[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

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

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.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Ski Bum

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?

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.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by DebeeDoo

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!!!!

"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.

[Calisport]

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