Is my Equipment sufficient?

[Treasure Coast lawns]

At this time I am only servicing res. accounts and I am wondering if my equipment is of the right caliber for the trade.

I see alot of you are doing a few lawns in an hours time and I am averaging $25.00 per lawn at an hour a house with drive time included.

My Equipment:

John Deer 5 speed L100 17hp 42 inch deck

Bolens BL100 17" cut Line Trimmer

Poulan "Wild Thing" 200 MPH Handheld Blower/Vac

Weed Eater PE550 25cc Engine Edger

The reason I am asking is I have a potential customer who whants to know what kind of Equipment I have before giving me 3 accounts at $35.00 a piece

Most lots around here are 1/4 acre

Quick responses would be apprieciated.

Thanks all

[ElephantNest]

Well, you could lie and say you have commercial equipment, but you don't. I think what the customer is asking, maybe, is if you are going to be putting a large ZTR on his properties, some people just don't like them. Ignorance is bliss to them. Not sure.

But I can tell you this, if you plan on making a living out of this, you may want to reconsider your equipment purchases.

The only thing I see that comes close is the Deere, but is that really efficient on small residential yards? Whatever you do, don't make big decisions based on one potential customer.

If you bought that Deere new, for the same money you could have gotten a nice walk behind, hydro, 36" or 48", that would do cirlces around the Deere.

~Nest

[tulsa lawn guy]

An hour seems like quite a while to do one yard...

Towards the end of the season I got to where I could do an average size yard in about 30 minutes...

Who knows... you may have more weed-eating or something than I did...

[Treasure Coast lawns]

An hour includes my load/unload time and drive time to the next job also.

I did buy the Deer new about 2 months ago for $1,250.00

I am thinking of going with a walk behind but dont know what to do with the Deer if I do. Dont know how much it would be worth now. Although its only 2 months old I will never get what I paid for it.

Thanks for the responses

[ElephantNest]

Oh, I looked up the Deere and it said the MSRP was around $4500.00, for the L100. Maybe I looked at the wrong one.

[RRS]

Keep what you've got. It will be fine for now. Tell them you've got a 42" mower, line trimmers, stick edger, blowers, and hand tools. I bet they won't say any more. You didn't say what size the lawns were, but my guess is that the tractor will handle them fine. If you get these properties, and a few others this year, then maybe you will be able to justify the commercial mower.

In the mean time... Do some research on job estimating and pricing. Use the search function here for a starting point. That's all the advice I have to offer.

[jrservices]

L100 is a light duty deere tractor. Will do for now, but if you continue to do a large quantity of cuts, will not last in the long run. Better off with a good walk-behind , much faster, will last longer over the long haul. Those smaller deeres really are not meant for long term commercial use.

[Elwood]

Some good advice listed above.

When you can afford it, a walk behind is in your future. The productivity and quality of cut will impress you!

I am VERY GLAD to see that you are figuring travel time in your prices!!

[jfishenter]

The Deere you have is the Homeowners model, but it sounds like you got a good deal @ $1250.00. If it's paid for, keep it for a back up. You never know when you'll need it.

[mariner]

Use it to pull an aerator!!! Great money!!!

[Treasure Coast lawns]

Funny you should say that Mariner, I have a 32" Poly Spiker/Spreader that I have used a couple of times. Works pretty good for what I need. I use it to spread Fertilizer and Aerate at the same time.

Thanks for all the imput guys. I am new to this and I'm trying to get all the information I can. I am up to 11 Accounts so far and hoping to grow. I think if I get a few more I will have to upgrade my equipment.

Can anybody offer advise on what services I am allowed to offer under a "Public Service" License and a "Lawn Service/Landscaping" License here in Florida.

I know I cant put down any kind of weed and feed or pesticide, unless bought and provided by the customer, but what about:

Irrigation Maintenance
Irrigation installs
Sod installs

Also I believe the "Public Service" License allows me to do handyman work, But what does the state consider "miner repairs" I have a customer that wants me to install Tile and pour a small 5X8 cement pad. I know how to do this kind of work, I've been in the construction industry my whole life. I just cant seem to find out the information I need. I have checked all the laws and statutes and they are pretty broad based and when I call to ask someone I just get "I'm not sure" or "You have to call someone else" etc. etc.

Sorry this is so long but I just have a lot of questions

Thanks for all your responses though