Every once in awhile, someone starts a thread to share ideas to help us be more efficient and lower our costs. I'm always looking for ways to help the bottom line as we all know we work in a business that is extremely competitive. Lets post some more ideas as I'm sure we can all learn a thing or two: 1. Trash bags... yesterday I stumbled onto some strong, very inexpensive trash bags. Ruffies has a clear bag, only .5 mil but amazingly strong. 170 of them only cost me 12.00. Got them at Lowes...most of the bags we were using for cleanups were about 13 cents per bag..these are 7 cents. Try em...you'll like em. 2. Use email for billing..no paper, no stamps. Some customers still want a paper bill ...but we were able to put 1/2 our accounts on email billing. Also saves on those expensive printer cartridges. 3. Keep a detailed work log in the truck and use it faithfully every day...keep times on every maint or landscape job every day...also note all materials used. At end of year, roll up the production times and evaluate where you are losing money. Also makes monthly billing sooo much easier. Thats enough for the first post...will add on as I think of more. Lets hear some more ideas.
Here is my advise, first off buy zero-turn mowers. Also remember You Get What You Pay For, if you buy cheap supplies, there going to be cheaply made....
That's true about the lunch. Also for cold drinks. Take an empty 2 liter soda bottle fill it 3/4 with water put in freezer, that will last a good part of the day.
Sharpen a whole stack of blades while you have the tools set up. When mowing, or trimming, start and finish at the same spot every time. Make your mower dealer give you a new hat every year. Buy beer by the case, not the six-pack. Crawdad
Check the tire pressure, air filter, fuel filter and oil on truck. You can cut fuel consumption considerably.
Igloo coolers, don't go without them. Fill them up with water at your house, get ice at a store for a buck. Put in some form of drink mix for flavor. You can get Gatorade, Iced Tea, etc powders in bulk for a good price.
Keep up on truck maintenance and license's ..... hold'ups and fines by the DOT add up BIG time, its much cheaper in the long run to take care of things immediately.. Also, unforeseen savings in safety issues.
