Why Running a Solo Landscaping Business Doesn't Work!

Why Running a Solo Landscaping Business Doesn't Work! You must hire landscaping employees to help you do the work while you spend time marketing, selling jobs, and taking care of customers. Pmis lawn & landscape employees help you make more money.
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[@BetterBusinesspodcast]

I started my own business in January. Now 7 months in I have 2 employees 1 tech and 1 supervisor. They help me make more money than I ever could if I was working alone like in the beginning

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes! That's it! I hope everyone reads this comment.

[@deanbellamy7614]

Hey man, I just started my business 2 months ago and I’m currently solo but looking to hire soon I got a couple questions could I message you on Facebook or call you?

[@RaberLandscaping]

Hey man, I started in May was super busy up until right now. Things have slowed down tremendously. I have one employee what’s the fastest way to get more clients with winter coming it makes me edgy. I’m in Ohio.

[@Caulmare]

I beg to differ. After 15 years of dealing with the headache of useless seasonal employees I ditched everyone hand selected my customers and 3x my take home total , cut my work hours down by 10 hours a week and reduced stress 100 fold. I now enjoy Mowing and Trimming and caring for high ticket multi million dollar homes with little to no overhead. Then invest all that money I spent on employees and after 5 years I could retire if I wanted to but I enjoy working so much that I won't until I can't

[@evolawnlandscape]

Yes sir lets go!!!

[@StormWaterDrainageSolutions]

The trick is to have the right employees, because the wrong ones can definitely cost you a lot of money 😂

[@corym.3580]

Heres a tip or maybe most if you know this, make sure each employee is properly categorized for workers comp. We used to have our tree guys constantly based as doing tree work even though they would fill in landscaping or doing other work. I started having them list there hours doing tree work on their time card and when they did something else they would list it. Then payroll would itemize the different work on their pay stub, the hourly pay is the same, but the hours might be 20 tree 20 landscaping. At the end of the year during a workers comp audit this can save thousands especially if they are year round and occasionally do shop work in the winter. Why pay tree crew comp prices when they are doing shop work in the winter. This goes for irrigation, landscape construction, itemizing the hours can save a goid amount on your comp bill.

[@BurpeesGiant]

One employee, my fiancé helps with billing and work. And my kids/step kids help me on some weekend extra jobs I love everything you put out dawg! Let’s grow!!!

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

I started my company 3 years ago. Just hired my first part time team member 1 Day per week for help with project based work on weekends. Next year I’m hiring a full time guy for mowing. What you are saying is so true. It takes a ton of time to talk to my clients, office work emails and advertising. Follow ups, Scheduling/quoting and onboarding new clients and building the report with them.

[@keith-kalfas]

Yessir. Thank you for sharing about your journey bro.

[@EdwardTrowbridge]

I’ve been running my own business solo for about 5 years and want to take the leap of hiring employees, this video helped me so much, it’s a nerve racking process lol

[@CollinRutherford]

You can really improve productivity through employee support, sometimes you need a team to grow effectively.

[@jessekittner6412]

Hey Keith. I started up 4 months ago. Still solo (wife helping sometimes). I have been watching your videos from the beginning of my business. Very helpful. You taught me how to quote jobs and very helpful on pricing. I’m in Canada( Vancouver island)so the prices here are a little different. Hopefully I will have employees by the spring. Thanks for your helpful content. I like your vibe. Keep up the good work.

[@keith-kalfas]

Thanks Jesse much appreciated and congrats on your business bro! 💪

[@SW556G19X]

I’ve ran my firewood business solo for 7 years now, i also do a lot of stump grinding and I do some landscaping. But firewood is 80% of my business. What I find very hard is finding people that I can trust to hire to use a chainsaw as 99% of what they’d do for me as an employee mainly because of the risk/liability and insurance issues

[@SomervilleLandscapingCo.]

Cant wait for my first employee, God will bless me with my time. Need to couple my number of clients then i should start to consider this ASAP!! ❤️

[@MichaelDeLaRosa]

I agree, got helpers this summer and it was a good experience for the most part. Only thing that is making me not want to grow big is that landscaping ain’t my passion. Not sure I love it to the point I take it to the next level and dedicate my life to it

[@hillislawnlandscape]

Lol solo operator and was listening to your new audio book... Chapter 11 at 11 minutes and 10 seconds if you are listening on a Bluetooth speaker it activated Google search on my phone LMAO. Great book thanks for all the info over the last 10 years!

[@keith-kalfas]

Amazing!

[@PbsGardeningLLC]

What’s up Keith love the video. Very true can’t run the business solo. Ive been in business for a year and got the award for Best of my City . I couldn’t have done it with out my worker

[@ryobrown-mcclain805]

I've had helpers, but by the time you train them they can start their own bussiness. In my area NW CT the cost of living is so high I don't know anyone who can make a living off 25 per hour, and there is a major shortage of skilled laborers(at least in close proximity to the clients) I've been mostly solo for 20 years landscaping, it is a crazy maker, but I am blessed to figured it out. I depend heavily upon my repeat customers(and that unspoken trust that develops), I never have to advertise, I always get more recommendations (smaller town mentality), and you have to "farm" the estates (lots and lots of low ticket jobs, with occasional big ones). I am happy not to grow my business, but maybe I am missing out. What's the least amount of money a person needs to be happy and healthy? Because all my rich clients aren't necessarily happy or healthy.

[@keith-kalfas]

And everything you just said makes a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing my friend. 💪

[@dandylawnandmaintenance4407]

Same look at my comment bet your very much like me. You would need to pay 30.00 per hr here and hope they last 6 months.

[@ryobrown-mcclain805]

@@keith-kalfas and thanks for your great content as always Keith! I so appreciate it

[@kodypilger]

A customer is a one time job or a couple times per year. A client is a return customer on monthly services etc.

[@harleygriswold5821]

I am coming to the end of my second year. I believe it’s been put on my heart to hire my first employee for 2025 season. I’m just praying on it. I’d like to grow from 14 customers to ?? Unknown amount. So we shall see. Thanks for all you do and your content.

[@keith-kalfas]

That's awesome bro. Best of success to you and keep us updated on your journey. 💪

[@GreenFrogWebDesignReviews]

Great info Keith!

[@Kenny-g4r]

Got a friend w/a truck & small trailer & we've talked up him partnering w/his gear when i can no longer manage w/just my little car...

[@TheArtisticGardener777]

You’re so right Kalfas!

[@Slowmowlawnandhome]

Always happy this is a continual conversation. I stay solo because I love being alone all day and it forces you to create different areas of expertise to take full advantage of your customer's full potential money stream. I don't want an employee because I don't want to look over to my right and see a human while I'm driving. I don't want to NOT be doing the hardest most grungiest job, I love every single aspect of every single process and I want to see and do it all. I think solo folks know it makes less money and it's simply a quality of life choice for certain personalities. That being said, if I get very badly injured and can't do the work anymore then that is when I will hire and try to create a big company. I also base everything on only 20-30 lawn customers, all in a few clusters that I offer a wide variety of services for on top of landscaping. I make mid range money but have time leftover to do the biggest projects for myself and create value vs. purchasing value. Also creating your own value is tax-free as far as labor goes.

[@benhood4248]

Do you have issues with your employees getting stuck talking to customers? The customers who talk WAY too much and ask for favors way too much. That’s my problem with being solo

[@rayhernandez6502]

That’s tuff I am also dealing with that issue. Unfortunately, customers, empower employees to stop working and talk by asking for favors and extra work as well as just shooting the breeze. We are in the people business, but part of the business is continuing the job, so it gets completed in a timely fashion. I’m just gonna start coaching my guys to stay focused, talk and move so it shows the customer we’re trying to stay busy without being rude. Maybe you interrupt the conversation by asking the employee to do a task and redirecting the customer to you that’s what I’m gonna try.

[@valencialandscaping]

To run a business called landscaping and lawn care ,absolutely 100% agree ,you need your helpers!!...lafayette,IN

[@keith-kalfas]

Amen to that brother. Have a great day.

[@ryobrown-mcclain805]

@@valencialandscaping just don't let your employees watch that Keith video on the how to escape the employees landscaping trap!

[@CerretaniOutdoorsLLC]

Only do projects(flatwork concrete) and I will mostly likely do all the prep solo just me and my skid steer Sometimes bring in a guy if there is heavy demo then form everything up solo Then bring in the finishers and pay them all very well(top dog gets 250$ an hour) then other ones get 3-400$ a day or 50$ an hour Helps so much having some knowledgeable and taking work load off me especially with the time sensitive materials

[@BurpeesGiant]

Man I lived in Mankato Minnesota for a year in 2001 playing hockey

[@dandylawnandmaintenance4407]

I highly recommend hiring but I have only done it one year. 15 years now and I will be retiring 2025. In my peak 58 clients solo was the magic number solo today tho 22. I now have clients and never really speak with them. We may possibly text. I just go do all the maintenance needed on a clients properties. I have one client I have had 9 years only met them three times ever. I trim the trees, cut shrubs, fertilize, mow, take care of sprinklers and timers, water features, pressure wash. I do what ever I see that is needed and pretty much only speak with them beginning of year, mid year and end of year. I send monthly Newsletters via E-mail to all clients so they know what I will be doing. If you are solo like me you need to think out of the box to make a living at this. I only work as hard as I want and only with selected clients. When I retire 2025 I will still have 5 clients large properties. Probably work 1 1/2 days a week. Love being Solo. You are correct tho if you want to grow big time employees are a must.

[@ryobrown-mcclain805]

@@dandylawnandmaintenance4407 I hear you brother, I have very little client comunication because they have learned to trust us to take care of them, we got it good

[@john.johnb_online1438]

Love the channel Bro

[@keith-kalfas]

Appreciate it John. Have you seen my other channel, I Am Ability?

[@john.johnb_online1438]

@@keith-kalfas I have not. I’ll check it out .

[@john.johnb_online1438]

@@keith-kalfas well I did not find a link to - I am ability, however I scheduled to attend this Thursday for the level up meet online . Thanks bro

[@InstentLeader]

I've been running my business for about 4 years. My issue in the past has been finding employees and even harder finding good ones. I pay 15-17 an hour and its still hard. Nobody wants to work in this Texas heat lol

[@byronn.2885]

I look at the quality of workers I see at other companies in my area and I can’t bring myself to deal with that crap. Guys always on their phones, smoking/vaping, and dressed like bums. This is my 9 year in business doing irrigation and property maintenance and I do 90% of the work myself. I don’t love it but it is less frustrating than dealing with stupid and lazy workers. I’d love to find a young guy fresh out of high school that has a passion for the work but haven’t stumbled upon him yet.

[@psnl4]

I'm a Landscaper contractor from fresno CA landscaping for 23 years and on my own for the last 15 years. As stressful as it can get at times it would stress me out more to deal with employees.

[@BurpeesGiant]

All I can say is I do this, lol Facts!!🙏

[@AwesomePo0]

Make video of how much to charge for yard maintenance

[@keith-kalfas]

Ok that's a great topic ides.

[@Rolltide404]

I tried for 4 years solo. Injured my knee this year and that was that. Time consuming, hard labor, heat. Im good

[@keith-kalfas]

Sorry about your knee. I hope you're OK? So are you still in this business? Or did you hire help?

[@Rolltide404]

@keith-kalfas it's doing pretty good. I ended up hiring help and they broke 6 sprinkler heads while operating a sod cutter 🤣 just can't win my guy.

[@Gord3784]

I just sift the top and do the good money stuff me and 1 helper Low to no overhead My cash is same as the owner of a biz with 3 crews and I do 1/8 of the work but I do it myself I also work extremely efficiently as it’s my 16th year

[@thegentleman03]

Im struggling working alone and I want to get more landscaping jobs. I am struggling going out to mow and it's my least favorite job to do. How do I know if things go well if I hire people while I go out and do sales?

[@tiffanyall87]

What do you do when work slows down to pay and keep the employee busy?

[@Gord3784]

I just sift the top and do the good money stuff me and 1 helper Low to no overhead My cash is same as the owner of a biz with 3 crews and I do 1/8 of the work but I do it myself

[@entrepreneurdaltonmiles1539]

I run a 2 man crew until I'm a pro. I'm nearly there but once I'm comfortable enough I will hire a 3rd guy.

[@t3_servicesllc]

I’m 23 years old solo business owner. Our services are: landscaping, pressure washing, auto detailing and other jobs. Would like to hire employees sometime within the next year hopefully. Just not bringing in enough money yet. Been detailing for around 2 years and other services only this year. If you have at least 1 employee do you need to have insurance as a business to cover if that employee gets hurt when just starting your business?

[@Alimoethird141]

Hey Kieth I just start a landscaping business in Boston a month ago any recommendations for Need a landscape mentor

[@Kuhlyedascope69]

Stay small; Keep it all

[@BizarroLanigirod]

I can't keep workers. Most ppl too lazy to work.

[@keith-kalfas]

You may be right

[@johnfurey6569]

Not true I used to have 2 full time guys when I cut lawns I stopped cutting lawns almost 5 years ago I now only do cleanups much stone landscaping I do $10000 thousand more a year now I buy equipment to make my work faster than having guys do the work I don’t have to carry work men’s comp insurance now I clear over 20000 thousand a year profit now

[@keith-kalfas]

Wait are you the guy who does those rip-out demos by yourself and you make bank?? 💰

[@johnfurey6569]

@@keith-kalfas I work at the Jersey Shore I work for people with multiple homes I take care of there summer homes on the beach front

[@billhull6842]

Send me your resume Keith and I will review it and I might even off you a job. lol

[@keith-kalfas]

Lol

[@LilTaco3]

Tips dont go to the workers????

[@keith-kalfas]

Yes they do.

[@user-tg3vw4pd7j]

As long as you have the work load and know your numbers. So many people I make a 100$ a hr maybe gross? Ask them how many man hours they worked a year most say idk. If you gross 100k and only work 1k hrs a year than ok you hit that number. Who only works a 1k hrs a yr? Point of my equation know your numbers.

[@keith-kalfas]

Very wise. "MATH IS THE PATH".

[@keithkalfas7756]

Awesome

[@GreenFrogWebDesignReviews]

Great info Keith!

[@keith-kalfas]

Thank you bro!