Starting a lawn care lawn mowing or landscaping business tips and guidelines

[XXWRD2BIGBRDXX]

apartment complexes are pretty good money, on decent sized places i make around $400 a cut, that and convalescent homes too

[hpt3030]

why you so smart

[stlgp314]

sound desperate for views helping people should be your first priority and the views will come and i started my landscaping business with a broke mower that cut like a champ an weed eater only thing u need is heart an driven i generate now over five grand a month an its my first season ......p.s. i did not watch the whole video it sucks u must be hand on an show some better stuff than that..............ybbm......st­l .Missouri

[1EVILZ06]

Your a D bag!

[1208hispanicpr]

Thanks, these tips are useful! i wanna add one more: i've been using SalesVu to charge my clients and is wonderful, it's an app you first download for free from salesvu.com and then they send you an small device you need to add to ur iphone/ipad and start accepting cards, checks or cash..is that easy and it highly increased my income thanks to being able to accept any type of payment..check it!

[greenlawn98]

U would loose time if u rent a storage complex

[ThaRealHipHop2008]

Quick question for you guys:

I want to start my own lawn care/landscaping buisness in Montreal Canada. This city is called by alot of poeple, "Little New York"... Most of the housing here is are multiple unit properties... how do you go about marketing large property owners?

Thx, Steph

[stlouissux9119]

@ThaRealHipHop2008 It's a proccess of bidding. Lowest bid with the best services for it typically takes it. Talk to the property manager to find out how to bid on it.

[Aboutmyself22]

i have three companies to compete with. do you have any tips to beat them on contracts?

[VlogCountry]

Part 2: thanks I would really appreciate it and you seem to be a very good role model for me, also I have 2 communities next to mine who don't have mowing services...thoughts, thanks your greatly appreciated

[VlogCountry]

Hey great video, can you tell us a little more about how you started your company, financially, how many brochures, where did you hand out your brochures, etc. Also if possible (this may take awhile) can you write out these tips on word and put a download link in the description? BTW I'm going to be a freshman in High-school coming September and I have 200 dollars, I basically have no equipment and my community already has a landcare provider who do the basics such as adding mulch, mowing, etc

[Aboutmyself22]

hi, im still in highschool but i want to expand the several houses i do now to a full time legit career, no college. should i buy a pickup truck and transport the equiptment in that or buy a trailer to put it in.

[stlouissux9119]

@Aboutmyself22 Truck and trailer both have their benefits. Personally i'd reccomend a truck with a good quality ramp (atleast 400 bucks). You don't have to deal with a trailer and storage is cheap... you're driveway. Only thing a pickup lacks that a trailer has is that ramp and if you put a quality one on you're in good shape. Trailers are nice and low to the ground but you have to deal with servicing another machine and bringing them around town can be a pain. Just my opinion though.

[VaMoneyCow]

I am about to start a lawn care business. my first fiscal year is going to be a no profit year. I have a budget of 20,000 to cover the year with all equipment ready to go. I am only providing basic service for free such as mowing, triming and edging of course clean up. the first year is to eliminate all competition or do the best i can of it then with my year of free customers i'll turn them over to paying customers and expand to several 4 man crews. profits will be 250K+ on the following year.

[stlouissux9119]

@VaMoneyCow Never heard about an approach like that before, Let me know how it goes.

[VaMoneyCow]

@stlouissux9119 Will do! good video by the way, a lot of helpful tips...

[LuckyCharms432]

@VaMoneyCow lots of talking no walking. a dime a dozen. "good luck"

[VaMoneyCow]

@LuckyCharms432 It's friday the 1st day of july. ive cut 5 yards so far and ive put $100 in my pocket thus far, yes I am doing this for free. with 20K at start and almost three weeks in I have only used $40 from that amount. I am bringing in tips without asking and have gained around 20 customers to pay weekly. I only have one helper and I am able to pay him out of the tips I am making. I do talk a lot and I think i need some new walking shoes, these are getting worn!!

[piper414]

honestly, thats brilliant lol. i have never heard of that approach before also. But it sounds interesting and I hope it goes well!

[patif35]

So true about quality. My dad gave me a honda hr214 mower last year that he used every week for ten years and his dad used it every week for eleven years and I've used every week for 5 months,so it's 22 years old. My neighbor who mows half with me has a crappy mower that he got last year. I have never had to repair anything on mine, but he has had two huge problems with his. Haha

[uzipolo]

last and certaly not least on these post that saythey only got 1-20 clients...THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE..in 2 months with just those few pointers you should have 100 minium..that you CUT BYYOURSELF..imean look at it...you can cut 7-8 people a day times..7 thats 56 people 56..now here comes next week you got the remaider of the hundresd..now we got two weeks left..well guess what..we gotourregulars,our repeats,our newbies, our commercial bids,word of mouth,etc..GET MONEY!

[uzipolo]

pt. there is talk of newtworking to market yourbusines,,, welp DO THISYOURSELF..create your own job fair, your own after party network,,where people come to the bar, club..any location..sit drink..pass out flyers and business cards..this is your idea that will put your business in motion dont look to find a networking event..BUILD ONE BE A LEADER...

[uzipolo]

pt.3<<<just get a cam corder from HSN or QVC..and i mean a HIGH TECH 2001 one for 100-200 a month TOPS..download the free trail software/editing softwaree...and post it on youtube,,then post it on your website,facebook,twitter, and eventually make a DVD to give to your future clients

[uzipolo]

pt.2 then when iget a call or look at my schedule for my newbies, clintle,referals,repeats, etc..then guess who gets to cut the lawn..i also want to add tot his that i really dont hear all the lawnscaping blogs tal kabout is to doYOUR OWN COMMERCIAL

[uzipolo]

let me just say this was a excellent video but the one thing that stuck out the most was the thought of having 2 storage houses at one time once your business expands to save on gas cost..i too thought of this when i will start my lawn care business next year so while i didnt have the storage place concept in mind i did go hand and hand of what you are talking about which is store the equipment for one of my trusted workers

[yingyang101000]

I cut 12 lawns per week and I am 15. Start out by asking neighboors who are familiar with you. Then other people will notice. Offer an affordable price due to the lawns size and show them how much precision you have at cutting grass. Keep records of how ofter you cut. I cut right before the weekend. Finally, make sure you have the right equipment such as mower (of course), weed wacker, and blower. I edge the lawns every other week. Hope these couple pointers help! GET MONEY!

[KHank1995]

I only have one yard... ive been doing the same one for the past 3 years, I passed out flyers to at least 30 houses and got none ):

[stlouissux9119]

@ANDREWsLAWNcare Douche bag

[PRRK4Lover]

Do you do any hardscaping?

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks much! Let me know if you need anymore tips!

[GrendelsWish]

0:13 Thanks. I almost wasted my time with this video. Good looking out, bro.

[juantt2005]

Good tips but I turned it off because I got bored.

[dj1996mc]

hi i have an 2007 420 4x4 atv with plow i plow and lawn care i have a 4x7 trailer with walk behind i pull with my atv just fine but i got like 5 lawns and all the ppl in my narborhood are cheep

[mag1381]

the reason iv got so many clients is beacause i let my clents pay me how they want to dont make ur clients feel trapped ive got 30 clients and im 18 iv learned no contracts to unless its a big commercial company if u need more advice let me know

[stlouissux9119]

You let them price themselves?

[mag1381]

@stlouissux9119 no i price them but i do not make them sign a contract either by cash or check it makes them feel less trapped 

[bigtaker5]

@mag1381 i am 14 and i have 1 client and i want to expand but nobody will accept me.please email me back at bfh1768@yahoo.com

[jonesbrent85]

how many lanws do you cut

[stlouissux9119]

Offseason now. Probably about 30 next season.

[undercoverangel4331]

What did u do to get customers when u first started? Was it hard? I am thinking about starting my own lawncare business as well...Thanx for the video..

[stlouissux9119]

Check out my other videos I say how. Basically its advertising efforts and word of mouth

[heidilee0000]

You should get a landscaping business website if you want to get customers quickly as well as appear professional. landscaping-websites,com has inexpensive landscape business websites.

[stlouissux9119]

I have a website and went through a private company. Thanks for the comment.

[steptwofreedom]

paying for advertising you thing is good? they charge $250 for 17 weeks, they put a flyer on every single house, I think is good but I know you have good experience thank you, hey you are good.

[deivon23]

Thanks for the video it is very helpful and provides great info. I have a question. I want to start a lawn care business in the next month. I have $2500 in capital and a truck. Please tell me what exactly do I purchase. Thanks alot for the help

[stlouissux9119]

Get clients, Start small without a trailer use the bed of a pickup use a walkbehind (they make them anywhere from 21" to 42"+) a weedwacker and a blower. As you gain customers you'll need a trailer a ZTR etc.

[ryan2546]

pay in advance? $30 a cut time 30 weeks about $950 in front thats alot!? Can you help/ correct me how would i approach them in saying that or what do you do?

[stlouissux9119]

Have them pay monthly or do a longtime contract.

[ryan2546]

@stlouissux9119 longtime contract?

[stlouissux9119]

You set the terms.

[supertechnologydude]

I was wandering if I only do residential is it good to get a zero-turn radius mower? I only ask because my grandaparents have given me $25,000 to spend on equpiment so I just want the best value for my money! Thanks

[stlouissux9119]

Yes get a smaller one though. Those are good for residential.

[zZzPoPTaRTzZz]

made 200 dollers a week from the bank for mowing a for sale home that was on the market for 2 years.. then someone bought it and now im mowing my neighborhood and making 120 a week and im 13

[backwoods223]

Very good tips! Especially about using a push mower for residential yards. It definitely will slow you down using a riding mower on small yards. If you do straight lines in the yard with a push mower it looks so much better. I used to work for a very successful lawn care business a few years ago so I know some things, but this has definitely helped refresh my memory and helped me get a little better understanding on the lawn care business. Thanks for taking the time to help! 5 Stars for you!

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks and yeah I figured that out with the Riding Mower the hard way. A good looking yard of your own also helps if the people know where you live,

No problem

And Thanks,

-Stlouissux9119

[b4rk4t7h3m00n]

If i'm just starting and only doing residential, is it ok just to mow? Meaning, i have a push mower with no bag catcher, however it cuts so fine that its not noticeable and i've heard its healthy for the grass to leave clippings for aeration (?) Or do i simply just need to invest in a bag catcher? Also is weed eating an optional service or something most people expect with the job? Sorry im new to all of this...

[stlouissux9119]

Weed eating is pretty much expected and mulching is reccomended but some people will insist on having the lawn bagged. Explain to them the benefits of mulching but you still may need to invest in a bagger. You have to start somewhere though.

[1promotespot]

Where did you find a ramp for your truck so cheap. I think you said it was around 40 dollars. And how many residential yards did you start off with.

[stlouissux9119]

Ramps to raise the tractor off the ground are about 40 bucks. Truck ramps are anywhere from 40-100+. I started with about 6 residentials

[detroitgothgirl]

The only thing we want to know is: how do you determine the rates you will use? You obviously can't charge a flat rate for all size yards...so what is the average rate per size yard/land? Or how do you find that info?

Everybody says "factor in equipment costs, gas, labor, etc." but...for small one-two man business doing residential accounts?

[stlouissux9119]

Well you have to look at a variety of factors including incline, obstacles, and how far out of the way the house is. Then determine a rate and measure the yard. You can also do a test ride on your ZTR and see how long that takes, then factor in Trimming, Edging, Blowing, ETC. Just like everybodys answer be sure to factor in all the regular costs.

[dmaninpg]

I'm actually in the suburban Atlanta area. I have a full time job so the only time I will have is on the weekends. Since Im just starting out, do you think that will turn away potential customers by being limited to the weekends? Am I limited to just redsidential? Thanks for your help!

[stlouissux9119]

Theres is positives and negatives to this of course. For the residentials its a somewhat positive for some because they can be home to inspect the work and YOU get payed up front cash which helps with Tax's and not getting ripped off. On the other hand it will be hard to get some commercials because they like work done very fast on weekdays. When you're first starting out it will probably be good to start with residential and then build up enough money to expand buy a ZTR and go commercial.

[dmaninpg]

I am currently renting a town home. Have a Dodge Ram 1500. With only the ability to carry a push mower, do you recommend purchasing a trailer? If so, where would I store it?

[stlouissux9119]

If its a full size bed you can buy 40 dollar ramps and put a tractor up there otherwise a small trailer would do. Look for warehouses in the area and see if they'll rent you out a small corner dont go to the rental places unless you have to.

[dmaninpg]

Thanks! I just got permission from the office manager of my fulltime job to store the equipment at one of our warehouses! I thought that was pretty cool of him.

[stlouissux9119]

Deffinetaly. Any questions just let me know and i'll do the best to help ya out.

[reptile411]

How much do you personally make doing it?

[stlouissux9119]

It varies a lot.

[onemoreman7]

Awesome info bro!

Thanks for sharing! Im 20, in college and trying to start a lawn care thing!

[stlouissux9119]

Good luck! Any questions just ask i'm uploading another video a followup to this with more tips. Check it out.

[JonnyTommyGuns]

This is a good video. I didn't think about the idea of taking pictures before and after the job or even having a website. Brilliant.

[stlouissux9119]

Yeah thanks for the comment. Any questions just ask.

[JonnyTommyGuns]

Yea. Besides equipment and fuel is there any other expenses I'm missing?

[stlouissux9119]

Depends. How bigs the business. You obviously have labor to pay for, repair rates, quoting costs money all depends on the size of the business. If your talking kid running business out of backyard then not really but otherwise you got taxes and all that other junk. How bigs the business?

[JonnyTommyGuns]

Well starting out it's just going to be me and if it goes good I will hire a few kids and grow from there. I would like it to someday be a big company.

[stlouissux9119]

Good luck. Any other questions just ask.

[changopeludo83]

Door knob bags???? Never heard about that. And no I can't do snow removal it never snows in central tx. Lol

[stlouissux9119]

Haha I dont know how to describe them. If you dont get what i'm talking about ill make a vid in a minute but basically they are plastic bags that have holes in them so you can put them on doors. Do you know what i'm talking about?

[changopeludo83]

Nice tips on the vid. Ok I'm trying to start my own bussiness so far I have tried the bussiness cards very professional looking. It shows the type of work I do and the starting price. It hasn't gone very well cuz I haven't received any calls so far not even to place a bid. So what's the best method of getting bussiness for a starting lawn care bussiness? Thank you

[stlouissux9119]

Well right now you might not get any bids not even a phone call because of the season. What I find is best is to specialize in an area. Take pictures and show these to potential customers. What works well is door knob bags and flyers inside. Once you have a few customers the word will get around. Do you plan on doing snow removal?

[changopeludo83]

Very nice tips on your vid.

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks

[GSmokeZ031]

hey I want to start a landscapping buissness I have a pick up truck and a trailer my question is do I need a lic.? I want to do it with my father since he knows something about this buissness.

Thank You

[stlouissux9119]

A liscense to pull the trailer or a liscense to have the company?

[jcmiller1994]

Thx alot yer a big help!

[jcmiller1994]

Hey man, like not trying to be a dick but how old are you? Because you only look like at the most 19 and you pretty much sound like you know what your talking about! I have been thinking about starting my own business in mowing and starting it with me and two of my good friends! That being because i am only 15 and need sum1 to drive! Where should i start? But anyways great video and amazing advice!

[stlouissux9119]

Well you should just start in the neighborhood if you cant drive in build up a rep. Then make a website very nicely designed with before and after pictures and customer testomonials. Then when you put out flyers include that website. That will be a great way to start as it will make you look very good but only use pictures you own.

[hondacl0n3]

i layed in new sod and it is real green and like it grew a foot long. but now MUSHROOMS are growing and spreading every where like crazy. how can i stop that? and what was the reason for that happening?

[stlouissux9119]

You need to get weed killer that doesnt kill grass also. I think TruGreen makes one or just hire a service.

[apny909]

wow wish you luck on your job nice tutorial ;)

[Patman5678]

cool looks like ya got some experience

[stlouissux9119]

Yeah thanks.

[stlouissux9119]

When you get to a higher level it wont be that way. When you're mowing a business complex it doesnt look good when you're using a mower that looks like it's going to fall apart.

[stlouissux9119]

When you expand you will understand. A guy with a old rusty toro is not going to be as trusted as a guy with a nice looking painted toro whose crew looks proffesional.

[mifan93]

i have my own biz and my cousin tried to do it too but he did a crappy job and got fired, he was a little cheeper than me but for 5 bucks more it makes a whole world of diff!!! knowlage beats price!!!!!

i tried using thoes vinal graphics on our truck and the county tried to make us register it as

a permanent work vehicle, so i use magnetic

sign!!!!

i do res work now but i am thinking about going all comers. but if i am going to loose money idk....tough times!!!!!

[stlouissux9119]

Are you saying you want to expand to more then residential? It's way different you have to "Bid" but if you price it right and you get the job the money and time that you save from traveling inbetween all the residentials is way more profitable then the equal number of residentials.

[mifan93]

well.....completely leaving it...going to all commercial no res

[mechanicojoe]

cool man, lots of good persuasive tips

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks.

[GarrettJDB]

those are good tips some i've never thought of some of the stuff you said

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks there will be a part 2 soon.

[cubcadetpuller]

thanks.

would you advise using old trashpicked equipment as opposed to secondhand or new?

[stlouissux9119]

What can you afford? If you can get better looking equipment but trashpicked is fine as long as it works good just make it looks a little better. Sand it and paint it to make it look good and you should be fine.

[cubcadetpuller]

i would pay as much as walmart gets for the mowers they get in.

the ones i get trash picked are almost all in good shape, they are mostly thrown out for mechanical problems like crapped up carbs, bad coils, or broken recoils. they all look good, ive been able to sell a few that were the best

[stlouissux9119]

Yeah especially if you're picking up honda's you can really do good its just when you show up with a rusted out 30 year old snapper its not too good.

[DomsLawnService]

Good tips!!

5 star

[stlouissux9119]

Thanks, Do you have anything else that I should add to the list? I am going to make a part 2 and I know you have a business. We learn from our mistakes.

[DomsLawnService]

I think you covered most of it

[stlouissux9119]

Alright look ahead to part 2 in the future.

[chevy700bug]

Thanks for the information. Helps

[stlouissux9119]

Yup are you interested in starting one? If so let me know and I can help you further.