[Expert Lawns]

Who is in the lawn game for a career and who is in it temporarily. I for one started out wanting to do this through college but now I am really enjoying it and would like to do this no matter what I decide to do after graduation. Maybe on the side, maybe full time. Not sure yet.

 

[walker-talker]

I voted temporary only because I am part-time, but I want to go full-time someday. I will know when the time is right.

MATT

 

[NCSULandscaper]

I voted career. Wouldnt want to do anything else.

 

[tiedeman]

my career...wouldn't want to do anything else.

 

[CamLand]

i'm almost 20 years into it.my career until i retire..

 

[EagleLandscape]

I'm 18, it's easy work for good money, can't beat that. Atleast next year I'll get a new truck and pay for college. ANd who knows after that. I don't think my gf digs it that much, but atleast her boyfriend is loaded.

 

[rodfather]

Career (9 years so far) or until something else better comes my way like winning the lottery...LOL

 

[mrusk]

I am 17 and just bought a lazer and have started to pick up a couple lawns. When i talk about this business with relatives and even my teachers they all assume i am just doing this to make some money for a year or 2. They all look at me like i am crazy when i tell them i want to do this for the rest of my life. They're like 'You want to mow lawns for the rest of your life??" Heck i dont want to mow lawns forever. I'll leave that to the crews in a few years. What i really want to do is hardscapes. I have done a few walls for people and i had a great time doing it. I know that is where the money is. There is no reason why i can't turn my dream into reality and have a multi-millon dollor landscaping company.

matt

 

[Blades of Steel]

I'm in for the long haul. I have been doign it part time for 5 years. Every weekend and 4 nights a week. I have one employee who works with me every day and service 38 properties a week. I sit in my office Monday thru Friday dreaming of cuttin some grass and doing research on new products. I hope to quit my current job in the next year and a half or so.

When is the best time to make that leap? Who knows, all I know is everything I own for my business I have paid cash for and hope to purchase a new Ferris mower at the top of next season. So when I do make that leap I'll owe nothing on my business. There will be nothing between me and the dollar but air and opportunity.

Oh, I am purchasing a second trailer next month and converting the current 5 x 12 into a leaf hauler with a vaccum custom built in the neck. Leaf season will be here before we know it.

Tim

 

[nelson279]

Originally posted by Expert Lawns
Who is in the lawn game for a career and who is in it temporarily. I for one started out wanting to do this through college but now I am really enjoying it and would like to do this no matter what I decide to do after graduation. Maybe on the side, maybe full time. Not sure yet.

I think it can be great for extra money. As a career I think you can make a living while you are young but the older the you get the harder it become. I would like to put my time somewhere where I can collect pension and retirement plan some day and do this for extra cash.
It is also a very competitive business. I see too many people with no clue about profit charging very little money for mowing. Residential customers can be fussy and demanding and they they have too many cheaper choices.
Another thing I hate to be at the mercy of the weather. Too wet can not cut. Too hot brown grass so can not cut.
What about help using and abusing the equipment. Seems to be that help is very temporary. For most people is just a stepping stone unless you find someone that got problems and can not be hire by a company so they become grass cutter ..........

 

[Black Water]

I'll die mowing. Can't belive i get payed for this.

 

[LB Landscaping]

Career for me. Been in it for just over 2 years and can't imagine going back to work for "the man."

 

[lawnworker]

If I ever do something else, I will keep a few to keep the "In my blood" feeling alive. Plus, it would be good extra money to keep your best yards to maintain. Once you get all this equipment, might as well use it.

This work has much potential, it's all what you want out of it and how much you want to commit to it. That being said, One most be very adaptable to make it work out "great" in terms of big money, But money isn't every thing to chase the days away for.

Hang loose

 

[gravedigger5]

I voted undecided. Only part-time now.(If you call 25-30hrs a week part-time) Have been tracking the numbers closely and will decide in the next year if I will go full time or scale back. (But, I hope to Go full time) Marc

 

[Expert Lawns]

I'm in it part time as well. Between college and work, I only have time to work 30 hours a week. I would like to expand enough to where I can hire a few guys to run it on the days I have class, or I could just meet up with the crew after class. When I graduate, I hope to do this on the side. Like others have said, its good money, I have the equipment so why not take advantage of it.

 

[battags]

I wrote "undecided". It's always been a side job for me at about 20 hours a week, not including maint. and billing. I don't know if I want to go full time or not. True, there is real potential there, but a lot of headaches along the way....

 

[scott's turf]

Originally posted by Expert Lawns
I'm in it part time as well. Between college and work, I only have time to work 30 hours a week. I would like to expand enough to where I can hire a few guys to run it on the days I have class, or I could just meet up with the crew after class. When I graduate, I hope to do this on the side. Like others have said, its good money, I have the equipment so why not take advantage of it.

This is what I have done. I graduated from college 2 years ago and have kept the business going with the help of one FT guy. He does nearly 100% of the labor and I have only worked a few days so far this year. Good extra money and not too many hours but I think it is hard to make it FT solo.

 

[MARYLANDMOWER]

This was my career, then I got out. Now I'm back, and won't ever go back.....had to see what was on the other side of the fence, and I didn't like it!!!

 

[DLS1]

I like working for 'the man' with good pay, benefits (workers comp. medical, dental, disability, social security,etc.), paid vacations,sick leave,etc.

This is good part-time money where i get to buy big boy toys (ztr,etc.) and make money using the toys.

 

[rotgg]

career i gues after 17 years lol