You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Export thread
How Does one Compete with the Zero Turn Guys?
#1
davbell22602
davbell22602
I tried advertising in past for lawn mowing etc. I only got 2 calls and took both jobs. I dont have any zero turns but plenty of front riding mowers. So how does a guy with front engine riding mower compete with zero turn guys? How you know if your charging too much or not enough when mowing with riding mower? I see alot guys doing it in my area and dont see how I could draw in the business if started advertising again for lawn mowing.
#2
lawn mower fanatic
lawn mower fanatic
The key for me, only using push mowers, was to just start small an build your way up through word-of-mouth and quality work. I work primarily in 1 neighborhood, and was doing 25 lawns a week in the peak if the season. There are other professionals that have a few houses in the neighborhood, but it's gotten to the point that everyone knows me in the neighborhood.
#3
Ric
How do you want to compete? Are you talking about advertising or with equipment? You said you tried advertising, how did you advertise and what did you charge for the lawns you have. How far you want to take your business should dictate what you should have for equipment.
Ric
I tried advertising in past for lawn mowing etc. I only got 2 calls and took both jobs. I dont have any zero turns but plenty of front riding mowers. So how does a guy with front engine riding mower compete with zero turn guys? How you know if your charging too much or not enough when mowing with riding mower? I see alot guys doing it in my area and dont see how I could draw in the business if started advertising again for lawn mowing.
How do you want to compete? Are you talking about advertising or with equipment? You said you tried advertising, how did you advertise and what did you charge for the lawns you have. How far you want to take your business should dictate what you should have for equipment.
#4
davbell22602
Riding mowers, pushmowers, and string trimmers for equipment. Got Mantis for tiny/small gardens and flower beds. I advertised on craigslist that was about it. Now I'll advertise anywhere thats free to advertise.
davbell22602
How do you want to compete? Are you talking about advertising or with equipment? You said you tried advertising, how did you advertise and what did you charge for the lawns you have. How far you want to take your business should dictate what you should have for equipment.
Riding mowers, pushmowers, and string trimmers for equipment. Got Mantis for tiny/small gardens and flower beds. I advertised on craigslist that was about it. Now I'll advertise anywhere thats free to advertise.
#5
L
LoCo86
I believe we have had a discussion before on this topic about looking professional and actually being prepared to handle a job efficiently. It's as if you're showing up with an axe to clear a forest. Sure it will do the job but it's not the right tool for the job. And potential clients will see that and just look past you to get the contractor with the right equipment that has become the industry standard.
L
LoCo86
Riding mowers, pushmowers, and string trimmers for equipment. Got Mantis for tiny/small gardens and flower beds. I advertised on craigslist that was about it. Now I'll advertise anywhere thats free to advertise.
I believe we have had a discussion before on this topic about looking professional and actually being prepared to handle a job efficiently. It's as if you're showing up with an axe to clear a forest. Sure it will do the job but it's not the right tool for the job. And potential clients will see that and just look past you to get the contractor with the right equipment that has become the industry standard.
#6
davbell22602
Commercial clients yes but not on residential clients. When I mean residential I mean the ones that arent landlords and dont have multiple yards to take care of. People in my area dont care how nice its cut longs gets cut and trimmed.
davbell22602
I believe we have had a discussion before on this topic about looking professional and actually being prepared to handle a job efficiently. It's as if you're showing up with an axe to clear a forest. Sure it will do the job but it's not the right tool for the job. And potential clients will see that and just look past you to get the contractor with the right equipment that has become the industry standard.
Commercial clients yes but not on residential clients. When I mean residential I mean the ones that arent landlords and dont have multiple yards to take care of. People in my area dont care how nice its cut longs gets cut and trimmed.
#8
davbell22602
What are you talking about?
davbell22602
They sure did give you a hard time in other places didn't they.:confused2:
What are you talking about?
#10
Ric
Ok I guess my question would be are you doing this as a sideline to make a little extra cash or are you trying to establish a business. If it's a sideline then your fine because you have no pressure or time restraints. If however it's to establish a business then I'd say your in a little trouble. As an LCO you need to establish an hourly income and many LCO's establish that based on how many accounts they can do on an hourly basis. In lawn-care time is money, you have to be good at what you do and fast.
When you talk about what to charge you need to check and see what the area can stand. Check with some company's and find out about there pricing structure. There's no need to try and compete with the guys with the ztr mowers don't worry about them, that type of equipment will come in time or as you build your business.
I'd Look at Vista-Print and do my advertising with business cards, they always have those things for like 250 for $10.00 you can put what ever you like on the cards and they have all types of mower cards to choose from.
Ric
Riding mowers, push-mowers, and string trimmers for equipment. Got Mantis for tiny/small gardens and flower beds. I advertised on craigslist that was about it. Now I'll advertise anywhere that's free to advertise.
I believe we have had a discussion before on this topic about looking professional and actually being prepared to handle a job efficiently. It's as if you're showing up with an axe to clear a forest. Sure it will do the job but it's not the right tool for the job. And potential clients will see that and just look past you to get the contractor with the right equipment that has become the industry standard.
Commercial clients yes but not on residential clients. When I mean residential I mean the ones that aren't landlords and don't have multiple yards to take care of. People in my area don't care how nice its cut longs gets cut and trimmed.
Ok I guess my question would be are you doing this as a sideline to make a little extra cash or are you trying to establish a business. If it's a sideline then your fine because you have no pressure or time restraints. If however it's to establish a business then I'd say your in a little trouble. As an LCO you need to establish an hourly income and many LCO's establish that based on how many accounts they can do on an hourly basis. In lawn-care time is money, you have to be good at what you do and fast.
When you talk about what to charge you need to check and see what the area can stand. Check with some company's and find out about there pricing structure. There's no need to try and compete with the guys with the ztr mowers don't worry about them, that type of equipment will come in time or as you build your business.
I'd Look at Vista-Print and do my advertising with business cards, they always have those things for like 250 for $10.00 you can put what ever you like on the cards and they have all types of mower cards to choose from.
#12
davbell22602
Yes This will start out being a sideline but if it grows enough to turn into a business then so be it. Im not pour money into advertising in newpapers, etc. Id stick to Cl and FB group pages.
davbell22602
Ok I guess my question would be are you doing this as a sideline to make a little extra cash or are you trying to establish a business. If it's a sideline then your fine because you have no pressure or time restraints. If however it's to establish a business then I'd say your in a little trouble. As an LCO you need to establish an hourly income and many LCO's establish that based on how many accounts they can do on an hourly basis. In lawn-care time is money, you have to be good at what you do and fast.
When you talk about what to charge you need to check and see what the area can stand. Check with some company's and find out about there pricing structure. There's no need to try and compete with the guys with the ztr mowers don't worry about them, that type of equipment will come in time or as you build your business.
I'd Look at Vista-Print and do my advertising with business cards, they always have those things for like 250 for $10.00 you can put what ever you like on the cards and they have all types of mower cards to choose from.
Yes This will start out being a sideline but if it grows enough to turn into a business then so be it. Im not pour money into advertising in newpapers, etc. Id stick to Cl and FB group pages.
#13
M
mowerman05
M
mowerman05
I started with a push mower in the trunk of a cavalier, still was getting 15.00 a yard at that time. Now my minimum is no less than 25.00. just do a good job and let word of mouth get out that your doing a good job for a little less than everyone else. maybe it will work out for you. :thumbsup:
#14
Ric
Well I don't know your situation but I was able to confine my client list to the sub-division I live in. The closer your clients are together the better off you are, that was the problem I had with Craigs-list I was spread all over the county and by the time I was through driving all over I was throwing away any profit in my gas for the truck. If it's a sideline then you have no pressure or time restraints so I'd go with what you have and build on it and see where it goes. :thumbsup: the other equipment will come in time.
Ric
Yes This will start out being a sideline but if it grows enough to turn into a business then so be it. I'm not pour money into advertising in newspapers, etc. Id stick to Cl and FB group pages.
Well I don't know your situation but I was able to confine my client list to the sub-division I live in. The closer your clients are together the better off you are, that was the problem I had with Craigs-list I was spread all over the county and by the time I was through driving all over I was throwing away any profit in my gas for the truck. If it's a sideline then you have no pressure or time restraints so I'd go with what you have and build on it and see where it goes. :thumbsup: the other equipment will come in time.
#15
davbell22602
I know. My phone is swamped with calls in the spring from people wanting used mowers that I fixed to sell. But I get more calls than the time it takes me to fill everyone needs in pushmowers and riding mowers.
davbell22602
I started with a push mower in the trunk of a cavalier, still was getting 15.00 a yard at that time. Now my minimum is no less than 25.00. just do a good job and let word of mouth get out that your doing a good job for a little less than everyone else. maybe it will work out for you. :thumbsup:
I know. My phone is swamped with calls in the spring from people wanting used mowers that I fixed to sell. But I get more calls than the time it takes me to fill everyone needs in pushmowers and riding mowers.
#16
wjjones
I have some customers that wont let me in their yard with a zero. I have a rider I do their yards with, and use the ztr for the others the prices shouldnt be any different though your labor is the same.
wjjones
I tried advertising in past for lawn mowing etc. I only got 2 calls and took both jobs. I dont have any zero turns but plenty of front riding mowers. So how does a guy with front engine riding mower compete with zero turn guys? How you know if your charging too much or not enough when mowing with riding mower? I see alot guys doing it in my area and dont see how I could draw in the business if started advertising again for lawn mowing.
I have some customers that wont let me in their yard with a zero. I have a rider I do their yards with, and use the ztr for the others the prices shouldnt be any different though your labor is the same.
#17
wjjones
Yep I 2nd that by word of mouth will take you a long way.:thumbsup:
wjjones
I started with a push mower in the trunk of a cavalier, still was getting 15.00 a yard at that time. Now my minimum is no less than 25.00. just do a good job and let word of mouth get out that your doing a good job for a little less than everyone else. maybe it will work out for you. :thumbsup:
Yep I 2nd that by word of mouth will take you a long way.:thumbsup:
#18
Ric
I have a few of those clients too but I have to disagree with prices and the labor thing though. between the two mowers one will cost more to run and the time factor involved in doing a lawn with a rider vs a ztr is a lot different say nothing about maybe using a push instead of a rider, I can't see why the price and labor shouldn't change?
Ric
I have some customers that wont let me in their yard with a zero. I have a rider I do their yards with, and use the ztr for the others the prices shouldnt be any different though your labor is the same.
I have a few of those clients too but I have to disagree with prices and the labor thing though. between the two mowers one will cost more to run and the time factor involved in doing a lawn with a rider vs a ztr is a lot different say nothing about maybe using a push instead of a rider, I can't see why the price and labor shouldn't change?
#19
jekjr
jekjr
I see this thing of advertising come across regularly. Different people use different methods. For me, hands down I have gotten more work by using Facebook than every other method put together. I get a lot of word of mouth but the people giving the word of mouth I got on Facebook. Anybody in business that is not putting it to use is ignoring a very large free method of advertisement laying there. From August 2012 till the end of the Summer of 2013 we went from no customers to 38 regulars and we had worked for many many more on some basis approximately 98% or more of that came either from Facebook or word of mouth from somebody we had got work from thorough Facebook.
#20
wjjones
Well with the customers that dont mind which mower I use I haved timed, and its only about 10 minutes difference with athe zero v/s the rider. I dont see charging them more for that little of a difference. I have one yard that I mowed with the zero in 45 minutes, and the same yard on the rider was 55 minutes. I know if your doing alot of yards in one day that 10 minutes adds up but I gave up alot of yards years ago. I only cut 7 now, and thats enough for me.
wjjones
I have a few of those clients too but I have to disagree with prices and the labor thing though. between the two mowers one will cost more to run and the time factor involved in doing a lawn with a rider vs a ztr is a lot different say nothing about maybe using a push instead of a rider, I can't see why the price and labor shouldn't change?
Well with the customers that dont mind which mower I use I haved timed, and its only about 10 minutes difference with athe zero v/s the rider. I dont see charging them more for that little of a difference. I have one yard that I mowed with the zero in 45 minutes, and the same yard on the rider was 55 minutes. I know if your doing alot of yards in one day that 10 minutes adds up but I gave up alot of yards years ago. I only cut 7 now, and thats enough for me.
#21
Carscw
Carscw
I have found that people do not mind paying extra if you use a push mower.
There are a lot of homeowners that do not want a big mower on their grass. Me I don't like the tire marks all over the lawn that you get from a ztr
There are a lot of homeowners that do not want a big mower on their grass. Me I don't like the tire marks all over the lawn that you get from a ztr
#22
wjjones
I wish but when the yard is 1 3/4 acres a push mower is out of the question. My past has taught me that if you try to jack them on a price you already gave them they will find someone else cheaper. I was doing a run of 3 yards on a street for $25 each another guy came behind me, and offered to do them for $15 each. Guess who is doing them now. If you give them a price make sure it covers you either way no matter what you mow with, and if they find someone cheaper good for them.
wjjones
I have found that people do not mind paying extra if you use a push mower.
There are a lot of homeowners that do not want a big mower on their grass. Me I don't like the tire marks all over the lawn that you get from a ztr
I wish but when the yard is 1 3/4 acres a push mower is out of the question. My past has taught me that if you try to jack them on a price you already gave them they will find someone else cheaper. I was doing a run of 3 yards on a street for $25 each another guy came behind me, and offered to do them for $15 each. Guess who is doing them now. If you give them a price make sure it covers you either way no matter what you mow with, and if they find someone cheaper good for them.
#23
The Don'z
if you are trying to compete with them on an equipment basis,, you can't, ZTR will always be faster, more menuverable, and 9 out of 10 times leave a more finished cut, a lot of it depends on what type of lawn you are mowing, My company mows mostly 1 to 10 acre lawns/grounds, though I do still have some residential lawns, mostly push/self propelled mowers on those. (My ZTR won't fit through the gates.... ) If you're trying to out bid the others,, I, like so many others on here, charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per minute and estimate how much time it takes us to do a particular lawn.
The Don'z
I tried advertising in past for lawn mowing etc. I only got 2 calls and took both jobs. I dont have any zero turns but plenty of front riding mowers. So how does a guy with front engine riding mower compete with zero turn guys? How you know if your charging too much or not enough when mowing with riding mower? I see alot guys doing it in my area and dont see how I could draw in the business if started advertising again for lawn mowing.
if you are trying to compete with them on an equipment basis,, you can't, ZTR will always be faster, more menuverable, and 9 out of 10 times leave a more finished cut, a lot of it depends on what type of lawn you are mowing, My company mows mostly 1 to 10 acre lawns/grounds, though I do still have some residential lawns, mostly push/self propelled mowers on those. (My ZTR won't fit through the gates.... ) If you're trying to out bid the others,, I, like so many others on here, charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per minute and estimate how much time it takes us to do a particular lawn.
#24
Lawnboy18
Lawnboy18
Ingredients:
1) Look professional! Show them you are good and know what you are doing. Good equipment that is well maintained will give you less down time, more productivity and a better image. I clean my equipment every week.
2) Advertise! A company shirt, some business cards, door hangers, stickers on the equipment can lead to good suc
3) Be sure of your prices! No running arond the bucket here! Have a list of prices handy and give no hesitation. Clients don't want to feel like they are talking to someone that isn't sure about there prices. (been there done that. I learned my lessons and haters please restrain. We have all done mistakes in life and we grow from them and help others)
4) Talk! Don't run away from clients. If people are walking and look at you, say hi with a smile. That could lead to a nice contract with the neighbor. Talk with your clients. Nothing too long or short. Just get to now them a little to get that good relation with them. In social psychology, a good relation with a client encourages him to buy.
1) Look professional! Show them you are good and know what you are doing. Good equipment that is well maintained will give you less down time, more productivity and a better image. I clean my equipment every week.
2) Advertise! A company shirt, some business cards, door hangers, stickers on the equipment can lead to good suc
3) Be sure of your prices! No running arond the bucket here! Have a list of prices handy and give no hesitation. Clients don't want to feel like they are talking to someone that isn't sure about there prices. (been there done that. I learned my lessons and haters please restrain. We have all done mistakes in life and we grow from them and help others)
4) Talk! Don't run away from clients. If people are walking and look at you, say hi with a smile. That could lead to a nice contract with the neighbor. Talk with your clients. Nothing too long or short. Just get to now them a little to get that good relation with them. In social psychology, a good relation with a client encourages him to buy.
#25
davbell22602
Im not trying to compete with them on equipment basis or how long it takes to get the job done. Just trying to build little customer basis.
davbell22602
if you are trying to compete with them on an equipment basis,, you can't, ZTR will always be faster, more menuverable, and 9 out of 10 times leave a more finished cut, a lot of it depends on what type of lawn you are mowing, My company mows mostly 1 to 10 acre lawns/grounds, though I do still have some residential lawns, mostly push/self propelled mowers on those. (My ZTR won't fit through the gates.... ) If you're trying to out bid the others,, I, like so many others on here, charge between $0.50 and $1.00 per minute and estimate how much time it takes us to do a particular lawn.
Im not trying to compete with them on equipment basis or how long it takes to get the job done. Just trying to build little customer basis.
#26
Locqus
You can build a good customer base without a ZTR. Honestly, walk-behinds are the best for residential. ZTR's only help with the bigger wide open jobs. Stick to the smaller quicker mowers until you build up to some clients that need a ZTR. I started with one walk-behind and built it up little by little. Taking your time and finishing the job right, no matter the equipment, is how word spreads.
Locqus
Im not trying to compete with them on equipment basis or how long it takes to get the job done. Just trying to build little customer basis.
You can build a good customer base without a ZTR. Honestly, walk-behinds are the best for residential. ZTR's only help with the bigger wide open jobs. Stick to the smaller quicker mowers until you build up to some clients that need a ZTR. I started with one walk-behind and built it up little by little. Taking your time and finishing the job right, no matter the equipment, is how word spreads.