Starting out...any pointers?

[LittleCreekLawnCare]

Hello, about a year ago, a friend and I came up with the idea to start a lawn care business. This year, we took on two other partners, to help up with transportation and expenses and such. So far, we have a name, some business cards, and a few customers....and we're charging about 30$ an acre, since everyone we have currently are only residential (and have only about 2-3 acres)
and other jobs(like gardens, clean up, etc.) we charge by estimate and materials... I guess what I'm asking is, do we have the right idea for pricing and such? What kind of equipment should we get? (we have 2 trucks, a trailer, a John Deere 14hp, a yardman 12hp, another ride on that is 16hp, 3 pushmowers, and a couple of weedwackers, at least to help us get started.)

Any other pointers are appreciated!

-Rob D. of "Little Creek Lawn Care"

[Squeegee]

Rob,
Welcome. I think this should have been posted in the general -Commercial Lawn Service Forum-( not -Running Your Business-) anyway since I'm already typing I'm going to tell you what I think. If your doing this just to make a little spending cash then you're off to a good start...if you're truly serious about doing this for a living and as a serious BUSINESS the first thing to do is dissolve this "partnership" and go at it on your own. Even if you use one push mower and a Wal-Mart WeedEater you're going to do much better alone than with a partner. Partnerships very, VERY seldom work out...let alone with 4? It may seem cool right now because of help with expenses but that also means splitting profits...very, very UNCOOL!! I know many partnerships begin because of the fear of beginning something new by yourself. Whatever you decide, GET INSURANCE!! Work hard and present yourself professionally in ALL aspects of the business and you can do well for yourself. Remember to always treat it as a business. When someone asks the head of McDonald's what he does for a living I'm pretty sure he doesn't say, " I cook hamburgers". This isn't just cutting grass, it's running a business and when you can change that mind-set it will make a big difference.
I know it changed my business drastically. Read this forum inside and out. I've learned more in the past few months since I've joined than I ever thought I knew before, and I've been doing this for a long, LONG time. GrassMaster has a great saying for success and being paid professionally...I don't remember it word for word so I won't try to quote it but if you read this enough you'll run across it sooner or later. Good Luck in your ventures, I hope whatever you decide works out for you. Jeff