just starting out

[windshadow]

Hi I am new to this stuff and would like a bit of info . I will be a one man operation. All my eq is paid for and new.I have a walker ztr 48 inch with grass handling system, 21 inch push mower,weed eater,edger,and blower all new 2004 pick up truck,new 12ftX7 ft trailer. I plan to do yards from 1/2 arc to 5 acr in size mostly residental. I live in the fl panama city area. How many lawns can be worked by one person a week with out killing your self. I am a hard worker in my mid 40ts I just left a job driving ready mix trucks 13hrs a day 6 days a week so I do know what hard work is. how much can a person make a yr on average? I will be meeting with a PA in two weeks to go over the LLC route. What is the best way to bid on jobs . I also plan on doing door to door with flyers and cards do you think this is the best way to get work? any info will help thanks .

[boazcat]

Wow! Looks like you have all your ducks in a row. Do some searches on here and you will find answers to lots of your questions. As for me, I seem to average about one lawn per hour by myself. (21" mow, edge, trim, blow.) 1 1/2 acres takes about 1.5-2 hours with my 60" Z. I guess you can work as much as you want. Flyers are a great way to go--probably the most popular.

Good luck!

Michael

[windshadow]

thanks for the feed back .I have been reading many of the post I should be up and going in about two maybe three weeks .

[Cheryl1]

Hi,

My name is Cheryl. I work for a company that provides adults with developmentally disabilities. I am looking to have a group start up a lawn business during the week. Can anyone help me with the pricing of a small, medium, big yard for mowing.

[windshadow]

thats a good one, I like that

[Team Gopher]

Hi windshadow,

Congratulations on getting your company started. Feel free to download and use any of our collection of flyers and door hangers.

[ArmadilloLawnCare]

Is she serious? We have to go compete against developmentally challenged LCOs. Now that I think about it I could probably work on that crew. LOL I have all kinds of images running thru my head right now. I wonder if that is a good combination, developmentally challenged and lawn mowers and weed wackers. I better stop now before I get myself in trouble.

[windshadow]

thanks team gopher. I used your info already to make up my own 3 fold flyer I put out appx 300 so far in two days. Last nite I recieved my 1st call not a big job but it is a statart. Appx 200 feet of edging and pruning about 20 palms. should take about 2 hrs I think.should bring me about 75.00 I think. I am going there this morning to give them an est. This site has given lots of info, I am glad I found it thanks again. will keep you all informed on my progress thanks again. bill

[Bign129]

I am also thinking about sarting a Lawn Care Service. Any pointers on when to start up (looking to start up around March), equip, pricing or just any good pointers will be appreciated. Will start off as a one man operation, looking to do 20 to 25 yards. Is that to many or not enough?

[Team Gopher]

Hi windshadow,

Great work. I am glad the flyers were helpful. Keep us posted

[lewis441@charter.net]

did you also work in the milk and ice cream business? if so and you are named jim call me its keith

[Ihateweeds]

Windshadow. good to see you up and going. I average about 1200$ of work from each one of my lawns. Based on a 25 week season. ur Lucky being in the warm weather ( year round). I base my lawn schedule as commercial on monday and tuesday and residential on wed,thr,frid. I have only filled up thr so far with 27 lawns got one kid that comes out with me. When I was doing it myself it took about 30 min per lawn average some small some big. I could do about 15 in a day. With A one man operation equipment is the key, don't skrimp yourself in this department. 21" self propelled? Use your body as little as possible, stay away from weeding

[windshadow]

well I am up but it is going slow. I only have 3 regular cuts for now hope it gets better next spring.Weeding is hard work I only have one house I am doing that at and that is do to the fact the lawn part of that job pays verey well. It is nice being on my own, money is not every thing.I am finding out many guys around here in fl are working for way less than they should be. like 25.00 an hr and lower. When you add gas,insure,EQ cost. $25.00 is not enough.I will have to see how next summer weighs out. If guys keep there rates to low around here I may do something else. But for now it is ok the jobs I do have are paying me what I am looking for I just need more of them. My rate is 35.00 to 37.00 an hr and that rate per/ hr starts when I get to the job. my target job amount is 25 cuts per week x 38 cuts per yr. will have to see how it goes.

[windshadow]

PS I now have a 1998 ford f-150 v-8 4x4 works much better pulling the EQ trailer it has 89k on her she should last for a few yrs