Posts tagged Starting

Question : When starting a lawn mowing service, what is something that is commonly overlooked?
When starting a lawn mowing service, what is something that is commonly overlooked that customers like to see, hear, or experience that makes them want to buy your service. Im starting a lawn care service for my business project. Im 15, (its not like im a grownman or something. I know somone might say something like: “Get a JOB!”)

what are some tips or advice in general also?
lawn mowing

Best answer:

Answer by Ron Berue
You asked this Q.

I answered it AND sent an e-mail about some additional details. Here it is again:

I’ll do my best to answer your Qs in the same order you asked them. I’ll add some details to have them in a more logical order. However its up to you to put them in the most logical order for your own personal need.

Q1] Any tips for lawnmowering service.

1] LEARN WHAT POISON IVY, POISON OAK AND POISON SUMAC LOOK LIKE!

DON’T get caught pulling that stuff with your hands! USE GLOVES! It knocks you out of service and prevents you from doing your job and becoming dependable & reliable!

2] The best times to cut grass are after 8 AM to about 1:30 PM. THEN after 5 PM until sunset.

3] On your computer prepare a flyer with ALL the services you are offering: Grass cutting; edging; yard clean-ups, snow shoveling, etc. Put your name and phone number on the flyer.

4] Keep the blade sharpened: Do this about once every 3 weeks to once a month. As you begin getting more customers, you should sharpen the blade once every 3 weeks then eventually once a week.

5] Before starting make sure there is enough oil to cool the engine.

6] Make sure you have enough gasoline OR a long enough electrical extension cord or cords to get to the furthest part of the lawn.

7] For those hard to cut areas – hills, very narrow strips of grass and behind trees – use a weed whacker or grass sickle.

8] Make sure you have enough WATER to drink. Stay away from soda/pop and other thirst quenchers. To protect you from the sun, wear a hat. . .

9A] Your equipment does not operate or run on love. Your time is also important! DON’T charge the same price for a lawn with tall grass as you do for a lawn which you regularly cut. The first one or two cuts should be higher.

9B] Charge extra for edging, yard clean-ups/weed-pulling.

9C] IF a customer tells you or asks you to come back at a later time or on another day to get paid, go back to get paid! You worked for it, you earned it! GET PAID!

9D]THEN make it a point to cut the grass and do the other chores on the day and timne when you will get paid.

10] When you begin cutting the lawn, keep the mouth pointed toward the center of the lawn AND away from vehicles and people.

11] Rake the grass cuttings or have a mower with a bag. Amower with a bag needs to be emptied. Carry extra trash bags

12] Communication is important. Get your customers’ phone numbers. In case you get sick or a piece of equipment breakis down, carry them with you.

Believe it or not: March is the time when you should begin passing out your flyers – going door-to-door. DON’T put the flyers in a mail box. Put them between the storm door and house door.

When you do a good job, other folks will probably notice your fine work and attention to your work. They MIGHT ask you for a flyer. You don’t need a lot of them. I suggrest carrying no more than 25 at a time.

When you quote a price, stick to that price. DON’T realize YOU made a mistake THEN go back and ask for more money. You might be able to make up the difference on another job for that same customer.

When the customer asks you to do more work than what waws originally agreed on, its OK to increase your price for the job. Before doing the work, discuss the price increase with the customer.

Be professional and be courteous. Say “Yes, sir.”
“Yes, Mr. _____” and “No, Mr. _______”
and “No sir.”; “Yes, ma’am.” and “No ma’am.”
“Yes, Mrs/Ms.. _____” and “No, Mrs./Ms. _______”

You’re going to make mistakes. Learn from those mistakes.

Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it!

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name!