[SterlingArcher]

Apologies if this topic has been extensively covered. My gut tells me that it probably has, but bear with me. I'm still kind of new to this site.

I'm having a decent start to my season. It's my first year on my own and I'm picking up 1-2 new clients a day, residential. What I don't like about dealing with residential is that sometimes clients don't want consistent service. Most do, but I get the occasional waffler. Also, it's taking a lot of gas to drive around from house to house. It's not terrible, I mean it's not going to break the bank, but still, if I could score a few condo or apartment complexes, I wouldn't have to deal with anywhere near as much driving and unloading/reloading.

I am licensed and insured, so there is that item out of the way. Now how do I go about getting these kinds of jobs?

 

[jhawk60]

Call the management office and find out who is responsible for setting up their lawn care contracts, get in touch with them and find out when they accept bids, how long the contract should be for, and what services they want included.

 

[bohiaa]

your 1st year is hard, sometimes the 2nd and 3 rd are too, dont expect to jump out there and make a million the 1st year.

it takes time. I simply walk in and start talking to people. If your NOT a sales man, then you will Need to LEARN how to sell.

1st of all you will have to build a TEAM that can handle this type of job. no one that I know of wants a solo guy at there appartment complex working all day.

they want ya in and out.

to be honest I dont think your ready. " I'm assuming your solo "

KJeep going with the small jobs untill you need a helper then have fun trying to hire a responsable one.after that keep going untill you need another helper. then when you have 2 good ones. point one to be the manager and pay him accordingly. I pay 18.00 per hour.

then this wil free you up to go sell.

sorry to give ya bad news but this is how it works you simply cant take on the larger jobs untill you have a team, and most of the time it wont come untill the 4th or 5th year.

Best of luck to you

 

[Southern Pride]

I was wondering exactly how you bid for commercial properties as well. You don't have to limit yourself to apartments though. Look at walgreens, gas stations or similar jobs. These are all easily a 1-2 man jobs.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

bo,

Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement. I've thought about it and you're right. I'm probably not ready for the big jobs yet. What I had in mind was this town home complex that the crew I used to work for would cut last year and the year before. Really small number that could be done by me and one other guy in just over an hour. I imagine I could probably do a place that size by myself in about 2 hours, but may not be worth the trouble I would have to go through getting a job like that when my residentials are coming in as steadily as they are. Just from the time I made the original post, I picked up three new clients.

I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll have just over 50 clients in about 28 days. Just enough to keep me busy through a week and gross $5k a month. That will work for me. Guess I'll just keep at it and be patient. Let the big jobs come when they will.

Thanks again.

 

[Southern Pride]

50 clients in 28 days??? Damn son. How are you advertising? And how frequently?

 

[SterlingArcher]

Post an ad on Craigslist every single day. 1-2 new clients every day from it. Some days I get more, some days I get none, but I've got 12 of them already. I actually only need 38-42 more.

Be sure not to copy/paste your ad. Write a fresh one every day. You don't have to make it crazy different, but their software picks up on pasted stuff and won't let you post.

 

[Southern Pride]

What do you put in your postings?
I just started. I have one saved that is a little more complete then I have one that is short and to the point. I put $25 in the price and say cuts start at $25 to hopefully get the phone ringing.

There are some wierd people from craigslist. Lately I have been getting alot of these people who are a little or way off the hinges...Anyone else got crazy customers? lol

i have this one older black woman who lives by herself. Wrote me a messed up check and even the people at Regions know her as insane. eghh

 

[Southern Pride]

Reid, I noticed you are Nashville. I have alot of college buddys living there now. Love that city, went to mtsu. Now I'm back in Memphis. This city is crawling with landscape companys. I know I don't notice them just because I'm a landscaper, they are literally everywhere. I like your site and would like to get one like it set up but about all I know how to do is quality work. Most of the websites, quickbooks, billing side of the business leave me confused. I know I need to get a site up and a pic of one of my lawns for craigslist. Then maybe the calls will come in.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Call me or email me. Number and email are on the site. I'll walk you through what to do.

 

[Southern Pride]

Will do. Thanks alot man. My name is Griffin btw

 

[SterlingArcher]

Nice to meet you Griffin. Shoot me an email.

 

[bohiaa]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

bo,

Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement. I've thought about it and you're right. I'm probably not ready for the big jobs yet. What I had in mind was this town home complex that the crew I used to work for would cut last year and the year before. Really small number that could be done by me and one other guy in just over an hour. I imagine I could probably do a place that size by myself in about 2 hours, but may not be worth the trouble I would have to go through getting a job like that when my residentials are coming in as steadily as they are. Just from the time I made the original post, I picked up three new clients.

I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll have just over 50 clients in about 28 days. Just enough to keep me busy through a week and gross $5k a month. That will work for me. Guess I'll just keep at it and be patient. Let the big jobs come when they will.

Thanks again.

WOW, that sounds GREAT. with that many you should NEED a helper.
it's already starting.
Like you I wanted the BIG money, and it kind of came to me. however my 2 nd year this place was wayyyy too much for me. I was afraid of sgining a contract then finding out it cost me money to do the job. and then your in trouble.

remember to alwyas run those numbers daily, and weekly and monthly. trim your fat. it's hard to admit we made a mistake but sometimes we do.
I run my numbers like this and know how long it takes to do a job. sometimes "breakdowns and such happen" but this gives me a GREAT ideal of where the money is comming from.

hang in there, were all pulling for ya.

 

[Southern Pride]

Reid, I'll shoot you one tmrw afternoon probably 5 or 6. Your help is greatly appreciated and believe it or not I may be able to land you 2-3 accounts in your direct area based on family/friends. All full maintenance, reliable people.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Griffin,

That sounds real good man. Thanks so much. We have a few things to talk about, it seems!

Reid