Need Yard Man
 

Does anyone know of a reliable yard person for the Citrus Grove area. Also, looking for someone to check the sprinklers couple times a month. Thx

It would be way too expensive to pay someone to check your sprinklers a couple of times a month. Most sprinkler maintenance plans only check them 3 or 4 times per year. This is a DIY project.

Nope and this thread is repeated over and over again. There is an incredible opportunity in TV for some enterprising people (people) to provide good lawn care services. A lot of people with enough money to pay for the service and that don't want to do it. But we are mostly stuck with these "corporations" that have massive turnover and are driven by bean counters to maximize profits by minimizing work done.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I have posted this question also. I am tired of trying out yet another corporation and ending up with a badly maintained yard.

It would take less than 5 minutes for a lawn maintenance person to turn on the irrigation system and walk around checking and adjusting the sprinklers while they are there mowing the yard. So, even if we are paying them $60/hr that would be only $5.

Although, it is probably overkill to check them every time the yard is mowed. They should not need to adjust that often.

It may only take 5 minutes, but I don't think anyone will even touch your sprinkler system for 5 dollars. Typically, it will cost about $35-40 just to check and adjust the sprinkler heads. And, most guys who mow the grass wouldn't know how to properly operate and adjust the sprinklers.

I get someone out for irrigation system maintenance once a year. The only other time I would consider having the system checked is if there is an obvious brown spot in the lawn that looks like something may be amiss. Other than that, it is on auto pilot and our lawn looks beautiful most of the year.

This is the first time in my life that I have paid someone to mow my lawn. In high school, 1960's I started and ran a small lawn mowing service. At my peak, I did about 18 lawns. It is a tough way to make few bucks. Where I did it was far cooler than Florida. I was cheaper than the,"professionals," and I charged about what these people charge today. So I was about 8x more due to inflation.

If, my back was not a mess. If, I was not this old. If, it wasn't so hot. If, they weren't so inexpensive. If, I had room to store a mower, edger etc. Surely, I would mow my own

We also are moving to Citrus Grove. Closing on this Friday the 6th but then have to come back home to close on our current house, pack and move, etc. I've been trying my hardest to find someone just to mow the lawn, but so far no luck. If you find someone please let me know.

This would be a great time to meet your neighbors, or in the neighboring Village. Ask them who handles theirs. That would be helpful for you.

I need help with my sprinkler system checked too. I’m in the Spanish Soring area. Does anyone know someone who will come out & is reasonable?

Ask your neighbors for a reference. The mowers will be in the area anyway and may welcome your business.

I did this after a cheaper mowing service just stopped coming to our place and would not return calls. When the grass approached 6 inches, I reached out to neighbors for help. Our new service does several lawns on Linden Isle and says hi occasionally. BTW, never let your grass get that high. They brought in a special mower to cut that tough, wirey grass. Now it’s maintenance.

Call Jeff at J&J Services 352-702-6376.
 

Jeff at J andJ services 352-702-6376 for sprinkler service.
He's reasonable and available. I highly recommend.

Call Jeff at J&J Services 352-702-6376.
 

Jeff at J andJ services 352-702-6376 for sprinkler service.
He's reasonable and available. I highly recommend.

Yard Maintenance
 

I have Joe Tucker check my sprinklers quarterly (live north of 466A)
(352) 430-5615
tucker.irrigation@hotmail.com. He charges $35 for check-up + $$ for any replacement heads. He is in high demand, so schedule in advance.

Reliable individual for lawn mowing: A-Z Lawn Care. 352-602-8177. Check to see, if he has any openings.

Oh, come on now! My mom is 90 years old and checks her own sprinkler system. Its not that difficult

They are all horrible. Invest in good electric equipment and do it
Yourself.

More like 15 minutes, but point well taken. I have been in landscape maintenance for 40+ years. Plan is to move full time in 7 years... but might make that sooner if I can generate some income in TV. I have been watching your comments on the possible opportunities.

Here's the reality of lawn care as a small businessman. 10% of your clients take 90% of your time, because that's what they do. Some people complain about everything... I'll refer to past TOTV threads for reference and proof. And if you refuse to serve them, they slander you. I saw a thread on lanai windows today doing just that.

Everyone has your phone number, and they all call you all day and night.

It's impossible to take a two-week cruise, or similar vacation.

People do not understand what it is like to work outside. They treat you like you are working in their dining rooms. Weather doesn't matter, dirt, a stray grass clipping, noise, bugs, etc. do not belong on their lawn.

To be efficient, you have to schedule a number of lawns per day. But don't come too early, during my Bridge club, or after Happy Hour. And would you please call an hour before you come, I have a few things I want to talk to you about.

The worst is just what you say about the 5 minute job... everyone has a a "while you are here" chore to do, and they don't think it should cost much. Realize that it takes 5 minutes just to say hello and explain the job. It takes another 5 minutes to record the work, and then bill it once you get back to the office. And I have a schedule to keep.

Note that I am not talking about finding and keeping good labor, the cost of insurance, expensive equipment, with the associated maintenance and storage... that's all a given.

I have learned over the decades to manage these issues. The industry has been good to me. But it is far from rosy, especially has a small business. That's why larger companies fill the void. The receptionist doesn't care about your complaint, she just passes it on. The sales guy is the professional excuse maker and feather smoother. Accounting will make sure you pay on time. A small businessman has to fill all of those roles.

And oh yeah, that dead lizard has been sitting in the middle of the driveway for weeks. Why haven't you picked that up yet?

Yard contractors
 

We use Massey; they do many yards throughout the Villages

"The Good Neighbor" yard maintenance has terrible reputation!

I'm closing on Siverson Terrace (Citrus Grove) later this month. I think we should all try to get the same company for our neighborhood! Please post if you find someone and I will as well. HOWEVER -- I might just do mine myself, I have the tiniest yard. But since I don't know how difficult it might be -- I may change my mind. For one thing, I don't even own a lawn mower (yet). If I get one, it will be small battery powered. :) Are there any other homeowners out there who do their own lawns? Is that "uncool"? (Yes, I'm retired, I can afford to hire it out, but I kind of like yard work!) Thx everyone, love reading your posts!!!!

Try Brian at Brian's Lawn Care Service, (352) 454-2070. We've used him since last fall. Honest, dependable and very reasonably priced.

Rick Smith with Handyman Smittys does a great job.He can be reached at (248) 954-3520
 

Rick Smith with Handyman Smittys Does a great job and is very reasonable. He can be reached at (248) 954-3520.

The reason that charge that much is - well, two, they can, and it's normally a trip to your house to do it.

I was proposing an opportunity for an enterprising person to setup a lawn care service that actually took care of your lawn. Not the commercialized drive by hit anger run mowers we pay a premium for at the moment.

Yup, me too, I mowed neighborhood lawns for $0.25 with a push mower until I was old enough to build a powered mower for myself. I worked a deal with the local hardware store, I cleaned up at the end of each day - mopping floors, garbage etc. in exchange to being allowed to dig through his junk pile of old worn-out lawn mower (he did lawn mower repairs on the side). I collected enough pieces to put on together that worked. It took awhile since I had to learn how to take them apart and then learn how to put them together - LOL. I think I was 10 or 12. I then charged $0.50 per lawn using my Brandie new powered lawn mower.

When we moved here I purchased a DeWalt electric mower, and mowed for a while. Then decided that was against the code of retirees. And sold it. I have regretted selling it ever since. We are on our 4th or 5th lawn care service now.

What I want is a "time shared gardener". Someone that does everything a private gardener would do, which with these postage stamp yards would take a few hours per week.

Oops, sorry; misread the OP post - Need Yard Man.
I just need a man, any man, breathing preferably.

Hi. Also looking in Citrus Grove. Did you find someone? I would also be interested TIM

Amusing post. People are people. Were it that easy they would do it themselves and yet they tell you you should do more and charge less.

I can't help it. Read the posts. There is plenty of work for her. A bit of spin, on her business card it could say oldest sprinkler repair business in the villages. How do we contact her to set up appointments. Hum, she should do mine for free as my franchise fee.

Amusing parallels. However, I bought a book, probably used and learned how to repair lawn mowers, At .50 a lawn I would have hired you. Around 1965 I was charging 7.50 for a mow and edging. I still remember one lady would always give me a cold soda.
That made up for the fact that her lawn was loaded with toads. Great, "fun," removing dead toads from a rotary lawn mower.

In ten years we are on out third mowing guy. No fourth. First one his guy quit so he turned us over to a younger guy. He was great, personable and did a good job. We have always paid at the start of the month. He took our money, cashed the check and disappeared. Next guy was not as good but also a nice guy. He lasted ???? two or three years and then he quit-family issues. He when I found him did return our money.
Current one is also a nice guy. Work quality is the worst so far. For me, good enough is good enough.

Someone posted her 90 year old mother does sprinklers. Huh, If I get annoyed and start mowing we can start. Don't rush us we are the oldest mowing watering team in the villages. Complaints? Sorry we do not hear so good.

Would you mind sharing the name of the person who you use to come out and maintain once a year?

Bryon Sheehan 352 636-4677. Does a fine job. Very receptive to any concerns. Congratulations and welcome!

Teasing BUT, Col Sanders started his chicken business at, if I recall, around 80. You are welcome to use MOM CAN STILL SPRINKLE. If, you post her number, you may get arrested for child abuse when she discusses it with you.

Amusing. I am retired and living in the villages. I was self employed. When you are self employed you cannot hang at the water cooler and discuss what a fool the boss is. The benefit package is non-existent unless you pay for it. I was too busy working to realize.
This place is loaded with government workers who retire on great pensions and medical coverage and retire at 55. BEWARE, you cannot get on medicare till 65. Before that your cost will be around 20,000 a year and that needs to come from savings.

"Uncool," as I understand it you care what others think. That will drive you nuts. I used to work with a guy who had a strange name. His reply to that stuff was great-Make sure they spell my name right.

We've been here for 9 years. This is the first time in my life I ever had someone other than me do lawn mowing. HISTORY we are on our third person. We are easy, we pay on time. If they miss something, I don't complain, I just take care of it myself. Why the third person? They just seem to disappear. Often since we pay at the start of the month, they disappear having cashed my check for service not done.

At one time, in high school, I started and ran a lawn mowing and snow shoveling business. Jobs were hard to find so I created my own.

As I stated we've been through three in 9 years. Truth I liked all three of them. However,
four strikes and I will be OUT. Out mowing my own lawn.

Cool, no it is dang hot in the summer. Cold, no I will not do others and there is no potential to shovel snow around here.

Which village are you in? I do my own lawn care and mowing and edges.