Push Mowing Niche Market For Part-Time/Start Up. Advise/Thoughts?

Mowmanks · Mar 26, 2013

I already have a full time job with a lawn care company but looking to make extra money by offering a 'push mow only' lawn service. I'll be going on my sixth year as a landscaper/mower and have plenty of experience mowing.
I don't have a lot of money to buy nice equipment. So I thought I could appeal to a certain customer base by doing a push mow only service.
I know some people do not like having the heavier mowers because they can leave ruts and most operators, atleast in my experience, never fully pick up how mow a yard without tearing up grass on turns and sharp corners leaving the yard tore up at the end of the year after going over it week after week.
I not only hope to keep cost down but I think it sounds better to customers who think I chose to do push mow only service because I want to accommodate them instead of a broke guy out there trying to make a few extra dollars.
What I was wanting help with is how should I advertise it to people? How do I convince them what I'm doing is better? How do I get that across on a flier with writing out a hundred words? Also, should I mention other types of work I could like trimming bushes or should I just focus on mowing to bring customers in and go from there?

mowerman05 · Mar 26, 2013

I think push mowing only is a great idea. Alot of my customers dont like the zturn in there yard so I use a walk behind. how to advertise? good luck and keep mowing.

lawnguy1 · Mar 26, 2013

Mowmanks, I actually have a lot of clients who prefer push mowing. First of all, I want to labor the point that using push mowers DOES NOT make your service look inferior to others. In fact, with some clients ( especially older people) you will get more respect in the opinion that they admire the fact you're going about it that way. Secondly, if you are only using push I want to offer some advice that proved very tangible for me a while back.. Target neighborhoods with post stamp yards and offer a neighborhood special on the flyer explaining that if you get enough clients you can provide a lower cost.. this works as they will talk to eachother and basically promote ur service for you. Thirdly, if you're going to use a push mower commercially you have to make sure to maintenance it consistently, major emphasis on air filter! Good luck! I think you'll do fine

Carscw · Mar 26, 2013

I only push mow. I have found over the years that if you get into a subdivision with nice yards that the homeowners want there yard groomed not just mowed you will do very well. Most homeowners do not mind paying more money for a well groomed yard.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Carscw · Mar 26, 2013

IMO I have never saw a yard that was cut with a big mower look good. There is always fat tire tracks.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Ric · Mar 26, 2013

Mowmanks said:
I already have a full time job with a lawn care company but looking to make extra money by offering a 'push mow only' lawn service. I'll be going on my sixth year as a landscaper/mower and have plenty of experience mowing.
I don't have a lot of money to buy nice equipment. So I thought I could appeal to a certain customer base by doing a push mow only service.
I know some people do not like having the heavier mowers because they can leave ruts and most operators, atleast in my experience, never fully pick up how mow a yard without tearing up grass on turns and sharp corners leaving the yard tore up at the end of the year after going over it week after week.
I not only hope to keep cost down but I think it sounds better to customers who think I chose to do push mow only service because I want to accommodate them instead of a broke guy out there trying to make a few extra dollars.
What I was wanting help with is how should I advertise it to people? How do I convince them what I'm doing is better? How do I get that across on a flier with writing out a hundred words? Also, should I mention other types of work I could like trimming bushes or should I just focus on mowing to bring customers in and go from there?

I agree with what you are trying to do. I also agree that the push mower gives a better cut and that there is a market for your attempting to make some extra money, but the problem with doing it commercially is ( TIME ) If I were to attempt what you are suggesting, the mowers I would use would be the Toro TurfMaster 30" or The Exmark 30" Other wise I can't see how you can do enough lawns commercially in a day to have or run a business with just a push mower. JMO.

lawnguy1 · Mar 26, 2013

Ten small yards at 25 each is 250 a day though. I mean if you bust your hump you can may make it work

Mowmanks · Mar 26, 2013

I'm definitely not trying to get into big commercial accounts. Looking to target small/medium sized yards that I could mow in 30min or so.

Lawnguy1 thanks for your suggestion on giving neighborhood discounts. Sounds like a great idea to me. Gets the people talking and would save time and money staying in one area opposed to moving from place to place.

Ric · Mar 26, 2013

lawnguy1 said:
Ten small yards at 25 each is 250 a day though. I mean if you bust your hump you can may make it work

Yeah I agree, if you bust your hump you can may make it work, but that's a lot of hours a day if your doing trimming, edging and blowing off. The way I look at it is if it could be done on a day in day out basis I think you would see every guy or lawncare business that pulls a trailer with just push mowers.

Carscw · Mar 26, 2013

The thing with doing yards with a push mower is your not going to do the big yards that pay $25 your going to do the smaller yards that will pay $45
I see guys cutting a 1/4 acre yard with a 50 inch ztr all the time for $15. $20 you can go in that neighborhood and take most of his yards and charge $40.

Stripe nice straight lines

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Push Mowing Niche Market For Part-Time/Start Up. Advise/Thoughts?

More options

Mowmanks

Forum Newbie

mowerman05

Well-Known Member

lawnguy1

Member

Carscw

Lawn Pro

Carscw

Lawn Pro

Ric

Lawn Pro

lawnguy1

Member

Mowmanks

Forum Newbie

Ric

Lawn Pro

Carscw

Lawn Pro

Footer Links 1

Footer Links 2