Competition in my area too much?

[MiguelTX]

Hello,
I just can't help but notice that there are a lot of commercial outfits in my area! In the morning you can see them at the gas station and throughout the day there's a truck/trailer running up and down the road.

I happen to live in an area where there are something like 8 new sub-divisions under development within a 5-mile radius (77379).

This bring me to my question: I want to purchase a 32" W/B for my personal property use as well as maybe picking up a couple of lawns here and there to offset the cost of the mower as well as pay off some bills, etc. Do you think there's too much competition in my area or is there room for 1 more "little guy?"

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Miguel

P.S.
I understand the commercial guys make their living on residentials, I have no intention to low-ball.

[PremierLawnscapes]

there is ALWAYS room for good competition

[boazcat]

I have more work then I can handle and I haven't advertised one bit. Get a couple of customers, do a good job and people will start looking for you.

Just because you have a trailer full of equipment doesn't mean you provide a quality service.

Michael

[cjm2783]

get commercial equipment and do good work, treat people fair and you will have more work than you want.
i've only been in the business for two years, here in birmingham we have several multi million dollar LCO. i didnt think there would be room for me. i now have 53 accounts and plenty of landscape jobs.
so yes you can do it. just dont buy too much equipment. grow with your business.

goodluck,
cjm

[MES]

Boazcat says it best. Do a good job and they will come knocking. We have done the same thing, we don't advertise and we get new accounts each year. As weird as it sounds we are trying to grow slowly so we can manage our growth, hence the reason for no advertising.

Do it right, do it at a good price and you can easily pay for your equipment.

[jdaddy]

Go for it.

I started a little over a month ago and have 10 residential cust. and 1 commercial cust. If you think competition is crazy in Spring you should stop by D/FW and visit me on a Saturday. Most of my accounts are from people that were not satisfied with their current service.

I'm an admitted low boller, but I have met a few other LCO's that started this season who have a good client base. One guy in particular does $35/week cuts. I send him customers that want a more detailed service than I offer and he sends me people that "just can't afford $35/week" and honestly just want the basic job I offer.

I have a relationship with a guy that just does fert/weed control. We send each other business. I'm still looking for a full service landscape guy I can refer for big jobs (resod, design, etc).

The manager of my storage unit, my family, and my dentist have my cards.

Networking is a good way to get business. I passed out flyers in my area and got some business.

If you were in my area we would likely compete for business about one out of 100 potential customers... and have a cold beer later that day. There is plenty of room for people that will provide a service customers want.