Relocating My Business from Kansas City to California's Bay Area...

[REVCO Services]

Hey Folks,

I am a third year, owner-operator lawn care company located in Johnson County, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. I am getting pretty well established doing both residential and commercial lawn care and snow removal. My business is to the stage where I would most probably have to add employees this year to keep up with the workload. Here's my situation..... My wife has the opportunity with her employer to relocate to the San Francisco area. This would be a promotion for her and also allow her to return to her home state. Needless to say, we are seriously considering relocating. I'm trying to get some feedback from other LCO's in the Bay Area. How tough do you think it would be to reestablish my small company in this market? I am able to gross between $35-$45 per man hour now in the Kansas City market, but have heard that lawn care is much cheaper in California? Can a "little guy" compete there? How many weeks per year can you mow? I can normally get between 28 and 32 weeks here, depending on the customer's needs. Is there an "off season" there like we have here? For example, I plow snow in the winter months - what about there? I'm sure the differences in plants and lawn care practices would require some study, but I think I can easily overcome this. How about insurance costs? Is business and vehicle insurance affordable. Are licensing requirements (if any) difficult and costly? I currently require no business license in Kansas and insurance is relatively inexpensive (+-$1,000 yr w/out workman's comp). Any information or insight anyone with klnowledge of this market could provide would be greatly appreciated and would be most helpful. I've always respected the opinions presented in this forum, even between guys that were direct competitors! Thanks in advance for your help!

Rob Vincent
REVCO Services Pro Lawn Care
"Quality Lawn Care and Snow Removal"

[Phil Nilsson]

"This would be a promotion for her and also allow her to return to her home state."


I'd say move to the west coast ... not just about you ... your wife has a stake in this too. Starting up again out there is no big deal. Living "inland" must be a drag with no ocean closeby ... this is a no brainer for sure!

Phil

[Woody]

Phil is correct. It is a decision to be made by the two of you.

Keep in mind that California is a VERY expensive place to live. You will be paying through the nose for things like insurance, housing, etc. And, you will be competing with tons of illegal Mexicans in the lawncare arena. You really need to talk with people in the bay area to see how much things slow down in the winter months, how heavy the competition is, etc. When I was in California in 1993, it was expensive to live. That was in the San Diego area, and the place was crawling with illegals. Thousands of them lived in cardboard boxes along roadsides.

A few telephone calls will give you a better idea of what things will be like. Call a few insurance agents, etc., in the area you are looking at.

Woody

[Chuck Sinclair]

Hello,

I live in Sacramento, ca you can get any where from 40 - 50 per man hour in the "gay bay"LOL!! and yes it cost more for every thing in california.
We mow about 48 weeks a year most clients are year round for maintenance you need a biz lic for every county you work in, for installs you need a contractors lic (C-27) you need to be licensed to apply ferts and pest control as well.

[REVCO Services]

Phil, Woody & Chuck:

Thanks for taking the time to reply and for your valuable insight! After much research and a lot of thought, we've decided that relocating isn't in our best interests right now. Again, thanks for the input!

Rob Vincent
REVCO Services Pro Lawn Care
"Quality Lawn Care and Snow Removal"