George I really like your channel. You tell it how it is and I like that. I can't believe the amount of people out there that will hire a lawn care company knowing they are going to screw the company over with payment. When you mentioned that lady letting you cut her for months and then telling you she wasn't going to pay really hit home. That happened to me this year so many times all at the end of the summer rush resulting in me getting screwed out of close to $4000. The majority of the people out there will screw the lawn guy in a heart beat. Listen to George guys. Get prepay or credit cards and bill immediately! I am doing it from here on out. Don't do the honor or trust thing. That no longer exists. Thanks for all you do George! God Bless you and your family.
Another great video thank you for continuing to take the time to make them they teach a lot of valuable information to those of us still learning the trade and how to make things better !
Hey George, good advise man, i started plowing snow on the side about 4 years ago, and now i offer year round services to my commercial accounts, and I’ve started doing mini excavation this last summer, it went better than expected and all this after suffering a critical respiratory illness, i just keep plugging away, i think if you keep your head up and be positive, good things will happen. Take care bud
Yet another great vid papa G! It means allot to us little guys with big dreams that you do what you do. Thank you my friend, this vid may have been the little spark i needed to restart my fire.
Thank you George for the really good info man ive learned alot from you man ive been doing lawn service for over 30 years and i was eating so much shit collecting money from clients now 80 percent of costumers are pre paid thanks to you brother god bless.
thanks George. I need to take a few of these things to heart. Last year biz didn't not go stellar, and lost a few good clients this fall. Not due to quality issues, just oil field decline and people loosing their jobs/larger salaries primarily. Hoping to expand more into spray applications this year. Trying to stay motivated, but its been tough.
I definitely appreciate your input I'm a little bit newer to the lawn care business my second year coming up but I highly appreciate individuals like yourself given us input thank you once again keep up the good work I would like to add my wife definitely helps me with reaching out to customers and so forth hopefully that helps out other individuals as well starting off I suggest don't borrow money for any of your equipment we pay cash only for equipment
I've been in business in the UK for just a few months. My wife works full time and I look after my 2 & 4 year boys. I work part-time in garden maintenance. Thank you for posting these videos. They're really helpful. Much appreciated George.
So many great points you touched on. So true! When do you start targeting neighborhoods in the spring ? I'm going to try postcards threw the mail for the first time. I was planning on hitting them twice this spring in the neighborhoods that I want to grow in ,just don't know when to start and how far apart to send them? I have at least 2to5 yards in each of these neighborhoods .
you can also try to do a referral program specifically for the neighbors in those areas like offer your current clients a $50 gift card for referring a neighbor ?
Me and my brother are starting our landscaping company this year in Arkansas where we live and I've referred your videos and knowledge to him into the direction we want to take our business. I appreciate all that you teach us George
One of your best videos George. Takes a bit to admit to mistakes. We did a £1,500 lawn renovation job last year and I didn't get 50% upfront. He paid, but he was slow about it and I has a few sleepless nights. Never again. Moving many of our customers to direct debit rather than them transferring as they wish. My business will be paying two salaries of two top guys this year and now I'll be in control of cashflow.
good for you. never let them dictate how they'll pay you, after all who's business is it ? chances are that if they don't want to prepay or atleast 1/2 down on a bigger job then there planning on having sex with you if you get my drift.
I watched your older version of this video as well talking about employees and how you have to look over them. Can you do a video explaining your opinion of where keeping track of your employees ends and micromanaging begins? Cause I feel like I’m micro managing if I stay on the guys too much.
Me and my friend are trying to start a landscape/ lawn care business and we are wondering if the extra travel will be worth it ifs it's not in a big city. We are in rural Wisconsin and houses are kinda scattered.
What do you do when they refuse to pay the extra needed to get the job done right and expect you to do it yourself? I've had that happen and I was so pissed at the client, so I just finished the job as previously planned knowing that they'll have problems down the road.
then you refuse to do it if it's not the right way. I got sued once because i used the customers material which was faulty , and the judge told me i was the professional and should have refused the work. Little did he know I was starving and had to do the work.
You are too brilliant... I just started last year doing lawn care and I am using you as a mentor... I got 10 clients, and 1 non payer... I did his really cheap. Weeds and grass 10 feet tall... I said I would do it for 150 and if he allows me to maintain it, 60 per cut cause it wasnt very big, maybe 30 minute job when everything is cut normal... He agreed... I cut it all, took me all day and he decided not to pay... I got before video and after pictures... Actually I have the video on my youtube channel cause it was to extreme and wanted to document it...Thats just what it takes to get in the door I reckon..
Oh I know... I was just joking, but it does get frustrating... You do a job that last all day, and do it extremely cheap just to get screwed without vaseline... I do believe in karma tho :) Now I know why they have it cut once a year at the end of the year... They told me it wasnt cut all year before I even got to the property... Should have been a red flag.
George just got to ask you one question. You say you do at least mostly prepay these days, and indicated that that was not always the case. If you had tried to do that from the start do you think that it would have worked out better or worse, and for a business and area where that is not the normal would you suggest a cold turkey switch? Thanks for all the great videos too.
Hey George! I’ve missed seeing new content on your channel I hope business is booming for you. You’ve helped inspire me to start doing lawn care (along with a passion for it) and I was wondering if you have an email or some way I can contact you. I’m in a very unique situation and just got started
G Packard Could you share more about this contract?? As in, what type of work, man hours, equipment, type of company, etc. My biggest commercial work was around 40k annually and I thought I was doing good!😂
I have one of those sweet old lady customers. She's currently 7 months behind. I don't mow it, but I've done work on several of her rental properties. So, she asks me to remulch one of her rental properties & add all of her past due balance to the invoice. I'm like, alright I'm going to remulch this property & dropping her as customer whether she pays or not. Big mistake. The people that rents that property got ahold of my number. They called me up, cussing me out, threatening to use every social media account possible to put me out of business etc. & this was because I had drove a mini skidsteer on their property, but wasn't even their property. It was a rental. Now, I've lost like $600 on this lady. She's still not paying. Indeed the renter got on my Facebook & left a negative review. Also, falsely quoted me. Saying I said, "that's how I do it & I aint fixing it".
G Packard I've been in business 15 years and I've used Quickbooks along with Excel for the entire time. The last 2 years I tried SA and Jobber and they both were disappointing. We never even put them into full use. I've demoed Yardmann, Clip, Service Monster and now looking at Service Fusion. Nobody has great reviews on the shortfalls of different onces but the hours I've spent is absurd studying them. Perhaps I'm a perfectionists but I want to get it right this time.
How about now Jenny ? Sorry I've just been so busy with the new franchise but I hope to keep them coming as long as i have good fans who appreciate my content like yourself.
I started a new business called Mosquito Police. Then I offered it to fellow you tubers as a franchise. You can view our website at mosquitopolice.net , I believe the video was called business opportunity of a lifetime, check it out.
iwt would have cost me $250 in court fees not to mention my time to file, court appearances. all to get a judgement which i could use to wipe my ass with because thats all it would be worth. I have a better method, it's called Roundup about five bucks worth !
Hi George. I had bothered you in the past to make a video about skin cancer, because you mentioned it. No more need, LHL garden services UK, made one and showed his face cut up and stitched where they cut his out. So thank you anyways but I am going to buy two hats and some long sleeve shirts.
G Packard No worry's! Until I saw that guy's pictures I didn't think it was a problem I needed to be very worried about but he's in England and I always thought they got rain and cloudy skies all the time. I was wrong on all counts. Thank you for your reply.
Hey I really do enjoy all your videos thank you for all the information I need to listen to you if you get a chance check out my last video It's called George Packer you're right. Thank you for all you do for the long hair community and thank you for helping me make my business a better cutting process
@@GPackard So about the mechanic business... probably not gonna pick up too well until after I finish my apprenticeship. But, I am now currently undergoing a course to becoming a driving instructor where I can get way more pay than my apprenticeship pays. Today’s my first day studying and yikes I asked myself am I really prepared to work full time even 6-7 days a week? (5 days apprenticeship labouring, and weekends teaching people how to drive). Eventually I’ll grow into a better businesses after I save up enough.
Where you at man? You're one of my go to channels. Learned much from you. Hope all is well.
sorry brother, I have been extremely busy but I'll be posting some new vids soon.
George I really like your channel. You tell it how it is and I like that. I can't believe the amount of people out there that will hire a lawn care company knowing they are going to screw the company over with payment. When you mentioned that lady letting you cut her for months and then telling you she wasn't going to pay really hit home. That happened to me this year so many times all at the end of the summer rush resulting in me getting screwed out of close to $4000. The majority of the people out there will screw the lawn guy in a heart beat. Listen to George guys. Get prepay or credit cards and bill immediately! I am doing it from here on out. Don't do the honor or trust thing. That no longer exists. Thanks for all you do George! God Bless you and your family.
thanks for the kind words Christopher. I'm glad your doing it !
Another great video thank you for continuing to take the time to make them they teach a lot of valuable information to those of us still learning the trade and how to make things better !
your very welcome
Thanks George. Appreciate all ya do for us!
your welcome brother
Thanks for another amazing video! Lots of great advice! I’ve been watching you for a couple of years and I still enjoy your vids!
well thanks for the kind words bro
Thanks George. You have been a tremendous help with us starting our business. Our first year was great success. I look forward to your videos.
awwww, that's awesome to hear, thank you.
Thank you George for another great video
your very welcome
This video is great and super helpful. I really appreciate your insight George!
thanks brother
This information is gold! Thanks George!
platinum, you are very welcome brother. thank you for commenting again.
thanks so much for helping me out. George. thanks
your very welcome
Lots of good advice.
The "little ol' lady" will get you every time!
thanks and dam right they will.
@@GPackard put a lien on their property - can't pay now pay up later
Hey George, good advise man, i started plowing snow on the side about 4 years ago, and now i offer year round services to my commercial accounts, and I’ve started doing mini excavation this last summer, it went better than expected and all this after suffering a critical respiratory illness, i just keep plugging away, i think if you keep your head up and be positive, good things will happen.
Take care bud
johnny, i'm sorry to hear about the lung issue, keep on keepin on my brother !
Great tips as always George, much appreciated.
allen, thank you for commenting
Good information Gorge, keep them coming. 👍
i will and thanks
I really enjoy watching your videos. I appreciate the honesty and true business man you are.
thanks Mike
Yet another great vid papa G! It means allot to us little guys with big dreams that you do what you do. Thank you my friend, this vid may have been the little spark i needed to restart my fire.
glass dude, i hope it gets you motivated. i wish you the best now GET AT IT !
Hey George, good to see you again! Happy New Year, my man.
Rob & Marisela, thank you and i wish you well my friends
Great advice as always. Your tips helped with my business. So thanks for that.
glad i could help Ryan.
Great advice as always, thanks George.
thanks for the kind words
thanks a lot. men I learn a lot from you, your experience is priceless
thanks for watching
Great video, I have learned these lessons over the past several years. We will be switching over to pre-pay this year.
good for you
Thank you George for the really good info man ive learned alot from you man ive been doing lawn service for over 30 years and i was eating so much shit collecting money from clients now 80 percent of costumers are pre paid thanks to you brother god bless.
victor, i'm glad i could help
Thanks for the video. Really helps
your welcome
Another great vid man. Learned and enjoyed!
thanks brother
Great video as always Pack. I agree with everything you just said.
thanks brother
George I'm a huge fan of yours and I enjoy the passion you have for what you do. I can't wait to see you and Ron together again
THANKS , and I'll be seeing Ron in a couple of weeks. I'll be sure and mention your comment
Thanks for the helpful tips
your welcome
Great video, great advice on looking and acting professional.
thanks joe
Thanks for the awesome video man
your welcome
This is a really good video. Great insight
thanks
Thank you for your insight.
your very welcome
Thanks for sharing value!
your very welcome brother
Great advice, appreciate it
thank you
From Knoxville Tennessee. Great. Video. Keep. Up. The. Good. Work.
thank you Mike.
@@GPackard your welcome. Merry Christmas to you and your family. &. Happy New year. I. Will. Keep. Watching. Your. Videos. 👍
Mighty Moe Excavating likes to here George’s stories. Cool brick wall! Ty for the entertainment
john D thanks for the kind words my brother
great video, thanks for the infor.....greatly appreciated......
your welcome
thanks George. I need to take a few of these things to heart. Last year biz didn't not go stellar, and lost a few good clients this fall. Not due to quality issues, just oil field decline and people loosing their jobs/larger salaries primarily. Hoping to expand more into spray applications this year. Trying to stay motivated, but its been tough.
listen brother, watch my new video opportunity of a lifetime.
I definitely appreciate your input I'm a little bit newer to the lawn care business my second year coming up but I highly appreciate individuals like yourself given us input thank you once again keep up the good work I would like to add my wife definitely helps me with reaching out to customers and so forth hopefully that helps out other individuals as well starting off I suggest don't borrow money for any of your equipment we pay cash only for equipment
andrew, thanks for sharing your story brother. working with your spouse is awesome
Very informative video. Thanks.
your very welcome brother
Great Tips!
thank you
Great info!
thanks josh
Great video 👍
thanks brother
thank you for your advise
your welcome
I've been in business in the UK for just a few months. My wife works full time and I look after my 2 & 4 year boys. I work part-time in garden maintenance. Thank you for posting these videos. They're really helpful. Much appreciated George.
good luck to you Joseph !
So many great points you touched on. So true! When do you start targeting neighborhoods in the spring ? I'm going to try postcards threw the mail for the first time. I was planning on hitting them twice this spring in the neighborhoods that I want to grow in ,just don't know when to start and how far apart to send them? I have at least 2to5 yards in each of these neighborhoods .
you can also try to do a referral program specifically for the neighbors in those areas like offer your current clients a $50 gift card for referring a neighbor ?
Good video!
thanks brother
great info...
thanks bro
I hope you have some new videos coming soon. I like to watch you make things like flower beds and paver patios
I will be as spring is just around the corner
Me and my brother are starting our landscaping company this year in Arkansas where we live and I've referred your videos and knowledge to him into the direction we want to take our business. I appreciate all that you teach us George
well thanks and i hope you both do extremely well !
Awesome video , this is real true stuff that some guys won't let their pride talk about, this would have helped 2 years ago for me lol
all learned stuff brother
OMG! I've done exactly what you have done with the books...
right on brother
One of your best videos George. Takes a bit to admit to mistakes. We did a £1,500 lawn renovation job last year and I didn't get 50% upfront. He paid, but he was slow about it and I has a few sleepless nights. Never again. Moving many of our customers to direct debit rather than them transferring as they wish. My business will be paying two salaries of two top guys this year and now I'll be in control of cashflow.
good for you. never let them dictate how they'll pay you, after all who's business is it ? chances are that if they don't want to prepay or atleast 1/2 down on a bigger job then there planning on having sex with you if you get my drift.
How big was the lawn and what did you guys to the lawn?
God bless ya George
thank you brother
Mr.George Packard!!!!
Yeah buddy!!!!
yeah buddy YEE YEE !
G Packard I was gonna say George fuckin Packard but I had to restrain myself lol✌
I watched your older version of this video as well talking about employees and how you have to look over them. Can you do a video explaining your opinion of where keeping track of your employees ends and micromanaging begins? Cause I feel like I’m micro managing if I stay on the guys too much.
I'll try.
"I would boot him to the F#*^ing curb" LOL BTW I love the wall in the background what's the story on that.
it's just a cool backdrop
What kind of programs do you use for scheduling and invoices? So you can “bam bam bam” haha thanks for the vids really enjoy them.
service fusion and quickbooks
Nice video
thank you Rick i appreciate your comment.
EXELENTE . GRACIAS ..
uno
Me and my friend are trying to start a landscape/ lawn care business and we are wondering if the extra travel will be worth it ifs it's not in a big city. We are in rural Wisconsin and houses are kinda scattered.
its going to be tough, your going to have to have a good rate to charge
Waiting for some new videos!
i'm bringing some soon
Alright Mr G. You are like my personality I like that. Have to be real person thanks for the information.
oscar, thanks for commenting
Hope your doing ok. Miss your videos !!!
i knoe Ron, and i miss all of you as well. I'll be getting them up soon, i promise !
What do you do when they refuse to pay the extra needed to get the job done right and expect you to do it yourself? I've had that happen and I was so pissed at the client, so I just finished the job as previously planned knowing that they'll have problems down the road.
then you refuse to do it if it's not the right way. I got sued once because i used the customers material which was faulty , and the judge told me i was the professional and should have refused the work. Little did he know I was starving and had to do the work.
You are too brilliant... I just started last year doing lawn care and I am using you as a mentor... I got 10 clients, and 1 non payer... I did his really cheap. Weeds and grass 10 feet tall... I said I would do it for 150 and if he allows me to maintain it, 60 per cut cause it wasnt very big, maybe 30 minute job when everything is cut normal... He agreed... I cut it all, took me all day and he decided not to pay... I got before video and after pictures... Actually I have the video on my youtube channel cause it was to extreme and wanted to document it...Thats just what it takes to get in the door I reckon..
why don't you follow up with some roundup brother ?
He was a non payer... Should have followed up with gas and a match ahahaha... It was basically in the middle of no where.. No cell signal or anything.
i wouldn't go that far my brother
Oh I know... I was just joking, but it does get frustrating... You do a job that last all day, and do it extremely cheap just to get screwed without vaseline... I do believe in karma tho :) Now I know why they have it cut once a year at the end of the year... They told me it wasnt cut all year before I even got to the property... Should have been a red flag.
right on brother
George just got to ask you one question. You say you do at least mostly prepay these days, and indicated that that was not always the case. If you had tried to do that from the start do you think that it would have worked out better or worse, and for a business and area where that is not the normal would you suggest a cold turkey switch? Thanks for all the great videos too.
I wish i had done it from the start. I lost thousands of dollars over the years.
Hey George I'm the guy hand writing invoices and sticking stamps, what software do you use
quickbooks and service fusion
Hey George! I’ve missed seeing new content on your channel I hope business is booming for you. You’ve helped inspire me to start doing lawn care (along with a passion for it) and I was wondering if you have an email or some way I can contact you. I’m in a very unique situation and just got started
been busy with my new franchise, but more to come for sure. george@familylawnandlandscape.com
Oh man, for a $400k job I would’ve taken that risk too!! LOL
All great tips bro, thanks!! Pre-paid is a smart idea. Never thought of that.
Also that wall makes a great background!!!
do pre pay whenever you can.
thanks brother
G Packard Could you share more about this contract?? As in, what type of work, man hours, equipment, type of company, etc. My biggest commercial work was around 40k annually and I thought I was doing good!😂
Good vid
thank you
There's something wrong with my screen. The colors have gone to shit. But excellent business advice. Thanks!
ok then ?
You still with us G Packard? That cough.. is it allergies? Busy season?
I am my brother, been very busy with my new ventures , but videos coming soon !
George you had mentioned your web builder /S. E. O. guy but never gave his information. What is it?
I have one of those sweet old lady customers. She's currently 7 months behind. I don't mow it, but I've done work on several of her rental properties.
So, she asks me to remulch one of her rental properties & add all of her past due balance to the invoice. I'm like, alright I'm going to remulch this property & dropping her as customer whether she pays or not.
Big mistake. The people that rents that property got ahold of my number. They called me up, cussing me out, threatening to use every social media account possible to put me out of business etc. & this was because I had drove a mini skidsteer on their property, but wasn't even their property. It was a rental.
Now, I've lost like $600 on this lady. She's still not paying. Indeed the renter got on my Facebook & left a negative review. Also, falsely quoted me. Saying I said, "that's how I do it & I aint fixing it".
man that sucks but thank you for sharing your story
When will u make another video
Kody, i'm doing one soon, I promise.
Good, I think your videos are awesome. I learn so much. I am also from Wisconsin and would like to be a landscaper when I'm older.
Amen to that Gut feeling. I call them clients from hell. I don't have a contract, and I'm taking your advice.
thanks for sharing brother
I what "technology" do you use?
many, yard book , quickbooks, gps tracking softwear, smart phones, service fusion , just to name a few
G Packard I've been in business 15 years and I've used Quickbooks along with Excel for the entire time. The last 2 years I tried SA and Jobber and they both were disappointing. We never even put them into full use. I've demoed Yardmann, Clip, Service Monster and now looking at Service Fusion. Nobody has great reviews on the shortfalls of different onces but the hours I've spent is absurd studying them. Perhaps I'm a perfectionists but I want to get it right this time.
they all have there issues.
George....you must be busy !!! You haven't put out any recent videos.
sorry, i have but there coming soon
Where are you George I miss your videos
Nick, there coming
Good video but why haven’t you been producing any videos
i've been busy with my new franchise
G Packard congratulations I can’t wait to hear all about the new franchise I am loving your success and praying your business will go further
Good afternoon George. Hope your business's are doing well. I was just curious to see if you were done with making CZcams videos?
Wardor, i am not, i've just been extremely busy this year with the new franchise.
G Packard Hope all is good with the new franchise!
sure is and thanks for giving a shit brother.
Where are the new videos????????
I'm working on them
Not a WORD from Green Bay Packard in MONTHS!
How about now Jenny ? Sorry I've just been so busy with the new franchise but I hope to keep them coming as long as i have good fans who appreciate my content like yourself.
FRANCHISE? What franchise? This is the first time I'm hearing about any franchise....
I started a new business called Mosquito Police. Then I offered it to fellow you tubers as a franchise. You can view our website at mosquitopolice.net , I believe the video was called business opportunity of a lifetime, check it out.
Is there any apps you use that help you organize and help you set up prepay for clients or do you use Paypal?
service fusion, yardbook (recommend if your smaller )quickbooks.
Thank you so much for your help buddy I really appreciate it
Where ya been G?
been extremely busy with my new business venture, but more vids are coming.
G Packard good to hear
Good advice. Could you have sued Mrs. Johnson in small claims court? i would have.
iwt would have cost me $250 in court fees not to mention my time to file, court appearances. all to get a judgement which i could use to wipe my ass with because thats all it would be worth. I have a better method, it's called Roundup about five bucks worth !
OK, I thought the loser pays the court fee. Roundup or a dump truck full of manure would work too. :)
there ya go !
bad customers.....you said it
right on brother
Hi George.
I had bothered you in the past to make a video about skin cancer, because you mentioned it.
No more need, LHL garden services UK, made one and showed his face cut up and stitched where they cut his out.
So thank you anyways but I am going to buy two hats and some long sleeve shirts.
ok well sorry i didn't get around to it .
G Packard No worry's!
Until I saw that guy's pictures I didn't think it was a problem I needed to be very worried about but he's in England and I always thought they got rain and cloudy skies all the time.
I was wrong on all counts.
Thank you for your reply.
Hey I really do enjoy all your videos thank you for all the information I need to listen to you if you get a chance check out my last video It's called George Packer you're right. Thank you for all you do for the long hair community and thank you for helping me make my business a better cutting process
you are very welcome my friend and i did watch it. thanks !
Build a retaining wall in your sleep! heh!... don't we all wish we could work in our sleep? Sleep seems such a waste of time.
yeah buddy
George, whats going on? Its now May 11 2018
I'm sorry brother, I have been so busy ! I'm trying desperately to get back into the swing of things, and I' have some good videos coming I promise.
Good stuff. I was getting worried about you, you ol' bugger! lol Cheers
why does everyone keep calling me old ?
I can still whip people 1/2 my age.
Is it too early to hustle up accounts. 2-15-19
absolutely not, go get em bro
@@GPackard Thanks going to sell the shit out of it got to make $70000 plus got a lot of work ahead of me
right on brother
👍👍👍😉
thanks bro
You write scripts for your videos before shooting?
do you live in Russia ?
@@GPackard no, but I have been there and my wife is from Russia. I’m Australian.
@@GPackard So about the mechanic business... probably not gonna pick up too well until after I finish my apprenticeship. But, I am now currently undergoing a course to becoming a driving instructor where I can get way more pay than my apprenticeship pays. Today’s my first day studying and yikes I asked myself am I really prepared to work full time even 6-7 days a week? (5 days apprenticeship labouring, and weekends teaching people how to drive). Eventually I’ll grow into a better businesses after I save up enough.
yeah about 8000.00 Lmao
funny yes ?