Best Crew Size? | My Experience(S)

[@FloridaTurfPros]

DO NOT burn your guys out. So what if you can cut 30 lawns in a day with 3 guys... Your workers are your biggest asset. Solicit feedback, listen to them, and take care of them.

[@brettdobbins4431]

Florida Turf Pros Couldn’t have said it better myself!!

[@allphaselandscape]

I agree with your assertion that you can't straight up burn guys out. That said, I do think that it's a balancing act. After 20 years in various businesses I can tell you that turn over is real and will be a factor regardless of how well you treat your employees and how easy you make it on them. I try to be fair with my expectations but the primary focus has to remain on efficiency. I simply can't compete in my market otherwise. Labor is your biggest expense by far so I would rather adjust my expectations of what they will get done in a day and leave the third guy off the truck. Inevitably, when you add a third man somebody is standing around waiting at some point on each job.

[@moneyjunkiemitch9018]

Florida Turf Pros I Work for a Company down here in Memphis u right about 3 man crews makes a huge difference! Worked 2 Men last year we was Beat at the end of the Day.

[@paulnicholson8524]

Florida Turf Pros you got to switch the weed eating and mowing up each yard where every body goes home just as tired as the next man. I've seen 1 man ride the mower all day and the most the time the new guy gets stuck weedeatig all day. Got to even out the work load. Just speaking.Paul have a good day and a Merry CHRISTMAS.

[@larrybrandonii269]

Yes! Smart man

[@timothyrichardson512]

Great video bud Thanks 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Johnathan, After trying different crew sizes we now run 2 Man crews doing 16 properties per day for 4 days with Fridays left open for rain, shrubs, pine straw, etc. This came about because of our increased quality of service and additional services required from current customers. The reality is that they will ask for overtime at the beginning but like you stated no one wants to grind day in and day out for an entire season, including myself. The summer heat and rain delays will quickly demoralize your crew really fast. Great topic.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Blades of Grass Lawn Care, LLC always enjoy getting feedback from you. Thank you for your insight/perspective. I’m finding taking things a bit slower and reducing the work load seems better for everyone.

[@BobbyBowker]

I remember seeing you guys crank out 30 plus with 3 before. If memory serves me right. I am getting old y’know. 😎

[@yardenvyofvirginia8780]

Excellent advice. You have changed your delivery since your first year on camera. Still very genuine, humble, and helpful, yet more confident/ in charge. I’m happy for your success and you inspire guys like me to grow our businesses and better our operations. Thanks.

[@TheSpecialist54]

one heck of a boss, actually cares about his workers. great to see. in the labor industry there is alot of owners that don't have integrity and there are ones like you that are genuine.

[@cutnuplawncarellc]

Could you do a video related to this that would discuss the steps you took or would recommend to start your first 2 man crew once you are maxed out in production as the owner/operator?

[@got2getit204]

All my house are right next to each other I have for in a row on one block and ha 8 on the next but there all next to each other so I just knock out them for in a hour or so because they are next to each other so I just keep it like that less gas and all I have to do is just go in a row I also have a block with 11 I just set up and roll!

[@timothyrichardson512]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@yardvarkslawncare7866]

We absolutely love your videos. This is EXACTLY what our company is going through. We just expanded because of this, but have been scared about efficiency. However after hearing this, I feel much better! Everybody needs to listen to this!!!

[@justinoberlin3863]

What percentage increase are you adding for going from 2 to 3 man crew? You may get away with one man hour for a two man crew but how about 3? Are you you then increasing 1.5 to cover the cost?

[@davidschwartz4448]

I love watching your videos. I am starting a lawn care company and love your honestly and insight. Thank you

[@happysfamilywnc]

Nice topic! I did solo for 7 year now it’s The Boss (my wife) and I. Adding her out in the field has helped tremendously and I don’t feel as worn out.

[@christopherb980]

That’s how I started out. Wife and I started it and then came out first child so she stepped off the field 18 months ago, and I’ve been solo ever since. Lol

[@BobbyBowker]

I was thinking of getting white uniform shirts because we could bleach them clean. How did that work out for you. Or is that not a uniform shirt? I know y’all use polos. Right now we use high vis yellow polos

[@curbappeallawncarellc4263]

Love that you asked your guys. Most owners i have worked with never asked us employees.

[@justinlpugh]

Does your labor to revenue percentage change with a 3 man crew? Can you maintain 30-35% labor to revenue or does it go higher?

[@arthurdechamplain2997]

Definitely another great wealth of wisdom that you have shared with us, and also, giving an example of the care we ought to have for our employees overall well being ... greatly appreciate it. Ecclesiastes 4 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. The threefold cord you have will not be easily broken with the LORD's blessing (Psalm 127:1).

[@user-kr9wy9oo5s]

One man can roll through 20 lawns a day casually in some markets. You need to incentivize people with profit sharing. Reduce hourly wages and make people earn above market pay. We don't want people that require three-man crews to be productive. We want people that push the limits and earn 1200-1500+ per week... granted, we are living in much different market conditions than when this was first posted.

[@davidmw420]

What are the prices these 20+ properties rated at and how much are you paying your workers an hour? A 2 man crew should knock out 25 properties no problem, in 8 hours give or take with drive time. Adding a 3rd guy for 25 yards a day would take away a lot of your profitability from that day. I would just tell your employees your business will suffer from adding a 3rd guy to the truck for a 25 yard route. Or add at least 10 more yards to the schedule if you add a 3rd guy.

[@HB-kp6rl]

Twos company. Threes a party. Everyone likes to party. Party on

[@anthonyayala]

Super smart advice. However with better equipment and a simplified process which includes tools and drive time you'll find that single man and two man crews can work out great. Also, off season work, like pressure washing, trimming, clean outs, etc can fill in the gaps.

[@cutandcleanwi6947]

There are a lot of variables that go into this other then how many lawns you get done in a day. Workmen’s comp, unemployment insurance, general insurance, drive time with 3 guys, reg can truck vs crew cab, and the biggest thing is finding that many good and reliable guys.

[@buggy5880]

And 28 seasons and I’m still working by myself

[@randomrojas589]

How much money do you make a year?

[@DYMONDSLAWNANDLANDSCAPE]

I’m glad I found this video. Helpful for the future as I determine crew sizes.!

[@pictureperfectplaces8766]

I have found 3 man crew is the best for productivity and efficiency. I have done 4 guys. Currently using 2 until the growing season picks up and I will say 3 has been the best for me

[@Gambit8121-i7v]

Very true 2 man crews are very efficient and very productive and you don't have to worry about to much drive time. I run 2 man crews on routes with longer drive times. And my two 3 man crews are super compact routes average 18 to 20 yards clusters of 2 to 4 yards very little drive time. In late fall I run al 2 man crews

[@zeppish9378]

I 100% agree a third employee on a crew is the best. I feel like my new business plan I can push 4-6 lawns an hour IF I have the ideal setup and route. Im aiming for small lawns that take 3 men with 2 mowers 8-10 minutes a lawn and the next lawn is a 15-45 second drive on a mower. Thats my end goal. It will take a while to achieve that I feel but definitely worth it. I think sharing each job is ideal. Instead of 1 guy being strictly on a mower, and the second guy is mostly on the second mower and occasionally trimming while the third guy is only trimming, I think all three being able to do each job equally throughout the day will make them complain less, be less tired, and continue to come back. I hear from people that are only on trimmers saying they are tired, their back hurts or their arms hurt or whatever while the guys on the mower sit or stand on a machine all day. i think paying each guy equally, making it clear its a team not one guy is the boss, and sharing each position on a yard will be the best way for my company. As a business owner, I still grab the trimmer when I can. Unfortunately my employee from last season could not stripe a lawn or mow straight and not blow grass into flower beds, but I am working on training every employee from here on to do every job. That way when I step back from the crew to pursue a second crew or landscaping, I can feel confident that complainants will be low at the end of the day.

[@abdulkabirmuhammad3525]

Hey Bro, thanks for sharing! I'm going into my softmore year, and info like this is critical! Thanks!

[@ehexzs10]

So 2 guys mowing and 1 guy trimming blowing and rotate? We do 30 lawns two times a week 2 guys and we are tired. We do it in about 8-10 hrs depending on the time of year.

[@kevina4674]

3 guys can bang out 30-33 a day and a lax day at that! Can start at 9 take an hour lunch and still leave by 5 everyday.

[@Razrback]

You're right Jonathan there comes a point when it's a 100 plus degrees lol

[@joshharris9093]

You are the first person I've seen that knows what he is talking about I have this argument at least 4 times a week on KZbin

[@monteslawncare9801]

Hey buddy! I know you posted this a while ago but I’m in central Florida and started my lawn care business last summer and I’M VERY READY to hire on a second person! I’m in a pretty rural area so I have a bunch of windshield time, unfortunately. So my question is (at first) do you pay your helper per hour or per job? Keep in mind that I’m averaging 10 yards a day (because it’s January) but this summer it’s gonna be about 15-18 per day! I appreciate your advice!

[@dariogaspar6453]

Monte’s Lawn Care ! You gotta pay them by the hour. If there’s a lot of windshield time, you gotta start sensing your route

[@chuckccfd9]

I ran solo for 11 years last year I hired because I got hurt and couldn’t do anything other than sit on my mower I was ready in my mind to let that employee go after I was better and could do the work again myself but then I decided to keep him on for the rest of the summer it worked out well my productivity was great we were off earlier I was home with my wife kids this year I’m trying 2 guys on one truck and me in the other it’s working well so far our productivity has skyrocketed with a lot less hours

[@DivotsLawnCareKinsman]

That's my goal for next season

[@bigskyab]

so what is yer view on going down to 14 lawns a day with two guys and starting a second truck? there are ways to keep the efficiency and still grow YO!

[@andymoens4818]

So considering that you're doing 20 yards a day that would take about 20 Minutes each which is doable considering the size off the lots you mentioned, the guys are working approximately 6,5 hours a day. can you elaborate on why its almost impossible to punch out that amount? i do understand thats not calculating in the drive to each yard but like i said above 20min per yard should be possible

[@ericpabon2458]

honestly 2 man crews are what i see around chicago if its just a yard, if its a project yeah you need more bodies. however-- 3 guys and 2 crews thats 6, thats a 3rd crew you could have had tackling 10 houses

[@MowerManLawnService]

Great points! Thanks for sharing your experiences!👍🤠

[@mattpahuta]

Thanks Jonathan! Another great video.

[@buggy5880]

Hundred percent agree with you if you have one man we whacking six hours a day opposed to having a three man crew were one man would only have to weed whack three hours a day you can work faster and be more efficient But if you have three men you better have a nice tight route

[@keithjones9974]

I think you are better off looking at it by what each route bills per month. A 2 man crew doing 15 yards on a route that bills $1500 a month is a lot different than a route that bills $3500 for 15 properties. After 18 years in business we set up the labor needs based on what a route bills. A 2 man crew has to bill a min. of $2600 for each route. Adding a 3rd guy is going to cost the company about $500 per route. Minimum billing for route with 3 man is $3200 a month. In my area you are doing better than most if your billing $40 a man hour for regular maintenance. For additional work we factor the bid at $60 a man hour. This is assuming that we are talking a legit and legal business with workers comp, commercial auto coverage, adequate coverage on liability insurance and everyone is paid on the books.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Hi, Keith. I think this is great insight. We are running two crews this year and finding 2 man crews to be more efficient, although there seems to be more 'wear and tear' on the guys themselves. I think you are onto something with knowing the amount each crew needs to generate to justify the personnel. It is something I am tracking currently myself. Thanks for the comment. -Jonathan C.

[@scottydogbigg2991]

Great advice...I like all your. Videos

[@darrensmowing9773]

Makes sense.. great vid.. once again.. thanks Johnathan 👊👍😉

[@revfred2008]

Does having that third guy increase your rates?

[@allphaselandscape]

I run 2 man crews and on residential days we get about 15-16 lawns per day per crew. We have a lot of work to do on density and then that will improve.......every time I attempt to add a third guy on the truck it does almost nothing for productivity. Just makes the other guys feel comfortable in slowing down a bit

[@dclandscapemaintenancellc9922]

How much do you pay your guys

[@allphaselandscape]

DC Landscape & Maintenance, LLC that will vary wildly based on where you are in the country. Also, unlike most we are able to offer year-round work which may be a factor for some people. In my market the going rate for helpers is $10-$12 per hour. Truck Leads or Foreman make between $13 and $15 per hour. There are rockstar employees around that make a few dollars an hour more than that but they have to be really good to achieve that.

[@lawnandbeyondllc5663]

I agree, company culture is important. Also I see larger companies running 1-2 man crews. It really depends on your numbers. How much of a profit loss are you taking by having a 3rd person? I'm starting my second mowing crew next year and still trying to figure it out.

[@TheCubs2240]

As always, love the video. Quick question, how do you pay your employees? By the hour, by the day?

[@grassmonkeylawncare6056]

good video I am sitting here thinking about this topic right now, question is how many yards do you need to pay for those 3 guys in the truck and still make your number. That is what I am trying to wrap my head around

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Having 3 guys on the truck allows you to do a greater volume of work, thus increasing total revenue. But it doesn't necessarily translate to increased profit. Example: Whether you are solo and banging out 15 a day by yourself, or running a 3 man crew and doing 20+ a day, the total profit is about the same.. but the benefit of having extra guys on the truck is that you are not dead tired at end of each day, there's backup in case you are hurt/sick, and moral seems to stay higher with 3. Plus, once you get 3 on a truck.. you can finally grow the business past just yourself. It's definitely a minor setback financially to add extra guys, but it really is the only way to push past the bottleneck of ourselves as owners in the field. But once you can push past that barrier, you've done it. Just copy and repeat.

[@grassmonkeylawncare6056]

makes sense for sure, as you know i am a thinker and like to crush numbers and make sure that i am going to still make my numbers. Dont want to run into similar problems I have had in the past. It is nice to have guys like you who explain how and why they are doing things. #realadvice #truth thanks for the reply and covering topics that matter

[@jtklawncareandsnowremoval8256]

20 lawns day alown but this week I have total 80 lawn when do good it’s 4 to 5 days cuting

[@brandenrheinschmidt1745]

Your videos are the best! If 1 guy is = 10 lawns, 2 guys = 15 lawns, how much production are you getting with 3 guys? 18-20?

[@lawnfreak3543]

Three man crew that's $60 an hour and you're not going to get much more work done you could give each person in the truck a $5 raise and still be money ahead

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Good point

[@shawnm5499]

What do you think about $60 a man hour? would you be higher?

[@vovkam]

How about keeping it a two men per truck and shortening the route to about 16? That way you don't loose the productivity, and the guys don't get worn out.

[@pictureperfectplaces8766]

youve inspired my next video! lol

[@colinpaschen2450]

How many hours do you work a day?

[@FloridaTurfPros]

6-9

[@krishathcox7923]

Are you still running the 4 day schedule?

[@krishathcox7923]

For mowing?

[@proscapesinc.4479]

Kris' yard service m

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Yes. We are still mowing Mon-Thu, and Fridays are special projects.

[@buggy5880]

Reality I was married for 18 years had my business about seven years before the marriage and molded the business around my Life my wife worked which made things easier I’m in the same house paying the same bills plus child support and I’m trying to do it all myself . Six years since the divorce and I still haven’t left my house yet I don’t know how I keep doing it

[@42swissmocha]

I do DNA crews, One truck has 2 guys the other has one. We meet up on larger properties. Obviously, the down side is I have an extra truck on the road but we are more productive than 3 guys in a single truck.

[@scotto8199]

What are you averaging per man hour for the whole day? You gotta have tight routes man

[@FloridaTurfPros]

We shoot for $75 a man hr on the job. After drive time and other non-billable we are probably closer to $45 per employee for the whole day. You have to have tight routes to make it work.

[@joshharris9093]

A lot of lawncare mess up with not having tight routes I've had 4 other lawncare come to me and ask me to help them be more productive and profitable and thats the only thing that i change for them

[@louieevans9125]

So, are you saying for a 2 man crew that you are aiming for $75 per man per hour, which in 1 hour would be $150.00? And if so how big is the yard?

[@TheFantasticphotos]

I was told as solo should do no more then 9-10 at most depending on distance between Propertys

[@brendonking7647]

Dude loving the white top 👌

[@PGSL-r5n]

I've noted down the points you've said and will take initiative to work toward them. First, I will need a bigger vehicle

[@workingcountry1776]

Thought you were running ford rangers? You cram 3 guys in rangers?

[@yardenvyofvirginia8780]

Country Boy 85 lol

[@hughmungus1374]

One person crews are the most efficient. Takes a lot of capital investment though. You need a truck trailer and equipment for each worker.

[@tacticalredfishing6136]

BAM BAM BAM YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY.....MY GOAL IS TO BE THE BEST BOSS PERIOD IN THIS INDUSTRY OR ANYONE INDUSTRY...I HERE ALL THE TIME ABOUT EMPLOYEES THIS EMPLOYEES THAT AND HOW ABOUT WE LEARN TO BE THE BEST BOSS SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT EMPLOYEES I LOVE EMPLOYEES THEY ARE AN ASSET. AND I'VE HAD QUITE A FEW EMPLOYEES IN A PAST BUSINESS AND I LOVE EMPLOYEES

[@gabrielsalazar8857]

My god this was a good video

[@colestaples2010]

3

[@libertymowing1006]

Density is key. If you just have to spend a lot of time on the road for whatever reason, the guys can write thank you cards or do some social media marketing...... maybe.

[@mmurph7670]

Couldn't agree more man

[@fredrickwilliams7284]

Navigate your perspective journey where you needed help. Measure productivity. 1.5. @ helper. 2m vs 3man crews is it sustainable. Go go go. Avg 18_20yds a day. Guys are tired, worn out.. Extra guy & less hrs. Morale is. Key Consideration

[@MrSteith]

Sounds like you’re talking about that Human Element, which there truly is no instrument to measure and which there’s no way to quantify. Efficiency is one thing but there are some things, like they say, you just can’t put a price tag on. #qualityoflifestuff

[@geauxcuts4496]

From my experience must be a 2 man minimum. 1 man crew will make an honest guy slack on you.

[@Kyle-cb8xv]

running a 4 man crew doing 45 a day and 30 every othe friday because we have really larger lawns on that friday we are at the first lawn at 7:30 and done by 5-5:30 and most of our lawns are $35 weekly

[@yardenvyofvirginia8780]

kry sohard dude, those mowers and handhelds are getting a workout. Good for you!!!!

[@jamesbedell7261]

Hey bud, l find that the 3 man crew is the best!!! We do 35 lawns a day!!!

[@jordancaraballo9832]

Me and my helper do 64 houses in one day. Start the first house at 730 finished at 9. All the house are in one neighborhood. I've been maintaing these house for three years now so I have them all under control. No breaks just banging them out. Btw these are $25 a service yards so don't think these are huge yards.

[@mikelowe1080]

15/Every 3hrs.. Definitely doable

[@yardenvyofvirginia8780]

JORDAN Caraballo holy cow bro. You guys rock. I do a lot of $25 yards too. 1/5 acre to 1/4 acre

[@joeligerojoe8762]

What people up north have to realize too is that here in Central Florida we don't "cool off" starting in September. It's not uncommon to run a heat index in the upper 90s well into December in the direct sunlight. The heat beating we take down here is damn near year round.

[@DoyleBros03]

3 for sure. Way more productive and higher energy 👍🏼 glad I’m not the only one who notices. My goal is to give my guys a HUGE Christmas bonus this year.

[@brettdobbins4431]

I couldn’t agree more. Only problem is they gang up on me, making me the butt of their jokes. I love my guys though, wouldn’t want it any other way!

[@yardenvyofvirginia8780]

Brett Dobbins i’m sure that they are just ribbing you because they like you, trust me they know that you’re the boss and they respect you. It’s just all in fun. Fire back at them or maybe play some psychological game like you blow up and get mad like you’re going to fire them but then say just kidding. On second thought that might not be a good idea. But just go with it and have fun at least you have guys to play with, I’m solo still.

[@buggy5880]

The only way I would recommend anyone to get into this business if they have a plan good credit do all your research and get a by aggressively advertising build your company up to a 40 man crew within 10 years and then sell it or keep running it that’s what my buddy Michael Mitstafer does

[@duncanyungtum5975]

This video could’ve been 5 minutes shorter. He said a 3-man crew was best because it “boosts morale” and repeated himself for the next 5 minutes.