SOLO Guys FAIL In Their Lawn Business Too Often!

[@davidrampone]

I’m solo. I see other solo guys pricing too low, which leads to them having to work 6-7 days a week and get burnt out in 2 years. I price higher, work 4 days a week and have spent the last two years on getting a tight/dense route. So 4 days a week 8-10 hours a day billing $10,750 a month. Those 3 day weekends (although with all this rain this year I’ve worked make ups a lot of Fridays) are a life saver.

[@LukesLawnCare]

That is awesome! Where are you located? I run solo as well and this is my first year.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

That’s a solid living man… congrats.

[@stevel9976]

I’m in my first year and started from scratch. I’m mowing 4 days a week as well, which gives me flexibility for weather and to do project work. I’m not at full capacity yet, but by next year should be no issue for growing.

[@davidrampone]

@@LukesLawnCare west central Florida

[@k.medeiros1983]

Basically exactly what I do and the numbers a very similar

[@johndoe-zc6tl]

I do this on the side. Built my truck with a ramp rack sport just cut cause I enjoy it. Hopefully I can get up to 15 customers a week

[@StuffLawns]

Thanks getting started solo at 40 in Daytona

[@ThatCrazyGrassGuy]

You were the first channel I found when I started my business. I appreciate all the help along the way.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad to help!

[@progreengroundservices4038]

I agree 100% I am making pretty decent money, but I’m also putting it up in stocks and bonds and leave everything behind for my son. I have three of them.

[@chadtyler5079]

I’m investing as well for my wife and I to one day hopefully somewhat retire. Let my money make money to maximize earnings.

[@progreengroundservices4038]

@@chadtyler5079 exactly!!!

[@tingleslawnservice]

The growing pains are real in this field 😂 thanks for helping us out with these insights. Being a solo guy myself I can attest to the growing pains and hard work that it involves. At the end of the day you gotta love this work, and be willing to be a continual learner.

[@DevinMcEwen]

3rd year solo. I prefer to work alone but needed to hear this 💯

[@MadMikeX70]

I’m 54 and a solo operator. I’ve been running since 2016 . I repair and service all my equipment . I’m in west metro Atlanta . I mow 5-10 1/2 acre+ lawns a day 5-6 days week during peak season . Exercise is key . To be solo you have to be a savage !!! Pure savage . You cannot have a tap out button period . As far as success you are correct about cash flow . For me it’s pay upon service completion .

[@jeffballard1427]

When you were solo how would you schedule flowerbeds and mulch and bush trimming

[@thomasbrown8713]

Really enjoy your content. My 16yr old is 10 resi and 1 commercial deep over here in NEFL. Your tips and tricks have helped him out the last month. Thanks.

[@tennesseesawmillguy1590]

I see guys around here pricing lawns really low, then race in the lawns and in between stops to try to make money. I’m over here easing around, mowing half as much for twice the rate and I don’t tear the lawns or equipment to pieces. But I guess I’m in a much less stressful situation. I don’t have any payments.

[@bradpatti999]

I got my insurance for lawn mowing here in Australia and the statement clearly said tree trimming and pruning up to 3m. Was good to know that.

[@dang5553]

Location location. Is a key factor when pricing. Like my area in central Florida. It’s tough for 40 bucks a cut. They don’t want to pay it. I’m talking bout 50x100 lot. A fence line 50ft long I had to bring it 3 feet to 4 feet out cause of the stumps with a trimmer. I don’t cut any ones cheap ass yards in central Florida. One more bout my area I put a bid on a smaller property. This guy thought I was going to rob him. 35 I explained way it needed to be stick edged that much over growth. I would of done it for 30 if he didn’t think someone could cut it for 20. Some people

[@UnblockedOne2]

No insurance is crazy. Hiscox is $37.50 a month & I gross a little over $100k. I do remember struggling to pay it, back when I was starting out though. Another thing that can happen: If you have helpers & you don't notify your insurance and/or put them on workers comp, if the insurance company ever finds out, they can retroactively deduct from your bank all the backpay you owe them.

[@LukesLawnCare]

Thank you sir! Good tips.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

You're welcome!

[@mansajose5226]

Thanks for the video

[@MarshallsGreenthumb]

Great content, thank you!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Glad you liked it!

[@catnaptv_plushshow]

I have two jobs drive a garbage truck 3-4 hours a day but then I get paid for 8 (task day) then I go cut a few lawns 4 days a week

[@mariusmarius4832]

Spot on.

[@LLC_Turf_Pros]

I’m solo and have that cash flow issue creep up on me literally this week. I have mortgage in a few days and water bill. Then my electricity went up almost $200 this month which was my fault for waiting to update my plan. But I literally have a job with my HOA for $7500 and have to use my cash to buy the supplies. My credit isn’t good but trying to get approved for net 15 at least so I can literally use the money from the HOA job to pay it back. The HOA doesn’t pay out until job completion.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Ya, cash flow is a big deal. See if you can renegotiate payment terms!

[@LLC_Turf_Pros]

@@FloridaTurfProsit’s funny but I didn’t even think to do that since the last few jobs I did I was told they need work completed first. But I’m going to work up the courage to see if that can be done. Also make it a priority to improve my credit score.

[@UnblockedOne2]

If you have any biweeklies, bill them all per service. All the weekly mowing, I bill them monthly. Any jobs other than mowing, I almost always bill it immediately.

[@tkbondslawncare968]

Great Information Jonathan keep up the good work my friend Solo definitely is not sustainable after you get in your 30s it's more risky to stay solo than to scale with employees/contractors

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Agreed

[@keegancplays5782]

How do you collect the money from the customers???

[@TheSammym11]

Love the videos and didn’t notice until recently that we are in the same geographic location. I am in Pensacola and need to get a chemical liscense. How do I go about getting the certification? Thanks

[@paulknoblauch9101]

You have to work under a licensed pesticide operator for 3 yrs and log a certain number of hours before taking your exam.

[@zachnunya8749]

Wait where’s this bro live? I live in Milton and just found dudes channel

[@sosalpha1681]

We all have our own unique situations and finances. I personally refuse to finance, I believe in saving and purchasing with cash (try to get the lowest sale figure) Less bills, less overhead, less stress. This is my company's first year. I have been buying various EGO tools to do many different lawn jobs. What I lack is a truck, trailer and ride mower. I'd like to get there. I found that mow jobs are little pay vs. cleanups when you only have a push mower. Any suggestions how to maximize acquiring cleanups jobs. Not just residential but commercial, places where townships or state is fining for neglected overgrown grass/weeds? Those contracts help me big time acquiring things needed fast.

[@AndyEvansFoReal]

Contact realtors in your area and let them know you specialize in clean ups. Do not give them a price cut, instead tell them that you can turn work around quick and show up on time.

[@sosalpha1681]

@@AndyEvansFoReal i really appreciate that idea. I am going to do so this evening. I can't thank you enough for that

[@RockyTopSplash]

Tennessee is ROUGH!

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Ya it’s really bad. I’m going there next week.

[@LLC_Turf_Pros]

@@FloridaTurfProsmake sure to take videos of what you’re doing over there. Are you going with your church. My wife has been telling me about it because a hardly watch the news. She was in tears over all what they are going through.

[@RockyTopSplash]

If you ain't bringing in $140 per hr of mowing... you never going to last

[@matthewmcquinn1589]

How do you get clients go to that high?

[@RockyTopSplash]

$35 yrd... 15 mow.. = $140 per hr of work

[@RockyTopSplash]

@matthewmcquinn1589 don't tell them you charging 140 hr.. word it where they think they getting a deal

[@upscalelawncaremonroe408]

I don't think solo is the way to go!

[@satcheradams153]

What is a good hourly rate for a solo guy with LLC, operation cost per month is roughly $285, who just started? I was thnking around $66.75.

[@RockyTopSplash]

Needs to be atleast 3x of that... you never going to eat.. and maintain equipment on $67

[@RockyTopSplash]

You need to make $120-$180 just to float

[@AndyEvansFoReal]

Price low initially to get clients and increase it each year. Lots of videos out there about how to set your hourly rate.

[@UnblockedOne2]

For mowing at least $120 an hour or $2 a minute. To keep it simple: A $40 dollar lawn should be done in 20 minutes or less. A $50 dollar lawn in 25 minutes or less etc. Time yourself. That can be hard to do In April, May & June, but by July and later I'm almost always averaging $3 a minute in mowing or just shy of it.

[@Rockyspropertycare]

More like I started at the age 50. It’s insane to start a physical job like this solo.

[@stevel9976]

Hang in there. I started this year at 44. Definitely get a helper, that’s my plan for next year

[@UnblockedOne2]

Just need easy to mow lawns and easy jobs. I'll be 49 next year & I've been in this 10 seasons now. You have to take whatever comes to you for a few seasons obviously. For me I want small easy lawns. Lawns with little trimming. Lawns that aren't bumpy & lawns without weeds. I could go on.

[@carpet180]

Do you charge a % fee for credit cards ?

[@catnaptv_plushshow]

Everyone does now days

[@FloridaTurfPros]

It's baked into my overall lawn price

[@greyson7379]

No thanks. I’d rather have someone else do my weed eating and blowing. I’ll just mow and think about moving the business forward while I do. I’ve done my time solo and the WHOLE time I was thinking one day I’ll be able to hire someone to do this shit for me and still make great profit. Doing 10k a month working only 8 days. About 13 customers total. Mostly commercial. Charging high amount because I worked my SEO and became #1 rated on google in my town and I also do heavy grassroots marketing. I’m all over the place. I actually turn down more work than I work 😂 I built this business for lifestyle not money. I love working 4 days then having 10 days to myself. If I choose to work in my off days I who’ll charge the shit out of you aka giving you the fuck it price and if you accept okay fuck it I’ll do it 😂. Life is great. I also invest in RVs. Buy them cheap in LA for 1500-2500 then resell them AS-IS back in Texas for about 5-7k. Real shit I’m not even bullshitting. It’s fkn easy to make money.

[@positivelynegative9149]

I don't know how to get clients. 🤷‍♂️

[@FloridaTurfPros]

check out my marketing playlist on my channel... lots of great info there

[@positivelynegative9149]

@@FloridaTurfPros Last night, I decided to give up. 🤣

[@BrianSousa1]

Been doing it solo for 20 years, I’m 51 now. You pansies on here need to stay out of the kitchen if you can’t handle the heat. I feel it every year though getting harder and hotter, but it’s a great living. I’m a Florida boy too so it’s even more strenuous. If you can’t work like a real man I suggest you look for a different job where you don’t walk 10 miles a day in 105 degree heat. Your welcome for the pre-advice

[@FloridaTurfPros]

😂 thanks for the tips!

[@jeffballard1427]

After doing KZbin videos for sometime now do you sometimes wish you never started it

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I don't mind doing the videos... I have had many people message and say some of the things I've shared have really helped them... and that makes it worth it.

[@cholo21491]

I'm 33 and just started a month ago. It sucks

[@FloridaTurfPros]

What sucks… how can I help?

[@TheLayinLo]

@@FloridaTurfProsthis why i subscribed to your channel. Have a blessed day my friend.