[Dafoe]

HI
Moving in a few weeks and we'll need someone to mow our yard in Gilchrist. Does anyone have a suggestion of dependable workers for a reasonable price? We've a tiny yard, but want it to be maintained when we come and go. You can PM me or share your recommendations here. Thanks!

[CalcTeacher]

In all my readings and researching and in talking to the company that just recently landscaped my yard and also another neighbor who talked to the company that landscaped her yard (aka two different landscape companies) you need a push mow company...not a company that uses a riding mower or one of those big commercial mowers.

I was given the name Just Push Mow at 352-988-8009. I am not recommending them as I have never used them (my landscaper just helped an employee of his start his own push mow service but they only do it for their own landscape customers) but when I called to get pricing the gentleman was very responsive and very nice. Our lot in Gilchrist is built out just about as far as it can be so our actual yard is very small...Just Push Mow quoted us either $50 or $55 to give you a rough idea of cost.

[jimbo2012]

I think $40-45 is the fair price for an average house

[Dafoe]

Thanks!

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

I think $40-45 is the fair price for an average house

Prices here are unsustainably low. Consequently huge turnover in labor and inconsistent quality. The only thing that supports the low cost right now is high unemployment. Eventually, costs must rise at least 100%.

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Prices here are unsustainably low. Consequently huge turnover in labor and inconsistent quality. The only thing that supports the low cost right now is high unemployment. Eventually, costs must rise at least 100%.

Where do you get that number? That they must rise at least 100%?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Where do you get that number? That they must rise at least 100%?

That is my number. These guys only make about $10/hr minus gas, oil, maintenance and zero benefits. In Indiana, we paid $40/week for the same services we get here for $40-$50/month. The cost for lawn maintenance is held down here because every Tom, Dick and Harry is out trying to survive. Not sustainable.

[shcisamax]

Thanks for the reasoning. I get it now. Do you have a prediction when the costs will rise? i.e. unemployment is no longer a consideration?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Thanks for the reasoning. I get it now. Do you have a prediction when the costs will rise? i.e. unemployment is no longer a consideration?

A lot of these guys are out of work construction types. As Florida new building recovers, they will move on out of the area. I know we have more than our share of new home construction in the villages, but it appears to be a bit of a closed market. This is just my humble opinion, but there really is no other reason for this type of work to pay so little compared to other parts of the country. Certainly, the generally low pay in this area of Florida does not produce in low prices in grocery stores, retail and restaurants. Only in the areas where there is more labor than work do we see below market costs.

At some point, someone is going to come in here and buy up most of the lawn care guys. Show them how to be more efficient by computerizing their territories to eliminate dead-heading; give them better equipment to reduce downtime and show them how to market quality and performance in such a way to justify higher fees.

[karostay]

When the Villages reach build out my guess is the next 24 months give or take there will an abundance of available labor. I wouldn't worry