Hey you Florida guys, I'm moving to your state and plan on starting a lawn care business there. I've been in the business for many years, in Western New York State, and Colorado.
I'll be bringing my 60" Toro G3 zero turn, but want to purchase a 36 inch stander to go along with it. My question is which stander do you feel works best in Florida cutting conditions?
I'm thinking primarily of the cut quality of the deck on Florida grass, but will appreciate opinions on any other equipment topic you think I should be focusing on in making this move.
Not sure yet where we'll end up, but our current radar is on either the Ocala area, or the East Coast somewhere between around Stuart/Palm City.
Any other suggestions you might have for me in making this move would be appreciated. Such as, how cut throat is the competition, where do you think the best/worst areas of the state to try to launch a new business, or anything else you think a dumb northern boy needs to know?
I am in the process of moving from Ohio to the Cape Coral / Fort Myers area.
I currently own a Lawn Mowing / Landscape Maintenance company in Central Ohio, which has been in business for over 10 years.
I'm making the move to be with my fiance, and have been researching the industry in the SW Florida region. My fiance has some connections with a few property managers with who I have met with. I can expect rough 12-15 properties to begin with if I decide to move my business.
I also may have some leads in the Naples area for some business.
How is business in the area, is it worth pursuing or should I look into other means of income?
I'm in Ft Myers/Cape Coral area. You'll want to pick one area. Not many guys are successful at covering all of Lee County let alone Lee County and Collier County.
I love what I do so I didn't want to do anything else. There are tons of guys running around cutting lawns so there is always somebody cheaper. We add new accounts every month though. We've added 5 new accounts this month.
Naples cost of living is much higher than Ft Myers or Cape Coral.
Also some helpful advice I wish I had gotten in the beginning. Don't do by the cut mowing. Get everybody on a year round plan with level billing. Once we changed to this after our first year it has been great, with keeping on schedule and we don't have the fluctuation in customers or cash flow.
Depending on equipment that 12 to 15 lawns would only be 1 to 1.5 days so you'll have a lot of room to fill out your schedule. Most properties in the area are only 80' x 125' unless you get out into the rural areas although they are few and far between and very few of them use lawn services.
I'm in Ft Myers/Cape Coral area. You'll want to pick one area. Not many guys are successful at covering all of Lee County let alone Lee County and Collier County.
I love what I do so I didn't want to do anything else. There are tons of guys running around cutting lawns so there is always somebody cheaper. We add new accounts every month though. We've added 5 new accounts this month.
Naples cost of living is much higher than Ft Myers or Cape Coral.
Also some helpful advice I wish I had gotten in the beginning. Don't do by the cut mowing. Get everybody on a year round plan with level billing. Once we changed to this after our first year it has been great, with keeping on schedule and we don't have the fluctuation in customers or cash flow.
Depending on equipment that 12 to 15 lawns would only be 1 to 1.5 days so you'll have a lot of room to fill out your schedule. Most properties in the area are only 80' x 125' unless you get out into the rural areas although they are few and far between and very few of them use lawn services.
Agreed. You have to explain it as a year round financing agreement. Even in winter you will get two mowings in, summer sometimes five. Winter brings leaves to mulch and bed edges to recut. They get they're moneys worth. You can't just forget about the yard for 4 months, it will look like azz. It still grows and a few weeds need topping. Hedges and edging need tightening up. Good time to upsell mulch instead of spring when your busy. You can skate by with minor irrigation repairs and holiday\landscapinglights. Posted via Mobile Device
I am in the process of moving from Ohio to the Cape Coral / Fort Myers area.
I currently own a Lawn Mowing / Landscape Maintenance company in Central Ohio, which has been in business for over 10 years.
I'm making the move to be with my fiance, and have been researching the industry in the SW Florida region. My fiance has some connections with a few property managers with who I have met with. I can expect rough 12-15 properties to begin with if I decide to move my business.
I also may have some leads in the Naples area for some business.
How is business in the area, is it worth pursuing or should I look into other means of income?
Lol. .. guys dont try or what??
Its the same in Ohio but I beat them out all the time..
My prop. managers love my communication and response time.. not to mention all my english speaking guys.
Way easier to do a $1500 cut than 75 $20 cuts Posted via Mobile Device
Just wanted some info why everyone chases these little cuts..when I see all this commercial work and nobody talks about it on here.. a lot of guys dont know how to bid large properties. . I wouldnt know were to start in Florida, plants are so different, fert treatment s run all year.. etc. Etc. Posted via Mobile Device
Everything is different here like we've been saying. Commercial is still a race to the bottom. Remember Villa & Son? I was on an HOA and got voted against over 500 dollars from an unknown company for the landscape. The previous company was in place for 5 years and did great work. It hasn't looked the same since. Its also largely who you know too. You've heard of the good ole boy network right? Posted via Mobile Device
I have a large management company I work that owns half a dozen complexs in Tampa, thinking about calling in a favor. Dont think I want to live in Tampa.. ur right a lot of time its who u know not what u know..
In a perfect world be great To keep my company going and live down here.. Posted via Mobile Device
I have a large management company I work that owns half a dozen complexs in Tampa, thinking about calling in a favor. Dont think I want to live in Tampa.. ur right a lot of time its who u know not what u know..
In a perfect world be great To keep my company going and live down here.. Posted via Mobile Device
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