Potential To Purchase Business

Thanks fellas for all the advice. I know the equipment is not high commercial grade stuff but for starting out and only wanting to do this part time I feel like it should fit my needs. I’m not looking to be mowing tons of properties, my plans are to be very picky on the ones I do mow. I work a full time job and make decent money. The mowing is just for some extra money in my pocket. I don’t need it to pay for bills or anything like that. I just like the idea of making some extra money on the side.

We own a Scag Patriot ZTR that we use for personal use and out at our ranch. I may look into selling the 52” Woodlawn and using the Scag when needed. Majority of residential yards in my area are small. The 32” stander and push mower would pretty much take care of them.

I know I have lots to learn and it’s very different from mowing my own yard. I do have 5 friends of mine who all do it part time and are willing to help me. It’s great placed like this site that helps a lot too. I’m scared and nervous out taking this leap but I’ll never know if I don’t try. Can’t fail unless you try first. My wife and daughter are very supportive of me trying this out and that alone make me feel good.

I won’t be taking on all his customers, will meet with the ones that have properties close to me. My best friend who is in the business as well is willing to go out with me and help get started. He’s also willing to take on any of the customers I don’t want. He more full time and can take on much more work. Thank you all for the advice and guidance, this may or may not work out as planned but it’s worth a shot. I’ve always told my daughter you’ll never know unless you try. Now I have to live up to my own advice.

I will be testing out all the equipment before making the purchase and be going with him to the properties.

I went ahead with the purchase of the equipment and list of his customers. He drove me around to all the properties and I was able to get the addresses on them. He doesn't have any contracts in place. All these customers of his have been with him for a couple of years. Total properties of 45.

He doesn't really have them on a bi-weekly schedule but does go and mow them about every two weeks. They trust him to mow when it's ready. Some will call and want it sooner and some will wait till they think it's ready (which is overgrown) to call and ask for him to mow. He does have a really good working relationship with all his customers. They usually leave him cash or a check under the mat or pay via venmo. He uses a free invoice app that sends them an invoice for every cut.

I liked that he has about 25 residentials and one commercial lot all within a 5 mile range of my house. I don't like the lack of a structure business. I would like to set them up on a schedule of some sort and not do any of the call when ready. How would you guys recommend to approach the customers and ask about putting them on a bi-weekly schedule? He has something that works for him but doesn't work for me since I'm part time and I know people don't like change so will possibly loose some of them which I'm perfectly fine with.

Any advice would be much appreciated. And do any of you guys use any type of invoice apps? I like the idea of them but want something that is simple.

I had to take care of two residentials yesterday. I didn't take any of the equipment I purchased due to not having any test time with it. Just took my push mower, weed eater, blower, etc. Both yards were overgrown which took me a good while to get done.

These two customers don't appear to be on some sort of a maintenance schedule, more of a call when it's needed which means overgrown. If I can't get them on a schedule, I'll let them go. Have another one to take care of today as well. Pretty sure it will be overgrown too.

What I learned yesterday, it's totally different from mowing my own yard which I can knock out quickly. It was not fun at all. I was extremely exhausted and had to take a few quick breaks to drink some water. I'm located in Corpus Christi, TX and it's crazy hot with super high humidity. I was drenched in sweat after my first yard was done.

I have TONS of RESPECT for all you guys who do this as a business. It's not the mowing that is the issue for me, it's the high heat and humidity that kicked my butt big time. I'm not going to lie, when I got home yesterday from mowing I was calling it quits. Was ready to give my friend the work and sell everything. However I woke up this morning and told myself to give it a try for about a week or so before making my decision. Much respect fellas, you guys are some bad mofo's.