newbie question

[abigg]

You guys have given some good advice so far so I want to bounce this idea off of you. I'm starting part-time (10 lawns max) next spring. I work full time (8-5) and I also want to start small to make sure that this is really what I want to do. I'm thinking of buying fairly inexpensive equipment to start since I really don't have much start-up money. Then if I decide to go full time in a couple years, this stuff can be my back-up equipment. Here's what I'm looking at:

21" mower - $300
straight shaft string trimmer - $100
backpack blower - $200 or handheld $100
stick edger - $160

All new equipment. I know it's resi use, but I don't want to invest alot of money if I decide that this isn't the business for me. Any feedback would be much appreciated. And please remember, I can't afford all commercial grade equipment right now. If I can only afford one or two commercial grade out of these, which should they be? Thanks.

[Mike J]

Just a thought not a recommendation. You can get the string trimmer with an edger attachment
Mike
GrassBandit

[Ric]

abigg

The prices you are quoting seem low for commercial grade equipment. You might want to move up to just a little better quality equipment in the hand held category. Home owner equipment will not last even on only 10 yards a week. The 21 mower for $ 300 might last season, But Jack D-elusional who in king of the 21 mower pays over a $ 1,000 for his 21 inch mowers. I suggest you start with the $ 300 model but not with home owner hand held.

[thompsonlawncare]

that what i started with a homelite weedeater, 21" residental mower and a backback blower . as for the blower gom to home depot them have a backpack blower for 169.99 its pretty good that what i started with and it still runs fine its my backup now but it worked good for what i needed it to also at lower the have a good weedeater for 199 that what i have now and it runs like a dream . i think u r on the right track not going out and spending 10,000 dollars on all commerical stuff till u need it
just got what u can now amd when u can afford better stuff then get it done get the cart before the horse

hope this helps

[abigg]

Thanks for the advice fellas. One more thing, what do you guys know about Bolens string trimmers? I know they are probably not very good because they are so cheap, but do you think it will get me through a year of 10 lawns and then be a decent backup the next year? Thanks again.

[pride]

it might get you through the lawns but you will be pissed off at your equipment, spend just a little extra and get an echo even the cheapest echo will be better than the other ones you are talking about.

[Ric]

Purchase price is not the real cost of equipment. Quality and performance are more the issue here. Yes I will agree Echo is a decent Low end Commercial hand held. The extra money spend up front will more than be realized the first time it doesn't break down. The first time you don't spend twice the time to do the job will more than pay for better equipment price difference.

Now equipment value to cost can be a long debated subject on higher priced tractors Etc. However I think this area is pretty much black and white issue. Home owner equipment just won't stand up. However Sometimes we must buy what we can afford.

[Phil Nilsson]

abigg ... the answer is quite simple ... buy your list above and by the time it's worn out ... you'll know if this biz is right for you. There's a 70% chance "against" you making it anyway ... sad but true.

[abigg]

Thanks Phil, that's exactly what I was thinking.

[Phil Nilsson]

abigg,

St Louis is a great market ... IF you're serious and IF you're ambitious you'll make it there ... IF you learn how to be a good businessman (in time) ... I say that because many of your competitors won't go the extra mile. If you do ... you'll go far. I have plenty of clients in St Louis earning way over 6 figures (way over) ... they're sharp, persistent, go the distance players.