Side business...

[hatterasguy]

I'm thinking about starting a little lawn service side business for some extra cash, nothing big just about 10-15 lawns. I want to quit my part time job and stay busy between projects.


I figure $1k to get all the equipment, IE trailer, push mower for little stuff, trimmer, blower, odds and ends. The largest expenses by far is the big mower, thats going to cost a few bucks.


My ROI isn't to horrible, 15 lawns at $25 a pop is about $375 a week. So after the first season its all gravy. I'm willing to shell out the cash to avoid a part time job, to me thats a worth while investment. Those are conservative numbers I should be able to charge more than that, and my time invested per week will be less than 20 hours.

Its either a 30 hour a week job at Lowes or this. I'm thinking I could invest $5k-$6k to build myself a little side business and avoid that. Start up cash isn't an issue. Working in a big building for other people frankly sucks as far as I'm concerned. Also the idea of doing the same thing inside for 8 hours is pretty miserable for me. My goal is to make the same money with 1/2 the time investment, and have flexable hours. This way I can concentrate on building up the real estate business which is where the money is. I'm not looking to get rich cutting lawns, just some cash to live on so I don't eat into my RE earnings.

The plus side is that I can cut the lawns of some of the houses I want to buy and get friendly with the owners!


Any input would be appreciated!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Sparlin]

One thing many lawn services over look is Federal D.O.T. and Intrastate commerce regs. It depends on the weight of the trailer, the distances you travel from a central location, etc. but there are many people in that line of work that get busted with heavy fines because they think they are too small to be classified as a commercial operation.
Call your Highway Patrol to check on it and avoid several thousand of dollars in fines.

 

[hatterasguy]

I play dodge the DOT with the dump truck, and trailer all the time, not to worried with a little 1k pound utility trailer. I think you have to weigh 14k pounds to be considered commercial, but I forget.

 

[LagunaLauren]

Definitely go for the landscaping thing. Not sure where you're located, but I would try to get into more expensive neighborhoods for jobs/clients. I live in an exclusive, guard-gated community with our own country club. We are a tight-knit, social community, so when we find a great gardener, we tell EVERYBODY in the neighborhood and that guy gets referral business like crazy! (I'm watching my gardener sitting on his riding mower haulin' a$$ across 3 back yards simultaneously right now...Mine and my 2 neighbors). I personally pay him several hundred dollars every month and so do lots of other people in the neighborhood. He also does regular shrub trimming/tree trimming occasionally and flower-planting etc for extra $ on top of regular lawn care, so he's got to make pretty good money. He does this part time so he can spend lots of time doing what he loves-fishing on his boat. (He brings me fresh yellowtail and tuna occasionally!)

Go for high-end neighborhoods where people have bigger lawns, take pride in their landscaping and are willing to pay more for great lawn care. Over-deliver on expectations. Meet as many people in the neighborhood as you can. Ask for referrals. Grow the business and start hiring on some helpers to maximize your returns.

Best of luck!

PS-$25 a lawn seems really low; I pay more than double that. Make sure you research going rates in the neighborhoods you target so you don't undersell yourself.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[LagunaLauren]

The plus side is that I can cut the lawns of some of the houses I want to buy and get friendly with the owners!

I helped Kevin, my gardener, buy his first house. He had an opportunity but didn't know how to go about it, so I walked him through the process. Definitely beneficial to get to know home owners in high-end neighborhoods, especially if you're entrepreneurial.

 

[rcardin]

This is how I put myself through college. At one time I was pushing 50+ lawns a week and going to night school.

First a 1k budget to get started is really low. In 1992 I paid over 1200 for a honda commersial mower. 21" self propelled. Add in another 250 for a good straight shaft weedeater, and another 200 for a decent back pack blower. That will get you started along with a couple of gas cans, weedeater string, a good water jug, trash bags, and a way to haul it. I pulled a 5x8 trailer behind my ford escort and my 280z before I could afford a truck. Eventually you will need sprayers for at least 2 different chemicals, 2 or 3 different shovels and rakes, and some part time help.

It is a great part time gig and it will definitely make you get in shape. I was in the best shape of my life when I was pushing mowers all day. The biggest benefit is it is a cash basis business. Even if it is paid by check cash the check at their bank and it becomes cash. wink wink

 

[hatterasguy]

Yeah I'm going to do it. The more I think about it the more sense it makes, I can make a lot more money with less time involvement than at a $10 an hour part time job. Plus I don't mind the work, I like being outside. I was actualy figuring $1kish for the small stuff and a trailer, and $4kish for a larger mower.

I have a truck but I really don't like driving mowers up into the bed with ramps. I have done it a few times and I wouldn't be comfortable doing it every day. So I'll spend $600 on a utility trailer.

I need to go look at mowers, I'm thinking a Scag or Toro.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[eloise]

I think if this is a dream of how you can get to where you need to be with your RE business then I say you should do it. I also like the post above that says to go to the more upscale neighborhoods. I think in the long run if you concentrate here and make some good contacts it will help your RE business boom.. Good for you for following your dreams!! Where are you at? I sure could use some help with my landscaping because I am not very creative at all!!

 

[BuffaloBill]

I say go for it. I do side work myself. HVAC and painting. In fact it is starting to grow to where I make as much in some weeks as my current job. Trouble is, with this, my job, and my investments, I have no time. I can see this growing to the point to where something has to give. Goodbuy working all year for a 3% raise!!!!!!!!!!

Plus Hatteras, you will be amazed at the networking you can do just talking to people in their own comfort zone.