owner operator commercial mowing

[PVHIII]

I'd like to know if an owner operator with a good ZTR compete with a large mowing operation when it comes to pricing... why or why not?

 

[Ric]

I'd like to know if an owner operator with a good ZTR compete with a large mowing operation when it comes to pricing... why or why not?

You as a solo operator can have a business and make money. Yes you can do that, you can make the same money per client as they do, but to compete against the larger company's I would say probably not. As solo operator you can price the same and probably have a few clients but to compete for the bottom line no way. Even if your pricing is the same, the larger mowing operation will make more money in a day than you because they can complete two or three jobs maybe more for everyone of yours.

 

[PVHIII]

You as a solo operator can have a business and make money. Yes you can do that, you can make the same money per client as they do, but to compete against the larger company's I would say probably not. As solo operator you can price the same and probably have a few clients but to compete for the bottom line no way. Even if your pricing is the same, the larger mowing operation will make more money in a day than you because they can complete two or three jobs maybe more for everyone of yours.

Thanks a for the info...may I ask if your in the lawn Care buisiness..and I really do appreciate your input...there's a lot of people on here that like to read but don't really care for typing lol...and I might add that a few accounts is all I want and have time for..I own another small business and just want to supplement my income doing something K really enjoy by no means am looking to become a lawn care millionaire lol

 

[Ric]

Thanks a for the info...may I ask if your in the lawn Care business..and I really do appreciate your input...there's a lot of people on here that like to read but don't really care for typing lol

Yes I have my own Lawn care business( G & G Lawn Care) and am currently running 75 clients a week. Started my own business about seven and a half years ago after I retired.

 

[exotion]

I run about 50ish customers a week I do everything legitimately my overhead is about 1k a month for everything except taxes which is about 2k every three months

I think someone can compete with big business with houses. Clients like the low cost and the amount of time and energy put into their lawn. Not saying the big companys don't do a good job but a client who spends $40+ a cut and see the guys in and out in 20 mins isn't going to be as happy as the guy spending $25 and the solo guy spends 30+ mins on their lawn with the same quality.

We cannot compete on a commercial scale a job for me solo could take 4 hours and I make 200 dollars for. In 4 hours I could do 8 houses and make 400 dollars. That same job that takes me 4 hrs would take a company with 2 or 3 guys about of less than an hr better profit range for them.

 

[PVHIII]

I run about 50ish customers a week I do everything legitimately my overhead is about 1k a month for everything except taxes which is about 2k every three months

I think someone can compete with big business with houses. Clients like the low cost and the amount of time and energy put into their lawn. Not saying the big companys don't do a good job but a client who spends $40+ a cut and see the guys in and out in 20 mins isn't going to be as happy as the guy spending $25 and the solo guy spends 30+ mins on their lawn with the same quality.

We cannot compete on a commercial scale a job for me solo could take 4 hours and I make 200 dollars for. In 4 hours I could do 8 houses and make 400 dollars. That same job that takes me 4 hrs would take a company with 2 or 3 guys about of less than an hr better profit range for them.

I'm in the mobile automotive interior repair business ( dye carpets,repair leather & vinyl seats and re-dye, repair cig burns in velour, drill holes in dash ) repair just about anything on the interior of a vehicle... I mainly do work for large Car dealerships but an occasionally individuals as well...I've made a descent living in this field for about 15 years now but I travel all over the state to do so and the traveling is getting old and would like to scale back to my local accounts only...bought my first ZTR a few months ago and it was love at first mow lol and triggered my mind into considering getting into the mowing business..there's plenty of mowing accounts around locally but a limited number of automobile dealers (although I have every large dealer in town)...I must say I am very inspired by your post and ANY help or advice for me just starting out would tremendously appreciated as well...I really need some help when it comes to bidding jobs correctly and what I need to do so especially when it comes to bidding commercial properties ( like maybe car dealerships )..I've spent some time driving around looking at the quality of work some of these large operations are doing and to say the very least I'm not impressed.. I'm very anal so to speak about my work (wife says I'm a perfectionist lol) and I know I can and will do better work.. I think Joe Blow making 10 bucks an hr mowimg for a large operation is not going to care like an owner operator like myself will and I think that's what leads to these large operations loosing accounts which leaves the door wide open for me..any man I really need some help with this and I don't have a friend or know anyone in the buisness so like I said any help/advice would really mean a lot THANKS

 

[exotion]

I'm in the mobile automotive interior repair business ( dye carpets,repair leather & vinyl seats and re-dye, repair cig burns in velour, drill holes in dash ) repair just about anything on the interior of a vehicle... I mainly do work for large Car dealerships but an occasionally individuals as well...I've made a descent living in this field for about 15 years now but I travel all over the state to do so and the traveling is getting old and would like to scale back to my local accounts only...bought my first ZTR a few months ago and it was love at first mow lol and triggered my mind into considering getting into the mowing business..there's plenty of mowing accounts around locally but a limited number of automobile dealers (although I have every large dealer in town)...I must say I am very inspired by your post and ANY help or advice for me just starting out would tremendously appreciated as well...I really need some help when it comes to bidding jobs correctly and what I need to do so especially when it comes to bidding commercial properties ( like maybe car dealerships )..I've spent some time driving around looking at the quality of work some of these large operations are doing and to say the very least I'm not impressed.. I'm very anal so to speak about my work (wife says I'm a perfectionist lol) and I know I can and will do better work.. I think Joe Blow making 10 bucks an hr mowimg for a large operation is not going to care like an owner operator like myself will and I think that's what leads to these large operations loosing accounts which leaves the door wide open for me..any man I really need some help with this and I don't have a friend or know anyone in the buisness so like I said any help/advice would really mean a lot THANKS

The thing your lacking unless you have worked in the mowing business is experience. Anyone can now not anyone can do it right.
Also if you want to do car dealerships get some good insurance you will be quite annoyed the first time a pebble goes through a window.of a nice new car

 

[Raw Dodge]

It can absolutely be done,I do it.you have a different game that's all.I sell quality and reliability,and my clients do not like lots of people they don't know who don't speak English and a constant supply of new employees on there property.They know me,I'm active in the community,Our kids go to the same schools,use this to your advantage..being small allows you to quickly adapt and to service your customers on a level that big companies can't match,especially with attention to detail,and the ability to do additional work...I keep my machines in way better shape than big companies,my blades are sharpened or swapped every full day of cutting my machines decks are clean,and I use th best equipment,my lawns simply look better and are in better health than the majority of my competitors and people notice...I get comments all the time,and asked how I keep my lawns looking so good,and it's just basic,sharp blades,clean deck,the best equipment and rotation of striping patterns and clean up patterns so as to not rut the lawn...

 

[Ric]

I'm in the mobile automotive interior repair business ( dye carpets,repair leather & vinyl seats and re-dye, repair cig burns in velour, drill holes in dash ) repair just about anything on the interior of a vehicle... I mainly do work for large Car dealerships but an occasionally individuals as well...I've made a descent living in this field for about 15 years now but I travel all over the state to do so and the traveling is getting old and would like to scale back to my local accounts only...bought my first ZTR a few months ago and it was love at first mow lol and triggered my mind into considering getting into the mowing business..there's plenty of mowing accounts around locally but a limited number of automobile dealers (although I have every large dealer in town)...I must say I am very inspired by your post and ANY help or advice for me just starting out would tremendously appreciated as well...I really need some help when it comes to bidding jobs correctly and what I need to do so especially when it comes to bidding commercial properties ( like maybe car dealerships )..I've spent some time diving around looking at the quality of work some of these large operations are doing and to say the very least I'm.. not impressed I'm very anal so to speak about my work (wife says I'm a perfectionist lol) and I know I can and will do better work.. I think Joe Blow making 10 bucks an hr mowing for a large operation is not going to care like an owner operator like myself will and I think that's what leads to these large operations loosing accounts which leaves the door wide open for me..any man I really need some help with this and I don't have a friend or know anyone in the business so like I said any help/advice would really mean a lot THANKS

Well I'm glad we inspired you, but in reality inspiration doesn't get the job done. Most people who want to get into the Lawn Care business try to break into it with a minimal investment, I mean everybody has to start somewhere right. The only problem with that theory is the the greatest percentage of those guys for one reason or another end up leaving because they find out it's not as easy as it seems and they can't compete with the business across the street that's prepared for any job the client can throw at them and do it at a price they can afford and are willing to cut your throat in a heartbeat to get your account. ( I'm experienced in that...) The days of the mow and go guys are basically gone unless you like doing foreclosures. If you're considering getting into the lawn business you better consider a sizable investment in equipment to do the job people want to have done.

You say you have spent some time diving around looking at the quality of work some of these large operations are doing and to say the very least your not impressed, have you every wondered why there like that? There like that because the outfit that's doing the job probably under bid the job to get it and in order to make any money at all there cutting every corner than can and in doing so they end up with a crappy job.

Talking about bidding on some commercial accounts, well don't put the cart before the horse because a lot of those account that are being offered require your business to have a ton of insurance to even bid. If I were you I'd stay with Residential, your chances of getting work are better and if a commercial account comes along if you want to take it fine.

 

[Carscw]

Well I'm glad we inspired you, but in reality inspiration doesn't get the job done. Most people who want to get into the Lawn Care business try to break into it with a minimal investment, I mean everybody has to start somewhere right. The only problem with that theory is the the greatest percentage of those guys for one reason or another end up leaving because they find out it's not as easy as it seems and they can't compete with the business across the street that's prepared for any job the client can throw at them and do it at a price they can afford and are willing to cut your throat in a heartbeat to get your account. ( I'm experienced in that...) The days of the mow and go guys are basically gone unless you like doing foreclosures. If you're considering getting into the lawn business you better consider a sizable investment in equipment to do the job people want to have done. You say you have spent some time diving around looking at the quality of work some of these large operations are doing and to say the very least your not impressed, have you every wondered why there like that? There like that because the outfit that's doing the job probably under bid the job to get it and in order to make any money at all there cutting every corner than can and in doing so they end up with a crappy job. Talking about bidding on some commercial accounts, well don't put the cart before the horse because a lot of those account that are being offered require a ton of insurance to even bid. If I were you I'd stay with Residential, your chances of getting work are better and if a commercial account comes along if you want to take it fine.

I am going to agree with ric.
Take his advice he knows what he is talking about.
And do not get into foreclosed homes it is not for everyone if you do not do the job right the first time you go back for free.

Be prepared to do the job have more than one mower. Never want to tell a client my mower is broke see you when I can.

The most important thing to me is you must enjoy doing lawn care.
I gave up doing residential homes to do just HUD homes biggest mistake I ever made.