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NativeGreenLandscaping

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I read a bunch of messages and threads on this site. This is my point of view. Customers and landscapers are common. My landscaping business is based on my relationship with my customers.
I believe that if a customer likes the landscaper, the landscaper will be forgiven for a lot more (being late, yellow grass, bald spots, damage, etc.).
I have fired three customers on six years of my business. One customer actually fired me. The common denominator is feeling uncomfortable communicating with the customer.
I don't worry about the customers I lose. They are the exception to the rule. I live on Long Island. It is so easy to get another landscaper. And there are ALWAYS other customers. Even with the internet, word of mouth is still the best way to get customers.

I see other landscapers go to yards close to me. Sometimes they start after I do, and then they finish before me. I do not compete with other landscaping companies. I compete with myself. What is the best job I am capable of doing?
So, if a customer yells at you, or fires you without giving an explanation, don't worry about it. Just do your best with your other customers. Let the yard be your business card.

Good luck to you all
 
#3 ·
NativeGreenLandscaping said:
I read a bunch of messages and threads on this site. This is my point of view. Customers and landscapers are common. My landscaping business is based on my relationship with my customers.
I believe that if a customer likes the landscaper, the landscaper will be forgiven for a lot more (being late, yellow grass, bald spots, damage, etc.).
I have fired three customers on six years of my business. One customer actually fired me. The common denominator is feeling uncomfortable communicating with the customer.
I don't worry about the customers I lose. They are the exception to the rule. I live on Long Island. It is so easy to get another landscaper. And there are ALWAYS other customers. Even with the internet, word of mouth is still the best way to get customers.

I see other landscapers go to yards close to me. Sometimes they start after I do, and then they finish before me. I do not compete with other landscaping companies. I compete with myself. What is the best job I am capable of doing?
So, if a customer yells at you, or fires you without giving an explanation, don't worry about it. Just do your best with your other customers. Let the yard be your business card.

Good luck to you all
Click to expand...
Great attitude. Thumbs Up
 
#5 ·
I’ve been fine tuning the questions that people really like. Here’s a few general ones that work pretty well.
Older people- How are you feeling?
Gear heads, black gentlemen or anyone with a cool car- Nice car! What year is it?
Business owners- How is business?
People with Gardens- Your garden looks beautiful as always, what kind of flower is that?
Some people are just really awkward to talk to, I just try and be as cheerful and friendly as possible.Always talk about them.
 
#6 ·
I am pretty friendly with clients, though we usually have a rotation of a few employees who are always coming and going, I try to be on all sites at some point. I can think of 5 or 6 clients, usually people in their 60s, 70s, 80s etc, ask me to come hang out on a personal level. A few times it has been parties, so not quite as weird. Quite a few of them bring me in to have lunch at the table with them which I am not comfortable with, but I appease them. I am kind of a socially anxious person and for some reason I guess I relate better with geezers, maybe because I'm not trying to fit in if it's a younger person I'm talking to.
 
#7 ·
OakNut said:
C'mon, man.
I KNOW you feel the pressure when those other lawn crews drive by and they give you the stink eye! (It's usually the helpers crammed in the back of a crew cab - that always cracks me up)
Click to expand...
Can't be anymore right here. It's always the guys on the back that give me the stink eye. I noticed that supervisors/managers of other companies are always very respectful towards me.

One quick story: I'm fixing a snowblower on my driveway after finishing my snow removal list. Nothing major. Just few bolts came loose on the chute. Truck goes by and stops on the red light and I hear someone yelling at me.. I look up and its a guy on the back seat of a company vehicle yelling that "you broke it" and "get a real blower" while laughing. For the record that's an 821 single stage toro. I just ignored. Next day I'm seeing the same crew on a property beside me. My truck didn't have lettering at the time..I ask them if they need help and how much their basic shoveller makes. They answered $18/h and on call. I looked at the guy that yelled at me (shovel monkey) and informed him that just for that day I've made what he did in more than a full week..also all the equipment is mine and paid off..including my truck and plow that might not be top trim but still very respectable.
I informed him that is not the best idea to yell at random people while on a work truck and wearing company's uniform.
Guy's face turned red and apologized. Maybe cause his supervisor was there as well..
 
#8 ·
Cam15 said:
I've been fine tuning the questions that people really like. Here's a few general ones that work pretty well.
Older people- How are you feeling?
Gear heads, black gentlemen or anyone with a cool car- Nice car! What year is it?
Business owners- How is business?
People with Gardens- Your garden looks beautiful as always, what kind of flower is that?
Some people are just really awkward to talk to, I just try and be as cheerful and friendly as possible.Always talk about them.
Click to expand...
I do the same and it works great. It also helps that I love gardening and don't do it just as a job. Also cars/trucks,sports,lifting weights etc. It's very easy to relate on something with most of your clients. Smiling also helps a lot. I know is simple but it costs nothing and almost always you get one back
 
#14 ·
OakNut said:
It looks very nice.
Be proud of it.

Wanna see the dog pee spots in MY yard?
Click to expand...
short story on this place.
it's the house I grew up in, from 2nd grade on.
we added 2 additions over the years, another side garage, countless "facelifts", dormers, front porch redo, walls removed, etc.
backyard became the oasis with the pool, and now it's us 2 with occasional visits from the kids with their kids.
ain't life strange? but no regrets.
 
#17 ·
Groomer said:
short story on this place.
it's the house I grew up in, from 2nd grade on.
we added 2 additions over the years, another side garage, countless "facelifts", dormers, front porch redo, walls removed, etc.
backyard became the oasis with the pool, and now it's us 2 with occasional visits from the kids with their kids.
ain't life strange? but no regrets.
Click to expand...
Very cool! It's a rare thing these days to have the ability to stay in your childhood home. People move so much now. Families get so displaced.
 
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