How to pay lawn care employees

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Thank you for watching!. HIT THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON! If you haven't LIKED our FaceBook page, you should! Check it out at facebook.com/bladesofgrasslawncare We post daily on Instagram. See what we're all about @ instagram.com/bladesofgrasslawncare Thanks for your support!

[@scottboys4js]

Are you still running 2 crews

[@pnu504horaceakatimekeeper3]

Question if you don't mind me asking what is the basic pay for each individual task

[@kenyawnplayhousewhite29]

I got you I watch you everyday learning more and more from JOHNNY BLADES, AND MY BOII DAN

[@Fuckyalife-lj1iq]

Here’s where I get confused should I pay by hour or per job?

[@pnu504horaceakatimekeeper3]

I think I might have to come work for you

[@Africanfrogs]

When I first started, I started at 13$ an hour. Every 2 months of good work you got a dollar raise all the way up to 24$ max. The turnover was low, and that was with a crew of 10+ trucks with a 35 man commercial crew. And later we implemented this thing where we set a 8am to 3pm schedule, if we got the work done before that time in a quality manner than we would be done for the day and still get paid for the 8-3. Kept moral up and started flying through lawns twice as fast.

[@shyguy2481]

Was thinking of similar ways for when I start hiring. This sounds amazing. After what 3 years of seasonal work you are at top scale just as ups use to be 3, now 4 for the drivers. Go from $20 to $34.

[@slyfox1983]

Sounds like the system is driving the right behaviors.

[@shyguy2481]

@Jimmy from Philly who wouldn't want to? You charge 60 to 75hr and you cant pay them a just wage for knocking out work and generating you even more than your planned profit. It's a dirty job dealing with all seasons, dirt, grass, mud, mulch, rocks flying and dog shit. Or you can pay them the same wage as a fast food employee that stands inside a heated/cooled store doing half the labor.

[@Africanfrogs]

Jimmy from Philly owners that want a reliable crew with almost 0 turnover. When you can hire on and keep good people all year it helps the business exponentially. When crews can run themselves it saves a LOT of time and money. And new hires have something to look forward to and work for. Makes for a good work environment, Also have full benefits after the first year. The company is also pulling in over a million dollars a year sooo obviously might not work perfectly for people with a very small crew that does not do year round work. But the company was built on that and still runs the same setup. We Add around 3 trucks and 9 crew members a year. You build a successful company with good happy employees.

[@stefhaniefulton467]

Jimmy from Philly you must be slow

[@edwardperez4266]

I remember when my dad started his hardscape business when I was 11 years old. I thought my dad was the man and that everyone loved him. Not always the case. When you said, “The reality is they’re only there to get paid.” That hit me hard because it is so true. Now that I’m 26 and running the business with dad I understand sometimes employees are not your friends. It was like I was in my own world where everyone loved what they were doing and they’d listen to my dad because they liked him. I love my dad for his hard work and dedication to the team. Blessings to anyone in this business!!!

[@clydepodvin5026]

Johnny, I’ve watched a lot of lawn care videos on KZbin but yours is by far the best. You are more honest and your not afraid to teach people how to run a business and show them tricks of the trade. Keep up the good work

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sink38ms]

💯👍 AGREED I'M LEARNING FROM JOHNNY ROCK👈 ON HOW TO DO SHIT THE RIGHT WAY....

[@Bossdogg55]

GrassGator here: If you do things the "right" way and be honest, your business will grow.

[@aquajon8701]

@@Bladesofgrasslawncare ​ Hey I love your channel been watching for a while. Do you pay 1099 or w2?

[@joegambino3394]

I been cutting grass with the same company since I was 18 n I’m 26 now i run a 4 man crew n i started at 10.00 hr n now I make 23.50 hr practice makes perfect

[@angelmarquez1977]

I run a crew i have 3 yrs 1/2 working & i get pay $24.00

[@sethhaun4440]

Angel' it's bevause your in this generartion of internet and the evil takeing place.enabled ..no one's thst. Good in 3 years.nor does it mater' it's the times.I've ran best bigger company's in last' 30 years and never got more than 22 ..your enabled...I own business now so it makes no diference but this generation is lost.spoiled.

[@eddiefoy3701]

I get paid weekly, very weakly.

[@mo_daville_9046]

When I had my business I would pay my guy a flat rate per yard . We did 15-20 yards a day . Some were 15 minute yards and some were 45 minute yards. In the end he was a personal friend , trustworthy , and he was top notch . I couldnt have asked for a better employee by my side . I look back and think I could have pad someone $10 an hour but would they be there everyday , know how to properly maintain equipment , did he have bad personal problems .. my philosophy is , take care of who takes care of you .

[@stefhaniefulton467]

krazy kraker 10 hr good luck finding some one

[@erichood3169]

@@stefhaniefulton467 his story basically states that

[@mo_daville_9046]

@@erichood3169 thank you for taking the time to read and understand my explanation.

[@LuisHernandez-so7qt]

Now days you have to pay like 13 14 a hr plus some cold water is how whit keep employees DFW area😎

[@mo_daville_9046]

I paid my guy , $10 a yard ! Does that explain it better ? I had 70 plus accounts all in 1 neighborhood. We cut 3 days a week . I paid very well ! .

[@stephencooper4987]

Sounds like you run your business like your videos. It all about teaching and learning. The only problem is that today everyone seems to want to start at the top instead of working up. Keep the good videos coming and have a good evening yourself.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

I will agree that everyone wants to start at the top, but my experience is that 95% of the time they don't last and they come with baggage and bad habits, have a great weekend!

[@johnnylamuelo2102]

So true, many people just want a check but don't want to work.

[@pnu504horaceakatimekeeper3]

@@Bladesofgrasslawncare I need to come work for you boss

[@gdolphy]

@@Bladesofgrasslawncare I hired a guy 350 base pay for a certain amount of lawns. If we get them Done in 1-2 day he can take rest week off and get his 350. If he wants to work extra and I pick up callins or bigger projects those are paid out separately. Did not work out. Next guy tried it another way. 20/hr start with performance bonus. No good. Now I might go corporate. Minimum wage, per diem 5 hrs a week.

[@Peteirvin]

Thank you for sharing. I am a business owner (State Farm Agent) and I use similar pay philosophy and training philosophy. I like the fact that you’re sharing with your community of lawn business owners how to run a successful lawn business. Keep up the great work.

[@lindaosborne4255]

You real enough without revealing too much, I love it! Great advice

[@edwardgarea7650]

Your philosophy is a good one. Taking you cue from your military experience definitely pays off here. And you are right about employees being in it for the money. An employee is also a salesman. He or she is selling the promise of their labor. Now, to most people it’s just a job. Your system helps determine who cares about what they’re doing and who is not. It makes a whole lot of sense. PS, your dogs are adorable.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Thank you, and Tank and Bella said thanks as well!!!

[@FectoReviews]

Johnny, Q is the perfect example of near perfect training. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never seen anyone that can operate a trimmer like Q can. He is a master at it. I’ve tried to edge with a trimmer like Q can and it’s hard as hell. Serious tallent!

[@peytonaaron3026]

I became an independent contractor in landscaping at 16 and was getting paid 8.50$ a hour and now I get 13-15$ a hour and I just turned 18. Work hard at it pays off

[@bigugly1911]

Johnny you are right. This is my second year as owner/operator doing lawn maintenance. I have a partner that works with me, no employees yet. I've been in a different industry/career for the last 10 years. Still am. I am good at what I do for a living. It has really surprised me that no one wants to pay people decent for doing a given job. I left a company I was with for 8 years due to this. I would spend a solid year getting someone trained, by the time they were actually getting helpful they would leave and go to work somewhere else doing the same thing for 25-40% more money.........I finally did the same thing. Lol Love your channel!!!

[@loyaenterprisellc5742]

Good observation Johnny. I have a part timer, but he has been in the industry for over 30 years. I pay him by the job, which is way more than most people start their employees. I'm pay this way for his experience and its been well worth it. Gracias

[@garylee9159]

I’m in the middle of starting my own lawn service myself and I’ve found this video to be very helpful.

[@pescaytrabajo.9287]

Do it is the best thing you would do !!! Not easy but not imposible !!

[@crazilytrained747]

I’ve always thought that if I didn’t have my own lawn care company, that I could enjoy working for another company, making yards look great. If I lived in Savannah, I’d love to work for Blades Of Grass. Johnny knows what he is doing. Great work

[@rossbrymer4151]

Hey Johnny, it would be interesting to see your equipment maintenance and breakdowns. Do you have a mechanic?

[@Truhmatik]

Its amazing to me because I am just now getting help for the first time and tried to look up a good system yesterday.... i am so glad you put this video up!!! Keep up the good work!

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Glad it helps

[@dannyroybal7394]

Great Material, He's The Man!! I Work Landscaping And It Is A Tidious Job. People Are Happy If You Take Care Of Their Needs In A professional Manner. Demonstrate Neatness

[@thaynes3933]

Man... thanks for the video. I wish I was in your area & could work with you for the experience. But I really enjoy the videos, please keep them coming. I'm learning so much for starting my own business... I'm slowly growing & loving it. Thank you thank you thank you Jonny. "Pop smoke"

[@remgroup8401]

I’ve learned you gotta start them good to develop good strong help. Everybody comin to me want at least $15 hr and it’s understandable because it’s tough work. Pay good and the loyalty will be returned to you and every year they’ll come back out. Dope video as always!

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

I agree, thanks!

[@davidrussell2013]

15 at least somebody said 8.50 with a dollar raise every year. This is not 1962.

[@jimwirth7392]

I start people at 15. Raises earned by showing me you can be on time and get work done

[@phattygoodness7347]

@@davidrussell2013 Minimum wage should be dictated by the market, not some bleeding heart sitting behind a desk or that has never employed a single person in any industry. If you start at $8.50/hr in this industry and you're still making $8.50/hr after a month of employment...then you probably deserve to be making $8.50/hr. Good help is hard to come by and any employer worth their salt is gonna recognize this and compensate the productive members of their staff, or you lose them. So...you either get your merit increases by earning them, or you take your newfound skill set elsewhere for more money. Either way you shouldn't be making $8.50/hr for very long unless you're lazy and useless.

[@trustnoone949]

I get paid 11 an hr. Usually work from 730-3:30 or 4. Is that good?

[@cordalyst]

Bro is Lucky this came out in 2019

[@bababooey1266]

I pay my ninjas $2.00 per hour and 1 bottle of water per hour. This keeps them hydrated and wanting more water and work. I give them a raise to 2 bottles of water after the first month completed. This goes up to 6 bottles of water (or assistant private supervisor). I also let them have Christmas morning off.

[@julesvideoarchive]

Severely underrated comment

[@antonioc.2990]

I love your videos Johnny! Always very informative and to the point with a bit of humor. Money makes the world go round, sad but a true reality. Employees need to be paid according to their skills!

[@juicedupsmg]

I love watching you’re vids I’m not in the lawn care business or anything I just like to see how I should make my lawn lol. But I started in the pest control business and when I start this was only last year my first week on the job I got a raise from $18 hr to $20 then after my first 3months I went from $20-$25 now and in aug I’ll be on a salary wage making $9,000 monthly not including bonuses and what not. But I’ve also learned a lot from u thanks man

[@bigubaby]

I work in a kitchen and that's how we hire people you start in one station till you become perfect in that and move you to another for every position you master you get a raise.

[@chrisposada6221]

Down here in Naples Florida , labor for lawn gets paid at least 14hr with no experience. With experience you get 16hr -16.50 plus paid drive time 630am too 330pm Monday thru Saturday , while drivers can make 18.50 -20hr .

[@MrUnknown-wf1xf]

Its nice to hear someone explain how a individual is paid for there work very interesting informative 👍 👍👍👍

[@jonathanmoon7219]

Love your videos I've learned a lot from looking at them also they helped start my business. Keep up the motivation !!

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Thank you! Will do!

[@hambdenoutdoors]

Absolutely right, and a very good system to use! Pop Smoke!

[@GetHelpTax]

We work with many business owners who have employees and the most successful ones have systems. This is good advice.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

👍

[@lakersbarnes]

Here in Southern Cali everyone wants minimum $15 an hour and everyone wants to be home at the exact same time every day😂 I mean I kinda understand but not everyday is the same, some days we’ll get off earlier other days we’ll go 9 maybe 10 hours, especially during the spring, and all they want to do or know how to is mow, it’s all granny yards so we just run toro 21 inch mowers, it’s tough to find good help.

[@adammoore8939]

reminds me of when I was laid off a few years ago. I went back to an old childhood job where my mom still worked in the office. I did not discuss pay because my mom assured me they would at least pay me $20,hr. I started and worked a week and all I got was compliments and talk about how they finally got some one that knows what they are doing etc... then I got paid. $12/hr. I actually made $50 less that week than just sitting around on unemployment. Moral of the story. For $12/hr they did not keep the guy they finally got who they liked. I offered to work for $18/hr so I could break even with unemployment but they did not do it. for that money you dont get the smart good guys. Even at $18/hr I was taking almost a 50% pay cut but offered to work for that to help them out. But no. I imagine if you are paying under $15/hr or even 20(specially in s cali) then you are not getting anywhere close to the good guys. They are smart enough and good enough to be somewhere else making more. Back when I ran a roofing/construction crew my lowest paid worker made $20/hr from day one. The better guys made 35-40/hr with full benefits and 6 weeks paid vacation. I had a great crew and we kicked ass. And we all made good money. (this was 15-25 years ago) Now I am working for someone else making 35 an hour with benefits, 6 weeks paid vacation, annuity, pension, truck, gas card, and I'm out of there at 2:30 every day. Unless we are doing time and a half for 10 hrs or double time for over 10. I dont believe you can get a good guy for long for under 20 an hour. Even that barely covers a car payment.

[@rrgz7717]

Adam Moore Really? I live in Southern Cali too (Victorville) and not many people pay over $20. I haul junk to the dump and clean up yards and people I hire expect to be paid $12 an hour. I don’t hire unless I can pay them at least $15 an hour and sometimes I can pay up to $20 an hour, depending on the job.

[@adammoore8939]

@@rrgz7717 Yes really. I live in MI however. I figured s. cal would pay even more. I know the cost of living is more there. I'm just going on my experience here in MI. $12/hr is like taking home about $400 a week. My bills are $625 not including gas, lunches, and beer, savings, etc... Gas is about $75 a week, lunch about $50 or so, beer/rum about $70. At $12/hr I guess one aint doing much but barely getting by. Either way, best of luck to you.

[@rjp801]

@@adammoore8939 $70 bucks a week of beer and rum means you are an ALCOHOLIC.

[@adammoore8939]

@@rjp801 wrong, it means I was an alcoholic. I dont drink at all anymore. Put 35k in my savings in one year.

[@rickbell7613]

Good advice and good video. It seems that no matter how much you pay an employee, they are always going to have their hand out. It's only natural for a person to want to better themselves. "CHEAP LABOR ISN'T SKILLED AND SKILLED LABOR ISN'T CHEAP." And everybody thinks they are skilled. 🤣

[@curtdulle642]

The experienced guys are usually very combative about learning a new way. I would probably only hire newbs too! You seem like a very fair boss. Nice pad too 👍

[@jaraypeoples5775]

I've always let it be known in certain interviews that i dnt have certain experience which makes me a better candidate as far as proper training and open mindedness goes.

[@evertcomeriii6894]

"I'm gone have you blow, I want you to learn how I want you to blow, not how you use to blow or how you use to blow your last company. Again Again listen nobody wants to blow for $7.25 do you? lmao 😂😂😂😂"! Epic hell of a interview.

[@jeremybuchanan289]

Lol, I was thinking the same thing.

[@calimilk1113]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@eugeneharris6861]

Enjoyed reading the fodder after watching the video. I like the idea of a pay scale. Also like the performance requirements. Doesn't matter what job a person does as long as the quality matches the goal the Company desires. This broad base discussion of experience over performance is part of the broad problem. Seen many times that someone who had years of experience couldn't do the simplest of tasks. Then they whine and complain because some newbee passes them up. Also seen where their years of experience came because they were job hoppers. They take an attitude they are worth more for their experience then their performance so they volunteerallley switched jobs chasing the money and not mastering the profession. I also understand that different locals pay different scales because of economy. Anyone who goes to a new employer should understand they will be starting over and going to have to prove themselves. I spent 20 years in the Navy and started working for a company and started out $1.50 over the companies starting wage but because of my work performance was quickly bumped up past what their longest working employee was making. Just because you base it off a military payscale doesn't mean it is a hard set move the same as the military scale.

[@kenyawnplayhousewhite29]

Y&I lawn care IN NEW ORLEANS i pay my guys good like you it makes them wanna work harder if you pay right THANKS MY BROTHER JOHNNY(PEACEEEE)😀😀😀

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

😉👍

Yes, majority of people will work for money but there are always some exceptions. For example, recently I got chance to work with professional landscape designer (over 20 years in business), she pays me not the best money but I can learn from her many thing about planting, trees and much more.

[@undercovergardener5632]

I told my wife the same thing!

[@Andjun5174]

Great advice from a great guy

[@TheBanhagel]

You're a really cool dude.. Thanks for sharing/helping people... I'm sure your success will grow.

[@andy44646]

Totally respect what you are saying, in the uk we have a minimum wage so if you are over the age of 25 it’s £8.21 hr plus if they are full time we have to pay 3% to there pensions. It’s getting harder and harder for the small business these days.

[@andy44646]

So that’s about $10.70 hr in your money minimum

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

We hired a young guy a while back to work with us for the summers. He was a teenager and it was his first job. He was very respectful and always showed up. We started him out at $8 an hour and moved him up to $8.50 after a couple of months. He was working on average about 30-35 hrs a week. The problem was he was soooooo! slow. We started him on a trimmer, edger and blower . We told him, once he mastered those machines then he can run the mower. I had plans on giving him a $1 raise for every consecutive summer he worked for us but, let's just say after 3 summers he never mastered his job and quit. Perhaps if we started him on the blower and edger first ,that could have made a difference 🤔

[@davidrussell2013]

8.50 lol.

[@FashionOutLook]

J's Crazy Cutz, LLC Pay was too cheap. All that work in the hot sun and debris hitting you ain't worth it. Walmart pays more and most of the time their workers half ass their task. Pay more and maybe your worker won't quit.

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

@@FashionOutLook You have to be 18 to work at Wal Mart . I don't know that many 16 yr olds making over $250 a week for 30 hrs of work.

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

@MARCUSAURELIUS I never made that much money at 16 yrs old . I was lucky to make a $100 working 20-30 hrs a week. He was was making about $250 a week for less than 30 hrs. All he had to do was trim for 10-20 min at each yard then wait in the AC truck for us to finish but, he pace himself the whole time and we had to finish up his job after we mowed and blowed.

[@titoskywalker89]

Why would any sane teenager work for 8.00 dollars an hour when Publix pays 12-14 with benefits plus no ht sun all day.

[@clsmallenginerepair3814]

Good plan, i remeber when i was trainee. My foreman would only let certain people use mowers. Ive seen guys that had been doing lawncare for years that only did trimming and blowing..but they was good at it and that was their thing. Good plan man..👍

[@mickiexposed]

I love that track paying in the back ground.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Thanks!

[@eugenegroshev1788]

Awesome advice not just for a lawn care business, but for most if not all businesses.

[@Schley939]

I'm very thankful for your videos

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

It's my pleasure

[@gregnajar]

I work for Brightview and I get paid $18 an hour, and I started 1 month ago with literally zero experience. I have experience working just not in landscaping so I know keeping up a certain pace and staying busy is very important. Also I’m a fast learner so at this point I’ve mastered using all mowers(zero turns, stand ons, and walk-behinds.) I’m extremely fast, efficient, and consistent, and it shows in my work. But one thing I don’t do is sell myself short. I went into the interview with confidence in myself and I proved my worth. At the end of the day you get paid what you’re worth tbh.

[@marvingreen6644]

I have been paying by the yard. I set a blanket rate per yard. I find that my guy works a whole lot more efficient and we get done a lot sooner because of it. But if I were to get more yards and have more clients, I would change that to an hourly rate. But I do the same, the longer they work the more they get paid. I liked the military payscale.

[@theehgroup7006]

Marvin Green. What do you pay per yard?

[@marvingreen6644]

@@theehgroup7006 8 per yard for trimming and edging.

[@shawnhenry7871]

Great info! I like how you explain everything! Continued success!

[@1Teejay76]

That last tid bit was on point. Many people are stingy or not in a position yet to afford help.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

😀👍

[@robertking619]

How did you go about registering your business? Did you do it yourself or pay a registering agent?

[@ChadKirk]

I work with a grass cutting company and he has a really hard time finding good workers. I’ve been with him off and on for about 8 years now and we have had druggies, kids that spend more time smoking than cutting, people no call no showing every week, people showing up whenever they want and leaving whenever they want. It’s a nightmare. We get paid $9 an hour. The only reason I’m working with the dude is because I really like working with him and I really like cutting grass. But most people don’t like it. I’m going to start my own company soon, hopefully by the 2021 summer. And when I eventually start hiring people I’m gonna pay them good and hopefully it’ll attract good workers and keep them.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

💯👍

[@ZJYOUNG1182]

Good advice. I took notes.

[@LifeisGood863]

I make $12.00 per hour with no experience working for the city. I mow zero turn edge trim blow hedge mulch... is that ok

[@jeremydowdy2821]

For a municipality $12 an hour is good for labor, should be getting benefits too

[@LifeisGood863]

@@jeremydowdy2821 I transferred over to their golf course, so now I'm operating Toro reel master mowers... they are high tech with roof fans and comfy. I was started off at $15 ph.... only operating no physical work anymore 🙏🏼🙂

[@muffdiver7670]

@@LifeisGood863 Isn't the City job a Union job?

[@magin9228]

This video made me subscribe! Thank you man.

[@GreatValue32]

From abf junk removal and lawn care. Good video. I dont pay my workers I find the guys holding the sighn beside the road and give them food...🤣🤣🤣

[@bontonsouthd-town1714]

Great breakdown and explaining how you play your workers I just learned some tips I may incorporate in my business in the future.

[@KEVINRENSON]

at 5:29 a water molecule escaped from your body and was set free. he was like screw this im out

[@fk319fk]

At my local grocery store, we have a butcher. He has two people working for him, one is a rock star as he floats between stores for the owner and the other has been cutting for 10+ years. Every summer he picks up new help. This is the opportunity to see if you like butchering. The manager of the meat department will not let anyone touch a knife until they have been working for him for 1 year.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

I believe that you need to see the want in an individual before you invest your time in them

[@chesterpophamproductions2879]

Have you ever put up any training videos of how you do the edging, blowing, a clean up job, etc. I know you did one recently of why you blow the lawn clipping to the middle and why you don't stripe lawns. I'd love to watch those.

[@daxinventor3542]

Thanks again for this video. I have to change lawn services 3 times in the last 5 years because after cutting my lawn 3 or 4 times they always start to get relaxed and laid back, When I tell them that they are not edging or some other task that they use to do well, I get a funny look. I get that it is hot out there and they are not always going to cut the lawn as well because of it, but it is getting old having to tell these guys over and over again and again abare the same things all of the time. So I guess I am going to have to get rid of the guys who are cutting it now, and get someone else to cut it right. Maybe it is just the way that things are and that is that. I personally think that people resent having to work hard and they are subconsciously rebelling. I will continue to fire and hire until I find a lawn service company who will do what they are supposed to do without me having to instruct them every time they cut my lawn.

[@cyclicorangutan975]

Love your vids and your right but some people don’t have choices to work in the sun or indoors like people who came from Mexico to the USA but keep them videos coming and good work

[@mcmuffin558]

Not all are Mexicans

[@TheLingnerFamily]

It would be nice to know where your max out percentage wise. I've always heard that you max out at about 1/3 of your hourly labor rate. So for example if you are billing $75 an hour but including drive time you average it at 60, you would max out it 20 per hour.

[@dustynnorton4943]

What do you do when you’re in between? Say you’re a one man show, you’ve gotten legal, business is growing slowly and steadily.. and some weeks you get those calls for those clean up jobs, extra work that’s not in your regular routine... how do you take the leap to grow just enough to justify hiring someone for 40 hours a week, because no one is going to work 40 hours this week, 10 next week and maybe nothing the week after and then work 60 the next.... how do you get the courage up for one, and for 2 how to market to get the steady clientele to keep up an employee or 2?

[@Nas0388]

I’ve been at a company. Started at $16. 6 years later I’m at $18. The company has quadrupled in size and efficiency. It’s me and the owner. So depressing. I realize every day I’m helping the owner, I could just try starting my own business. We do about about 20-30 lawns per day. Get same hourly rate for mulch, cleanups, Bush jobs etc.

[@DS-zo8xs]

Idk how many times I've had people tell me they know how to use a zero turn because "it can't be that hard". So I have them get on it and tell them to drive it to the edge of the trailer, most guys can't even do that. They mower is jerking all over the place and then they get off and try to laugh it off. I'm like this is why I don't let you mow, if you hit someone's house or retaining wall you will do serious damage.

[@jeromessgworld8613]

What if you hire an 8 + years experience and is one of the best edger and a good mower and you know it how would you go by starting them off if you was to hire them

[@davidmaj4259]

I just recently started watching your channel. I'm a tree guy I dont do landscaping but I think we go through similar crap. Cool videos

[@jerrodg938]

How did u start your business? And how well did u do first few years?

[@shyguy2481]

Some guys act like you just go and edge or mow. Like you said, there must be a strategy and that to be tough to the employees. These are more skilled positions. These heavy duty mowers are extremely dangerous to the untrained. Also the strategy to mowing can take off a couple minutes each yard with more efficient patterns and turns.

[@moieog5176]

So you want it done your way what your saying ive been doing this for 16 years in landscape i think edging is the hardest to learn i would not let a new guy edge they can mow first

[@underground310music]

I remember I got hired to be a foreman in a company I knew how to use all the machines but the only one I never got right was the dam edger, I was started at 15 an hour and during my 3 month probation they took me down from foreman and dropped my pay to $13.50 an hour all because of the weed wacker ! Ileft that company I now finally master the weed wacked so I'm currently a foreman in a diffrent landscape company lol

[@moieog5176]

Yea took me awhile to master it but know im the fastest edging guy at my company and my edging look very good

[@dannymccoy1783]

My rate i would pay them IF they were hard worker is 100.00 dollars a day up to 150.00 a day CASH........Sometimes i had Biggg jobs where i was making killer money ive even paid a few times 300.00 a day CASH.....

[@easybuttonlawnservice8697]

Great video brother! As of Friday I am finally on the full time train! No longer a dirty nasty contractor on Gordon, haha. This was definitely a beneficial video for me since I will most likely need help soon. Too bad my weekend help can't hurry up and graduate high school!

[@housemachine509]

How do you guys keep your tools clean any videos? Any tricks to avoid the green build up?

[@cdb122980]

I start at$10 an hr great info Jonny I feel you about not putting New guys on a $5k peice of equipment starting out.

[@stefhaniefulton467]

cbanksmowing 10 an hour me and my brother hit 25 yards daily making 600 plus a day of some one is making you profit you can’t pay them 10 an hour.

[@cdb122980]

@@stefhaniefulton467 I actually meant to say 12 I used to pay 10

[@GONZOFAM7]

Very smart method and great business tip.

[@richscott2952]

You only need one good Forman everyone else does not need to be an expert they just need to be focused on their task and the ability to go to the next task which is routine without Constant direction if a new guy gets to the shop put some kitty litter down and have the dustpan and broom handy if he picks it up and sweeps up the shop without being told that’s a good man

[@stevescott1962]

We did it the other way around, edging is for the veterans lol the new guys weren't allowed to touch weed wackers

[@dunnbizzy79]

Excellent pay strategy, everyone gets paid a fair wage and the business makes profit. 👏

[@DylanFkinGuenther]

its funny how on you are during mowing videos vs this one. Appreciate the tips I was going to hire a guy this year but things change. Next year it is. Im just hoping I can get them trimming to my standards.

[@jayr55555]

I was paid a certain percent for each yard we did. When I did my own yards i would take 60% and my friend would take 40%. I thought that was fair becuase I supplied the equipment and gas.

[@charlesrivenbarkrivenbarkl4437]

Nice video, I really like the way you take a starting employee and train them into your personal preference of turf professional, Keep up the good information and keep making progress. ✌✌

[@typicaldad559]

I work 10 months a year in a factory laid off for 2 ..usually when its clean up season I was hired on as a cash worker for a guy who just started his company he paid me 11$an hour ( minimum wage) and paid me about 25$ hourly when we did big clean up jobs he usually charged 200$ forr

[@stephencooper4987]

I quit my first job because after 2 years I asked for a dime raise and they told me no. I was making $.90 per hour and asked for $1.00. That was a long, long time ago. I was 16 at the time.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Wow!

[@sanchez6760]

1900s

[@stevescott1962]

Yea i couldn't start out for a company like that, i have too much experience, and i don't like bad habits either so i don't really have many lol, although i will have to learn the bigger machines, i know how to run the smaller ones and i am nasty with a string trimmer, i do all my own work, ive learned doing it for someone else sucks lol, you either work hard at your own dreams or someone will pay you to help build theirs, i rather build my own

[@circletrack8375]

That’s crazy cause anyone right now can get into the union (sheetmetal workers....iron worker...electrician ..... pipe fitters .....boilmakers ..)) go through the apprentice program and after 5 years they get there Journeymans card... $72 an hour right now .. full insurance ... retirement .. vacation pay .... 401 everything ...

[@michaelsimsplaya4199]

Circletrack83 Pay varies per the job location bud . $72 an hr is not everyday pay .

[@mowguy1]

Never had to give a raise nobody but sticks around. The last guy really wanted to work no experience about a month ago worked 4 hrs and had an appointment to go to. I paid him $50 haven't seen him since. That's why I just work alone.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

Wow!

[@upscalelawncaremonroe408]

I like that, spot on!!

[@orlandob9958]

I have the opposite experience... I prefer to pay top dollar to the guy with experience than to struggle training a guy when time is of the essence. Sometimes to save a few dollars it cost you than to just get the right guy and pay him right off the bat. Now if I have 2 guys with experience i don't mind taking on a third employee that's an amateur. **** minimum wage is not an option doing this ** very true.

[@Bladesofgrasslawncare]

💯👍

[@stevenvandensen967]

and I tell you one thing if you pay the driver $16 an hour for too long he's not going to stick with you if you got to go against you and start his own company some states $16 an hour is minimum wage in oh

[@DarkAmerica]

Damn minimum in NC is like 7.25 lol. Glad I'm a millwright..

[@DanielGonzalez-un6rz]

What you're speaking is before or after the coronavirus?

[@yt19xx82]

One thing that I tell company owners “Invest in your employees, you’ll get much more in return. Treat your employees right, they’ll give it their 100% at all times.”

[@godwilllawncarellc9490]

Exactly I'm agree with you

[@eddiecolemanjr9631]

smart move to train for and expect quality from those you hire, because the customer will!

[@jorgebosch6683]

Definitely makes a lot of sence

[@cartmanbrah8937]

Would you consider giving cue a truck to run his own crew under your company's name obviously? Or the existing truck he rides with you in, and you slowly step back and let the company run up on its own while you oversee things.

[@jeffwhite8017]

Pay them on monday so they will come back to work every week!

[@georgemyers6518]

Great video johny. You and I are on the same page when it comes to employees