why do companies turn this down?

[Bobbygedd]

we have alot of complexes here, where the association will mow "common areas". however, alot of the back yards are fenced in, and they won't mow anything fenced in. it is accesible, as my 36" slides in with much room to spare. these back yards are about 20 ft x 20 ft. it seems all the "pros" avoid signing these types up. why do you think that is?

[vaughnslawns]

I don't know? but,... i mow some of those backs for a nice chunk
glad they won't $$$... easy money....

[Scaper-S2k]

Probably because they are seperate styles of work. We do 98% commercial. There's no doubt I could pick up a few residential lawns next to some of our commercial work, but I would never do that.

The commercial work can be more $$$. And the mowing schedule may flucuate a LOT more than the residential lawns. So if the common areas don't need cutting, the residentials might. That company would then be switching back and forth and the schedules would suffer, or the residentials would get aggrivated. And it may not be worth it for them to drive over and cut the back yards but skip the common areas.

Also, common areas can be cut pretty much any time, even light rain and varying days of the week. That's a lot less to worry about than wondering if all those backyards can be done at the same time.

It would likely be more of a hassle.


Just my opinion.

[Seascape]

More than likely the association makes it plain right off the rip that those back yards are not in contract and they have nothing to do with them.

Because theyre a big thorn in theyre side all throughout the mowing season. Calls pouring in from owners when theyre **** aint perfect and right on time. Crap ran over ,broke ect.................................

Theres a reason for everything and Erich nailed it.

[Bobbygedd]

erich nailed nothing. there are 300 lawn companies around here, and 299 of them do strictly residential. why do they not, do the type of work i described?

[Scaper-S2k]

Companies can do that type of work. But doing a residential location that is right next to a commercial one isn't the best idea because of schedule problems.


Example: We have many commercial sites that will go 2 weeks (sometimes 3) during dry times like we have had over the past month or so. But the few residentials we have left still get done around 10 days.


While it may be profittable to drive further to do a large common grounds area, it's not profittable to drive over there to mow some back yards that got watered, then come back to hit the ones that didn't get watered, then come back to hit the common areas.




When I think of condo common grounds, I think of it as a commercial account.


I don't mix the 2. The residentials we have are close by and not next to our commercial sites. The scheduling would not be the best.

[Seascape]

erich nailed nothing. there are 300 lawn companies around here, and 299 of them do strictly residential. why do they not, do the type of work i described?

well if thats the case why dont you sign them? than come back and tell us why.

[Bobbygedd]

well if thats the case why dont you sign them? than come back and tell us why.

i did sign them, homey

[Scaper-S2k]

Maybe I am not understanding correctly. You are talking about one company doing the common areas and then also signing on some of the people that live there? Are you going to be doing both?

[olderthandirt]

Its a niche market and many lCO don't want to be bothered by the time factor not relizing that time is money. The longer it takes to go through a fence and trim it the more you need to charge, yet many don't see the potential or oppertunity that many small props can add up to one big check.

Why you see so many is because a homeonwer really does not want the bother of owning and maintaing their own mower for such a small area.

[Nick West]

I dont know about you guys not wanting residentials. I have a good threesome(get your mind out of the gutter three in a row) going right now takes me 45 mins to mow, trim and blow. And I pocket $105. I do have a few commercial and yes they are the big pay offs but, residentials will do very well for your bottom line. But if youre that big I guess why bother.

[Bobbygedd]

Its a niche market and many lCO don't want to be bothered by the time factor not relizing that time is money. The longer it takes to go through a fence and trim it the more you need to charge, yet many don't see the potential or oppertunity that many small props can add up to one big check.

Why you see so many is because a homeonwer really does not want the bother of owning and maintaing their own mower for such a small area.

you see, the reason olderthandirt is so smart, is cus he thinks like me. I'LL TELL YOU WHY nobody wants to cut these tiny, TINY little pieces. first of all, they are very accesible, there is no problem getting into these big gates. the mindset of the common lawnboy is, "i won't mow those tiny little 20x20's, cus i aint showing up for the $10-$15 you can charge for them. it just aint worth it." HA HA HA i say, then CHARGE $30, $35, $40 even. these people are DESPERATE. supply and demand? the supply of lawn boys SMART ENOUGH to take advantage of this situation, is low. but the DEMAND for this service, is high. what a gold mine, i'll get the entire complex, charge $30 for 2 minutes of mowing, and $150 for fert programs using a nickle worth of fert on each property. they will be happy they have someone actually showing up, and i will make big dinero doing it. a win win. yes, you must take advantage of someone in need, that's the way the world works. thread to be stickied

[Sandgroper]

Well now we know, just wondering if you are going to tell us how to deal with customers from the first phone call.................if would be good if you can educate us better and see if we are doing it correctly.

[Scaper-S2k]

No one said residential was bad. People are comparing 2 things and trying to blend them together. This thread must not be explained good enough. Common grounds and fenced in residential backyards are not the same. No one said either was not profittable. You can make money at both, but it's not a good idea to mix both so close together.

[6'7 330]

We do over 700 Chicago stamps, vast majority, fenced backs. All these lawns are full complete service maintenance. There is no windshield time, when the guys get ready to move the truck; it's over to the next Chicago block. I would say there is very good money in small stamp lawns, at least there is in Chicago

Profit margins are very high on the stamp accounts. Less fuel, less expense period. And in city and adjacent suburbs, it isn’t a niche market.

In 2006 we will completely reinstall over 150 old residential city landscapes. Another high margin proposition