I have a bit of insight in to what he's doing and, quite frankly, I'm stunned TechCrunch would pick this up. It's another MVP vapor company. There's another, similar company, that's been posting here, as well.
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Yeah we have one around here too. Nextdaycuts... bad news for sure.

 

Starting at commoditized business to sell an even more commoditized service sounds like an excellent business plan.
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I am not worried! Lawnstarter is the same. I commend them for trying to be innovative but I don't think it's gonna work in this industry.

 

I am not worried! Lawnstarter is the same. I commend them for trying to be innovative but I don't think it's gonna work in this industry.

I can't imagine how anyone would be worried. It's a flawed model from the start. The funny thing with this, and the other one(s), is that the tech world and incubators clearly don't understand the industry, how it operates, the inherent churn, or the other, related, fatal flaws in their model.

This, more than any other aspect of how best to use tech to advance the green industry, has been something I've discussed with more people than I can count, for more hours than I can count, and it always comes back to the same, core, issues.

 

I think lawn care is going to be replaced by robots soon so all this will be irrevlant. Lol
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I am a little surprised TechCrunch picked it up too! We have been trying to get coverage for months lol.

And yes, the "new guys" will love this. And there are always "new guys" every industry is built upon them. It has merit though. I am interested to see where they will take it. To the veterans really won't matter. It's the new, the tech, the edgy stuff that the younger companies will be using to compete with the bigger fish.

 

I am a little surprised TechCrunch picked it up too! We have been trying to get coverage for months lol.

I think you can probably find a more relevant audience in other places. It's great for a link but, by and large, I think it's an overblown stamp of approval. And no, that's by no means an original take, but looking at post-TC article data is something I've done several times. The biggest gains I've seen is when you catch that one, right, eyeball.

To the veterans really won't matter. It's the new, the tech, the edgy stuff that the younger companies will be using to compete with the bigger fish.

The lack of oversight and control over a bunch of new lawn care guys (read: subcontractors) is one of the flaws. We see the variety of issues, on a daily basis, from the new or young companies on here. What are they going to bring to the table to give success to LawnLove? I think their "Total Guarantee" of "If you're not completely satisfied we'll come back and fix it, free of charge!" might get a bit of use.

Another hurdle is, after the first mow, what keeps the homeowner and sub-contractor separated from cutting LawnLove out? An iron-clad non-compete? The value of marketing, or that lead, and billing only go so far.

And then there's this quote from LawnLove's founder:

The average Lawn Love job runs at about $40 per hour, though it all depends on what services are being rendered and the size and location of the area.​

Personally, my favorite thing I've read on this is from one of them saying, "Please, don't call us the Uber of lawn care.".
A.) That's completely disingenuous.
B.) No problem.

 

I think you can probably find a more relevant audience in other places. It's great for a link but, by and large, I think it's an overblown stamp of approval. And no, that's by no means an original take, but looking at post-TC article data is something I've done several times. The biggest gains I've seen is when you catch that one, right, eyeball.

The lack of oversight and control over a bunch of new lawn care guys (read: subcontractors) is one of the flaws. We see the variety of issues, on a daily basis, from the new or young companies on here. What are they going to bring to the table to give success to LawnLove? I think their "Total Guarantee" of "If you're not completely satisfied we'll come back and fix it, free of charge!" might get a bit of use.

Another hurdle is, after the first mow, what keeps the homeowner and sub-contractor separated from cutting LawnLove out? An iron-clad non-compete? The value of marketing, or that lead, and billing only go so far.

And then there's this quote from LawnLove's founder:

The average Lawn Love job runs at about $40 per hour, though it all depends on what services are being rendered and the size and location of the area.​

Personally, my favorite thing I've read on this is from one of them saying, "Please, don't call us the Uber of lawn care.".
A.) That's completely disingenuous.
B.) No problem.

Agreed. I think the major thing that they can bring is availability. The young guys starting out have hours to fill. That is a huge advantage to the more established. When I started out I said yes to almost anything because I had the time. Now we cycle new accounts in a week later. We can't scramble jets like we used to. I think the money back thing will get abused a bit as well like you mentioned and they can be easily cut out of the scenario after the first cut. Also, it's not that hard to find us, there are tons of us in any area.

I like how TechCrunch used Uber as a description for what they do and then him not wanting to be described that way lol.

 

We are trying out Lawnstarter this spring 2015 to see if we can fill out existing routes with more customers. Their technology is indeed good and if you sign up and watch their videos it is quiet impressive. I could see the really small guys getting to the point where they only for for lawn-starter or lawn love as it completely eliminates the need to have an office.... we all know that's alot of work on its own. Essentially by signing up with one of these "tech" companies you are giving up 20% of your profit but you don't have to have an office, answer phone calls, and you don't have to advertise. So for anyone new in business, this makes really good sense. For us that can handle all this on our own, we are going to see an increase in competition in the Residential market if these companies take off.

If these two companies keep adding more and more customers and providers, why do you think they will fail?

 

what fatal flaws do you guys see that would prevent them from getting a foothold and changing the market?

 

You will just see more people charging a lot less than you do, then people will get upset and come on this site to let their anger out.


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Essentially by signing up with one of these "tech" companies you are giving up 20% of your profit but you don't have to have an office, answer phone calls, and you don't have to advertise. So for anyone new in business, this makes really good sense.

if a new guy is so lazy he's willing to give up 20% off the top so as not to have to answer the phone and create invoices, he's not hungry enough and deserves to fail. Sorry.

 

We are trying out Lawnstarter this spring 2015 to see if we can fill out existing routes with more customers. Their technology is indeed good and if you sign up and watch their videos it is quiet impressive. I could see the really small guys getting to the point where they only for for lawn-starter or lawn love as it completely eliminates the need to have an office.... we all know that's alot of work on its own. Essentially by signing up with one of these "tech" companies you are giving up 20% of your profit but you don't have to have an office, answer phone calls, and you don't have to advertise. So for anyone new in business, this makes really good sense. For us that can handle all this on our own, we are going to see an increase in competition in the Residential market if these companies take off.

If these two companies keep adding more and more customers and providers, why do you think they will fail?

The biggest challenge they will face is managing a ton of sub contractors who in the first place dont have the knowledge to build their own business.

Their quality of work will probably be inconsistent and a lot of contractor churn.

The more contractors they sign up, the less work you will get right?

Why not find your own customers?

 

Look at the areas they're in.

LA, San diego.

I've visited there, every single "lawn crew" was one or two Hispanic guys, in an anonymous,beat up old Toyota with a push mower and hedge trimmers in the bed of the truck. And in densely packed residential neighborhoods.

These type of guys will likely be falling over themselves to sign up for $40 an hour.


And then customers who are "too busy to be bothered" to find a lawn guy the old fashioned way, instead can point, click, and enter their cc info, just like Amazon.


I think this will go over real well in certain parts of the country.

 

Always good to note they moved headquarters from VA to Austin TX, also.

 

They are starting in those larger cities but eventually plan to expand into smaller places as well. Do you think this will only work in larger cities or places with a certain demographic of providers?

 

Just signed up in Oklahoma as a contractor with Lawnlove. The process to get signed up seems legit and all but I have read of multiple negative reviews with customer service. Either they promise a certain day for cuts and no one shows up or they charge a customers cc and days later, the lawn is still not cut. This seems to be a big problem for them. I dont know. Also, they quote jobs all online. I saw what was paid out to a contractor when i was going thru a walkthrough on the site. Job was 1600 sq ft yard mow and edge. trim shrubs and do a leaf clean up for 46 bux! I dont think its worth it. I can see them underbidding jobs quite often. They promise in that case, if its too much work for the pay simply text a number and they will negotiate with the customer for a fair price for the contractor. If i was a customer, and i was promised and then charged a certain price then after a contractor mows my lawn then i am again charged double? oh no I would be pissed! Well see how it all works. Im only doing this because yes I am new. Starting my business this season as I am not only gonna market and find my own customers but I figured I'd give this a shot as well. If anyone is interested I can keep everyone updated on my experience.

 

I think lawn care is going to be replaced by robots soon so all this will be irrevlant. Lol
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Since this was bright back to life. The biggest problem they will face is the eventual (hopefully) crackdown on misclassification of employees as subcontractors. I appreciate the business model but it's not good for the others in the industry.
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While I don't have an opinion on these 2 companies, I do have a question Kawizx: What is it about them that misclassifies their workers as subcontractors.

As for others saying this will fill in gaps for new guys.... that makes no sense to a go-getter. It fills in gaps for lazy new guys. A go-getter will be out from daylight to dark working to get new customers.

Back in the 90's when it was just me and starting out if I had 5 hours of work a week I'd be out bustin my hump the other 55 hours a week trying to get customers. You set your own hours... if you choose to work 8 hours per day then DO IT. If you don't have enough lawn work then you need to be out getting work lined up for tomorrow and no matter what, you put in your 8 hours per day. I was so tough on my self I wouldn't even let me take a break until someone called when I was passing out flyers. If no one called that day... I got no break.

 

While I don't have an opinion on these 2 companies, I do have a question Kawizx: What is it about them that misclassifies their workers as subcontractors.

As for others saying this will fill in gaps for new guys.... that makes no sense to a go-getter. It fills in gaps for lazy new guys. A go-getter will be out from daylight to dark working to get new customers.

Back in the 90's when it was just me and starting out if I had 5 hours of work a week I'd be out bustin my hump the other 55 hours a week trying to get customers. You set your own hours... if you choose to work 8 hours per day then DO IT. If you don't have enough lawn work then you need to be out getting work lined up for tomorrow and no matter what, you put in your 8 hours per day. I was so tough on my self I wouldn't even let me take a break until someone called when I was passing out flyers. If no one called that day... I got no break.

The business model uses "independent contractors". So they dont have to pay them OT, provide insurance, workers comp, no payroll taxes etc. So it's a a lot cheaper than using employees. But they are employees as far as federal law goes. Google "worker misclassification". You can read about current lawsuits with Uber and Lyft (who just settled for 12;5 Mil.

 

I know about Uber and Lyft but what specifically makes LOVE like them? What is Love doing that makes their people not sub contractors?

Honestly, I really am interested, not because I want to work for Love... no idea why people can't get their own accounts. Thanks

 

Lawn "Love" is what I now call them, yes, I'm not kidding about the quotation marks

 

I know about Uber and Lyft but what specifically makes LOVE like them? What is Love doing that makes their people not sub contractors?

Honestly, I really am interested, not because I want to work for Love... no idea why people can't get their own accounts. Thanks

Because they get the jobs and receive payment. But they have other lawn businesses do the work. They pay them fixed prices per job by 1099 not by an actual paycheck as an employee. Same as someone on here sub contracting work to another company. But there are rules for determining if someone is a person or subcontractor. Such as:

Employees: Typically are provided uniforms, equipment, benefits (OT), and are told when how and where to work.

Subs: Provide their own equipment, no benefits, no OT, work when they want mostly. They have control over their profit/loss.

So say Lawnlove or who ever does this business model tells you: You have to wear this shirt that says our name, mow this lawn Monday at 12 noon, You are being paid $30 whether it takes you 30 minutes or 2 hours. Their being paid as a sub but the employer has too much control asnd the person is probabaly an employee.

Its case by case basis....but usually a person is an employee. It is just companies taking advantage of the sub contractor laws which would be more for me paying someone monthly to do my SEO work. Since it is not my primary business (im lawns not seo), they can work when they want, etc, they are a sub contractor....
Or if you do leaf removal and are slammed and cant keep up. You call your buddy and he uses his equipment to do a few yards to keep you on schedule. He would likely be a subcontractor. Unless he used your leaf machine and trailer and you put him in uniform...then he is an employee....

Again case by case.

 

Google "gig economy".