Next year?

[cos]

What do you have in mind for next year?

I plan on working on the commercial accounts. Bid on many and bid higher than I normally would.

[odin00]

Same here,we want to focus on commercial drop all the residental we can ,but keep only the super rich residentals.
Tons of building in my area of chicago

[GreenQuest Lawn]

Well I am torn, here are my thoughts.

I can hire a part time person,raise prices and stay the same size.

Hire a full time person and grow, I turn down SO MUCH work.

My wife MAY be out of a job. Her place of business is up for sale. So she could come to work for me although I don't believe she would like it. (but who knows)

OR, I could raise my prices, Bid no new ones, mabey lose a few, and run by myself.


:confused: :confused:

[Big Nate]

I'll most likely hire a kid part time for help next year, hope he can run a 36 in a strait line

[Bc Lawncare]

This year was my first, next year im shooting to double my dollars
raise prices on some of my existing customers and bid higher
on new prospects. also hopefully a new S`BURBN TURB`N:p

[65hoss]

Considering working completely solo next year. Work on losing a few customers that are not profitable or out of my way. Find several more profitable accounts. Try to build my aeration side up tremendously. And lastly, possibly do some tractor work.

[Runner]

I'm marketing and selling the fertilizer programs. Hard and Heavy! The big guys made 12.5 million dollars in my county this last year. I WANT a slice of that pie! This thing is really taking off! There are only two companies (the big guys aren't one of them) around here that do a decent job. Well, the one company does an EXCELLENT job! His work cannot get any better. It's just not possible to grow any more blades of grass in a sq. ft. area. Fortunately, this guy is also a great friend, and my mentor, so he's seeing me through it. I'm doing the same program, (give or take some special needs adjustments, and my customers, nor their neighbors, can not beLIEVE what's happening with their lawns! Actually, I'M still phathoming it, myself. Amazing, the quality and density of turf these people now have. It sells! Anyway, I'm CERtainly looking forward to next season. Definitely looking at the Permagreen for this next season as well.:)

[MOW ED]

Odin,

What suburbs are you working in?

I know there isn't much demand for lawncare in my old neighborhood on 111th street.:D

[treeman82]

Next year here are my goals business wise:
1) fix vehicle problem
2) bid several commercial accounts and get at least 2 or 3
3) get at least 2 or 3 commercial tree care accounts- been workin on a bid the last week or so
4) do a good chunk of landscaping and tree work
5) perform more turf services such as aeration / aeravation / lawn renovations / installations / fert / etc.
6) lets see what happens over the winter.

[Lawn Dog]

Next spring I am going to finally break down and by my own aerator! Im tired of renting one every year! If I would have just bought one when I started doing aerations it would have paid for itself years ago! BTW Im sure i will soon be bugging you guys for advice on which aerator to buy.;)

Also I am going to push my fert. program heavily. I just got my pest license last year. I started my program on some of my lawns this season, but next year i really want it to take off. I currently have 20 fert accounts. Im sure they will all return. I know I have at least another 20 just out of the lawn accounts I already have. My goal is through word of mouth and advertising to have over 100 by the end of the year. We'll see how it goes.:)

[dhicks]

Next year... Hmmm.... I'm going to improve my time management skills (or lack of) so that I'm not working 7 days per week. I'm 48 yrs old and I feel like an old man. I have not done anything much in three weeks and I'm starting to get my energy back. But I have learned a valuable lesson. All the money in this profession is not worth you health or well-being. Matter of fact, I think I'll go sleep on that for awhile.:D

[Scraper]

Next year I plan on becoming independently wealthy....;)

[Lawn Wizard]

I know there isn't much demand for lawncare in my old neighborhood on 111th street thats right where Im at! For next year a new truck definately. Pushin real hard the fetrilizer program. Overall trying to hit more higher end residential and more commercials. Probably a new trimmer too!

[Michael Wall]

Next year I would like to have second crew become a reality. Been trying for 2-3 yrs now, just can't find the fourth worker that will mesh w/ existing 3 guys. Going to hit the spring early, hire 2 or 3 guys + maybe 1 will last more than a week. LOL

[Kevin]

Interesting some comments on raising prices, Why wouldn't you raise your prices? I am planning on targeting a development that I have several accts in now, I did not target advertise or any advertising last year, but this development has some nice houses (300k) with poor quality lawns, I will see if anyone in there wants to step up to Higher quality lawn CARE. I am planning on only taking on accts who want FERTILIZING in their package. Think I will also switch from Verizon to Cingular. Kevin

[Turfdude]

Well, I have been approved by the local township to put up a 240 sq ft building on a 3/4 acre lot. The only problem now is the DEP. Seems they need more information re: a 100 yr strom and flood plain info before starting construction. I turned away over 300 accounts this season (may have only accepted about 1/2, as we try to sign full service accounts). Well, if we "get final approval", I will ad a fort vehicle (designatd forspraying only), and will fully book 2 crews for mowing and last vehicle for landscape construction and maintenance.

I hope this all works out, 3 trucks w/3 trailers on a 55X150 lot w/ house, pool, 2car/2story garage is too small!!!!!

Bob :p

[AltaLawnCare]

I've got to do something! I can't take on any more customers as of now, but I want to. :( Due to the accounts I seem to be getting, I'm seriously considering changing equipment. Getting rid of the Toro 52, for a T-bar gear drive 36" and putting on a good Z. And dedicating time to learn more about maintenance and earning a pest.lic. :p

[Mowingman]

Bidding 3 more commercial jobs.
Raise my minimum to $30.00 for small yards
Dump all residential customers who were a pain in the butt this year.

[cpmayhewinc]

I'll be adding commercial pest. application along with better management of my annual accounts. Better planning and budgeting. Gonna push full service big time.

[AustinJ]

This was my first year, and I've learned a lot. Thinking about a bigger trailer. Have a 5X8 now, and thinking of getting either a 6X12 or a 6X14, but might consider the 16 footer since the general consensus seems to be that you can't have enough space on the trailer. Gonna look into getting pest. license for fert. and weed control apps. TrimmerTraps and a new trimmer to replace the one that got stolen from me this Oct. (I'm using the crappy backup right now, but the grass isn't growing much anymore, so I don't need it THAT bad) Might get a 36" hydro WB. Better estimating methods. And plan to get a lot more accounts. *crosses fingers* :D

[Mowman]

Plan on getting a BIGGER truck, full size. Ford,Chevy, or Dodge. Leaning toward a Diesel engine. As far as equipment I'm very well set in that department. Only upgrade will be a speed-up kit for my Walker MT.

Mowman

[LawnKeepers]

Should be bidding on more commerical-industrial. Hopefully a new diesel DC. Gonna pull off the expanded metal on 6x12 trailer landscaped trailer I picked up pretty cheap. Build enclosed trimmer racks and toolbox out of aluminum.
Hopefully a place to store my stuff in town so I don't have to keep driving in/out of town.

[FOX-PROPERTY]

First item will be the new "WORK" truck---F450 4x4/ PSD/Mason Dump/BOSS v-plow. Next will be to take on 10 commercial accounts (tired of waiting till 9am to mow residential properties, this way I can get 2 commercial ones in before 9 am!). Need to purchase 2 more WB's and another 16' open trailer for the second crew to use--oh I almost forgot...SECOND CREW!

[Turfdude]

Yipee,

Engineering firm called ... supposedly got DEP approval today. Looking forward to moving out & expanding in spring. Just hope I can keep/hire eough employees. This is always the toughest part. I am a small LCO (only 225 maint accounts, 150 fert accounts and 35 commercial snow accounts). Have 3 vehicles (plenty of equip to run 3 crews full time). Pay guys decent, 50% health care, sick days, holidays, vacation days and even a retirement plan after 2 years (we mtch up to 3%). I can't offe any mor at this point. We still went through 8 or 9 employees and I generally only staff 7 including myself. I do have a good core of crew chiefs, but its alway the laborers.

Bob

[odin00]

Originally posted by MOW ED
Odin,

What suburbs are you working in?



MOWED

homewood, flossmoor, tinley park ,mokena. frankfort and new lennox tons of new rich homes going up and new business'es

[NateinAtl]

This is a good topic. It helps us get some of our goals down on paper--so to speak.

This year I am going to use a direct marketing post card campaign. I also want to increase the number of sod installs --try to lay 400 pallets. I also want to be more organized in the office to increase efficiency.

[eslawns]

I will try to stick to the plan I came up with 3 years ago to be debt free (except for my house payment) in 5 years. The good news is that I've made more money than I expected so it'll be less than 4 years, but the bad news is that my boat got launched 6 times in 2001. I have no intention of a repeat in '02. I want to work less, and invest my money. If all goes with this plan, I can retire in 20 years when I'm 55 with a pretty nice income. It looks like none of the 4 kids wants to go to college, so that money may stay where it is. I just want to work less and have some fun. How's that for a plan?

[Totallawn]

This was my 1st year full time. (I feel that it went VERY well!!)
Next year I hope to over double my net sales. Sounds tuff!! I signed a almost $13,000 contract last week, so that's a good start toward my goal. I would like to increase fert. apps. I am pretty set on my equip. to handle about any size lawn. And have a couple $11 - $16k bids that I will be bidding soon.

Good luck to you all...AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT I HAVE LEARNED FROM YOU THIS YEAR!!!!!

[Williams Services]

Pretty much the same gameplan here as you, cos. By the way, did that letter help out any?

[Deason]

These things I will improve on or implement this year -

1) Buy bigger truck (did that last month)
2) Expand my 5x8 tilt trailer to a 7X12'. Add trimmer racks, blower and tool racks. Add 3 ft sides.
3) Schedule accounts to where I am making close to or over $90 per hour.
4) Expand my total accounts 15 to 25%.
5) Get rid of the last piece of residential garbage blower I own and buy a real one!
6) Possibly...... Add a Laser to the fleet. If I can Afford to do this, #3 will come without fail

[Unionturf]

Sent out letter today, loosing a few and all will be on contracts. Cutting back and just keeping the good ones, tired of working all the time, I have 5 more years before I retire from Medic going to slow down for a while.

[gene gls]

I like equipement,can never have enough. Need to set up a second rig in 2002, another 16' trailer, 60" Hustler Z with a bac-vac, and a 36" w/b..I have been eyeing up some other "necessities" that would make life easier. Switching to contracts this year. Need to instatute more effort in better record keeping. Also keep my fingers crossed that my helper comes back for another year.

Gene

[fivestarlawnken]

Stay healthy!!!!!!!Buy a house!!!!!!!Bought a fair amount of new toys in 2001.This year try to double mowing profits,1-2 commercial accts. If things go good a new chain saw 20-24 inch bar.

[walker-talker]

New equipment:

1) mulching deck for Walker

2) 32" WB

3) Trimmer and blower racks for trailer

4) Tank for spraying chemicals

Getting appl. lincense

Get 20 hours a week in mowing accounts (already working 50 hours a week in a factory)

Prepare to go full-time in 2003

A Chevy 1 ton with dump bed would be sweet!

MATT

[Mowman]

Bid as many jobs as I can bid on and HOPE for the BEST. Pick and choose only the GRAVEY jobs. UNLOAD the CRYBABIES and constant WHINERS!!!!!!!!!!!! Look for small commercial jobs. I'd like to double my current account numbers. That's my GOAL for the 2002 cutting season.

Mowman