A little help would be much appreciated.

[Jason J]

I have been reading this forum for a matter of weeks now and have researched a lot of threads and have a few questions. 1. How large of a radius from your home location is considered most profitable? 2. In several of the other threads it is posted that the average lawn is $25. Where is this information published that I could go and find out some more info? 3. I am in the process of writing the final draft of my business plan. I live in the Springfield, MO area and have not seen anyone on this forum from this area and would appreciate a little help on coming up with some realistic numbers for an area the size of mine. ( about 250,000 people and three communities surrounding of about 2000 - 4000 people) There is a lot of new development and large subdivisions, what is the best way to go into these areas that are not populated yet and get my name out. Last question is am I crazy to say that I would like to be full time by next May? I have been working for the last 6 months building a debris loader so that I can do fall clean ups this fall and have been picking up odd jobs to build up my capital before next year. Own most of my equip and already have about 12 - 15 lawns lined up for next season. Any advice would be much appreciated. I have read a large number of the threads on this forum and have found them to be very informative and appreciate everyones enthusiasm in helping us newbies get started.

[lorenzo piedra]

If you plan on starting up in the spring you will need to have your equipment in place by early March.

And not a bunch of consumer junk you bought at home depot. Plus you will need at least TWO of every type of machine that you will be using on a daily basis or you will be road kill by June.

In order to be successful you better have some good mechanical skills or all your profits will be left at the mower shop. Sometimes the local voc-tech high schools have adult evening classes over the winter in small engine repair.

[grower]

Jason

Jason, to answer your first question about a profitable radius. I would say the closer the better, you don't want to be spending all your time driving. I have 60 accounts and my farthest one isn't even ten minutes away. This brings me to your third question about advertising. Putting out flyers is really the only way to advertise, but don't just do a few, I put 10,000 out this year and only got 30 new quality accounts. This brings me to your fourth question about being crazy for wanting to be full time by May, and yes that is a pretty crazy idea. First of all very few accounts end up being quality accounts, if you have 12 lawns lined up right now you will realize that by this time next year only 6 of those people at best will still be using your services. People don't realize the financial commitment they're making and back out. Second, let's say you're cutting with a 60in, most lawns are 1/3 acre lots, fairly close together and you know what you're doing, you would need about 80 accounts. The way I figure this is because I have 60 accounts that are all close to each other, mostly 1/3 acres but about 5 are acre or more lots. I can get all that done by myself with a 61in Ferris in about 30 hours a week. Finally, with regards to your second question about pricing I would say nowadays $35 is a good price for 1/3acre lots. When I first started about 10 years ago $25 was what I charged for 1/3 acres but I have been slowly raising my regulars and now price my new 1/3acres at about 35. Hope that helps if it makes any sense at all, let me know how it turns out, Good Luck!

[All Lawns & Landcare]

I agree with Jason on everything he said except for flyers being really the only form of good advertising. it is very cost effective to pass out flyers, and you can target the area you want. that will give you your tight route, but i noticed you said ther is alot of new development going on. the best way to advertise to those new poeple moving in is to go door to door! its a little time consuming, but so is flyers! And it practically cost nothing. Just get some bussiness cards made up and dress real nice, equipped with estamate forms and your set! that is the best way to advertise to new homeowners! I'll start you off with a sales pitch, " Good afternoon, My name is such n such with such n such lawnservice. We're going around the area today giving free estamates on lawn care service. Would you like me talk walk around the house and give you a real quick estimate?
That frase has gottin me so much bussiness in the past 6 months! I'm getting customers as quick as they build the houses. All the other lco's just drop their flyer and run!

[Woody]

The "profitable radius", as you termed it, depends on your location, and what you consider "profitable". Personally, I would MUCH rather drive, say, 30 to 40 minutes and focus on a neighborhood of $500,000 to $2,000,000 houses, than focus on a bunch of $100,000 to $200,000 that are 5 minutes away.

You will have to decide where you want to work, and whether that area is profitable (or saturated with lowballers).

Woody

[Team Gopher]

Hi Jason,

Here is a link to a sample LCO business plan. Maybe it will be helpful.

[Jason J]

Thanks all the the advice I can get is great!!

I want to say thanks to all of you for your replies, that means alot. The only thing That I am considering spending money on for this next season is possibly a used cab over that a friend of mine has and would sell me cheap and a couple of EBZ8000 back pack blowers.
I already have a 72" dixie chopper, 52" Scag Hydro WB, 32" WB, 21" push.
As far as power equip I have an echo string trimmer, gas powered hedge clippers, A stihl string trimmer. Also looking at getting a good stick edger along with my backpacks.

Again, I appreciate all the help and encourage anyone to add to this thread. Knowledge is power, time is money, and friendship is happiness. All the advice equals knowledge, which in turn saves me time, and can build a friendship.

Thanks Again!!!!