So You Want To Start A Lawn Business.
By Steve Mirabile, Lawn business owner.
I have had much success with my lawn business, but it didn’t come without its set backs, disappointments andreadjustments.
When I first started out, my vision was - I’ll do it by myself for a while and then I’ll hire a bunch of guys to do it for me while I take care of other things and maybe even take some days off.. Sounds like a plan right?
Unfortunately, that’s how a lot of us think when starting a lawn service. But then reality sets in. The lawn business can be very rewarding but don’t expect employees lining up to fulfill your dreams.
From my experience, most of the good employees want a really big paycheck or they will just go buy a lawn mower and become your competition.
On the other hand, there are those who don’t want all the hassles of running a lawn business, but they still want a big pay check.
Which brings us to the question - should you be a solo lawn operation?A one to three man lawn service? Or go for it all with a multi crew full service lawn and landscape company.
I have earned $60,000 a year with my solo operated lawn service. Whichever path you choose, you should consider a few things. You will need a very high stamina level and be able to handle the long hours out doors.
If your just starting a lawn service and do not have a huge amount of startup money to buy equipment, pay ongoing expenses and pay for labor, you can still get started, but you should take it slow. If you have some funds, then you will be in a better position, but you won’t get passed the stress that most lawn business owners will go through.
I don’t want to discourage you but it does take a certain type of person to be in the lawn and landscape industry. Just stand out on the street and you will see a dozen lawn services driving by. But as many as you see, there are just as many going out of business because they didn’t think it would be so demanding.
My first lawn service I started with a 20" lawn mower, a hand-held blower, used weed eater and other used power equipment. I put it all in the back of my little pick up and I was in business.
Now in the back of my mind I knew I was gonna have a crew pretty soon anyway, so I set my eyes on the big commercial accounts of course. I was able to convince a few property managers and home owner associations to give me a shot, and I figured I would just buy a bigger mower after a few times of cutting them.
I hired a helper who showed up “sometimes” and everything seemed to be ok. After a while my mower started to break down a lot because I was doing larger properties.
The repair shop wanted their money, my helper wanted his money, I had to pay for gas and blades and other supplies, all while I patiently waited to receive my payments. (usually 30 to 60 days after I did the work) It wasn’t too long before my lawn business was running me instead of me running it.
To make a long story short, it wasn’t until my third attempt at my own lawn business that I had success. I learned not to bite off more than I could chew and to grow slowly.
I have been a one man solo lawn guy operation and I have had a crew of five or more at times. At the end of the day my bottom line seemed to still be the same whether I was by myself or with five guys.
It seems in my experiences anyway; that the small one to three man lawn operation can sometimes net the same profits as an owner of a mid size lawn company. So if your plan is to get BIG, don't forget to plan for the growing pains that a middle size lawn business will go through until you reach the next plateau.