Tweet
As a newbie, I was just wandering what you guys think? I just started out less then 2 months ago and have 12 customers for Resedential Lawn Maintenance. 10 pay me for weekly cuts and 2 accounts want the Lawn cut every 2 weeks. Quite frankly with the equiptment I have now (just 2 21" snapper mowers, 1 edger, and 1 trimmer) I am just about overwhelmed as I do this part time. Is this amount of customers normal for a beginning business? I appreciate any advice you guys can give me as I am learning tons of stuff on here. Tnx.......
-
-
i think you are doing pretty good for just being in 2 months... -
Its about average. The very first year I was in business (city-wide at least) I had maybe 20 some clients. We used all push mowers then. 2 years later I bought a used 36" WB, my dad thought I was crazy for spending $1500 on a mower. Turned out though that the wider cut mower saved ample amounts of time mowing lawns and I was able to take on more clients! Four years later I was up to nearly 100 clients. Sad thing is I grew too fast and couldnt handle both work and college. I sold that business and went to work for a nursery for a year. I found I couldnt stand making $7/ hour when I could be making $30/ hour mowing! I quit and started out mowing again....
At the rate you are going I would consider investing in a commercial grade 36" mower. 36" decks usually fit through gates whereas larger decks wont. Once you have a larger client base add another WB to your fleet, only this time with a larger deck. Once your raking in all that dough, treat yourself right and buy a nice z-rider
If you need a trailer, plan for the future! The minimum size id suggest is a 6x12. You can easily fit two WBs and 1-2 21"ers.Comment
-
Not trying to brag but Im one month and twenty clients and still beating em off with a stick. the REAL test is keeping them happy and still get paid what u deserve. Remember to set your self apart from the rest of the scrubs by never doing anything half a$$. jeffComment
-
ok... what do we define as a customer??? - a regular scheduled lawn mowing customer or... a customer who calls when you are needed or.. one who gets spring and fall cleanings every year... etc...
if a customer is a regular scheduled mowing customer than i am doing terrible lol...
off the top of my head i count 10 regular mowing customers... there is more than that... i need thinking time but... overall i have at least 25 customers... just need things cleared up...
i wished i lived in florida... year round mowing... ahh.. so beautiful.. and i'm sure i would be beating them off with sticks too
- AaronComment
-
A 'customer' should be defined as a regular customer. But Id consider them a client. Reserve the term customer for your one-timers.Comment
-
NOTE: If you are only looking for gas and beer money, disregard this post.
One more consideration to properly label a "Client"...is being priced properly to cover your operating expenses plus provide your desired profit. (This requires that you HAVE a sound understanding of your operating expenses.)
Many newcomers, who don't have the benefit of the excellent advice on this Board, don't realize that to sustain the business you have to cover far more expenses than meet the eye: equipment maintenence, fuel, billing, accounting, insurance, advertising, upgrading to improve efficiency, etc.
Its tempting to lower your pricing and watch the customers flock to you (and they will), but soon they will be flocking to another when "lowball" pricing cannot cover your business expenses AND purchase replacement equipment AND turn a profit for the family.
Evaluate your pricing...If you "get" most customers you approach, you are likely pricing too low. If you don't get any, you may need to brush your teeth more often.
This site is your best resource - study, consult, then contribute.
MortComment
-
Wow! Lots of great advice. Thanks everyone. I am going to look at a 48" Scag ZTR for $2500.00. I know its a little bigger then the 36" I really need, but I could probably do 75% of my accounts with it. This one is 3 years old and was just serviced. A friend of mines brother is a huge landscaper up north who replaces his equipt every 3 years and my buddy spoke to him on my behalf. It seems to good to be true as new Scag ZTR 48" are around $7000.00 price range here in NJ. Ill keep yas posted. The 21" mowers are killing me lol
Oh just 1 thing......How many hours would you guys say is the average for a 3 year old ZTR machine and what would be excessive........ Tnx guysComment
-
Originally posted by Getter Done Lawnok... what do we define as a customer??? - a regular scheduled lawn mowing customer or... a customer who calls when you are needed or.. one who gets spring and fall cleanings every year... etc...
if a customer is a regular scheduled mowing customer than i am doing terrible lol...
off the top of my head i count 10 regular mowing customers... there is more than that... i need thinking time but... overall i have at least 25 customers... just need things cleared up...
i wished i lived in florida... year round mowing... ahh.. so beautiful.. and i'm sure i would be beating them off with sticks too
- Aaron
The 12 I have our regular weekly mowing customers. 2 of them however want it every 2 weeks. (which sux) When I gett bigger the 2 week customers will either have to pay more per cut or it's just not worth it for me to cut the yards. I mean really they live in $700,00 homes and want to pay only $12 a week.
Comment
-
if you only get $12 a cut then i suggest you drop them whether they live in $700,000 homes or one room shacks.Originally posted by ShabThe 12 I have our regular weekly mowing customers. 2 of them however want it every 2 weeks. (which sux) When I gett bigger the 2 week customers will either have to pay more per cut or it's just not worth it for me to cut the yards. I mean really they live in $700,00 homes and want to pay only $12 a week.
steveComment
-
LOL, no kidding! Does the $12 even cover the overhead? I bet he only makes a few bucks off every mowing! You ought to be asking at least twice what you are now.Originally posted by delasghComment
-
i would say 3 times. i go with a $35 min. i only have one yard that fits this and it only takes 20 min. from cutting the truck off to starting it back up.Originally posted by MASTERMOWER
steveComment
-
Let me clear that statement up.........The majority of my cuts are $25-$35 as the yards arent much bigger the 80x100. I mean I charge the 2 week people 25.00 per cut which in my mind is equivalent to 12 a week if you know what I mean..........Comment
-
How did you go about gaining that many, that quick?Originally posted by jeffropaige
*Gets pen and paper out*....Comment
-
Good work results/ethic along with proper advertising you can have about as many clients as you want.Originally posted by MrFangsComment
Comment