Vacation, how do you di it?

1886 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by hustlers, Sep 15, 2003

SeaJay

Discussion Starter · Sep 14, 2003

Are you a one man operation?

Or do you have several crews?

Everyone needs a vaction, especially if you have a family.

So, how do you do it? How many days of vacation did you give yourself this year? What about last year? In this business it can be difficult to find trustworthy help to keep your accounts moving while your gone...

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

promower

· #2 · Sep 14, 2003

I go on vacation in a couple of days. Not a long one though only two nights to away for a while with my girlfriend. I'm going to a couple extra accounts on monday, and then thursday when I come back I will finish up. I just called my customers told them I'm going on vacation. No one cared just as long as it gets done sometime. People are pretty understanding. Now if you need a week off, well that might be hard.

mowerman90

· #3 · Sep 14, 2003

I'm on an every other week schedule from Nov thru March so we go on vacation in March for a week.

WeatherMan

· #4 · Sep 14, 2003

I Take My Vacation The last week of Feb and the first week of march every year in daytona Fl For Bike Week, and I look forward to it all year

SeaJay

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 14, 2003

WeatherMan: I'll be in Daytona for Biketoberfest next month... I also go for Bike Week. Lot's of fun!

rodfather

· #6 · Sep 14, 2003

Except for plowing, I take off completely from 12/15 through 03/15 every year now for the past 9.

dfor

· #7 · Sep 14, 2003

I'm the same as rodfather. I try to take Memorial, July 4th, and Labor day. I do plow in the winter also. During the season its generally the days mentioned above. 2 years ago I was able to get away the last week of October to San Diego. Other than that, see my sig.

GLAN

· #8 · Sep 14, 2003

A one man operation would be more difficult to take a vacation for obvious reasons.

However, depending on your work schedule. If you cut lawns say 3 days or 4 days a week, leaving 2 or 3 days for the extra work. What real harm is there to take a 3 day weekend? You would probably work the Sunday before and do some of the extra work. It all depends on your work schedule and what you are willing to do to get that 3 or 4 day weekend. If you're in the North, you do have the winter off season. If your in the south, you would still have some down time, though not as much as the Northern folk.

If you have a crew/s. You are then able to take days as you see fit. Now if you do that, there should be nothing stopping you from taking a week. Just remember that your workers are as deserving some time off.

Myself, what we have done for many years is have a light schedule on extra work in August. Trimmings are usualy done by then or early in the month. No plantings going on usualy. So, the crews get Saturdays off, and an early day on Monday and when they work it out, usualy a little shorter day on Friday. This works well being that August is usualy the worst month with heat and humidity.

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GraZZmaZter

· #9 · Sep 14, 2003

Winter time is when i usually take my vacations.

mtdman

· #10 · Sep 14, 2003

I don't. I get most of the winter off, good enough for me. Plus, I love what I do!

DoubleCutter

· #11 · Sep 14, 2003

I hired a friend for 2 days..he ran my walker I ran my rider....Finished 35+ accts by wens(worked wens on my own) left wednesday night. Do you know anyone that could give a hand?

40 lawns isnt much to most of you. But Im also a partner in my fathers garbage company....I only have from noon till sundown to(mowlawns) I work from 10-2 am every night(residential garbage removal) And from 7 or 8 till noon(roll off service)
If I can squeeze in vacation anyone can. I will say though, its not worth it for a 4 day vacation.....Just take a couple fridays off and weekends and do it that way a couple times a year.
Thats my plan before the leaves start falling and snow starts flying...Of course most of you from the NE will remember Nov 26.....I think it was a wednesday....Im finishing a leaf job and 12 hrs later im MF'in plowing snow.....Those who do everything lawns leaves and snow......We need a break...I dont think I havent worked less than 70hrs/week since....This year sucks LOL
Bill

locutus

· #12 · Sep 14, 2003

Dont need any help. Solo operator-20 accounts. Two weeks at the beach this year with daughter and wife. Mowed them all a day and a half early before leaving. Upon returning, mowed them all a day late. None of them had any problem with this. worked out great for me. p.s. forgot to mention that these were two separate weeks, one in june , one in august.

Turfdude

· #13 · Sep 14, 2003

Originally posted by rodfather
Except for plowing, I take off completely from 12/15 through 03/15 every year now for the past 9.

Roddy,
How can you shut down for 3 months like that?? Don't you have/want more work to go through the winter?? I try to keep myself +1 or 2 year round, and only lay-off for 4-6 weeks.

BTW - I take 1 week in July, a few camping 3 day weekends, ski weekends too. Last year I took a week in July & one in Sept. to Disney World with the family

GLAN

· #14 · Sep 15, 2003

Turfdude

What do you do in the winter?

rodfather

· #15 · Sep 15, 2003

Originally posted by Turfdude
Roddy,
How can you shut down for 3 months like that?? Don't you have/want more work to go through the winter?? I try to keep myself +1 or 2 year round, and only lay-off for 4-6 weeks.

BTW - I take 1 week in July, a few camping 3 day weekends, ski weekends too. Last year I took a week in July & one in Sept. to Disney World with the family

It's easy, bob...by then I am spent. I'm 48 (gonna be 49 in November). I have somewhere around 150 FT accounts (mowing, fert, aerating, spring/fall clean ups, pruning, etc) and god knows how many more leaf customers on tops (probably another 30 or so). I have 7 full time guys too all year long mowing a little more than 200 acres including on top of all that.

I need a break by 12/15...by then I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Then I have a small window of opportunity to take my 78 year old father (my mom died in '90 at the age of 59) someplace warm to play golf for a week or more.

mmacsek

· #16 · Sep 15, 2003

My wife and I own and operate our business and vacation isn't a word we use to much. Yes , we have a family. That's the way it is. I have the winter off and we do weekend things. You can't have your cake and eat it too. Matt

tiedeman

· #17 · Sep 15, 2003

I usually take one week off during the season, during the drought time which usually falls in July. Things have slowed down so I can take the time off.

hustlers

· #18 · Sep 15, 2003

I work seven months

Take 5 OFF ........semi vacation...I do no paid work
from Nov-March...Period>>> dont want the money
dont need it, so why work

I wouldnt do it any other way....

Buy what I need
Save the rest

Enjoy 3 months in Mexico helping
some coffee farmers and
enjoying the beach
and RELAXING

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