aerating?

[mhshoc10]

A customer recently asked me if we would aerate her yard. I said we would look into it but it was doubtful because we are fairly inexperienced in that department. She is aware that my business associate and myself just started out this year and i think she appreciated me not biting off more than I was comfortable chewing. She is still interested in having us do it because some other business informed her that her lawn needed to be aerated and she'd rather give us the money (very loyal woman). Nonetheless, I am still looking into expanding the business next year since we are only doing general lawn care services right now (cutting, edging, pruning, etc) so I have some questions. I have done research on this site about aerating but wanted some specific answers to my concerns.
1) What are the exceptions in aerating in the "off-seasons"?
2) What are some typical pricing methods you use?
3) Equipment recommendations??

I'd appreciate any feedback.
-Brandon

[steve-o]

A customer recently asked me if we would aerate her yard. I said we would look into it but it was doubtful because we are fairly inexperienced in that department. She is aware that my business associate and myself just started out this year and i think she appreciated me not biting off more than I was comfortable chewing. She is still interested in having us do it because some other business informed her that her lawn needed to be aerated and she'd rather give us the money (very loyal woman). Nonetheless, I am still looking into expanding the business next year since we are only doing general lawn care services right now (cutting, edging, pruning, etc) so I have some questions. I have done research on this site about aerating but wanted some specific answers to my concerns.
1) What are the exceptions in aerating in the "off-seasons"?
2) What are some typical pricing methods you use?
3) Equipment recommendations??

I'd appreciate any feedback.
-Brandon

#1 - not sure what you are asking. you can aerate anytime. most do it in the fall followed by overseeding. don't do it after preemergence has been put down in the spring.
#2 - i charge by the 1000 sq/ft. with a $50 min.
#3 - i got a ryan walkbehind

steve

[mhshoc10]

#1 - not sure what you are asking. you can aerate anytime. most do it in the fall followed by overseeding. don't do it after preemergence has been put down in the spring.
#2 - i charge by the 1000 sq/ft. with a $50 min.
#3 - i got a ryan walkbehind

steve

Let me claifiry the first question. I mean fall to be the peak season, with summer, spring, and winter (since Tn doesn't have much of a winter anyways) being the "off-season"., I should have said off-peak seasons. Also, I briefly read somewhere about needing to aerate after a bad drought? We have had a couple droughts this year in East TN so I was wondering if this would justify me aerating the property and advising her to wait. Also, if you dont mind me asking what do you charge per 1,000 sq feet? Thank you.
-Brandon

[mhshoc10]

PS What would a decent machine run me??
-Brandon
(Need to figure out if it would even be worth buying this season)

[steve-o]

Let me claifiry the first question. I mean fall to be the peak season, with summer, spring, and winter (since Tn doesn't have much of a winter anyways) being the "off-season"., I should have said off-peak seasons. Also, I briefly read somewhere about needing to aerate after a bad drought? We have had a couple droughts this year in East TN so I was wondering if this would justify me aerating the property and advising her to wait. Also, if you dont mind me asking what do you charge per 1,000 sq feet? Thank you.
-Brandon

what was the reason the other guy told the lady she needed aeration anyway? as far as pricing goes, i have an hourly wage i shoot for in everything i do, so i base my pricing on this. example: you want to make $100/hr. take your own yard and measure it with a measuring wheel. let's say it is 10,000 sq/ft and it takes you an hour to give a couple of passes with the aerator. then you would charge your clients $10 per 1000 sq/ft. also keep in mind things like mulch beds , steep banks , etc. this might make that $10 go to $15 or whatever. as far as the price of an aerator. i am guessing $2000 or more for a walkbehind. i bought mine used. go to some of these rental joints. they sell them all the time cheap.

steve

[mhshoc10]

what was the reason the other guy told the lady she needed aeration anyway?
steve

Something along the line of her grass needing to be seeded soon since we have had a very dry summer.
-Brandon