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Newbie needs a starting boost!
#1
P
PyhooyaBooya
P
PyhooyaBooya
I am new to the mowing game so forgive my ignorance. I have a full time job with benefits and all that good jazz, but I would like to start a mowing business. I would like to just do this part time until it can support itself. Most of the yards around my neighborhood are small, and could probably be mowed by a push mower. I guess my real questions are:
1. Should I buy a $100 push mower from wal-mart as a starter? Or should I save up and buy a commercial toro push mower?
2. Considering I don't have a trailer, I don't imagine I should go for a zero-turn mower yet...am I right?
3. Do I need a string trimmer or a leaf blower right at first?
4. What are my first steps? What is the order that I should start buying things?
1. Should I buy a $100 push mower from wal-mart as a starter? Or should I save up and buy a commercial toro push mower?
2. Considering I don't have a trailer, I don't imagine I should go for a zero-turn mower yet...am I right?
3. Do I need a string trimmer or a leaf blower right at first?
4. What are my first steps? What is the order that I should start buying things?
#2
Sprinkler Buddy
Sprinkler Buddy
Sounds like you need to work part-time with a lawn guy first, "Not Being Ugly Here", that's Twall's Job:laughing:. You would learn a lot and be able to answer all those questions and more.
Welcome and Good Luck!
Welcome and Good Luck!
#3
JDgreen
Your very first step: Do you have a customer base, for certain, that will make your investment in equipment worthwhile? How many customers? If you have a lot of them, buy a better, more sturdily built mower because that $125 mower (was at WM Saturday and that is the cheapest they sell there) will give poor service.
JDgreen
I am new to the mowing game so forgive my ignorance. I have a full time job with benefits and all that good jazz, but I would like to start a mowing business. I would like to just do this part time until it can support itself. Most of the yards around my neighborhood are small, and could probably be mowed by a push mower. I guess my real questions are:
1. Should I buy a $100 push mower from wal-mart as a starter? Or should I save up and buy a commercial toro push mower?
2. Considering I don't have a trailer, I don't imagine I should go for a zero-turn mower yet...am I right?
3. Do I need a string trimmer or a leaf blower right at first?
4. What are my first steps? What is the order that I should start buying things?
Your very first step: Do you have a customer base, for certain, that will make your investment in equipment worthwhile? How many customers? If you have a lot of them, buy a better, more sturdily built mower because that $125 mower (was at WM Saturday and that is the cheapest they sell there) will give poor service.
#4
Ric
I think my first question would be, How serious are you about starting a Mowing Business. If you are step one would be to get a license. Step two would be to find a Lawn Mower dealer in your area and stay away from Wally World, because as someone else mentioned anything you buy from them will not last.
Depending on how serious you are about the business should determine how much money you should spend. As far as what you need or should buy first, everything you stated above and more, you can use the list in my signature below as an example of what is needed as far as equipment.
As I said if you're serious you buy hand held equipment that will last and that can take an all day beating like Stihl or Echo (my preference) and there are some others out there that will do the job as well, you'll spend more up front but it will save you big in the long run. You can go the Home Depot route and buy throw away stuff and replace it every time you turn around.
Mowers on the other hand are a personal preference for everyone and my choice for a self propelled mower would be Honda, the things last forever. If you get to point and have enough clients a good ZTR IMO is the only way to go, it can save you a ton of time and in business time is money.
Remember The equipment you buy makes you money and down time for equipment repair or replacement can not only cost you money for repairs but it can cost you clients as well.
Ric
I am new to the mowing game so forgive my ignorance. I have a full time job with benefits and all that good jazz, but I would like to start a mowing business. I would like to just do this part time until it can support itself. Most of the yards around my neighborhood are small, and could probably be mowed by a push mower. I guess my real questions are:
1. Should I buy a $100 push mower from wal-mart as a starter? Or should I save up and buy a commercial toro push mower?
2. Considering I don't have a trailer, I don't imagine I should go for a zero-turn mower yet...am I right?
3. Do I need a string trimmer or a leaf blower right at first?
4. What are my first steps? What is the order that I should start buying things?
I think my first question would be, How serious are you about starting a Mowing Business. If you are step one would be to get a license. Step two would be to find a Lawn Mower dealer in your area and stay away from Wally World, because as someone else mentioned anything you buy from them will not last.
Depending on how serious you are about the business should determine how much money you should spend. As far as what you need or should buy first, everything you stated above and more, you can use the list in my signature below as an example of what is needed as far as equipment.
As I said if you're serious you buy hand held equipment that will last and that can take an all day beating like Stihl or Echo (my preference) and there are some others out there that will do the job as well, you'll spend more up front but it will save you big in the long run. You can go the Home Depot route and buy throw away stuff and replace it every time you turn around.
Mowers on the other hand are a personal preference for everyone and my choice for a self propelled mower would be Honda, the things last forever. If you get to point and have enough clients a good ZTR IMO is the only way to go, it can save you a ton of time and in business time is money.
Remember The equipment you buy makes you money and down time for equipment repair or replacement can not only cost you money for repairs but it can cost you clients as well.
#5
P
PyhooyaBooya
P
PyhooyaBooya
I am serious about starting the business. I just know that I would be foolish to jump in head first and tie myself up in a huge loan for a mower. Like I said I would just like to do it part time until it can pay for itself to be full time. I did do a little looking around at the local shop. It is the only outdoor equipment store within 30 minutes. They sell Toro mowers and Stihl products. I have read that it is not as important about the name of the machine, rather the service I am able to get.
Here's the deal...I don't have anyone signing up to have me mow for them yet. I figure I had better not just start asking people if I can mow for them and then tell them I will start in a month. So basically I am just wondering if I should buy a $125 and make it make me the money to buy a $500 toro push, or just go for the gusto (while I don't have a secure customer base).
I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick.
Here's the deal...I don't have anyone signing up to have me mow for them yet. I figure I had better not just start asking people if I can mow for them and then tell them I will start in a month. So basically I am just wondering if I should buy a $125 and make it make me the money to buy a $500 toro push, or just go for the gusto (while I don't have a secure customer base).
I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick.
#6
Sprinkler Buddy
Sprinkler Buddy
"I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick."
He may be or you told him your plans for the future upfront.:laughing: He doesn't want anymore competition around his business. I'm sure there are others, keep your future goals to yourself for now, "Very Few" lawn guys will be willing to train their own competition. Some like me would, but not many. Good Luck!
He may be or you told him your plans for the future upfront.:laughing: He doesn't want anymore competition around his business. I'm sure there are others, keep your future goals to yourself for now, "Very Few" lawn guys will be willing to train their own competition. Some like me would, but not many. Good Luck!
#7
Ric
You are correct don't finance anything, that's something you don't want is payments. I don't know if I'd go with a $125 mower or not but as long as you don't have a secure customer base. Can you line up a number of clients? Do you have a set price per lawn? Possibly if you can do those things it mite tell you how much you could spend on a mower. A suggestion would be to check the local craigslist in your area and see if you could pick up some equipment used. You can sometimes pick up some good stuff cheap.
:laughing::laughing: Yea I can Agree with that, some of those guys think there $hit don't stink.
Ric
I am serious about starting the business. I just know that I would be foolish to jump in head first and tie myself up in a huge loan for a mower. Like I said I would just like to do it part time until it can pay for itself to be full time. I did do a little looking around at the local shop. It is the only outdoor equipment store within 30 minutes. They sell Toro mowers and Stihl products. I have read that it is not as important about the name of the machine, rather the service I am able to get.
Here's the deal...I don't have anyone signing up to have me mow for them yet. I figure I had better not just start asking people if I can mow for them and then tell them I will start in a month. So basically I am just wondering if I should buy a $125 and make it make me the money to buy a $500 toro push, or just go for the gusto (while I don't have a secure customer base).
I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick.
You are correct don't finance anything, that's something you don't want is payments. I don't know if I'd go with a $125 mower or not but as long as you don't have a secure customer base. Can you line up a number of clients? Do you have a set price per lawn? Possibly if you can do those things it mite tell you how much you could spend on a mower. A suggestion would be to check the local craigslist in your area and see if you could pick up some equipment used. You can sometimes pick up some good stuff cheap.
I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick.
:laughing::laughing: Yea I can Agree with that, some of those guys think there $hit don't stink.
#8
P
PyhooyaBooya
P
PyhooyaBooya
That lawn guy I know...he doesn't know anything of my apserations....he's just kind of a prick. lol
I have done a little bit of looking of craigslist, even picked up a weedeater and a lawn mower for $5. Neither of which work btw. I am no mechanic, just a professional parts installer.
So what would you say my first step is? Picking up customers? If so, how would you approach it? Do I just need to knock on doors and ask if they want there lawn mowed? If they said yes I would feel dumb because I couldn't do it.
Maybe I do too much online research lol. If only I had some money I would just shut up and buy a darn mower and then go mow with it.
I have done a little bit of looking of craigslist, even picked up a weedeater and a lawn mower for $5. Neither of which work btw. I am no mechanic, just a professional parts installer.
So what would you say my first step is? Picking up customers? If so, how would you approach it? Do I just need to knock on doors and ask if they want there lawn mowed? If they said yes I would feel dumb because I couldn't do it.
Maybe I do too much online research lol. If only I had some money I would just shut up and buy a darn mower and then go mow with it.
#9
Ric
Instead of knocking on doors you mite try looking on line at Vista print and having some Business cards made, there cheap. In-fact my first order of 250 cards was free because I was a new customer. I had my first order within like five days. The last order I got was 10.97 for 250 glossy finish business cards and I got 150 Return address labels free, with shipping total was 19.97. You can pick the design and print what ever you want on the card.
I just slid them in doors and walked away and before I knew I had 13 customers. BTW you can never do to much research.
Ric
That lawn guy I know...he doesn't know anything of my apserations....he's just kind of a prick. lol
I have done a little bit of looking of craigslist, even picked up a weedeater and a lawn mower for $5. Neither of which work btw. I am no mechanic, just a professional parts installer.
So what would you say my first step is? Picking up customers? If so, how would you approach it? Do I just need to knock on doors and ask if they want there lawn mowed? If they said yes I would feel dumb because I couldn't do it.
Maybe I do too much online research lol. If only I had some money I would just shut up and buy a darn mower and then go mow with it.
Instead of knocking on doors you mite try looking on line at Vista print and having some Business cards made, there cheap. In-fact my first order of 250 cards was free because I was a new customer. I had my first order within like five days. The last order I got was 10.97 for 250 glossy finish business cards and I got 150 Return address labels free, with shipping total was 19.97. You can pick the design and print what ever you want on the card.
I just slid them in doors and walked away and before I knew I had 13 customers. BTW you can never do to much research.
#10
W
WormsLawnCare
I'm 28 years old I started off working with 2 guys that had over 100 business accounts! I worked with them 6 years, after year 4 I got into the business, they gave me a handful of yards that they didn't want. From there I gained a reputation, I posted in local paper and got Alot of elderly people Wichita was good Bc they know Alot of people! It's always nice to work and learn the ends and outs to making the job look professional and doing it in a timely matter! Gl
W
WormsLawnCare
Sprinkler Buddy said:"I would like to go part time with one of the local crews, but the only one I know on a semi-personal level is kind of a prick."
He may be or you told him your plans for the future upfront.:laughing: He doesn't want anymore competition around his business. I'm sure there are others, keep your future goals to yourself for now, "Very Few" lawn guys will be willing to train their own competition. Some like me would, but not many. Good Luck!
I'm 28 years old I started off working with 2 guys that had over 100 business accounts! I worked with them 6 years, after year 4 I got into the business, they gave me a handful of yards that they didn't want. From there I gained a reputation, I posted in local paper and got Alot of elderly people Wichita was good Bc they know Alot of people! It's always nice to work and learn the ends and outs to making the job look professional and doing it in a timely matter! Gl
#11
JDgreen
Excellent advice and input from one who obviously knows the issue. Congratulations of your success !!
"A handful of yards they didn't want...." :confused2:
Slow payers, fussy customers, homeowners telling them what to do....??? Why didn't they want the yard work at those places?
JDgreen
I'm 28 years old I started off working with 2 guys that had over 100 business accounts! I worked with them 6 years, after year 4 I got into the business, they gave me a handful of yards that they didn't want. From there I gained a reputation, I posted in local paper and got Alot of elderly people Wichita was good Bc they know Alot of people! It's always nice to work and learn the ends and outs to making the job look professional and doing it in a timely matter! Gl
Excellent advice and input from one who obviously knows the issue. Congratulations of your success !!
"A handful of yards they didn't want...." :confused2:
Slow payers, fussy customers, homeowners telling them what to do....??? Why didn't they want the yard work at those places?
#13
C
C&R Lawn Care
C
C&R Lawn Care
Hey booya
I am also in the lawn care industry and its a cut throat biz. Out there one thing imo is appearance and are you on time when bidding on work.
After you land the job give the customer the BEST quality all the time and you will GROW greatly.
I also have a full time job and a lawn care company.
Now for equipment Craigslist and other lawn care company are your friend lol. For instance I just bought a 44 inch toro walk behind commercial mower that needed minor work for 150.00 off Craigslist this weekend and I call other local company's seeing if there where selling any older equipment and picked up a nice echo trimmer.
One more thing is get your insurance for the biz. Very important
Hope this helped. Good luck.
I am also in the lawn care industry and its a cut throat biz. Out there one thing imo is appearance and are you on time when bidding on work.
After you land the job give the customer the BEST quality all the time and you will GROW greatly.
I also have a full time job and a lawn care company.
Now for equipment Craigslist and other lawn care company are your friend lol. For instance I just bought a 44 inch toro walk behind commercial mower that needed minor work for 150.00 off Craigslist this weekend and I call other local company's seeing if there where selling any older equipment and picked up a nice echo trimmer.
One more thing is get your insurance for the biz. Very important
Hope this helped. Good luck.
Attachments
#14
L
LandN
my opinion would be to find a way to haul all your equipment around,you say you have no trailer?.I hope you at least have a truck.if you intend to push your mower and carry your equipment to the neighborhood yards,you are going to run out of time and energy especially when fall time comes and the days are shorter....anyway after you get that part done,the small yards that you say you are going to cut should be able to do with a 22" high quality mower/blower/trimmer.and yes they should all be bought at one time....getting customers is tricky stuff. the ole' stand-by fliers/door knocking/business cards/phone calls/signs/ads/etc,etc. or... you can 'think outside the box' be creative,be different than your competition..dont be the 'also ran':smile:
L
LandN
I am new to the mowing game so forgive my ignorance. I have a full time job with benefits and all that good jazz, but I would like to start a mowing business. I would like to just do this part time until it can support itself. Most of the yards around my neighborhood are small, and could probably be mowed by a push mower. I guess my real questions are:
1. Should I buy a $100 push mower from wal-mart as a starter? Or should I save up and buy a commercial toro push mower?
2. Considering I don't have a trailer, I don't imagine I should go for a zero-turn mower yet...am I right?
3. Do I need a string trimmer or a leaf blower right at first?
4. What are my first steps? What is the order that I should start buying things?
my opinion would be to find a way to haul all your equipment around,you say you have no trailer?.I hope you at least have a truck.if you intend to push your mower and carry your equipment to the neighborhood yards,you are going to run out of time and energy especially when fall time comes and the days are shorter....anyway after you get that part done,the small yards that you say you are going to cut should be able to do with a 22" high quality mower/blower/trimmer.and yes they should all be bought at one time....getting customers is tricky stuff. the ole' stand-by fliers/door knocking/business cards/phone calls/signs/ads/etc,etc. or... you can 'think outside the box' be creative,be different than your competition..dont be the 'also ran':smile:
#15
W
WormsLawnCare
Jdgreen they hate leaf holes or yards out of there path? I and they have over 100 business account that pay better than residential, they only do high end ever week accounts. Some I get are every other week! But it still adds up and pays help! As long as I turn a profit I'll take them!
W
WormsLawnCare
JDgreen said:Excellent advice and input from one who obviously knows the issue. Congratulations of your success !!
"A handful of yards they didn't want...." :confused2:
Slow payers, fussy customers, homeowners telling them what to do....??? Why didn't they want the yard work at those places?
Jdgreen they hate leaf holes or yards out of there path? I and they have over 100 business account that pay better than residential, they only do high end ever week accounts. Some I get are every other week! But it still adds up and pays help! As long as I turn a profit I'll take them!