Anyone here started their own lawncare/landscape business?

XXXylic · Jan 11, 2009

Ok, I just moved into this fairly nice neighborhood 6 months ago. My yard needed some work, needed landscaping done, etc, etc and I tell you, I cant get anyone to return phone calls, come give me estimates, show up on time, do the work right, etc. After just firing my 5th service, and going thru countless other ones, Im seriously thinking of starting my own business. It seems if you are business saavy, look presentable, do good work, are dependable, and dont rip people off and can communicate effectively, there is a ton of work out there. Am I wrong? Ive been debating starting my own thing in this industry for some time now but I think my recent experiences have pushed me over the edge.

Anyone here in this line of work? Any tips/pointers while I do my research before spring hits? This would be one of those start in the evenings after my day job and on the weekends until business ramped up.

Kornholio · Jan 11, 2009

It is cutthroat and lowballers are everywhere. Tough business to make decent money and the price of machinery is going through the roof.

All you want to read on the subject. www.lawnsite.com Do some searches there are a lot of dbags there but you will get an idea.

bigtendominator · Jan 11, 2009

XXXylic said:
Ok, I just moved into this fairly nice neighborhood 6 months ago. My yard needed some work, needed landscaping done, etc, etc and I tell you, I cant get anyone to return phone calls, come give me estimates, show up on time, do the work right, etc. After just firing my 5th service, and going thru countless other ones, Im seriously thinking of starting my own business. It seems if you are business saavy, look presentable, do good work, are dependable, and dont rip people off and can communicate effectively, there is a ton of work out there. Am I wrong? Ive been debating starting my own thing in this industry for some time now but I think my recent experiences have pushed me over the edge.

Anyone here in this line of work? Any tips/pointers while I do my research before spring hits? This would be one of those start in the evenings after my day job and on the weekends until business ramped up.

Where are you at in Texas?

I am in Dallas and a guy I know started his own a few years back, he makes about $20-30K, but I also don't think he is extremely aggressive or sharp and he is a solo operation.

The biggest obstacle for many is they don't speak good English. A guy 2 years ago ripped me off and then left for Mexico. It was only $100, but still I got taken.

Rude · Jan 12, 2009

Tough business, but good money if you are good at what you do & take care of your clients.

Every year I need a landscaper & snow plower and each year, the quotes I get from 5-10 other companies just make me laugh.

The landscappers are anywhere from $200-$1500 apart, for the same work.

I've been using the same two companies for years now, as the work or top notch and they always are lower than the quotes I get.

Only advise I can give is, shop around, talk to current clients and see who impresses you most, and remember .. the lowest quote isnt always the best.

Good Luck!

buddym · Jan 12, 2009

I think it is a great idea if you don't mind being away from the house and long hours.I have the greatest guy in the world here in Dallas also. He is Hispanic and works at a country club and is a workaholic. His english is not great, but acceptable and four years ago i felt like i should give him some help. All the people in the neighborhood kept asking about him so i had flyers printed up with his qualifications and with my yard and others as refrerences. Before the week was out he had eight houses on my block and he had to get three other people from the club to help.He has over 30 yards now and growing on a yearly basis.

XXXylic · Jan 12, 2009

Yes I'm in flower mound texas near dallas.

KillaRSox · Jan 12, 2009

I've been doing landscaping for years now, it's not a bad occupation your outside all day, working hard, and it's good money. NOTE: If you own a pickup truck it doesnt mean you should do landscaping. I see it happen too often. Oh yeah and if you do decide to open a landscaping business, do not buy your gas from regular gas stations. The Ethanol that's in the gas will kill your machines, not so much ride on mowers as your smaller engine machineary. Just my 2 cents.

XXXylic · Jan 12, 2009

Where do I get ethanol free gas?

billsfan · Jan 12, 2009

My brother-n-law runs this operation in Amherst, NY and is flushed....landscaping during the summer and snow plowing during the winter....Guy works super long hours, and takes pride in his work and does the job right

$tinky · Jan 12, 2009

Make sure you stop paying your gambling debts. You'll need to do this to make sure you fit in with all the other grass cutters.

jonsucks · Jan 12, 2009

Head down to the Huffines on 35. Used the "workers" down there plenty of times. But thats probably not the type of consistent work your looking for.

whalewager · Jan 12, 2009

$tinky said:
Make sure you stop paying your gambling debts. You'll need to do this to make sure you fit in with all the other grass cutters.

:cripwalk:

XXXylic · Jan 12, 2009

bigtendominator said:
Where are you at in Texas?

flower mound, tx

jonsucks · Jan 12, 2009

You could knock out an entire street in the Wellington neighborhoods in an hour if you had a couple people. Those houses are so close together, and definatly no shortage of them.

XXXylic · Jan 13, 2009

Yea, true. That is where i live. Does direct mail work in advertising? newspaper ads?

XXXylic · Jan 13, 2009

Equipment wise I like what I am seeing from Toro Commercial in the 21" mower, Echo in commerical blowers and Stihl and Tanaka in commercial weedeaters.

whalewager · Jan 13, 2009

Ok...time for me to chime in...

Lawn care is not easy work. It is very hard work that you will get sick of really quick. You will go out and spend a bunch of money on equipment and end up having to sell it for a fraction.

Its funny when people want to go in business, the first thing they think of is cuttin grass...you will work from dawn to dark 6-7 days a week for decent money but not great money...

WORK YOUR ASS OFF...

Mexican lawn cartel will undercut the shit out of you...

I am not trying to discourage but reality is not sitting here thinking of how to do it..reality is you will have to get up early and cut fucking grass every fucking day..day after day of cutting grass and your help not showing up...raining for days and not being able to make any money...

On a positive note...if you really want to do this...

Plenty of work out there...if you are clean and presentable and fairly detail oriented...you can always put food on a table...might be a walmart table but food will be on it...

Buy good commercial equipment to make the jobs go by quicker and organize your territory....keep detailed records because you will carry a tab on many accts for the entire season...

Good luck...nothing wrong with wanting to be in business for yourself...

whalewager · Jan 13, 2009

Tip for you...

Be able to do it all...from design to all...

Sprinkler systems, sod, hedges, trees...

Be the yard...you are the yard....be the yard

Kornholio · Jan 13, 2009

I do it for a PT job and it kicks ass for extra income. In my mind it is the perfect part time job because I can make 55-60/hr minus expenses...which do add up especially when gas is near $4. Equipment, Insurance, Advertising, Fuel.etc. FT would be a killer especially in that Texas heat.

barman · Jan 13, 2009

KillaRSox said:
....do not buy your gas from regular gas stations. The Ethanol that's in the gas will kill your machines, not so much ride on mowers as your smaller engine machineary. Just my 2 cents.

Utter nonsense.

I've used nothing but 21 and 22" self propelled 4cycle LawnBoys and smaller sized blowers and gas trimmers and I get more than expected hours out of all of them.

Keeping your carbs clean and filtered is the key to enjoying expected engine life.

(NOTE to the two guys who emailed me...I've not ignored your mail...but it will be a few days before I can compose a decent summary of the info you seek)

Anyone here started their own lawncare/landscape business?

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