Lawn Service Business

JBM · 11-09-05, 10:33

Anyone ever own a lawn mowing service?

I have an oppertunity to buy a guy out who is sick of it, but i dont know much about it, except that i dont like to mow lawns.

This would be a secondary business for me so it may not get my fullest attention.

He says there is no money in it, but he is the one doing all the hard work. Im not sure if it is worth the headache for maybe 500-800 a week clear.

For feelers i look around at others who are doing it, alot of them have been doing it for 5 or more years, and some have just started. Most all of them have new trucks and new trailors, so they are not starving.

He is asking 20k without a truck, and 75 customers, and i can make payments over 6 months.

Pontman43 · 11-09-05, 11:53

I say dont do it, because you dont like to mow lawns so your going to hate it. You have a detailing business too right? If so stick with that, otherwise start a detailing business instead.

JBM · 11-09-05, 12:47

Thanks for the advise, and no i dont do detailing, i do block houses.

I wouldnt like to detail other peoples cars either.

I would like to open a products storefront though. With a garage in the back.

If there was interest it would be cool to have PC seminars and to bring in someone for a rotary seminar for the more advanced "students".

But, who is going to run the store, i wouldnt like to do that either

Scottwax · 11-09-05, 04:54

My brother does 140 yards a week and grosses over $4000 a week from late February through the end of November. He does trimming, cutting firewood, etc during the off-months and still makes nearly $1000 a week then.

Setec Astronomy · 11-09-05, 05:54

75 customers, and 140 yards a week? How many crews for that?

Scottwax · 11-09-05, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

75 customers, and 140 yards a week? How many crews for that?

Huh? I think you merged his post with mine somehow.

My brother has himself, one full timer and one part timer. I worked with him a few times when I was getting my business going and he works fast!

LouisanaJeeper · 11-09-05, 08:21

you can make good money in lawncare

just gotta get a good mower ... dixie chopper, etc, AND insurance. you will not make much money the first few yrs.

www.lawnsite.com

Setec Astronomy · 11-10-05, 03:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Huh? I think you merged his post with mine somehow.

My brother has himself, one full timer and one part timer. I worked with him a few times when I was getting my business going and he works fast!

I was actually asking both of you...so your brother runs one crew and does 140 lawns a week? Even at 7 days a week that's 20 a day...he must be fast and they must be close together.

Scottwax · 11-10-05, 05:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

I was actually asking both of you...so your brother runs one crew and does 140 lawns a week? Even at 7 days a week that's 20 a day...he must be fast and they must be close together.

He works 5 days a week and yes, often he has 5-6 houses right in a row.

SpoiledMan · 11-10-05, 08:04

There is one gardener that shows up on my block and does 10-11 houses each week. They aren't here more than 90 minutes.

JBM · 11-10-05, 08:53

Those are pretty good numbers Scott, im not sure why this fella i know says there is no money in it. Maybe he doesnt have enough customers.

From doing some quick math, i think he needs to be at around 100 customers to get to worthwhile money.

In the winters they mow every other week for the same price, its a yearly agreement. So in the summer he would have to add some help.

I think he needs to double his customer base, based on his winter schedule, then make help and a crew addition in the summer when they goto weekly mows.

Im not sure if i want to deal with such a rat race though, ill think about it some more.

sprtslvr785 · 11-12-05, 12:35

You CAN make good money mowing lawns a week. My dad and uncle own a full service lawncare business and I have worked full time for the for 2 years as the "right-hand man." We do alot of condo assiciations and business' with a couple of residentials that we have had for a long time. In the winter we snowplow.

It is a good business to be in if you can put up with old people constantly bitching and moaning about every little thing. I myself, just went back to college to be a fireman because I am just sick of hearing people ***** when I am outside busting my a** in 100 degree heat during the summer months. No matter what kind of quality work you give them there is always something wrong. And nothing is ever done fast enough. We do over 400 houses and buisinesses a week with two mexicans, and myself. While my dad and uncle usually drive around..haha They work sometimes but they have their lazy days (ie: when its to hot or to cold outside!!)

We do everything except cut down big tree's. Small ones are fine but trees are to big of an insurance cost.

If you want to know anything else let me know.