new bussiness

[AbsoluteMD]

i am just starting up my own lawn service and debating on what to do for equipment. i have none thats the problem. should i buy the equipment then post flyers and advertisements? should i post flyers wait till the bussiness comes in then buy the eqiupment? or maybe, should i post the advertisements wait for customers then rent the eqiupment til i know the bussiness is there? also what about new or used equipments? any new ideas and suggestions would be great.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

It all depends on how much money you have to invest if you have a couple thousand in cash then I would advertise and wait for the work and if you get enough then buy the equipment but if you buy first then no work comes then you have problems.

[rednktxn]

Listen To All Input In This Forum. This Is My Second Year. This Is What I Did Last Year. I Ahd My Trailer & A Bronco Ii To Pull It With.
I Bought New Stihl Equip. For My Trimmer, Edger And Hand Held Blower. I Bought A New Last Years Model 42'' Troybilt Rider From Lowes At A 500.00 Discount So They Could Get It Out The Door. I Bought A New 21'' Husqvarna Walkbehind Bagger From Lowes. It Had A Few Nuts And Bolts Missing. Talked The Manager From 450.00 To 300.00 This Year I Bought A "reconditioned" Honda 21'' Walkbehind From Home Depot. Regular 450.00 Got It For A 100.00 So They Could Get Rid Of It. Carries Same New Warranty. I Am Part Time Carrying 8 Clients With Taking On Mulching And Pruning Jobs. Have Some Personal Issues Keeping Me From Devoting More Time For 1 More Year. I Was Buying While Advertising. Imay Not Have What One Says I Need But Its Working For Me And I Am Doing A Good Job With It. When I Grow The Cash Up Front For The Hydro Walk Behinds Is There And Truck Paid For. Just My 2 Cents.
Good Luck, Larry

[Bulldog26]

I'm in the same boat you are. I have been adv. with flyers and now just started 4 news paper listings. I have a 6x12 trailer, but I went down and talk to a small dealer in the area and found a demo (C.C. tank) told the owner what I was doing and he is holding it on a hand shake. I now have two year contracts signed and two bids tonight. So I'm picking up my mower next week. It's a little risky but what in life isn't a risk. Just thought you might like to hear your not the only one out thier doing it this year.
Brian
bulldogscustomcuts@hotmail.com

[theweedman]

why advertise if you don't have equipment? start with the basics, a 21" push mower, used walkbehind etc.. when more work comes in, upgrade to equipment that fits your needs. just a thought.

i am just starting up my own lawn service and debating on what to do for equipment. i have none thats the problem. should i buy the equipment then post flyers and advertisements? should i post flyers wait till the bussiness comes in then buy the eqiupment? or maybe, should i post the advertisements wait for customers then rent the eqiupment til i know the bussiness is there? also what about new or used equipments? any new ideas and suggestions would be great.

[lawnrangeralaska]

it takes time to run top of the line equipment. trust me over time you will be big an have nice equipment like your competitors. just start small and always do the best job possible and trust me you will have business calling on you.

[cjm2783]

this is my 2nd year in the business. i was working for my uncle once i returned from iraq. i asked his advice... buy equipment 1st then advertise or advertise then buy.
i went ahead and bought basic home owner mower, honda harmony, echo trimmer, blower, pressure washer, trailer. i didnt have ONE account. i passed out some flyers and got one. met another LCO and became good friends with him, he gave me some business, (if you can, meet some people in the business, it helps) before i knew it, i had to quit working for him and go on my own.
all i can say is pump the flyers out and you'll get some calls. once you see that you need better euipment, dont be scared to get it like i was. i needed a 36" last year, but thought i couldnt afford it.. i lost several accounts because i didnt have the equipment... not this year.


good luck,
cjm

[mariner]

In my opinion why advertise for something you don't have the capability of doing. Buy some of your equipment and purchase more as money comes in. You gotta have some though.

[lawnfree]

i agree with the weed man buy the basics then upgrade as neccesary...look to second hand equipment.

[cmorris]

The best thing about this biz is that if you buy the equipment and then have to fold you can get most of your money back. There is a strong market for used trucks, mowers and the like. So buy your equipment, I would also go with good second hand stuff, and then advertise.