Some input needed

[newguy]

Thanks to all for all your help!!!Well like I said before I would like to start with all new equipment. I also would like to look professional! (nice uniforms).As of rite now I am looking at aprox:$10,000 investment. I would like to start with a commercial property's to pay off this investment a.s.a.p. Here are the question's ( location is in so east Atlanta) 1. When is the best time of year to start. 2.Is it possible to get account's BEFORE getting the equipment. I was thinking that two or three good commercial accounts would easaley take care of the $10,000 lone, plus expenses and leave a little to put away.Then build from there. Would like to here from you all thanks again.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

[GrassMaster]

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Hello newguy:

I see you are From Georgia, Me Too! I'm Just South of you in Columbus.

People can say what they Want, But Proffesionalism has a Lot to do with it in this Business.

A Good Time to Start in this Business is about 30 to 60 days before the Growing Season. My Guess is Feburary for you!

It's also my Understanding that the Money Flows Like water in Atlanta. I hear it all the Time. A Great Place to Have this type of Business!

Yes, it's Possible to Get Accounts before getting Started, I Wouldn't but it's Possible. I Would want to Know My equipment & Exactly what I was Capable of doing First. All of this is Just My Thoughts & Mine Only! <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Only go after the Commercial Accounts if you have been doing it a while & Know what you are doing. Are you a Licensed Chemical & Fertilizer Applicator, this is a Must if You are going after Commercial Accounts! Do you have a Million in Liability? It's a Must on a Lot of Commercial Jobs. I wouldn't Leave my House if I didn't have a Million in Liability. Just My Thoughts, I've been Sued a few Times.

LOL, I don't even Have a Commercial or Company Vehicle & I Carry $500,000 Liability on my Personal Vehicles & Home.

Everybody will say something Different on this Subject, But My experience with Commercial Accounts is about 50% will pay on time & the Other will be late! Be Prepared to Fork out Money for your Operating Expenses (Labor, Repairs & etc...) that you haven't got Paid for when doing this.

Remember on the to Pay List the Lawn Service is at the Bottom of the to be Paid List!

When I got me a Taste of Commercial Propertys, I learned Imediately that I needed a Minium of $10,000 in My Baking Account at All times. If you try to make them Pay you when they Suppose too, Be Prepared to Have a High Turn Over! Yes, I hear all those other Guys say they Make them Pay Every Month, If They do they need to Write a Book on it & Sell it. <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

I have a Buddy that has a Property that he gets $100K yep $100,000 a year just to Mow, Trim, Edge, Hedge & Blow as Needed (All other Services are Extra).

They stay about 3 Months Behind all the Time. Yep at about all times they owe him about $25,000 Minimum & the 2 other Folks that had it before him over the Past 10 Years they were Paid the Same Exact Way!

Residential Customers are Very Loyal People, The Commercial Customers you can loose a 3 year old contract to a Managers - Son In law for $5 a month less bid. It Happened to me & He Didn't even own any Equipment until the Day he started Cutting.

I got the Contract Back with a 10% Raise, Plus a Nice Clean up Fee, the Manager & Son in law Fired 6 Months Later. But that Don't Happen often, I just Happened to Be Riding by the Property when the Owners were Walking Around Doing Inspections!

Just Be Carefull & The Biggest Downfalls in this Business is Growing to Fast and Not Bidding Properly.

To Bid Commercialy it will Sound Crazy but if You are Not Using a Measuring Wheel for all your Bids, You are are Not Ready for Commercial Accounts.

I chased Commercial Accounts for a Couple of Years & I only got a Very Few of them, When I Quit Chasing them. They Started Coming to me Left & Right. Most Were Done So Cheap I Didn't Want them.

I Hand Picked my Work after my 3rd Year & it was the Best Thing I ever Did.

&lt;Brag Brag&gt; I Got Paid More Money in the Late 80's than the Guys are Getting Now! As the Market Gets Flooded More & More the Prices will go Down.

Go After the Folks that will Pay Top Dollar for your Services.

If you Look Like a Pro, Act Like a Pro, Work Like a Pro, You Will then Get Treated & Paid Like a Pro!

[Scaper-S2k]

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Now those are words to live by, all of them. Great post Mr. Administrator!

&lt;&lt;Don't Fear the Green!&gt;&gt;