Market in Memphis?

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I was just recently in Collierville TN ( a suburb of memphis) for my brothers baseball tournament. My deal is I will be going to college next year. Right now I only have 15 accounts where I am and I'm not really trying to get any more. I was just wondering about the market in Memphis and it's suburbs. Most houses are on a certain property and their all packed together. Also a question on the property the houses are on, does one single company obtain a contract on the whole place to mow...etc? There is also just about anything there, Malls, Restaraunts, you name it they have it. Would it be worth my while to drop all of my accounts where i'm at now to go to memphis where I would also be going to college? I visited Germantown as well, it's about 30 min. away. These people obviously have money. Maybe there's someone out there who has a company near memphis or past experience working in that area.

Anything would help. I also noticed a TruGreen ChemLawn In memphis as well, a huge building with 20+ vans I'm sure that can't be good for the smaller guys.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

Chemlawn sucks there lawns turn brown don't worry about them you could try a test market in the area and see how many responses you get if you get alot go for if not tell them you aren't taking any new customers.

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Thanks for the advice ahlgrenlandscaping.

What about the housing properties? Do you think that's all one big contract or is each individual homeowner in charge of his/her own yard?

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

If they are houses then it is on an individual basis probably, if they are condo's then one company does them all...if they are houses and they are in an association they may put all of there properties out to bid so they get a lower rate.

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Alright, thanks for the info man, i guess early next year i'll put out the fliers and see what kind of response I get.

Wish me luck!

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

Good luck I did it this year took over 10 of my uncles accounts and I'm maintaining 22 accounts now. Next season the equipment will be all paid off and i'll be living large!

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Good for you dude, I guess all that hard work pays off eventualy! Hopefully I can get 25 yards or so at $30+ ea. That should be enough to get me by and help get me started, then word of mouth takes over hopefully! I'm seriously considering buying a fully enclosed trailer w/ my logo and name all over it. I've heard image is everything in this business and it seems like most of these people are upper middle class. Don't want to go in looking like a half drunk hillbilly.

[lclandscapes]

I was just recently in Collierville TN ( a suburb of memphis) for my brothers baseball tournament. My deal is I will be going to college next year. Right now I only have 15 accounts where I am and I'm not really trying to get any more. I was just wondering about the market in Memphis and it's suburbs. Most houses are on a certain property and their all packed together. Also a question on the property the houses are on, does one single company obtain a contract on the whole place to mow...etc? There is also just about anything there, Malls, Restaraunts, you name it they have it. Would it be worth my while to drop all of my accounts where i'm at now to go to memphis where I would also be going to college? I visited Germantown as well, it's about 30 min. away. These people obviously have money. Maybe there's someone out there who has a company near memphis or past experience working in that area.

Anything would help. I also noticed a TruGreen ChemLawn In memphis as well, a huge building with 20+ vans I'm sure that can't be good for the smaller guys.

I had a landscape company in Memphis for about 9 years. The Memphis market is a very good market. Just be selective as to who you cater to. Collerville is a more upscale suburb. The town does have restrictions as for new home construction size and lot size. Germantown, Collerville, old Midtown, and parts of Cordova, Eads, and Oakland will bring high dollar. When I sold my old company 6 years ago, the lowest paying client I had as $250.00 per month. Biggest thing there is DO WHAT YOU SAY, DO IT WHEN YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, OR CALL AND EXPLAIN. Most of Memphis grass is either Bermuda, Fescue, or Zoysia. Could have changed since I lived there, but not sure. Most people in Memphis hate Chem Lawn, but there really isn't/wasn't anyother game in town. Good luck should you choose to persue.

[ahlgrenlandscaping]

If you can afford it buy a fully enclosed trailer, much safer for the equipment protects it from the elements and from theft. I already had a 21" stolen off of my open trailer. Next season is going to be a 28' Enclosed Trailer.

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Thanks LCLandscapes,

It looked like most of the grass was just what you said. Do any of those types of grass require different types of mowers, blades, or just different heights? You said that you're lowest paying account was 250 per month, did that include fertilizer app. and other options or do you offer only one "package" when you bid new accounts? What would you say the average yard in that area would bring in? Just curious so I can get a ballpark figure.

Thanks again for all the great info!