Lawn Maintenance Start Up Questions

[Shake N' Bake]

I already have a couple of side businesses one of which keeps me very busy in the fall and winter. But I've been thinking about starting up a lawn maintenance company this spring and when I do I will probably take the leap and leave my full time job.
I have some questions for those who have a lawn maint business.

I have dabbled in lawn maint and landscaping in the past and based on past experiences Im debating on only doing mowing and not doing landscaping.
Thoughts?

I know that you can price based on an hourly estimate but how do you price by the size of the yard?

How many average size yards should a 2 man crew be able to do in a day?

Are you paying employees a daily rate or by the hour?

My plan for marketing is to print several thousand flyers and go door to door. Possibly run an ad in a newspaper that delivers to very large retirement golf course community and also run a Google ad. But I'm definitely open to suggestions.


I know this is a flooded market but my other businesses pretty much cover my bills so that take some pressure off. But regardless I'm planning on hitting it very hard when I start.

[DPElite]

Holler at me on pm
I do this for living [emoji16]
Love what I do


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[Shake N' Bake]

Holler at me on pm
I do this for living [emoji16]
Love what I do


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Incoming

[Hobbs]

Very competitive market but lots of new homes with lawns being built everyday all over the state. Hopefully you can find your niche.

[BlackoutRam2500]

The money is in having the ability to do landscaping projects for new homeowners. Laying down sod, irrigation systems, retaining walls, planters, etc.

Invest in yourself. Get a great dump trailer and a compact tractor or skid steer.

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[Anteloper]

Part time(half ***) yard crew is not the way to go. If you're going to do it do it full time and be reliable, same time every week. And dont think youre fancy and use a zero turn for average size yards in town, you wont get the same result.

[Sparkles]

Lawn Maintenance Start Up Questions

Call me Tobin.
I think we finally have gotten companies to stop racing to the cheapest.
I’ll give you my rates which are on the high side of middle market
I have people reaching out from your side of town weekly and they’re out of our service area.
I can refer you once you’re rolling.

It really is t that competitive, the folks that only want to pay 20/25 a week are not the customers you want anyway.
Folks willing to pay more for quality service aren’t hiring two illegals in a truck.

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[Shake N' Bake]

Call me Tobin.
I think we finally have gotten companies to stop racing to the cheapest.
I’ll give you my rates which are on the high side of middle market
I have people reaching out from your side of town weekly and they’re out of our service area.
I can refer you once you’re rolling.

It really is t that competitive, the folks that only want to pay 20/25 a week are not the customers you want anyway.
Folks willing to pay more for quality service aren’t hiring two illegals in a truck.

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I appreciate it! I will definitely get with you soon!

[Milkfisher]

I started mowing lawns in 2003. It paid the bills for 10 solid years.
I ended up selling my business (90 weekly accounts)in oct of 2008 right before the crash for stupid money. Had a non compete but the guy I sold to was out of business by April of 2009. With the state of the economy then I went right back into mowing to keep the bills paid. I built it back up to 90-100accounts again and sold it again for good in 2016. You can make a good living if you are willing to work.

There are 2 schools of thought on lawn care imo.
1. Mow a LOT of little yards for competitive rates
2. Mow a FEW larger yards at a premium.

I chose the first option there. We moved postage stamp yards, zero lot line yards ($22-$26 each) and I did my best to be able to mow multiple yards every time I put the truck in park.
Me running a weed eater and 2 guys mowing could mow, blow and go without sacrificing quality work in 12-13 min from truck door opening to truck door closing. We would easily mow 25 yards per day. That pace is not a recipe for longevity as it wears on you pretty hard after 5-6 years.

All of that said….it fed my fam for a long time. I hate mowing. I’ve always hated mowing….but I’d go right back to it and run circles around most guys if it meant providing for my family.