employees / efficiency?

[BUBBA]

I plan on hiring a couple of employees in the spring and would like to ask those of you that have employees which of the following is more efficient. Most of our yards are small residential and are fairly close together and most are mow, trim and blow. My partner and i do about 30 yards a day. My thinking is that two employees would be able to do 25 a day or about 120 a week. I was wondering how many yards a week would they be able to get done if i had a third person?
If two people can do 120, that is about 60 for each employee, would a third be able to help with another 60 making 180 for the three people or would it be more profitable to wait and add a second crew of two when i had 120 yards for them, that would give me 240 yards and 4 employees, keeping in mind that that would require additional equipment and vehicle cost. Also, do those of you that have employees pay them by the hour, day, job? what works best?

[Phil Nilsson]

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Given the scenario I'd say limit the crew size to 2 people it always works out whereas a 3 man crew on residential does not.

[alcpi]

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Watch out and be prepared for losses! If you have small residential accounts and think that you will profit by letting loose a couple of yard monkeys your sorely mistaken. This type of hiring is useful with commercial accounts and large residentials, but not small accounts. Many companies have found out the hard way because Joe Owner would rather be home watching Judge Judy than out in the field saving payroll and enforcing an efficient days work. The key in this business is to NOT hire unless absolutely necessary. If all it took was hiring employees and letting them do the hard work while the owner "managed" everyone would be doing this. Don't get me wrong, there will be a time and place for leaving the field, but from the info you provided its not time yet.