As long as you've got a good mower, you can easily do all 100.

The biggest problem with that arrangement though is that it's 2 times a month. Doesn't leave much room to take on other weekly clients, but.....

In the off weeks from these accounts, you can fit in other landscaping work for your current clients if you so wish.

....

 

Thats the problem. I wouldn't have that much time to take on any other work. Thats why im thinking about just sticking with half the yards so I would have time for my other clients. If I did all 100 yards every two weeks that would be about 10 yards a day. Im not sure how many yards I could handle in a day.

 

thats not bad man, Thats just over 40 bucks a yard for mow blow and go. i would jump all over that. This could very easily jump start your business and get you going on the right track. Heck if its too much hire a part time guy for 10 bucks an hour to help lighten the load so you can bang them out faster.

 

Thats the problem. I wouldn't have that much time to take on any other work. Thats why im thinking about just sticking with half the yards so I would have time for my other clients. If I did all 100 yards every two weeks that would be about 10 yards a day. Im not sure how many yards I could handle in a day.

Hire someone and take them all. That's some alright steady income, and on top of it they are bi-weekly.

Show this agent you mean business too, so taking them will show them that.

Also, hopefully the housing market is going to turn around shortly also. So maybe some of these houses will start falling off your list as time goes by and you can get other accounts to fill in as you go. We recently had the most house sold in one month since the housing market crashed. At least in our area, the tide might be turning.

I'm not about taking on Foreclosure properties, but I also know that money is money. I'm not that stupid.

 

Realtors suck. They want something for nothing and they will always say we will have ..da da da and in my experience 99% of it never happens. There are a few exceptions but few there is. I will do work for 2 realtors and that is after 28 years. Pretty soon they think you owe them because they gave you a 35 dollar job you probably lost money on. They will call 15 minutes before a showing and want something done before that.

I might add there is a reason they are contacting the new guy in the area.

 

$21/yard is the figure I read 100 yards times 2 equals 200 cuts per month. Divided by $4200 is $21/yard. Need to figure out if this is profitable to you.

I would look at how tight of a route it is (most likely not to tight). Also you need to make a procedure to get all the pics, upload them, and email them off (which could take some time). Do they charge more for first time mows? (aka 2 ft tall grass).

For the schedule side of things. There is 4 weeks in a month for the most part. Break them down in groups of 50. Do the first 50, the first and third week (mon-wed or less days). Do the second 50 the second and forth week (mon-wed or less). This schedule would give you time to fill Thur and Friday with regular customers that you need to build your biz.

I don't know your market but the $21/visit is cheap around hear. I mow for a realitor and get $35 or more per visit. First cut is by a $75/hr rate. I get paid within 10 days of when I email the invoice. No pictures needed.

I would counter the offer and see if they budge. They most likely know its way cheap and is the reason they are looking for someone.

 

You could take all 100 and do 50 one week and 50 the next and so on, since they only need 2 cuts per week.
We used to do forclosed homes but in my area they started paying less and less each year so we got out of it.
Good luck!

 

Check about pay schedule!!!! Some are less than a week after submiting bills and some are 90 days. Use unmarked trucks. Dont want mow n blow to be the word around town. Use the money to grow your business.

 

might be a good start. you could also sub out a few to help you out. Are the properties close enough to get 2 an hour? Also their is an opportunity cost. If you dont have any other business then its good. But if you are having to give up or postpone work that you can bill for $50 + an hour then it will be costing you money to do the foreclosed work.

 

I think I am going to just take on all the yards, but tell them Ill do it for $30 a lawn. Which Ill be pulling in $6000 a month. If I can get it for that Ill be pleased.

 

I knew you had your mind made up before you even posted.
Questions you should ask yourself.
1. What is the name of the company you will be getting the check from?
2. Are they solvent?
3. Why is a realtor involved with foreclosures. That is normal the holder of the loan.
4. What insurance do I need to have to get the job.
5. Copy of the contract or workorders. Believe me if this is on the up and up there is one.

Good Luck, and post the results.

 

21 bucks a cut is not very good considering you have to take pics and submit the pics. It takes more time to take pics and upload and email pics than you'd think. Take 100 lawns 2x a month at 10 pics each time. That's 2000 pics each month to take, upload and email.

 

Many draw backs in this deal:

Could be high grass and lots of trash to pick up the first time.
You may hit objects in the high grass the first time
Taking and sending pics
You don't know what size lots or where they are located for travel time
You can't pick and choose which jobs you take.
Only 2 times per month means you will be cutting high grass during the long months
You could lose the job and not have much to fall back on
$21 or $30 per cut is cheap around here

 

i keep thinking of the phrase "New Meat".

 

One of the reasons you may have gotten the call is most other LCOs are saying no thanks. Too many stops, too little money, too many hoops.

 

Doing all 100 yards isn't going to be that bad if it just mow and go. I'd be more worried about getting paid... Realtors are not always known to pay on time or at all for that matter.
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100 yards yea not to bad....100 yards every other week with long grass/trash and crap hiding in the grass/ for 21.00 bucks a week with accounts spread out probably all over the county. No thanks!! I'd run from that

 

depends how you must break it down. If you can split it up it might be ok. The first mow through the list may be tough but if you can spray round up and not have to edge very good you can breeze through them.

Problem is people may see your quality of work and not want to use you for regular jobs.

 

depends how you must break it down. If you can split it up it might be ok. The first mow through the list may be tough but if you can spray round up and not have to edge very good you can breeze through them.

Problem is people may see your quality of work and not want to use you for regular jobs.

Another excellent point about the impression you leave behind!

 

I have no idea what to do now. Alot to consider. Like I said im new to the industry and have alot to learn. I only currently have 15 accounts so I dont have much to lose. I havnt got a list of all the locations yet but I know they are going to be pretty spread out. ( I was told that there are some on the other side of town which could be about a 45 minute drive) I might just tell her ill take on half of the yards ( Which she said was an option) for $40 a cut. If she says they cant do that then im out.

 

I have found in this business, if it seems to good to be true, or if you have reservations from the beginning, get away from it. With predicted high fuel costs, uncertain terms with the realtor and their connection to the homes, uncertain mowing conditions...run from it. Built your business on quality work, rates based on your expenses and profits needed, and look into getting licenced for add on services to expand your offerings. Blow and gos at cut rate prices will lead you down the path of ...do what you've always done, and you'll get what you've always gotten. Good luck with your decision. :usflag:

 

I appreciate everybodies advice. I decided not to take on the job because everything just seemed a little sketchy. I emailed the realtor asking for more info about the job, and then I receive a phone call from her telling me I need to cut a yard before the end of the day because there is a viewing tomorrow. I told her I haven't even accepted the job! She was only going to pay me $25 for the cut and the yard was 45 minutes away! I told her im not interested! Long story short I learned a lesson. If its too good to be true it is, and im glad I got out of this mess.

 

Probably a good move especially if they think you are going to jump on it when the wave a 20 dollar bill at you.

 

is there someplace that u can find these listings for forclsed homes to mow? this would be great on the side

 

is there someplace that u can find these listings for forclsed homes to mow? this would be great on the side

I know the MLS site has a listing for foreclosed homes.

I do also know that Fannie Mae uses local realtors to manage and sell these homes. In our area (for the Fannie May homes) there is one real estate company that has all of them.

So basically you would have to find the realtors who manage these foreclosures and get in with them.

I've mowed a couple for viewings, but at my price. I also have done some "emergency" landscaping on one for the same company. But that was only because a lawyer of the builder next door referred me and asked for an estimate. I was the only one who submitted one, so I got the job.

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