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There are some new companies around here for landscaping. As much as I don't like competition, I tell myself that there are a lot of lawns to mow in one town and that one company cannot do them all. So, I do my best at having a personalised service at a reasonable price. I aint gonna work for chicken nuggets.

I agree competition is always good. I set my prices on what I need to make to cover my expenses and pay myself what I feel is right. If I can't do that I may as we'll pack it in and get a job with no headaches. I don't plan on getting rich, maybe make some if I ever sell.

I don't mind competition there plenty of lawns to go around. Besides most big companies wouldn't touch my lawns for the same price and most wouldn't do as good a job its the kid down the street and the unlicenced jackhole in a Toyota that are my major problems

lawnbarbers said:

I agree competition is always good. I set my prices on what I need to make to cover my expenses and pay myself what I feel is right. If I can't do that I may as we'll pack it in and get a job with no headaches. I don't plan on getting rich, maybe make some if I ever sell.

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I don't understand the "getting rich part". Are you saying doing landscaping doesn't pay?

exotion said:

I don't mind competition there plenty of lawns to go around. Besides most big companies wouldn't touch my lawns for the same price and most wouldn't do as good a job its the kid down the street and the unlicenced jackhole in a Toyota that are my major problems

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Well, having a big company is a little tricky, but with the right staff, you can still keep the quality.

exotion said:

I don't mind competition there plenty of lawns to go around. Besides most big companies wouldn't touch my lawns for the same price and most wouldn't do as good a job its the kid down the street and the unlicensed jackhole in a Toyota that are my major problems

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There are a lot of those Toyota type running around right now or advertising on CL but they never last to long and I wouldn't dare even guess how many are running around without a license. The thing is though you can find any number of big company's that don't do quality work, I don't know which is worse.

Wait a second!!! I drive a Toyota!

competition is thick around here too.......wages generally low in this part of the country so many get in because they hear they can make 30 an hour or more and work part time........no license or insurance sometimes.....if i will cut for 50 they will do it for 40 ......competition keeps us on top of our game but unfair competition [ no ins..license....etc ] only damages the industry

Lawnboy18 said:

I don't understand the "getting rich part". Are you saying doing landscaping doesn't pay? Well, having a big company is a little tricky, but with the right staff, you can still keep the quality.

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what I mean by the "getting rich" is I charge what I feel is fair to cover my overhead...I won't lowball to get the job...lawn maintenance is a service which means its a convinence and as long as people can afford the price they will and if they can't afford they will look for cheaper

lawnbarbers said:

what I mean by the "getting rich" is I charge what I feel is fair to cover my overhead...I won't lowball to get the job...lawn maintenance is a service which means its a convinence and as long as people can afford the price they will and if they can't afford they will look for cheaper

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Lol then they call me I want to make enough to be comfortable. Not interested in getting bigger. Don't want to hire anyone ill fill up my 7am to 4pm with as many houses as I can then stop

exotion said:

Lol then they call me I want to make enough to be comfortable. Not interested in getting bigger. Don't want to hire anyone ill fill up my 7am to 4pm with as many houses as I can then stop

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thats why being in business for yourself is the best!!! We all do our own thing and play a fair game...lol...I think that's the issue on price not everyone gets the right insurance follow the same laws...if the competition is charging lower I better find out what they are doing different to be able to charge less ...maybe I could make more doing the same work...but I won't lower my price..my crew is worth there hourly rate

exotion said:

Lol then they call me I want to make enough to be comfortable. Not interested in getting bigger. Don't want to hire anyone ill fill up my 7am to 4pm with as many houses as I can then stop

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I get just wanting to be content with working for yourself and by yourself, but what are you going to do when you're 50 years old and can't mow 20 yards a day. I hope you have a good 401K or and IRA or something set up for retirement.

LoCo86 said:

I get just wanting to be content with working for yourself and by yourself, but what are you going to do when you're 50 years old and can't mow 20 yards a day. I hope you have a good 401K or and IRA or something set up for retirement.

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lol that's the difference between owning a Lawn Cate business and buying yourself a job

LoCo86 said:

I get just wanting to be content with working for yourself and by yourself, but what are you going to do when you're 50 years old and can't mow 20 yards a day. I hope you have a good 401K or and IRA or something set up for retirement.

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My retirement is going to be rental properties. We are looking at one now pay them off in 30ish years and when I retire collect rent or sell. My children can have and do what they want with my business

LoCo86 said:

I get just wanting to be content with working for yourself and by yourself, but what are you going to do when you're 50 years old and can't mow 20 yards a day. I hope you have a good 401K or and IRA or something set up for retirement.

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It all depends on when and how you approach the business. I started my business at 50 yrs of age and I'm now 62. There's money to be made in Lawn-care and if you decide at say 20 yrs old that's what you want to do for a living be prepared to work because there's a lot of ups and downs. There are those of us that are content working for ourselves and making enough money to pay the bills and have a little extra to put in our pockets and then there are those that have the greed factor as I call it and can never make enough and will never be happy or content.

exotion said:

I don't mind competition there plenty of lawns to go around. Besides most big companies wouldn't touch my lawns for the same price and most wouldn't do as good a job its the kid down the street and the unlicenced jackhole in a Toyota that are my major problems

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Dude I drive a Toyota would never drive anything else
I am licensed and get along great with all the competition

It's not about the Toyota.. it just represents the Joe homeowner who shoves his craftsman mower in the back of his old Toyota and says I can make a buck and doesn't pay taxes and such

exotion said:

It's not about the Toyota.. it just represents the Joe homeowner who shoves his craftsman mower in the back of his old Toyota and says I can make a buck and doesn't pay taxes and such

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Haha! My Toy makes me lots of $$$$ hauling my ferris's. Soon to be bobcats!