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Lawn Care Thread

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yungona
Posts: 1242 - Karma: -6,760
no this is not a joke or ironic. My equipment consists of a Husqvarna HU 725AWD mower, a Black and Decker electric trimmer, as well as a Black and Decker electric edge hog. I mow lawns for a multitude of people around my neightborhood, but i wanted to ask a few questions. What are the necessary steps to make my business official, and is it even worth it? If I should consider this, what are the recommended tools that I should have in my quiver? (specifically commercial)
Thanks.
Jun 20 2019 11:46PM 4 0
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oldmanski
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 6,130
I did have a small lawn care business myself a few years back. I had 10-12 residential clients and I would just work on Saturdays(I was just doing it for some extra cash). Every area(state) may vary a bit but you will need to get your small business license and bond/insurance to cover your ass if you mess something up. You will have to 1099 your income so the government can get their share of money and to have a history of having an income(this will help with your credit and loans). You will get out of it what you put into it. More and more people are paying for lawn care these days and it isnt a bad gig, you will work your ass off in the summer but if you do it right, you can have all winter off and ski. As for commercial accounts, you will need some different equipment to keep up with the wear and tear. Stick with residential and dont do anything for less than 20 bucks, even if it only takes you 5 mins to do it. My 2 cents
Jun 21 2019 4:48PM 7 0
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MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,714
Just get an echo sting trimmer and a Honda mower. You can't run a business with electric equipment and string trimmers make the best edge. Also, i find most people prefer a push, to a riding mower because it doesn't squash the grass as much. Of course this only applies to smaller lawns tho. Mowing an acre lot with a push would take forever.
Jun 23 2019 9:50PM 0 0
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mystery3
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 5,794
PhreeKandiJust get an echo sting trimmer and a Honda mower. You can't run a business with electric equipment and string trimmers make the best edge. Also, i find most people prefer a push, to a riding mower because it doesn't squash the grass as much. Of course this only applies to smaller lawns tho. Mowing an acre lot with a push would take forever.


I have a small gardening company and several of the towns and cities have gas blower bans in the area which I work. Stihl battery operated blowers are pretty great, the cfm are on par with a small to medium backpack blower(always measure blower performance based on cfm and velocity, never on velocity alone-the volume of air is what moves leaves), the battery life is decent and the charging is quick. They are pretty expensive on buy in but pretty inexpensive to run long-term.

I also like running the still battery operated hedge trimmer, especially on small or tight areas. It's not very loud and doesn't blow exhaust toward you when operating.

I don't know much about ride-on mowers, we just have a couple of Honda pushmowers as most homes don't have large lawns where I work. I'm in the bay area, water is expensive, frequently scarce, and it pretty much never rains from April until November, also means no winters off unfortunately.
Jun 23 2019 11:54PM 3 0
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MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,714
mystery3I have a small gardening company and several of the towns and cities have gas blower bans in the area which I work. Stihl battery operated blowers are pretty great, the cfm are on par with a small to medium backpack blower(always measure blower performance based on cfm and velocity, never on velocity alone-the volume of air is what moves leaves), the battery life is decent and the charging is quick. They are pretty expensive on buy in but pretty inexpensive to run long-term.

I also like running the still battery operated hedge trimmer, especially on small or tight areas. It's not very loud and doesn't blow exhaust toward you when operating.

I don't know much about ride-on mowers, we just have a couple of Honda pushmowers as most homes don't have large lawns where I work. I'm in the bay area, water is expensive, frequently scarce, and it pretty much never rains from April until November, also means no winters off unfortunately.


Hey whatever works for you man. I live in the Boise area and mainly work on the outskirts where properties are a 1/2 acre or more, so gas powered equipment is easiest and the most efficient for me. I just do it with a buddy of mine who has a riding and push, and I do the edging. Its a fun little business to have. I want to get a hedge trimmer so I grow my offered services. Would you recommend the hedge trimmer you have?
Jun 24 2019 12:23AM 1 1
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mystery3
Posts: 2721 - Karma: 5,794
PhreeKandiHey whatever works for you man. I live in the Boise area and mainly work on the outskirts where properties are a 1/2 acre or more, so gas powered equipment is easiest and the most efficient for me. I just do it with a buddy of mine who has a riding and push, and I do the edging. Its a fun little business to have. I want to get a hedge trimmer so I grow my offered services. Would you recommend the hedge trimmer you have?


Yeah, I have three the HSA 66 battery unit, and HS 82 and the trimmer attachment for the FSR 90 line trimmer for extended reach. I wouldn't have the battery unit unless I was already pushed into the infrastructure, batteries chargers, etc. but I recommend all the Stihl products I've used. I don't know about the homeowner or low end products.

I manage some big properties, just none of them have extensive lawn areas. The biggest is ~10acres and that property has ~4,000 sq' of turf.
Jun 24 2019 1:17AM 3 0
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yungona
Posts: 1242 - Karma: -6,760
oldmanskiI did have a small lawn care business myself a few years back. I had 10-12 residential clients and I would just work on Saturdays(I was just doing it for some extra cash). Every area(state) may vary a bit but you will need to get your small business license and bond/insurance to cover your ass if you mess something up. You will have to 1099 your income so the government can get their share of money and to have a history of having an income(this will help with your credit and loans). You will get out of it what you put into it. More and more people are paying for lawn care these days and it isnt a bad gig, you will work your ass off in the summer but if you do it right, you can have all winter off and ski. As for commercial accounts, you will need some different equipment to keep up with the wear and tear. Stick with residential and dont do anything for less than 20 bucks, even if it only takes you 5 mins to do it. My 2 cents

yeah honestly i was looking into it for something in the future. i think this would be a good job in order to make enough money during the summer and work at the resort during the winter. thinking about it.
Jun 24 2019 7:59PM 1 0
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oldmanski
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 6,130
yungonayeah honestly i was looking into it for something in the future. i think this would be a good job in order to make enough money during the summer and work at the resort during the winter. thinking about it.


It’s a good gig really..... it’s hard manual labor sometimes but you do get out of it what you put into it. Let me know if you have anymore questions, be happy to answer anything I can.
Jun 24 2019 8:32PM 1 0
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MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,714
yungonayeah honestly i was looking into it for something in the future. i think this would be a good job in order to make enough money during the summer and work at the resort during the winter. thinking about it.


If you want to actually ski you shouldnt work at the resort. Trust me, u need to ski, cuz you are awful.
Jun 24 2019 8:33PM 0 0
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OregonDead
Posts: 5855 - Karma: 12,754
If you are not a business you can just be a contracted laborer and the home owner is liable for you. I’d probably just keep it cash only and just be day labor if anyone official asks.
Jun 25 2019 4:53PM 1 0
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evaroni
Posts: 3846 - Karma: 3,122
With the Boise area growing as fast as it is you are in a great location. I spent many years landscaping back here in PA and always had my side gigs going, hard work but enjoyable.

My recommendation if you think this is something you want to pursue full time in your future is learn the plants and proper pruning techniques and move into design/installation/maintenance. There is far more money to be had as a landscape contractor rather than a grass cutting service.
Jun 25 2019 9:26PM 2 0
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DeebieSkeebies
Posts: 30158 - Karma: 33,806
Toro power baby
Jun 26 2019 11:25AM 0 0
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Bdoobz
Posts: 680 - Karma: 3,055
DeebieSkeebiesToro power baby


My family has has an old Toro mower for at least 25 years now. The Toyota of lawn mowers
Jun 26 2019 9:30PM 2 0
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yungona
Posts: 1242 - Karma: -6,760
its about that tiiiiiiiime
Aug 7 2020 12:03PM 0 1
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DolanReloaded
Posts: 3478 - Karma: -7,522
Aug 7 2020 12:19PM 1 0
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OregonDead
Posts: 5855 - Karma: 12,754
DolanReloaded

happened to me I have mad mitre saw skills
Aug 7 2020 11:05PM 0 0
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