Getting started

[wfrench]

I would like to start a part time lawn business, after work and weekends. I used to do it full time about 10 years ago with a partner and I would like to start again on a part time basis. At this point in time I have no equipment what-so-ever. I will need to buy everything truck, trailer, mower, stringtrimer and blower. I also have no customers but the equipment dealers tell me that everyone is backed up and I should not have any problem picking up customers. We have seen record amounts of rain this year in MD. They may be right or maybe they just want to sell some equipment.

My questions are these: Should I wait until next spring or should I jump in right now? The cutting season in this part of the country should go into at least the first part of Nov. And could go later with leaf cleanups. What w/b should I get? I was looking at a Hustler 54" dual/hydro with a 23hp Kawasaki and sulky for about $6000 or an Exmark Turf Tracer HP 48" dual/hydro for about $4700 sulky extra.

Both look like good machines but the Hustler looks and feels more solid and has a top speed of 10mph. The Exmark was a little easier to steer and cost less.

Looking forward to your advice.

[mikeslawnservice]

#1 Why put off till tomorrow what you could do today. If you can financially do it, then start now. Word of mouth should spread from the clients you get now by next year.

I started the year with 23 accounts and I now have 54. I do this part time also. About 90% of the additional customers I picked up by referrals and word of mouth. I just picked up a $30 account on Friday for every 2 weeks until mid September and they will go weekly when it gets a little cooler. I am at the point now where I can almost name any price and people will take it. My customers love my work.

#2 How big are the lawns around you? That will dictate what size equiptment to get.

Any commercial brand is better than a homeowner brand. Every single person on here has a personal preference. Judge for yourself. Start with the most economical mower for the size lawns you are targeting.


As far as the rain goes, it's pretty much slowed or stopped altogether. I am not that far from you and the grass has slowed to the point where all my weeklys are now every 2 weeks until September.

Do not let a salesperson talk you into anything. Try out equiptment for a little while and go with the ones that have the best OVERALL capabilities for what you will be using them for.

Hope I could be of at least some help!!

[mikeslawnservice]

One more thing. The leaf cleanup chould last you until mid-December in MD. And the other BIG money maker will be Spring cleanups. Start those sometime in March of next year. You will only really have about 3 months or so of little or no work.

Even then, you could try to market gutter cleaning. All you really need to get started for that is a ladder and a backpack blower.

Try to bill your fall/spring cleanups at about double the mowing rate per hour. I will be offering this service this year for the first time.