New Haven County, CT - Lawns & Shrubs pricing

[Cinderella]

Does anyone know what the average pricing in New Haven County, CT is for cutting lawns & trimming shrubs? Also, does anyone know if there are any female business operators in this field that conduct most of the work themselves? I am very interested in starting my own business & am looking at some Kabota equipment to start with. I love cutting lawns & trimming shrubs & have gotten plenty of compiments on the job that I do at my own home. Several people have encouraged me to look into starting my own business. My services would also snow removal of driveways & walkways. But I don't know how much to charge.

[Bill645]

Welcome to the forum!

I am also in the New Haven area... I work mostly the shoreline from East Haven to Clinton. As for pricing out lawns, I shoot for a dollar a minute. If a lawn takes 45 min that equals $45. For hedge trimming it depends, I might charge $10-$15 per shrub/bush, or I might charge by the hour depends on the job. Oh, can't forget the disposal charge.

As for equipment, I would recomend a minimum set up of the following:

48" walk behind mower (I use Exmark)
weed whacker (aka. whip)
leaf blower
Gas powered hedge trimmer
Assorted hand tools: shovels, rakes, pruners, pick ax, push broom, tarps etc.

Also, I would recomend taking some business courses. Very helpful. My wife and I are taking one now at Gateway Comm. Tech College called "Starting a small Business". a book you might want to pick up "How to start a home-based Landscaping Business" by Owen E. Dell, very helpful in starting up. I picked it up on amazon.com

As for snow removal, I'm not sure on what to charge for that. I do know that insurance for plowing is up there.

Good luck!

[Phil Nilsson]

My services would also snow removal of driveways & walkways. But I don't know how much to charge

In the New Haven area you've got plenty of commercial targets for plowing ... start with the smaller lots ... figure 50,000 sq feet plowed per hour average at rates of from $100 to $150 per hour range ... waste no time adding a sander and almost double your revenue per storm AND make money from any ice event. IMO would stay away from residential plowing becuase it offers less ice control opp to make money. Also with commercial plowing you can find those who will pay a seasons rate ... (fixed) snow or no snow to protect cash flow in event of a light winter. THAT'S important!

Phil

[Vesta]

Your best bet is to ask family friends and co-workers what they pay per mow and what they pay and what they expect. You may get an insight by asking them what they feel would make the service better.