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FIB - Scams 101

Re: For those that have cut lawns (for $) before....

Posted By: Jason
Date: Monday, April 2, 2007, at 3:53 p.m.(pst)

In Response To: Re: For those that have cut lawns (for $) before.... (Michael Ross)

>> Thanks for asking.

>> ALL residential lawnguys I have seen - franchise and other - use push
>> mowers.

>> My lawnguy of six years does my yard with a push mower, blower and
>> whipper snipper (thing that spins around fishing line like strands to do
>> the concrete edging). When I am not there he's done in ten. When I am
>> there he goes slower and likes to Chat when he is finished.

If he is done in ten minutes, I would assume that the lawn is fairly small and would not justify larger equipment. This is why if he wishes to use a push mower that I suggested he target smaller lawns that the larger businesses would not compete for. I assume we are on the same page here by targeting smaller yards with the smaller equipment?
In the states and his target neighborhood, I assumed that the lots were 1/4 acre plus. This would justify at least a 36" walk behind.
The somewhat lager equipment will cut your mowing time in half allowing to almost double the workload.

Not to mention that with regular homeowner equipment, you will need to make more than 1 visit a week during the heavy growing season.
As everyone here who has cut a blade of grass knows what happens when the grass is gowing fast and you attempt to cut it when it is long and or damp....
It bogs the mower and leaves clups of grass all over the lawn.

>> 1: Buy what you can afford so you can start now, and then sock away
>> some money to upgrade later. (This would be my choice if I was eager to
>> get going.)

I agree with one clarification.....
If you want to start today, Get the 21" pusher, but target the proper sized lawns that will make it profitable. (small patches of grass)
Do what you wish, but at $30 per cut on a standard 1/4 acre lot with a 21" push mower, you would be better of asking "would you like fries with that?"

>> 2: Delay starting until you can buy the upgrade right away.

>> Option 3, hire a mower to do jobs that require a mower with abilities
>> your cheaper mower doesn't have, but only if it's profitable to do so.

>> Can you mow 40 lawns in a week - a five day week? That's 8 a day. And
>> you need to include Travel between jobs And going to the dump to get rid
>> of your clippings. Just something to consider.

Also, wth a 21" homeowner unit, and 40 cuts under contract, your cuts per week go up to about 60 per week as you will need to visit the properties more than once per week during the heavy growing season(s) just so your equipment can keep up with the growth.

I say get the proper equipment from the get go, or at least target the type of properties I mention in an earlier post that are better suited for the equipment that you desire to purchase.
best of luck,
Jason

>> Michael Ross

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