trying to increase my revenue

[eddylc]

i run a small lawn service at the moment but from reading this site i would like to increase my revenue by adding pesticide applicatuions. is there a class of some kind that is required to get your liscense. i am in west virginia iwas just wondering what usually needs to be done and how much you can make on average with each application? i have learned more from this forum than icould imagine. thanks for any input.

[MASTERMOWER]

Call up your local county extension office and talk with them. They should be able to tell you all the information you need along with providing you with the essential publications to study from.

[viking72]

See; http://www.wvagriculture.org/Divisio...egulatory.html
Later,
Doug

[eddylc]

thanks for the advice

thanks for the advice mm and viking it was a big help i am going to look into itbecause i need to do something to try and compete in my area there is so many lowballers that i am going crazy.

[MortNuke]

I dunno, a lawn service in WV just seems like a bad choice. Lots of folks out there faking injuries to get on the government tit...perfect candidates for schleppin' a 21" on a cash-only basis. Kinda drags the prices into the mud.

The market tells YOU what it will bear, not the other way around.

Just my thoughts...

Mort

[eddylc]

i live in west virginia but i dont live in the sticks. my city is the third biggest in the state and the available yards in the subrbs seem to be endless in every direction but i live in the city so i try to stay close to my side of the river. there are people faking injuries everywhere and that is big problem for everybody no matter what the business im just trying to figure way other lawn pros use to make money and the chem apps seem to be pretty popular on the site. i have seen a chemlawn truck a few times when i have been out mowing(not sure what all they do) other than that i cant see where anybody else that is not advertising it anyway. west virginia is small but i would be happy to mow my cities grass. thanks for the input.

[MortNuke]

Good luck, my friend...

To give you a head start, chem apps are more profitable than mowing once you get enough clients to have a "route". Meaning, one fully equipped spray rig that can be kept in service performing applications each day of the week. That means ~150 customers dedicated to scheduled applications and upsells.

Jump in there...invest in a truck, spray rig, license, chemical supplies, water source, not to mention satisfying every Tom, Dick and Harry who sees a weed or brown spot and expects you out the next day to solve the issue (that is, if you have a clue as to which weed/fungus/pest/irrigation/nutrient/poison is the culprit, then supply an immediate remedy that won't devastate the turf).

My God, everyone thinks this is the Mother Lode of income. Folks read a little, dream a little, envy a little...but know nothing about business, or production AT A PROFIT. Then they work dirt cheap, pay no taxes, have no insurance, and run like the wind when a problem arises since they know nothing.

You see a chemlawn truck, but are not sure what all they do...yet you suspect you can do it better, cheaper, faster...despite their being one of the largest and most successful turf organization in the country. Simply whisk those endless suburbanites away with your golden tongue and in-depth knowledge derived from breathless posting with chatty "professionals" on a (fantastic, mind you...) lawnserviceforum. Ask yourself, where do these 20 post-per-day "Pro's" find the time to run a business? Hmmmm?

Looky here. You're in a bad market. You haven't a clue what to do. You laugh at ladies that mow for 1/3 the going rate in a GOOD MARKET, yet somehow feel you can entice her customers into paying much more for your...what? Shiny equipment? What do you have to offer? They'll laugh at your lofty prices and get the lady 12 more customers...so you can laugh a'plenty while sitting at home wondering what to charge should some WV fraud call (using their grandma's phone) to price shop mowing their yard on-the-cheap (wink wink!) while they are out of town trying to sell a '76 Pinto then going on a two week binge on the "profit".

"I am Insured." Don't Care.
"I pay taxes". Fine, Fine, more funding for my welfare and disability checks.
"My equipment is top-of-the-line". Ok, whatever Cheesy Rider...Now, HOW MUCH???

Harsh, I know. If you want something for nothing, try Credit Fraud - because (just like your offered services)...no one will pursue you. Or maybe the little ol' lady will hire you to run one of her 21" mower fleet once she corners the market. How does $7/hr sound?

Mort

[eddylc]

mortnuke i think you may need to ease up on the rum and maybe the coke to im not sure. i wasnt planning going out and spraqying with out knowing what i was doing. this is the reason i was asking if there is a class or some kind of training. i figured if you had to have licsence then there was some way of obtaining through education. i was just asking but you are right i did not know it was so indepth call me stupid i just seen on here the subject comes up alot about people spraying w/out license and did not want to be one. my equipment is not top of the line but i am debt free.

[MortNuke]

mortnuke i think you may need to ease up on the rum and maybe the coke to im not sure.

lol, just the coke.