I came across this article via a Jobber tweet this evening. I read it out of interest and this guy was clearly putting his 'business heart' on display to try and explain to and educate his clients.
Well worth a read, it's the same the world over ...
"For a lot of people landscaping or lawn care is more of a pastime thing. People think is a very easy job, that all you do is mow a lawn trim a few weeds get a big check for a few minutes of your work and out your way.
This is far from the truth, the lawn care business is a very physical demanding job, below I have listed the daily routine of a landscaper.
Mowing: Most landscapers mow 10-15 properties a day this put a lot of stress on your lower back from the ups and downs on the mower while mowing lawns. You also have to make sure your ears are cover due to the mower engine been so loud it can affect your hearing. A lot of landscaper also wear a dust mask to cover their mouth and nose from the dust the mower creates if not careful this can cause serious lung problems.
Trimming: Average landscaper walks 5-15 miles a day using a weed-eater trimming around the foundation of the property, around trees, along fence line, pools and the list goes on. This is a lot of walking when you also consider they are caring a 15-25 pound weed-eater that is super hot blowing steam heat near your face all day in the cooking Sun.
Blowing: Is the easiest of the three, but it’s more physical demanding that people think. Number one rule while blowing is to wear ear piece, on commercial back blowers the engine is right behind both your ears, the more rpm you give the engine for a stronger blow the louder it gets making near impossible to hear anything, this can cause serious eardrum damage, and chances of deaf. Second rule is to wear a dust mask due to the same problem as with mowing.
Then you also have the customers who think that $35 to mow, trim, edge, and blow their lawn is too much because is only going to take you 20 minutes or less.
What a lot of customers don’t consider is the gas is almost $4 a gallon, this commercial mowers make the job easier and faster but they also use a lot of gas.
Then you also need a trailer to haul these mowers you can’t just put them on the bed of a truck, this means not only you need a trailer but you need a good size truck as well probably v8 engine while again uses a lot of gas by itself almost double hauling a trailer with 800 pound mower.
Then you need 2 stroke oil to mix with gas for your weed-eaters and blowers.
If you have employees at least one that your are paying the lowest which is $10 an hour.
By the time you drive to the property, mow, trim, edge, with your helper, in between driving time, gas use by all equipment and helpers pay you probably profit $10-$15 on that property, and yes some of you might say it’s still good $10-$15 for 20 minutes of work, but you have to consider the trucks, mowers, weed-eater need maintenance, tax you have to pay on this money, plus all the physical stress this job puts on your body.
There’s a lot more that goes into the daily life of a landscapers, like customers not paying on time or at all, customers that don’t tell you anything and when you get to their property someone else had mowed their lawn, complaints, law sue, competition, family, and the list goes on.
I just wrote this article to open the eyes of those who are always trashing the job of a landscaper and for those who are planning or are thinking of going into these business.
My recommendation is if you think you really love the field of lawn care/ landscaping you will succeed I go through the stuff I listed on here almost everyday, but I love what I do and I also love helping people specially since I know the service I provide is one of the best in the industry.
Thank you for reading my article."
Views: 76
Replies