Start A Lawn Care Business

Make money with a lawn care and landscaping business.

What’s that BUZZZZ I feel? Is lawn care about to experience a resurgence?

Sep 23

Posted by Lawn Care Business in foreclosures lawn care, start a lawn care business, unemployment | No Comments

Make Money Mowing Foreclosure Lawns

Make Money Mowing Foreclosure Lawns

The stock market is down.

Unemployment is lumbering over 9%.

And, the housing market is STILL in the doldrums.

Though it seems like every newspaper headline I read and every TV station I turn on are full of talking heads telling me how the U.S. economy is in the toilet and how the U.S. dollar is going to be worthless and how we all have no hope and we should just curl up into a ball and wait for the end of the world, why am I feeling a BUZZZZ about the current state of the economy and how it is set to affect the lawn care industry in coming months.

I try to keep up with the housing market, the foreclosure market, and the unemployment outlook and how they relate to the lawn care industry.  I have to tell you honestly that I am feeling a genuine shift in the “feel” that is out there.  I believe our economy is about to turn the corner to the upside.

So, what does this mean for people who own their own lawn care companies?  Well, I believe it means that homes are going to start selling again, more people are going back to work, and people’s general willingness to spend money on things (such as lawn care) is improving.   As houses start selling again, foreclosure yard cleanup will become a tremendous source of customers for lawn care businesses that successfully target  the foreclosure market.  Real estate agents, mortgage bankers, and individuals who are attempting to sell their backlog of properties clamor to get their properties cleaned up and made presentable.  Likewise, people who go back to work and work longer hours don’t have time to mow their own grass and they have the money in their pockets to pay for lawn care.

So, is this “feel” I have accurate?  Only time will tell.  But, I will say that if you are thinking about starting your own lawn care business, the best advice often is to ignore what all the doom and gloomers on TV have to say and follow your dream.   Keep your eyes on your goal, stay smart, and work hard.

I am a believer that RIGHT NOW is a great time to start a lawn care business.  If you need help in learning how to start your business, which equipment to buy, and how much money to charge your customers, my company has developed a professionally produced training guide and software program that will teach you practically everything you need to know about starting and operating a successful lawn care business.

For more information, visit our main website:

Start A Lawn Care Business
http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

 

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Lawn Care Equipment Security Camera

Sep 21

Posted by Lawn Care Business in equipment, lawn care innovation, lawn care videos, lawn equipment | No Comments

Are you worried about someone stealing equipment from the back of your lawn care pickup truck or trailer?

A motion detection camera might help deter would-be theives.  And if someone is stupid enough to steal your stuff, your camera can provide you with photographic evidence.  The Canon (CHDK) script turns your Canon point-n-shoot camera into a motion detection security camrea.  Stick it in the back of your pickup truck to catch people trying to steal your lawn equipment while you are servicing your customers.

http://www.CHDKCameras.com
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

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The Last Few Lawn Mowing Cycles Of The Year

Sep 19

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn business strategies, winter | No Comments

Lawn Mowing End of Season

Lawn Mowing End of Season Mowing Cycles

The first half of September has passed us by and we are now into the last days of summer.  September 23, 2011 marks the official end of summer and the beginning of Fall.

For much of the country, there are still a few more mowing cycles to perform for your customers.  Of course, our friends in Florida will be mowing and mowing long after our friends in Minnesota (and our readers in Canada) are covered in snow.  Still, if you want to make money in lawn care (no matter where you are located in the country) you still have a few months to get rolling with your own lawn care business.

For the rest of you in the more temperate sections of the country, make the most of these last few mowing cycles.  Take extra time to mow well and trim to perfection.  Your customers will truly remember & appreciate your extra attention to their lawns right now.  They will be more likely to call you back in the springtime if you leave them with great looking lawns as the mowing season winds down.

Of course, if you want to run your business year-round and make money all 12 months, we have included a GREAT “guide to running your business through the winter months” in our lawn care business training guidebook.  You will be surprised how easy it is to sell customers add-on services through the colder months.  Providing lawn care and non-lawn care services during the winter months is very important.  Not only does it allow you to make additional money during the slower months but it also means you will keep your customers active and they will be raring to go once springtime rolls around again.

For more information about our business package, check out our main website.  The Lawn Care Business Training Package is on sale right now through the website:

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com
Start A Lawn Care Business

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Filling lawn mower gas tanks.

Sep 14

Posted by Lawn Care Business in commercial lawn mowers, environment | No Comments

The USEPA estimates that as much as 17,000,000 gallons of gasoline as spilled each year during refueling of gasoline powered lawn mowers.   17 Million Gallons?  Can you believe that?

I believe that we, as lawn care professionals can use this number to our benefit.  I believe that most of these spills are caused by those annoyingly tiny gas tanks on residential push behind lawn mowers.  Surely lawn care professionals do not spill as much gas as the common homeowners.  Our tanks are bigger, our fill holes are larger, our refilling tanks have retractable spouts that give us better aim, and gasoline is the life blood of our comanies.

Next time a potential client tells you that he is just going to mow the yard himself, remind him about the frustration he will face by the simple act of refilling his lawn mower each week.  If you’re ever asked about your dedication to the environment, remind the questioner that home owners spill millions and millions of gasoline refilling their lawn mowers and you, as a lawn care professional, take care to refill your tanks properly to avoid spilling even 1 single ounce of lawn mower gasoline.

For more tips on how to run a successful, profitable, and environmentally responsible lawn care company, visit our main website and consider purchasing our Lawn Care Business Package.  We have it on sale this month.

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com
Start A Lawn Care Business

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Employed? Better have a B plan….and a C plan.

Sep 13

Posted by Lawn Care Business in start a lawn care business | No Comments

Are you currently employed in a good job making lots of money?  Do you have a “secure” executive position with your company?  Have you acheived  professional licensure and think you never have to worry about losing your job?

Bank Of America’s announcement that 40,000 of their employees will be losing their jobs in the coming years should make us all aware that we are all vulnerable to the ebbs and flows of our turbulant economy.  No one is safe within Bank Of America.  Tellers will be losing their jobs.  Managers will be losing their jobs.  Upper level executives will be losing their jobs.

Even if you don’t work at Bank Of America you should heed this warning: Nobody’s job is secure, ever.

I have a unique opportunity to speak with many people who are starting lawn care businesses.  Many guys are in highschool and are just wanting to make extra money during the summer and many others have always wanted to own their own businesses and set their own schedules.  However, I have been speaking with many people lately with good jobs who have suddenly been laid off (or fired) and find themselves in the positions of having to make money immediately.   I have even spoken with at least two 6-figure executives this year who were suddenly unemployed and decided to start their own lawn care businesses.

No matter how secure you think you employment is, if the company you work for starts to flounder you may find yourself suddenly unemployed.  It pays for you to have a B plan…and even a C plan if you have any indication, what-so-ever, that you will lose your job.

Happy Labor Day Weekend

Sep 4

Posted by Lawn Care Business in leaf raking | No Comments

Hi Everyone:

Happy Labor Day weekend.

I hope you are able to take an extended break this weekend.  It’s hard to believe it is September already.  Yesterday we had 100 degree temeratures but today is only getting into the mid 80’s.  A bit of rain over the coming days will also help temper the heat and, better yet, give us some grass growth which will last for the next several weeks.

We are approaching a VERY busy lawn care season.  Grass mowing, leaf raking, overseeding, aerating, fertilizing, and other lawn care jobs will keep you very busy in the upcoming months.

So, take this weekend to rest up.

Happy long weekend to you all:

From Keith and all of us at: www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

 

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The Last Day of August – Prepare for leaf raking season.

Aug 31

Posted by Lawn Care Business in leaf raking, money, start a lawn care business | No Comments

In a few more hours we will bid farewell to August 2011.

While it has been a great summer for the lawn mowing industry, I am not sad to say goodbye to those long, hot, dusty August days.  The temperatures are still high but I can feel a break in the intensity of  the hot days.  This lowered intensity tells me Autumn is right around the corner and fall leaf raking is not far behind.

We are in the Southeast section of the United States.  Those of you in the northern states are already seeing the beginnings of fall foliage. Money might not GROW on trees but it sure will be FALLING from trees during the next three months.

Don’t miss out on the leaf raking season.  Even if you haven’t started your lawn care business yet, there is still plenty of time to get your business started (or ramp up your existing business) and make a ton of money performing leaf cleanup jobs.

Learn leaf raking strategies and estimating procedures in our lawn care business program available through our main website:

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

 

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Summer Grass Mowing Season is Coming to an End.

Aug 26

Posted by Lawn Care Business in autumn, lawn mowing contracts, leaf blowers, leaf raking, money, start a lawn care business | No Comments

Summer’s grass mowing season is coming to an end. Leaf raking takes over.

How do I know this? Is it the shorter days? Is it the cooler nights? Is it the lengthening shadows? Is it the falling leaves? Is it the start of football season?

Summer Grass Mowing vs. Autumn Leaf Raking

Summer is coming to an end.

No, none of these things tell me that summer is coming to an end. I don’t need a weatherman or a calendar. I only need to take a walk through my local Walgreens to see a “25% Off Summer Toys” sign to let me know that the lucrative and profitable grass mowing season will soon come to an end.

Actually, if you own a lawn care business, there is NO NEED TO PANIC. Though it is already the end of August, many lawn care companies (especially in the southern states) will be mowing grass well into November. And, if you don’t make enough money mowing grass for the next two month, leaf raking season should easily carry your lawn care business well into next year.

So, when you see signs of summer’s end, rest assured that there are still PLENTY of opportunities to make a TON of money mowing grass raking leaves for the next several months.

If you have ever thought about starting a lawn care business but don’t know where to start, we have developed a comprehensive lawn care business training course that will teach you practically everything you need to know about starting and operating a successful lawn care business. For more information about our business course, please visit our main webpage.

Start A Lawn Care Business
http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com

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Leaf Raking & Landscaping Gloves – Protect your hands.

Aug 26

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn care work gloves, leaf raking | No Comments

Landscaping Gloves

Landscaping Gloves

As August days draw shorter and my shadow across the landscape grows longer, I am reminded that leaf raking season is upon us once again.

Ah, the crisp crunch of dried leaves underfoot.

Ah, the sight of a growing bank account as grateful customers pay great money to have their yards raked and mulched week after week.

Ouch, the pain of the blisters from leaf rakes.

Believe me, I know the pain.  No matter how rough and strong and callused your hands become during the mowing season, a leaf rake always has a way of finding that one tender spot.  After a few hours of raking, even the roughest hands succumb to painful blisters caused by heavy leaf work.  In addition to leaf rakes, hands are vulnerable to sharp sticks and biting insects that lurk in piles of leaves.

I just want to give you a quick reminder that if you are raking leaves this year as part of your lawn care business, spend the time (and a few extra dollars) to purchase a quality pair of work gloves.  I know you will be tempted to buy the cheapo $1.00 gardening gloves but, trust me, those gloves will barely last through one day of heavy leaf work.  Spend the extra money and get a quality pair of gloves.

Below is a list (from Amazon.com) of quality work gloves that should last you an entire season of leaf raking:

 

 

 

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It Sucks For This Guy – Getting a truck stuck on a steep driveway.

Aug 17

Posted by Lawn Care Business in lawn care customers, lawn care training | No Comments

It Sucks For This Guy - Getting a truck stuck on a steep driveway.

Getting a truck stuck on a steep driveway.

One thing we try to do with our lawn care business blog (and the lawn care business training package) is to help you avoid annoying and costly situations.  With nearly 20 years’ experience in the lawn care industry we have seen many small nusiances turn into large problems simply because lawn care business owners don’t know how to avoid and maneuver obstacles associated with doing the business.

I witnessed one such annoyance today.  Now, while this problem did not involve a lawn care company it did involve a situation that many lawn care companies find themselves in.  If you are driving a large truck with a long wheelbase, pulling a trailer, or have a drop hitch on your vehicle you should be particularly careful transitioning off the roadway and up steep driveways.

I have seen many instances where a lawn care truck’s drop hitch contacts the ground as the truck is beginning to climb the driveway.  The forward momentum of the vehicle causes the drop hitch to dig into the asphalt but not before the rear wheels lose traction.  This is VERY annoying and, practically, the only way to get out of the situation is to call a wrecker and have your vehicle towed out.

So, if you have lawn care customers with steep driveways, keep this in mind before you go barreling up the driveway and cause yourself a ton of grief.

Do you want to avoid even more hassles in your Lawn Care Business?  Take a look at our Lawn Care Business Training Package:

http://www.StartALawnCareBusiness.com
Start A Lawn Care Business

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