Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
When running a lawn mowing business, it is only a matter of time before you start to wonder.
Is it worth running out and buying hedge cutters and trestles so you can pick up the occasional hedge?
Doing these extra jobs can be a good idea, but in the end, it will depend on what you want to get out of your business. One of the reasons that you would have got into lawn mowing in the first place would have been the regular income.
You can get that with trees, hedges and water blasting, but the gap between the callbacks can be long. You could make a better hourly rate, but the time between paydays on a job can take much longer. You would need a lot more regular clients on your books to achieve the level of income you want.
Gardening is another option as this is easier to turn into regular work, but while you are busy gardening, your lawn mowing gear is sitting there doing nothing.
Although it is possible to charge $60 an hour for gardening, not many people achieve this. Gardens can also be notoriously hard to price.
There is an old saying. The Jack of all trades is a master of none.
You canât be everything to everybody, so donât try.
I know that sometimes a quote hinges on you doing other work, but you need to ask yourself if it is worth it.
If you are going to deviate from lawn mowing, just focus on a few things you enjoy and can do well.
You will be a lot happier in the long run.
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Why Winter is the BEST time to market your lawn mowing business.
Winter has arrived
Now the leaves are starting to slow down and become less of a pain and the rainy days are starting to arrive, most lawn mowing businesses will be switching to winter mode.
Everyone will switch to winter cycles.
One of the first things They will do when switching your lawn mowing business to winter mode is to switch all of their lawns to winter cycles. This means that they will adjust their mowing schedule accordingly. Instead of mowing every fortnight, they may only need to mow every three to four weeks.
Everyone will start doing trees, hedges and gardens
Another way to make sure their lawn mowing business stays afloat during the winter months is by making time for jobs like trees, hedges and gardens. These types of jobs are typically much easier to schedule during the winter months due to the lack of leaves on the ground. And because they're generally smaller jobs, they can be completed in a shorter amount of time than a traditional lawn mowing job. As a result, they will be able to keep busy and generate some extra revenue for their business.
Businesses slow down their marketing.
For lawn mowing businesses, winter can be a tough time. Many business owners choose to hunker down, cut expenses, and cut back on advertising in order to get through the winter months.
I used to do that too and it was a big mistake.
Hibernation becomes the order of the day.
When everyone slows down it is time for you to start growing
At this time of year when a lawn mowing business focusing on real growth can have a great advantage.
Instead of doing winter work I now focus on getting more lawns on my books.
Now is the time to put the peddle to the metal and step up the advertising.
Winter can be a tough time for businesses. With fewer people out and about, it can be hard to attract customers. However, advertising in the winter can be a great way to reach potential customers who are searching for what you have to offer. And because there are fewer businesses advertising in the winter, your ads are more likely to stand out.
Additionally, advertising in the winter is usually cheaper than advertising in other seasons. So if you're looking to save money on advertising, the winter months may be the perfect time to start.
You can get a jump on the competition and be the only game in town when it comes to advertising for lawn work. So put the pedal to the metal and step up your advertising now. You'll be glad you did when spring rolls around and you're the only company people are calling for their lawn care needs!
This is the time to get out and build.
And here is the bit that really makes a difference to your bottom line.
I build as much as I can over winter. I run out and get jobs on rainy days when no one else wants to quote. By the end of winter, I can be quite busy with lawns.
Winter is the time to get out and build your customer base. Many people think that mowing lawns is a seasonal business, but the truth is that there are plenty of people who need their lawns mowed all year round.
So if you're looking to grow your business, then getting out and quoting on jobs in the winter months is a great way to do it. Not only will you be able to get more jobs on your books, but you'll also be actively growing your business.
You don't need to waste your time with trees, hedges or gardens. Let the other businesses worry about those one-off jobs. You can build your base of regular customers and leave those one-off jobs to the other guys. They can have it! You don't need to bother with that kind of work. Instead, you can focus on building your business and making it thrive. There's no reason to waste your time with one-off jobs when you could be building a strong foundation for your business. So leave the trees and hedges to the other businesses and focus on what you do best: building your business!
And then the magic happens.
For ten years in a row, I have moved all my winter cycle lawns to a two-week cut after the first cut in spring.
This means that if I am working close to 40 hours in August, I will have around another 10 hours of work a week starting in September.
I then package and sell a small round of my lower-paying lawns during August. This gives me a lump sum and a higher hourly rate going into spring.
This system has worked well for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get the most out of their lawn care business.
Happy winter mowing guys.
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How do you deal with winter lawns?
As they say on Game of Thrones, âWinter is comingâ
Fortunately for us, it doesn't mean that the "White Walkers" are on the way, but Jack Frost will make an appearance soon.
Then you will start getting customers asking you if you could cut their lawn a bit less often. But how often is that?
And what happens to your business? You start getting lawns coming off their regular fortnightly cycles and landing everywhere.
How to Prepare Your Lawn Care Business for the Winter Season
As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to fall, it's important to start thinking about how the winter season will affect your lawn care business. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation, you can make sure that your business continues to thrive throughout the colder months.
Here are a few tips on how to prepare your lawn care business for winter.
1. Update Your Equipment
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for winter is to make sure that your equipment is in good working order. Cold weather can take a toll on your lawn mower, so it's important to give it a tune-up before the winter season starts.
2. Create a Winter Service Package
While most people think of lawn care as a summertime service, there are still plenty of things that need to be done during the winter months in order to keep yards looking their best. Offer your customers a winter service package that includes things like mulching, weeding and pruning roses and trees.
how do you know if a lawn is in its winter cycle?
Here in New Zealand, most lawns will go into their winter cycle around June. The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, which means the grass is getting less sunlight. As a result, the grass will start to slow down its growth.
However, just because the grass is growing more slowly doesn't mean it doesn't need to be cut. In fact, during the winter months, it's important to keep up with your regular mowing schedule. Why? Longer grass is more susceptible to disease and pests. Plus, if you let the grass get too long, it will be more difficult to cut when spring rolls around.
There are a few telltale signs that winter has arrived
-The blades of grass will be thinner and shorter than usual.
-The colour of the grass will be more faded.
-There will be fewer clippings after you mow.
-The grass may feel spongy when you walk on it.
-There may be more weeds than usual.
-The lawn may have dead patches here and there.
If you see any of these signs, it's time to put the lawn on a winter schedule. This means cutting it less frequentlyâtypically every three to four weeks instead of every week. And when you do cut it, don't cut more than one-third of the blade off at a time. By following these steps, you can ensure that your customers' lawns stay healthy all winter long!
âBack in the 90s, at this time of year, I used to drive up to a lawn and say to myself, âthat doesn't need cuttingâ, so I would move on. What a complete waste of time that was.
Another thing was I didn't even really know what the customer thought. Did they think it needed cutting?
âWho knows?
Nowadays, I have a system
(you know I was going to say that, didn't you?).
When we take on a lawn, we say we do fortnightly mows. If the customer asks about the Winter cut cycle, we tell them that if the grass slows down and they want a winter cycle, all they have to do is let us know BEFORE we turn up. We only do weekly, fortnightly or four weekly cuts as we manage over 150 lawns.
âWe tell them that we don't decide whether the lawn needs mowing or not because we do not know what the customer is thinking. Some may think the lawn needs cutting, and some may not. The customer usually agrees that it makes sense.
âThis technique works for us because
We don't turn up and get sent away.
Hardly anyone ever contacts us.
Most of our lawns are on a fortnightly cycle all year round.
The path of least resistance.
One of the reasons that this works so well is due to an old sales technique called âthe part of least resistanceâ
This means that when given a choice people will usually choose the easiest route. It is easier not to ring or text your than to pick up the phone.
Therefore the lawn stays on a two-week mow all year round and that suits us fine
If someone wants to go on a winter cycle.
No problems. We put them on a winter cycle immediately.
However
âWe also mention that everybody goes fortnightly from the first mow in September.
We want to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
I hope this helps and that you have a good winter lawn mowing season.
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You Might Not Need a Contract with Your Lawn-Mowing Customer.
When you start bringing on your first customers, you will probably wonderâŚ
Do you need agreements for your customers?
That is a question I get asked a lot.
When you start quoting lawns and getting customers, you feel like you should be formalising the agreement somehow.
What are the other lawn-mowing contractors doing?
Should you give them a contract to sign?
Here in New Zealand, the simple answer is "No."
In my 35 years in the industry, I have NEVER asked a customer to sign a contract.
And I have had customers ranging from domestic households, government departments, retirement villages and even a private hospitable.
They are just not necessary.
There's no need to sign a contract when mowing someone's lawn. A verbal agreement is just as goodâand it's a lot less expensive and time-consuming. So save yourself the headache and just go out and start mowing!
Contracts are expensive.
If you're just starting, you might not have the money to pay a lawyer to draw one upâand even if you did, it's not worth the money when you consider that most lawn-mowing jobs are not high-value transactions. Furthermore, contracts can be complicated and time-consuming to create.
A simple verbal agreement is sometimes best.
You May Not Need All the Extras
A lawn mowing agreement usually complicates matters. In fact, it can be much simpler to verbally outlines the scope of work and payment terms with most simple lawn mowing jobs.
What happens if the client insists on an agreement?
On the very rear occasion when a client has wanted a contract signed. They usually supply a document with unfavourable conditions for the signee (me).
I have turned them down.
Should You Sign a Client's Contract?
When starting a business, saying no to a client can be tough. After all, every client is a potential source of revenue. However, there are some occasions when it pays to stand your groundâone of those occasions is when a client asks you to sign their contract.
Let's consider why you should think twice before putting pen to paper.
First, you should be wary of signing a client's contract because it could contain unfavourable terms for you. For example, the contract might stipulate that the client can cancel the agreement at anytime without providing any notice or compensation.
This could leave you in a difficult situation if the client cancels the agreementâor if they simply stop paying you!âsince you would then be unable to find work elsewhere to make up for the lost income.
Lastly, it's important to remember that a contract is legally binding. This means that if you sign a client's agreement and something goes wrong, you could find yourself dragged into courtâand nobody wants that! If you're unsure about any contract terms, consult with a lawyer before signing on the dotted line.
Generally, it's always best to have a lawyer look over any contract before you sign it. Even if everything looks above
board, some potential risks are still associated with signing a client's contract. So, if possible, try negotiating more favourable terms or walk away from the deal altogether. Your business will thank you for it in the long run!
Keep it simple.
Why Verbal Service Agreements are Best for Lawnmowing Businesses
For lawnmowing businesses, keeping things simple is often the best course of action. Verbal service agreements are one way to do just that. We'll explore why oral service agreements are often the best option for small businesses in the lawnmowing industry.
There are a few reasons why verbal service agreements tend to be the best option for lawnmowing businesses. First, they're easy to make and don't require any special paperwork or legal knowledge. Second, they're easy to understand and can be adjusted on the fly if needed. And finally, they're hard to enforce, which means that you don't have to worry about a customer taking you to court if they're not happy with your services.
All things considered, small businesses in the lawnmowing industry are often best off using verbal service agreements. They're easy to make and understand and can be adjusted on the fly if needed. However, keeping good records of what you agreed upon is essential, as verbal agreements can be difficult to remember.
Adding conditions to a verbal agreement.
I sometimes put conditions on a verbal agreement. If I give a discount on a first cut or clean-up, I will let them know this is conditional on getting four mows on a regular cut cycle after that. I have a minimum charge of $60 for one-off lawns. I want to ensure they are booking a reoccurring cut.
Why Add Conditions?
Adding conditions to a verbal agreement can help you in two ways. First, it ensures that both parties are clear on what they expect. Second, it gives you an out if the other party does not hold up their end of the bargain.
For example, let's say a potential customer approaches you and wants you to give them a quote for mowing their lawn. After hearing the details, you agree to do the overgrown lawn for $80 instead of $160. However, you make it clear that this price is only good because they are booking a regular mow after that.
By adding this condition, you've protected yourself in two ways. First, the customer knows that they will need to commit to a regular mow to get the discounted rate. Second, if the customer decides not to go through with the regular mow, you can still charge them the higher rateâensuring that you're getting compensated fairly for your work.
When Should You Add Conditions?
There isn't necessarily one correct answer to this question. It depends on your business and your industry. However, there are a few general situations when adding conditions could be beneficial:
When you're providing a service with a recurring cost
When you're offering a discount
When you want to ensure commitment from the other party
When payment is due upfront
These are all situations when it's essential to make sure that both parties are clear on what they expectâand when it's necessary to have an out if things don't go as planned.
In closing
With businesses like lawnmowing, a verbal agreement is all you have to go on. In those cases, if needed, you can still protect yourself by adding conditions to the agreement. This will ensure both parties are clear on what they expect and give you an out if the other party doesn't hold up their end of the deal.
A lawn mowing customer is likelier to be happy with your service if you have a good working relationship. This is much more important than a written agreement.
I see it if you have 100 people who agree that you will be regularly mowing their lawn.
Then you have a business.
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Do lawn mowing flyers really work?
So you want more lawn mowing customers.
One way that lawn businesses have been using it for years is by putting out flyers.
The million-dollar question is.
Do they work?
When I started a lawn mowing business in 1987, it was one of the first things I did.
I spent a morning delivering 500 flyers, and my phone started ringing.
It was an excellent, dependable way to build your business.
Not anymore.
My first flyers got around two quotes per hundred delivered.
Every year after that, it got worse.
The last time I put out flyers, the return was two calls per thousand.
Assuming you can deliver my average of 100 flyers an hour, the return is not that great.
However, there is one technique that still works.
Firstly, I would mention on the flyer that I mow a lawn on that street
Then I would deliver it to half a dozen houses around any properties I cut.
The next time I mowed the lawn, I would do that again.
Hang on!! I hear you say
They have already received my flyer, so why would they want it again?
The answer is that it is the ONLY way they will notice you.
People need to see your business name more than once before they remember you.
Dropping one flyer on one occasion is just not going to work.
If you are diligent and drop off your flyer every two weeks for half a dozen mows, you might get a call.
Not only will that job be next to an existing job, but you would have increased your return from two in a thousand flyers to one quote from 36 flyers.
It worked well the last time I used that technique.
Is there any way you can increase the effectiveness of flyers?
Flyers can work, but you must ensure they're well-designed and eye-catching. Here are a few tips to make your flyers more effective
Have a good design
Flyers are a great way to get your name out there and drum up business, but you must ensure they're well-designed and eye-catching.
Designing an effective flyer can be challenging; you want to ensure it's eye-catching and informative without being too busy or overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you design flyers that will get results:
1. Keep it simple: When it comes to flyer design, less is often more. Use clean, simple lines and avoid cluttered layouts.
2. Use high-quality images: Make sure your flyers look professional by using high-quality images. Plenty of online resources offer stock photos for purchase or download if you're unsure where to find them.
3. Use persuasive copy: Your flyer should have a clear Call to Action (CTA), telling recipients what you want them to do after reading your flyer. Whether it's "Visit our website for more information" or "Call us today for a free quote," make sure your CTA is clear and concise.
These would be the site I recommend to help you create a good flyer.
Designing your flyers - Canva (Free site)
Stock images and art - Clipart.com unlimited images for one year for only $99US
Printing - Vista Print - I use these guys for my cards etc. They are great.
By following these tips, you can be confident that your flyers will be more eye-catching and effective, helping you attract new customers and grow your business. If you're not confident in your design skills, hire a professionalâit'll be worth it in the long run.
Include offers
You can also include special offers or discounts on your flyer to sweeten the deal.
Many businesses don't know this, but adding special offers or discounts to your flyers can make them more effective. Sure, you're giving away potential profits, but if done correctly, you'll make up for it in increased business.
People love a good deal, and if they see that you're offering one, they'll be more likely to check out your business. They'll also be more likely to remember you next time they need your product or service.
So if you're looking for a way to increase the effectiveness of your flyers, consider adding a special offer or discount. It just might be the boost your business needs.
Deliver to high-traffic areas
Be sure to distribute them in high-traffic areas near schools, parks, and busy streets. If you want the most bang for your buck, deliver your flyers in built-up areas. There are places where a lot of people live close together, like near schools, parks, and busy streets.
Not only will you be able to deliver your flyers quickly, but you'll also be more likely to secure smaller, higher-profit lawns.
Just remember to be strategic about where you distribute your flyers. The further apart the letterboxes are, the slower your progress will be.
But if you plan ahead and target built-up areas, you'll surely turn a profit in no time.
Lastly, don't forget to Measure how well your flyer is doing.
If you're considering using flyers to advertise your business, it's essential to make sure you measure their effectiveness. Otherwise, you won't know if they're actually bringing in new customers or generating leads.
One way to do this is to ask your customers where they saw your business. If you're delivering flyers, you'll also know which areas you are delivering in.
Measuring your flyer campaign's effectiveness will help you determine whether or not it's worth your time and money. And it could also give you some valuable insights into how to improve your marketing efforts.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure your flyers are more effective and attract more attention from potential customers. So get out there and start promoting your business!
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The Importance of a Positive Attitude with Lawn Mowing Customers
I had a customer, a long time ago.
He was an accountant, and he had a neat little office on a nice property
He also had a sports car and a boat.
All the trappings of luxury, one would assume.
I mowed his lawn for a while, and we would talk occasionally.
One day he came out and told me he was pleased with my service.
He also said he liked how I smiled and waved whenever I saw him.
It always cheered him up.
He then told me about the last guy he had who mowed his lawn.
The guy was always frowning, and then every time I talked to him, he was complaining about something.
His lawn-mowing guy actually told him that he hated mowing lawns and was only doing it because he couldn't find work as a locksmith.
He wasn't happy with his lot and he let everyone know.
Then my customer dropped a bombshell on me.
He said
You know Stuart, I was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago.
It's terminal and I figure I have about a year to live.
I haven't got time for people who complain.
He was right, and he passed away within a year.
On the surface, everything looked great, and I guess that's why the would-be locksmith always complained to him.
Remember It Costs You Nothing to Be Polite
No matter how bad of a day you might have, it costs nothing to muster up a smile for your customers. Studies show that faking a smile can actually improve your mood. So, even if you're feeling grumpy, put on a happy face for your lawn-mowing customers. It will make them feel good and, in turn, might just make you feel good too.
You Never Know What Someone is Going Through
Your lawn-mowing customers may look like they have their life together, but you never know what is happening behind the scenes. Maybe they are going through a difficult divorce, or perhaps they just lost their job. Whatever the case may be, they could definitely use a kind word or two from you. So don't be grumpy with them; try to brighten up their day however you can.
A Smile Goes a Long Way
Never underestimate the power of a smile. A smile and wave cost you nothing but may just make your lawn mowing customer's day. Maybe they'll even remember your act of kindness and pass it along to someone else later in the day. Pay it forward!
The next time you're out mowing lawns, don't let yourself get too caught up in your own world. Be aware of those around you and try to brighten up their day however you can - even if it's just with a simple smile. You never know what someone might be going through, and a kind word or two could make all the difference in their day.
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Are you charging enough for your lawns?
If not, you could be going broke in a hurry
âYou are way too expensive.â
That's what I got told when I quoted on a lawn the other day. It was a medium-sized lawn, and I quoted forty dollars for a regular cut. The homeowner then went on to tell me that her old contractor used to charge her twenty dollars.
I said that sounded like a bargain and why doesn't she just stay with him. She then told me he wasn't mowing lawns anymore because his mower had broken down and he couldn't afford to fix it. I thought to myself, how perfectly that sums up self-employment.
You need to charge what a job is worth.
If you undercharge then you are slowly killing your own business. With lawn mowing, it's even worse. It's not like you work cheaply only once. You sell yourself short every time you visit the property.
One simple way to remedy this is to keep track of exactly how long it takes you to do every lawn and keep track in a spreadsheet.
You should be turning over at least $400 for an eight-hour day. As your business grows, you can price increase or drop the lower-paying lawns.
Doing this repeatedly will improve your bottom line and increase your profits.
I have a spreadsheet with this formula. If you would like to use it to track your lawns, just reply to this post with the word formula, and I will send you a copy.
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Welcome to the lawnmowing101 community. I will be posting free tips and tricks on growing your lawnmowing business here soon.
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How to start, grow and build a profitable lawn mowing business.
As told by a 30-year veteran of the industry.
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