad to see there are still some teenagers out there that still value a dollar. When I was your age I did the same thing, with a cheap Briggs and Station push mower. I would not worry about upgrading your equipment until you have to. New commercial grade mowers are very expensive; a lot of small LCO don’t have ZRT mowers because of that very reason. The best way for you to pick up more customers is to go door to door and talk to your neighbors. I would start with the neighbors that mow themselves. Be honest and be professional and you will be surprised how many lawns you picked up. Do some research, have a LCO come out and give you a quote for your lawn so you know what to charge customers. Just remember people probably aren’t going to pay you what they pay an LCO because the fact you are a teenager. Best of luck, and keep up the hard work and you will be reward for it.

North Pasco Lawn Service

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

I couldn't work with a contractor until I am like 16 though right? I just asked about insurance to make sure that it's not illegal to mowing 4 or 5 lawns at my age. So you guys think I should use the same mower I have now, or should I try to upgrade to a commercial or semi-commercial grade used mower?

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

clean_cut said:
I couldn't work with a contractor until I am like 16 though right? I just asked about insurance to make sure that it's not illegal to mowing 4 or 5 lawns at my age. So you guys think I should use the same mower I have now, or should I try to upgrade to a commercial or semi-commercial grade used mower?

I would start with the neighbors that mow themselves

Click to expand...

This is going to be hard because there are only two I think on my entire street and I think they like to be outdoors gardening, mowing, etc. One yard will only get me about 10-15 dollars, but the other is pretty big, but again I think they enjoy mowing their grass.

dan1a1984 · Jun 19, 2009

At age 16 you may still not be able to do this line of work LEGALY. At age 16 you are required to take a 30min break ever 4 hours (you must clock out and clock back in, if not the company you work for can be fined heavly for each time you dont), and you are limited to the type of equipment you can use, for your own saftey.

I would not worry about haveing your customers sign a contract just agree on a day and time that you will be there to mow and make sure you show up on time. Alot of folks will resept a 13 year old kid breaking the mold and will reward you for your efforts. If you want to buy a good used commercail grade mower you are looking around $300 (21 inch self pro walk behind), keep a rainy day fund and buy a new one when you can no longer keep up with you customers demands or your old one breaks.

North Pasco Lawn Service

keepinitgreenpa · Jun 19, 2009

I'm just going to throw this in real quick because my comment has nothing to do with helping the kid out and it should.

These guys are completely right on the business aspects of lawn care so listen to them. Set yourself up and be legit you need to remember (especially with the economy today) lawn maintenance is a luxory so treat your customers like they are getting what they pay for. It's a cheap and easy business to get into so don't be like the guy who mows lawns illegally because he still gets a SSI check and want to make an extra buck.

1. Get an EIN
2. Insurance (GL 1 million is plenty)
3. Come up with a name and register it with the state (be sure to check on sales tax)

If your 14 and thinking about a business your smart enough that you don't need anyone to hold your hand and tell you what to do, however you do those three things and you've got the majority of the market beat.

ANYWAYS
Where do you get a commercial grade mower for $300 and if it's from Walmart you need to think your strategy a bit better.

FYI I paid around $800 for my 21" Toro, just a thought

dan1a1984 · Jun 19, 2009

Please read the entire post "good used commercail grade mower" USED being the key word. Noone said anything about a NEW mower.

If he looks to buy out off season he can get a deal. Check out the daily paper in the winter time and you will see tons of deals. I would also check with dealership let them know what you are looking for and price you want to spend. Most will give a you a 90day warrenty(on USED EQUIPMENT) if you ask for one, for peice of mind.

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

I don't know if you guys misread my post, or if I misread yours :dizzy:

, buy I already have a 22" toro personal pace mower. I was asking if I should upgrade to a used commercial grade walk behind, but I don't think I need to until the yards begin to be too much to mow. I am mostly looking for something to do this summer, I might be able to keep mowing all of the yards during the fall, but with school and all, I might only have time to mow three or four.

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

dan1a1984 said:
Please read the entire post "good used commercail grade mower" USED being the key word. Noone said anything about a NEW mower.

If he looks to buy out off season he can get a deal. Check out the daily paper in the winter time and you will see tons of deals. I would also check with dealership let them know what you are looking for and price you want to spend. Most will give a you a 90day warrenty(on USED EQUIPMENT) if you ask for one, for peice of mind.

So wintertime is a good time to look for a mower, so maybe mow this season with my current mower, then switch over during the winter? Do you think a dealer would actually have a good deal on a used mower? I would think they would be overpriced but I havn't ever looked.

Any tips on what mower to buy (if I buy one)? Scag, Toro, Wright, Exmark, Husqvarna, Great Dane, Hustler, etc. ZTR, Walkbehind/Stand Behind? Heavily used commercial grade, residential grade, etc?

dan1a1984 · Jun 19, 2009

dealers do most of there business in the summer so you have some more wiggly room in the off season with price. Supple and demand. Some dealers get back repo or even sell floor models that are less then a year old. if you stop by a dealership and talk to them, let them know what you are doing let them know your price,and ask for advise.

at 14yr old i would not buy anything new

As for brand name everyone here will tell you something different, it boils down to your prefernce. Different machines have different features. Some machines are easier to use then others. You can ask your dad to try out the machines at the dealer to see what is easist to use. Do some reseach on your own. Most guys here list what type of gear they use. Make a list and narrow you list down based on what you can afford and what is avaible in your area. I would not buy anything off of craiglist or ebay unless you know a mechanic. If you are just doing 5 lawns a week your toro will last you a while. I have had my 21inchToro for over 5 years. Good luck and dont be affaird to do your own research.

clean_cut · Jun 19, 2009

O.k. I'll stick with my toro for a while, but I'll try to look around for dealers that will be able to service a new mower if I decide to get one. Do you guys know if "Tractor Supply" or simmilar farm equipment stores will be able to service mowers, or do they just sell them?

Thanks for all of your help :clapping:

clean_cut · Jun 21, 2009

I was just thinking though, a dealer would be a lot more expensive, should I look and find what mower I want then look for it on craigslist if I decide to get one? Or should I just pay more for a dealer due to their warranty, service, trustability, etc.?

STIHL GUY · Jun 21, 2009

you could probably find a good deal on a used 32'' or 36''

cgaengineer · Jun 21, 2009

clean_cut said:
I was just thinking though, a dealer would be a lot more expensive, should I look and find what mower I want then look for it on craigslist if I decide to get one? Or should I just pay more for a dealer due to their warranty, service, trustability, etc.?

Just because its a dealer does not mean their prices are more. Some dealers even sell some of the same junk you see at Home Depot...the difference is they service it as well.

clean_cut · Jun 27, 2009

I just found out that my mower is actually ten years old, how long do they usually last? I'll try to check around to see which dealers will service what, and I just found that I might have a possible new customer :cool2:

icatilo · Jul 5, 2009

since you are still young to handle such growing business, I suggest you use this software in managing it. It is simple and easy to use and helps you keep track of your customers and their record. I think this is very helpful in handling a growing business. http://www.lawnprosoftware.com/

Good luck and more power to your business!

clean_cut · Jul 5, 2009

Thats a little expensive at $97 dollars.

Anyone else have any other (cheap/free) programs, or should I just work it out on excell, or on paper.

lifetree · Jul 5, 2009

clean_cut said:
... I just asked about insurance to make sure that it's not illegal to mowing 4 or 5 lawns at my age. ...

I don't think it's illegal to be mowing at your age and some carriers would likely give you insurance as long as you can pay the premium ... the issue is really how comfrotable your parents are with letting do this on your own ... because ultimately they will be liable if anything happens from a legal perspective (i.e.-lawsuits, etc.) !!

Tips for 14 year old lawnmower?

clean_cut

bohiaa

ontheouter

dan1a1984

clean_cut

clean_cut

dan1a1984

keepinitgreenpa

dan1a1984

clean_cut

clean_cut

dan1a1984

clean_cut

clean_cut

STIHL GUY

cgaengineer

clean_cut

icatilo

clean_cut

lifetree

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities