start-up company

[avelli2000]

I am planning to start a lawn service company next year and I have a few questions. The neighborhoods I intend to target have very small properties that average 40X100ft. Is it possible to do 50 houses per week and still maintain a 40 hr/week job? I'd prefer to work alone, but would not have a problem picking up a helper if needed. I have been all over the net and have not been able to find a price on a Mitsubishi Fuso dump truck. If anybody knows about what they cost I'd love to know before I go to the dealer. I hope to get a dump truck and pull my machines in an enclosed trailer behind it.

Thanks,

Paul

[Phil Nilsson]

reply

If you can get a minimum price set up for the small yards this can be VERY profitable. Pocket gardens/lawns (can) produce up to $100 an hour return believe it or not especially if they are row houses or the like. In places like Brooklyn, New York doing the real small yards, they mow, edge, blow, do weeds, fert apps and do very well at it. Some are able to park the truck and leave it parked. At only 4,000 square feet, you may not need a helper UNLESS all yards are close together where the main mower goes ahead of the helper. Smaller yards clustered together have a tendency to want to have a "manicured" look with color in the beds.