This Pisses Me Off.
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
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Starting a lawn care business can be challenging. You can use a basic setup to start your lawn business without spending thousands of dollars on the best zero turn mower. In this video I'm showing you the basic lawn care setup I used in the beginning to keep costs down and make money right from the start.
Man oh man... I'm sure we've all experienced this at some time or another during our lawn business. Are you viewed as a professional lawn service or are you the "Yard help." Big difference in how much you will enjoy your lawn business.
My 3 Favorite Lawn Care Tools:
For Pruning: Dewalt Hand Saw amzn.to/3hCWYPJ
Best Multi Tool: Leatherman Skeletool amzn.to/34n8YlV
Best Boots: Merrell Foresbtound amzn.to/3sXaCoo
My Story:
In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for almost 7 years.
I was not in control of my schedule, I was hardly making any money, and I was away from my family working nights and holidays. I was capable of more,, and I was silently suffering. I knew I was selling myself and my family short.
I started Florida Turf Pros as a side hustle in 2016 before going full time in 2017.
My lawn business changed my life. I control my own schedule, my own income, and I am proud of what I have built.
On this channel you will learn the steps I have taken (and am still taking) to have a lawn care business that serves ME and my family’s needs.
We are a small owner operated company (2 full time mowing trucks/crews, and now a sod installation division).
If you are interested in starting a lawn care business this channel will provide the direction.
This really is a great industry to be in…
And I hope that by documenting my journey it will help you too.
Show up with a clipboard that has your letterhead bid sheet on it. Have a space for mowing and extra labor price. Yep, you're a contractor not a school kid. Nice video.
Thanks for the tips!
Just got fired from a client that needed to go anyways. Yard full of deer poop. Always asking me to take her trash out go get her mail. Check on her cabins and make sure doors and windows were locked fertilize. I finally told her i needed to use her hose to wash of the poop out of the treads of my tires. And i dont have time to do all these little extras. She called me lazy stupid and greedy. I said have a good day and left. She said trust me ill have a better day then you lol. So glad i dont have to go back 🎉
I first started mowing " For Fun " back in 2017. When I started I was doing 2 yards just trying it out. I told one person $15' and the other $25. I did gain more but after I watched you for a little while I realized I was pricing way too low. I raised everyone's prices in 2022 when I decided to turn it into a business after watching you. The ones I had at the start dropped me because I gave a price increase saying I was already over priced. I believe that they viewed me as the yard boy. I have a lot of clients I got in 2022 and gained more this year after doing another price increase. So I am no longer the yard boy to anyone thanks to what I have learned from you. People know they will get a price from me now for anything. I am glad I found you on here because I probably wouldn't be growing like I am without your videos
I've been doing this for 25 years. You provide good advice. I would add to your list, always use the word "we" rather than I. Even if you are a one man show, say "we" it will make a more professional image
This pisses me off so much! Im 18 and I run a more professional business than most in my area. From invoices to software to credit card to well composed emails and calls with excellent customer service, we try to be the most professional as we can be. This stuff pisses me off like crazy! I have an LLC and insurance. Mainly because of my age, everybody looks at me as the yard help. I'm glad someone else comes out and says this!!! Great video!
Stay motivated. I had the same issue when I was your age. Now I'm 32 and look like I'm 25 so people still will judge off the first moment, but once they hear me speak , they realize how educated I am in the Industry, passionate, polite, and professional. 14 years of learning, and still learn everyday.
Hang in there and stick to your guns! Sounds like you have the right mindset.
I as well started out very young and now some of my kids are old enough to be the help and I'm having to teach them how to not be the "yard help" just because of their young age.
Stick with it and you'll go far
Great content! About three years ago I started to take myself seriously and I found out really quickly that Customers are willing to pay more for someone who is professional and takes their work seriously.
Yes, taking yourself seriously with a professional image has a way of getting a better price and better respect from clients.
Love it bro. Let people know that it is okay to raise the rate after a low estimate. We had a $42 property that needed to be adjusted. I dropped the lawn dut to low margin. This year, this customer called back. I told him the price needed to be moved to $56 to be profitable for us. The customer said, "Dude, wish you had talked to me about this last season." So have a back bone, stand firm in your value, and be transparent with customers, if they are not willing to pay a professional for awesome service, then let them go. They are pumped to have us back even at this higher rate.
I've ran into this scenario a few times... adding clients back at higher rates for whatever reason, but they are glad to be back.
I done an estimate for a customer, he and his wife were trying to set the price themselves and I told them it was 65$
They kept trying 50,55,60
At the end they agreed to $65
They said the last company they use was charging $50 but they weren’t servicing their area
( i think they couldn’t get a better price so they dropped them)
Point is stay firm and if they tried to haggle you just don’t pay attention to it
Treat it like the movie “Roadhouse” when people are rude, be nice, until it’s time to not be nice 👍
Great video. There have been a few customers that have tried to take advantage but we have weeded those out. We are professionals and we make sure all our clients know. We are lettered up from trucks to shirts and it separates us from competition.
Love the content btw. I’m in business going on my second year and me and my wife watch your channel all the time and have learned so much. Thank you. Hit 70 clients and going strong 💪🏻 God is so good. We have gave this business over to him and it has flourished tremendously 🙏🏻.
That's awesome. Thanks for letting me know.
Bottom line is that it is Your business! You have the ability to change your system into something else that isn't a Yard Boy
Being thought of as lawn guy or lawn service professionals doesn’t concern me anymore, it’s about the numbers. I never allow any disrespect! Bottom line is getting paid well for my labor
Well said.
New to your channel and I can totally relate to this video. I started my business with a push mower and a broom as a side hustle and grew it from their.
My most memorable experience I've had with terrible customers I've had in the 12 years I've been in business was about 6 years shortly after my youngest daughter was born she was diagnosed with a heart condition that needed open heart surgery and I told all my clients that I wasn't going to be on a consistent schedule ie. Same day every week. Long story short their where 3 clients in the same neighborhood that were very rude about the whole situation and one had the nerve to call me and cuss at me because I wasn't showing up on the day he wanted so I told all 3 of them to call someone else I'm not having clients like you. Shortly after that I replaced them with 1 better paying client that we still service to this day.
All great tips. I don’t do any in person estimates for an on the spot request. Information is gathered, estimate is emailed and schedule is assessed for availability, oh and here’s a card with contact information.
I've been saying all this stuff for years. I will be saving this video and sending it to my fellow friends in the landscape industry.
Sidenote....Side note.... local print shop here in Wichita, KS makes and sells custom shaped magnets rather than the standard rectangular ones. The custom shaped magnets actually look like a vinyl logo but if this Kansas wind catches it just right on the highway then bye bye. I had one fly off never to be found again then I went ahead and sprung for the vinyl install.
Uniforms: I want to wear Cargo Pants that are bloused (Like the military) with shirts that have flags on our chest. Company name will be "Patriot Lawn Care Services". I love the cargo pants that are bloused because I wore it in the Army for 20 years and man, it is SOOOO comfortable. I think if I had to wear khakis and shoes Id be miserable. I wanna keep same type uniforms as Military but not military. Military uniforms are extremely comfortable.
You could name your company "Crew Cuts" 😆
@@kennethalynn Or "Cut Crew"
Love it! Thank you
I hope you attend Landscape Summit! Would be great to see you there.
Where can I get more info on Landscape Summit?
I picked up 8 yards from just doing my own yard. 70 initial cut and 50 from there. My clients are so pleased that they have the money ready when I go to the door. Just debating if I want to get more jobs and make this a full time side hustle. Any ideas?
great info...thank you ! :D
Good stuff .thank you ❤
Thank you!
Great video man. I agree 100%. You guys stay safe.
Thanks, you too!
Thank you for the advice I struggle with this all the time
Great video very good information
Magnets won’t work on newer vehicles, btw. They are being built with aluminum which is not magnetic. Learned this last year when the magnet I ordered failed to snap on. Keep hustling!
I really appreciate your video.
Great content on this video I appreciate what you’re saying and have had a few instances myself where the customer tried to take advantage of me
It happens.. has happened even to me.. mostly in the beginning. You figure it out and make the necessary adjustments pretty quickly.
Great video... Love your channel...cheers From Oz
That is a great video. I just went through something similar on a contract and stood my ground and would not let them walk on me. I have added a 30 day cancelation clause in my contract and I also decided that once this season is over I will not bid on it again. It pays good but not good enough to be expected to do extra for free and beating up my equipment. This video made me feel more confident that I am making the right decisions.
Thanks for sharing! Stick to your guns... sounds like you're on the right track.
I put up with a lot of crap year one as I was trying to gain accounts, fill up my schedule, and get momentum. I’m in year two this year and I finally have gotten to the point where I have enough accounts that I am no longer afraid to lose a customer or not make a sale if it doesn’t fit my business model I am trying to achieve. It’s such a freeing experience and in my opinion, it’s the first major mile stone every lawn care company has to reach before they can begin to truly gain confidence, take themselves seriously, and really hit the gas pedal.
There is a way to streamline your business to this first mile stone and it’s something I would do if I had to redo year one. The answer is MARKETING, specifically CAC! I only did word of mouth year one…mistake! Knowing your customer acquisition cost is the most freeing number you can know as a new business owner. We’re often tempted as new business owners to take on or put up with some problem customers just to gain momentum and fill the schedule, but you can avoid this if you start out tracking your marketing dollars and can quickly get to a point where you know that if you spend $X you will get X amount of customers as a return on your marketing dollars spent. Now when I get a call for an estimate or a client is being ridiculous, I can set my price with confidence or move on quickly because I know that I can spend some money on marketing and I will immediately replace that customer. I am no longer desperate to fill my schedule with whatever comes my way or so afraid to lose a client because I literally have no idea when I’ll ever get another lead again just waiting on word of mouth.
Truth be told, I’ve watched hundreds of Jonathan’s and Mike Andes’ videos and I feel like they have made countless videos on this topic and countless videos on how to Market, but no one ever ties the two topics together. It’s really easy to just say, “Drop that client” or “Don’t put up with that” but the reality is that if you are not spending money on marketing and tracking your ROI(return on investment) these statements are easier said than actually lived out.
Thanks Jonathan for all of your great content. You have helped me and my family more than you will ever know. I can’t wait for your lawn care business class to drop. I’ll be first in line to buy it.
This is fantastic. I really enjoy hearing how people have had success starting their lawn businesses. I appreciate you taking the time to write a thoughtful comment. Good luck in the future to you, your family, and your business!
Truck lettering is huge got my name on both front doors and back window for $113 best money I have gotten more jobs and sales at gas stations then I can count
Agreed... truck lettering is great for quick sales, branding, professionalism... the list goes on and on.
Great video. This is an amazing industry we are in. We are only limited by our own mind as to how successful we can be.
I agree completely.
To be honest I started with a push mower and yes a push broom. Then I slowly grew. I now give them packages deals from just mow and go or the hole lawn detail lawn package.
All good advice. I was going to comment on your video from a few years ago about uniforms.
I have been mowing since I was about 12 helping my dad, he mowed as an additional form of income. Been mowing by myself as a side hustle since 2011, this is my first year full time. I started this season with 35 clients, and for doing it part time until now, 35 is a lot to do and work a regular job. I am at 55 clients now, and will cap it at 60. I work Han Solo, and I think 60 is a good number for a 1 man operation. That gives me room for 1 and 2 time mows for people who mow their own lawn and the mower goes in the shop. Also for other Ala Carte services like shrubs and light tree trimming.
I wear dickies work pants, green or tan, and I wear store bought sleeveless shirts fruit of the loom or dickies, same with short sleeve and long sleeve. I wear cathartt long sleeve in the fall and winter, because they are heavier and are great for leaf cleanup and snow removal.
I also have a sign on my drop gate on my trailer. My clients all treat me with courtesy and respect and I do as well. To any potential client who is looking for Low Ball Larry, I tell anyone and advertise that my minimum is $40 to drop my trailer. And that's if I'm off the lawn in 30 minutes or less. I will not mow for less than that, and anything other than mowing, weed eat, blow the grass off, and spray cracks in walkway or driveway is extra and is by the job or hour. Now, if it's just 1 low hanging small branch, I will get my loppers and cut it, but if I am going to be out there for a long time or haul something off, I politely tell the customer I will do this extra stuff when I am caught up mowing or I have a rain day.
I tell people I am affordable and fair prices for quality, friendly professional service. If you want a cheap crappy job, then go get Low Ball Larry. You can use that name in a video if you want.
Haha, thanks for the great comment. I like low ball Larry too ;)
Thank you for the insight
You're welcome!
Thank you
Facts!
Great video, What makes a lawn care professional a professional is it the truck and trailer detail or uniforms or the way the person maintenance the lawn because you have some that have all the gear to be able to cut grass and still not do a good job and you have some that has just a truck and trailer and the equipment and do a fantastic job on the lawn. Is it how much a person makes to qualify him as a professional or what he's able to do to make this the lawn? Maybe you can answer this question for me. Thanks
we have had this discussion in my company many times people can be rude and disrespectful and plain and simple it is not tolerated
Clutch! Stand your ground for your people!
Rule with an iron fist! 👊
I just quoted a 50,000 sqft lawn for detaching and over seeding for $10,800. The guy thought I was over $10,000. $800 is for the over seeding. So I am supposed to do the detaching for free? Move along buddy, rent a machine and do it yourself you will find out why the price is set the way it is.
Great video
Thanks for the visit.
"Sweep that better boy", that gives me nightmares!
I think we've all been there! 😆
...I'd like to have you on our green industry Podcast. Lone Star Lawn Talk 🌟
We'll do it, Andrew.
I just subbed to your podcast
@@tonyslawncare Awesome man, hope you find value in it's content And the guests we have on.
@@andrewslands you going to equip expo? I have a podcast too called lawn care talk
Never give an estimate that ends in a whole round number ie (0 or 5) it simply looks like you pulled a number out of your azz. $48 or $63 or $87 not $50 $75 or $130. Make it look like you added exact numbers up and this is the total. And you need disclaimers. All estimates do not include transportation or dump fees. Any payment not remitted in the allowed time will be sent to collections. Any litigation fees will be added to the bill.
All good points.
I have one client that on my first day doing mulch at their house the guy was talking trash about how lazy the last guy was because he wouldn't move things to cut I knew then and there that this was not going to be a respectful client and sadly I was right. I did defend their previous lawn guy even though I don't know who he or they are. These people's yard is a hot mess with stuff everywhere and they expect a lawn boy to clean up the trash and move all their junk every week. I trim around the trash and the junk so I'm sure I will be the next lazy yard boy they replace.
Ya, you can usually tell pretty quickly if a client is going to be a pain... Gut instinct is right nearly every time.
Push mowing 6.30 years 21 up to 30inch
I had an "investor", part of a group of them, that called me and wondered why he was being charged so much for lawn care on two of his properties... I explained and then asked what he thought was fair, he replied $70-80 for both bi-weekly... I laughed and told him to find someone passing through...
Had wkly customers asked me to trim bushes and weed the flower beds and after the service was done sent the the invoice with price broke down and she sent me back what she was willing to pay and it was 135 less ................ so needless to say will never return to that property
You're def better off!
Dang. Bet she doesn't do that at the grocery store. 🤦♂️
@@andrewslands that’s what I ask people. When people tell me “ I’m not paying sales tax” I say “when you check out at Walmart, who pays the sales tax”
@@cleancutslawncare FACTS!
I really like you videos I’m having problems with pricing and knowing how much to charge? How would I go about doing my estimates the right way.
Watch Mike Andes. He goes through all that
Is it the same in every state.? I’m in Nebraska
@@jonglanzer8147 Augusta lawn Care can help you figure it out no matter where you're at
Hey John, Florida Turf Pros is coming out with a lawn care course soon that covers that topic in depth! Stay tuned!
I have definitely made that mistake with a few customers, I need to get my shit together. I'm definitely a yard Bitch to some.
Just stay confident, set your prices high, and don't do extras. You got this.
It probably would not bother me one bit...As long as that direct deposit goes through or check doesn't bounce, I can deal with it...I am in the Military...Trust me, I've seen higher ranking officials talk smack and feel like lower ranking Officers were "Just the Help"...Now, if I saw them talking to my guys like that, I would probably step in. I don't mind it, but I wouldn't allow my guys being talked to like that. Thats like stepping up to the bully. It should be done.
Johnathan, at 6:24 when you said you wanted to get out of the truck and tell the young man to get in and let you show him how to do it, that would have been a gracious moment. That moment was probably put in place by God Himself to see exactly what you would do with the gift He has given you. All to many people that are successful in other's eyes want money to teach others how to do what they do or to know what they know. I can say myself that I have had someone share with me what they did to start their lawncare business. I have tried it their way and I am still struggling. I have tried what others such as yourself on here have shared and lose jobs left and right to the guy that will do it for $25-$30. I think that if you or anyone else in this industry has the opportunity to help someone out, go for it. Of course you cannot do everything for free but you could have stopped, pulled the young man to the side and asked if you could help. Took out the blower, and in front of the home owner, told the young man to call you when he got home, and shared some of your knowledge with him. You are awesome on here!! I enjoy watching your videos and a buddy of mine, we talk about you and your videos all the time. I have to say though, he is in those high end neighborhoods you show and I am in the struggling and mid-level neighborhoods. I must say, I had a bad experience last year with a high-end client. Thank you for all that you do and please never stop sharing your knowledge.
Good advice young man🙋♂️
Your in Florida(I am to),there’s a bunch of broke people that think that everyone else is broke to when they bid on stuff,I see this all the time,I’m completely honestly with people now if they wanna pay 10-20 bucks for something I tell them I would go bankrupt and can’t do it,you can go broke sitting it on the couch don’t need to be in a customers yard sweating
Absolutely right you can go bankrupt just sitting on the couch.... it's just much more comfortable that way! lol
Worst part of the biz is the customer lol
Yeah I just let a customer go..4 seasons of picking up toys.balls..moving a trampoline picking up water bottles..etc..the issue came with no communication with her payments as of June..she definitely understands as of August 1st..lol..but yeah..gotta expand that top..and I could of been dropped her off..but you got to be suttle..when dealing with 70+ egos..she was 1 of 5..and of course played the victim...good ridden...Thanks for the video brother👍
Seven years in still push mowing
Like the old saying goes- Never judge a book by its cover…
Great video. We’ve dropped a couple of customers this year because of the way they acted. One of those customers threw a beer can at me while I was mowing. She was taking a nap apparently and me mowing disturbed her.
Oh wow! That's wild. I believe I would've lost it.
Automatic shes drop right we are leaving
In 2023, I’ll be charging $400.00 per man hour, plus materials, plus 1,000% markup on the materials with a 50% personal Gross Profit Margin. That will weed out the people who think that I’m “desperate” for money.
do you charge 90 per hour for pulling weeds?
120
@@FloridaTurfPros is that your general man hr rate
what if that was his grandpa
Well, maybe the old man was his dad kind of showing him the ropes.
It's possible.
I'm definitely not the yard boy.
When they try to Hegel with me I tell them I'm sorry but my prices are my prices
That's the best thing to do.