watching in 2022. I felt your pain- I do not have a mowing business. The equipment doesn't last and expensive to fix as you say. I can't see the profit after all your expenses. You are probably the only person who pays Uncle Sam.
Johnny I respect your honesty sir. I have listened to you for a while now and its good to hear the ups and downs of fellow lawn care colleagues. Good stuff to know for us newbies in the biz. Be encouraged sir!
Transparency is awesome! I am working on my startup business plan and trying to absorb all that occurs in this type of business. Numerous models to consider, it is a rare bird that tells it like it really is behind the scenes. You have brought up a number of scenarios that require closer scrutiny in developing my business model. You are the one of the few I have heard that shares the "dark side" and struggles one hopes to avoid. Thank you!
Also love your honesty, I use to hire guys to help me instead of paying them hourly I would pay them on a percentage on what jobs they did. I learned early that paying hourly will eat up profits in a hurry. The guys on hourly wages would take 2-3 times longer on a job and basically after labor and fuel and cost there was nothing left. If you hire on a percentage you give them a option to make as much money as they can make and save you money if they are sitting idle or talking to a customer or have a breakdown. I would cover the fuel cost of the truck and mowers and of course any maintenance and pay him a straight percentage across the board for the jobs he completed. But regulations have gotten so strict your still better running solo or have multiple business owners who work the business. Your are 100 percent correct its stressful and no matter how you go about it. Wish you well this mowing season
I put 300 hrs... on z... peryear... still make a good amount . mowing is only 25percent... of my job if that .. baby your z.. I'm about to attach a tow cart . for mulch but now I'm scared of hydros... Anyway i do alot of yard cleanuphedgemulchings... the mowing is just a bonus .. customers who want baggingsuk... I m glad I didn't get a bagger .. I only got one z... it goes down I go vacation until it's fixed or switch to treework.. .. not ideal but smart but u know having 2 zs... is a hugeexpense.. goodvideo... u think I can pull mulch with zturn... towcart
Adan Castillo because they hardly ever or never breakdown and they are light on the grass so when turning or taking off on it doesnt rut the grass. they dontvturn on dime lime hydros do causeing grass to tear up. beltdrives are cheap in fuel and you get more lawns out of it.
Johny thanks man. you and the freak are the guys who have kept me focused on my business. It is so hard to find guys who love cutting and are willing to share their info.
i watched geektofreak videos for 2 plus yrs and i learned tons of tips from him from A-to Z and geektofreak would say do it your way dont do what the millionaires tell u too do etc..... or else u wont make it, and at first i was hesitasnt to watch geektofreak videos cause of his title, but after i watched his vidoes i was hooked, there never will be another geektofreak lawncare guy like him, he was the king in lawncare in my book. good video.
Awesome video. I can go on and on about why I went solo but we'll just sum it all up to now I have far less stress, make less over all but def have more in my pockets at the end of the day. Can't wait for the setup! The "Johnny Mow Way!!"
Thank you, I just had a glimpse of what you went through with employees and equipment and decided to stay solo. I have run myself into the ground the past couple years now just want to be able to do it all in 4 to 5 days. Good advice from you and helped confirm I am doing the right thing.
Good vid Johnny. I was always solo as the costs associated with employing anyone made it pointless expanding, especially since its seasonal work. There were times when I could of expanded big time getting into working for the city or just by taking on more work, but the dramas associated made it very unattractive. So I stayed solo. I certainly paid the penalty for that though with injuries that Im still trying to fix 2 yrs after getting out. One offsider would of been great but not every job required trimming and then theres the seasonal part of it. Anyway, I understand completely what you're saying and agree 100%. Just get yourself to the point where you can comfortably manage everything, get your debts paid off etc and look at investing what ever spare money you have in something else, like property or something. Have a great season bud!
love your videos man. what your talking about is the reason that i will be solo and plan to stay that way. i don't have time for lazy! i will be happy to make my 70 -80 a year. i can count on me!
I won’t grow more than I’m comfortable with. There isn’t enough people left who have good work ethic and are dependable. They leave you hanging and the pay scale doesn’t matter. 45-50 properties is a good number for me. Great video Jonny!!!!
Dude I so hear what your saying, I listened to so many people when I first started, that got me re-thinking everything all the time. Once I took a step back and really looked at what I wanted, and quit worrying about everyone's "advice" is when I started to actually turn a profit and know what I needed.
Good info, thank you for sharing. I would like to hear a video on what you would do differently if you were ever to hire employees again.. how many, would you take on mower payments, truck payments etc.. I'm at the point of needing more than one helper if I continue to grow this year.. I'd love to hear your thoughts. -Jonathan C.
Great video. I made the same decision at the end of last season. I was running around like crazy dealing with employees problems and equipment problems. I am solo this year and so happy about it.
Jonny you did not fail. you evolved. you should be proud. this career is not ez. thanks for being honest. I have had the same struggle and have thinking about going solo.
We have a local John Deer/Exmark dealer and the owner told me that the zero turn manufacturers realized that pumps were failing do to the baggers on mowers so they increased the cc in the pumps and most now have hydro coolers to help with the heat. That was 3-4 years ago I believe when zero turns had constant pump issues. I'd say today's zero turns are better designed.
I love this video Johnny! I've been solo for 12 years and I love it. I don't have to depend on anyone but myself each workday. I'm 60 years old now so I dropped some clients this year. I also work a full-time job.
Spot on Johnny! And so many others say when it's zero % financing it's ok because "it is the banks money". Truth is, when you pay cash you add space between you and Murphy and life is easier.
I'm going through it... $500 a day labor costs....couple thousand a month in trucks and mowers....maintenence on everything plus skidsteers and trailers.... Marketing and branding....insurance and taxes... Not to mention blowers, trimmers, edgers, hedgers, chainsaws, ropes, chains and binders, plows, Salters, snowblowers....i remember the days... 1 of everything and very little stress.... Miss those days sometimes
The killer in this industry is the workforce, or lack of it. Not many want to dot his type of work for $12-$15 an hour. If they do, it's not for long normally. The 2nd killer is the constant replacement of equipment...mowers, handheld equip. and trucks. It seems to be a constant circle going round and round. You are so right about everything you said. Wish I had known this when I first started as well!!!
I totally understand how you feel about being disappointed with equipment. I swapped over all diesel powered units now to see if this will cure my problems with gas powered unit.
Could have been employee use too... I know that someone who doesn't pay for equipment will most likely run it harder than the guy who does. tow the mowers out of mud a few times without unlocking hydros.. things they might not know to do can add up. Bigger isn't always better. Been going through this as well as I constantly evaluate my goals. I'll take a K.I.S.S. company any day vs the big wig company with 1,000,000 moving parts. Keep it up man, love the few vids Ive just started watching. -Dmac
Saw this vid on lawnsite. I am amazed you could put 900 hours a year on a mower. Sounds like your south of CT I put 500-600 hours a year on mine and has been that was for well since the 90s. I too went the rout of no employees I have a partner we each cut solo he does fert I do pruning we merge for mulch and seeding and of course fall and spring clean ups. I might have to watch some more of these I like the honesty.
I must agree!! The number one thing that kills you in commercial mowers is for me pumps and wheel motors!!! Every brand I have tried I have had the same problem pumps and wheel motors! The warranties on them suck dealer support on them suck! Deere is claiming if they put a pump or wheel motor in a their machine out of warranty it will extend the warranty period to a year. Thinking about going deere from toro now... Went through 6 sets of pumps and wheel motors in piece of junk super z. Scag after 2000 hours seems to fall apart. Kubota takes forever with parts and the parts are worse then deere in price. Never used Farris really though ... their warranty leaves a bit to be desired and I like parts fast.
I'm solo and proud of it but, there are times when I need a little help. What are my options from a legal stand point to hire temp/part-time helper from time to time. I can always ask a friend or relative to help but in fear of them getting hurt or damage my customer's property.
Billy Goat that's a tough one. Try getting to be friends with other similar sized guys in your area and then ask for help. 1099 them and they can 1099 sub work I suppose or use a labor company
I just had a meeting with a labor company for time to time help when needed. and looking at the numbers I am paying about the same as I would after it was all said and done for a regular employee, but using the labor company I don't have to use the help[er until I actually need them now.
As usual a very thoughtful video I agree I'm 55 25yrs doing it now it's about time not money how much do you really need if you can make your bills and run your business and take a vacation when you want and enjoy your grandchildren I rather be small and take it all then chase that dream of I'm the best and the biggest in town that's way overated and you learn that fast I'm totally less stressed than these ginormous outfits I can complete Better I got a much lower overhead being solo and loving life no rat wheel for me God bless you tell it like it is with out the cherry on top
Pay cash for equipment if u can’t rethinking is wat I need to do Brian’s Lawn maintenance on RUclips is wat got me started and my brother from Florida turf pros
Do these numbers seem legit as a solo operator? Expenses: Equiptment 15k/yr Gas $7/hr aprox 11k per season Taxes approx 20% 60 lawns per week $50 per 40 min lawn= $600/8-9 hr day $116k/9 month season - $44k total expenses/taxes =$72k NET per 9 month season??? Seems like decent numbers to me
Enjoy your videos, I've been a part timer for 15 years yes the equipment absolutely kills the profit. Tough to get ahead. Maybe selling water at 8 bucks a gallon is the way to go Lol
I have been doing this since 1985.... I have been part time, and I have been full time, and for the majority of all those years I have been solo, occasionally hire a high school kid during the summer. For me personally it’s better to only take on what I can do myself. I average about 500 hrs a year on my mower. That’s not a lot but I don’t want the whole pie, just my slice of it!... lol
@Johnny Mow Bro, it doesn't matter if you put 900 hours on a mower in a week or if it takes years.. The equipment doesn't know the difference if you maintain things and don't beat them to hell. We have Turf Tigers with well over 3,000 hours on them still getting it done. Mine has 1800 on it and works just like it always has. A third has only 500 hours and is just peachy as one would expect. We're not at all nice to our equipment, we maintain it well but we mow some crap properties pretty often that beat the hell out of the mowers and the Scags take it and love it. Not sure what kind of luck you have but it all sounds pretty extreme man. Were you maintaining your own equipment and trucks, did you have a guy that could do it cheaper than a shop? I feel like a lot of guys pay too much for maintenance by having shops do all the work when most of it could be done by someone with a bit of mechanical know how in them.
Great video , but I have a honest question.. If you are solo , what happens when you get sick or hurt ? Im am currently solo with a helper but would like to grow to the point where if I cant do it I will have someone that can . My main concern is to get fully invested in this business as a solo guy and then I get hurt/sick and Im instantly out of business .
3 years for me , have worked sick many times but I guess what I meant was very sick , surgery , stuff that would force you out of working . But glad to hear you've been at it that long with not many issues . Also thanks for the quick reply !
That's why its good to keep 1-2 part timers around even if they don't increase your profits that much. You should read the how to fail thread on lawnsite. He said its a great business when you have 1-2 guys on board working from your house but after that point is when all hell breaks lose
hey Johnny I got big and with it the headache 2 years ago I sold most of it went solo I am much happier and like you said more money in my pocket I also run 2 crews 2 trailer repair bills any way I am much happier
'I have a lot of buddies locally in the business that tell me they made more money "profit" when it was them and a helper and they own pretty big companies. Makes me question going any bigger than I am....
Good stuff Johny. Yeah I hear a lot of guys talking about how they run their "crews" and just from the way they talk you can tell they dont have a clue what they are talking about and makes you wonder if they are even running crews...
Just an observation, but if a machine only last 24 months anything longer than a 24 month note is bad business. Just because they will extend the terms does not mean it's worth it. It also means that it cost more than $67 an hour to be profitable.
I'm solo but this is only my second year I'm trying to get accounts close together now I have some 30 minutes away then 10 minutes away sound like you bought a lot of mowers what do you think about the bobcats zero turns yes lots of maintenance on plow trucks 17 years of that fun and still going
It's a common mistake we all make. You talk a lot about knowing your numbers and that is huge. One of the top reasons of a business hardship is struggling to be able to pay for the financing of the equipment. You have the right mentality and systems in place. I would suggest growing your business on a cash basis instead of financing. In the future you can finance equipment but you also have the cash on hand to pay it off. I have seen a lot of companies in my area, whom some have grown faster and larger than I have, lose everything when their big contracts do not return. We have an operating credit that can be used but at all times I am able to cover it in cash. Cash is king on the customer side and the finance side.
Quick question about changing hydro oil, that applies even to the 'sealed for life' hyrdogear transmissions? Asking because I just purchased a Big Dog Alpha with an EZT (i think one step up from the very bottom trans they make) and I was under the impression I wouldn't have to worry about the hyrdo oil. Thanks!
66.00 an hour going againt people who dont have a clue in what to charge its hard... im at 65 an hour and it's only me and one more person, thinking in hire one more but will have to go up to 95 an hour... its tough to make a dollar now a days.
You gotta read procuts how to fail part 1. Pretty much the same concept as the stuff you talk about in this video. He talks about how you and 1 employee can mow lawns and make a very nice living, once you go over that point all hell breaks lose.
well....if you make 60 an hour mowing...and you put 9000 hours on the mower...that 10 thousand dollar mower made you 54000 dollars...IN A YEAR....how is it that you cant find profit in that? better yet...how is it that you couldn't pay it off in a year?
Its just me and my wife now for the last nine years. She isn't on pay roll its like her money is my money. That is the only way we have made it since my dad retired from me. Its a cut throat business anymore. I see all these guys start up with all this new equipment and employees and then one day they are gone. The struggle is real and I can relate. If everyone quit bidding so cheap this would be a great business. You can get yards all day like but if you aren't making money what's the point. Add one employee and you will see how cheap bidding screwed you when you pay out more than you made.
hey Johnny I got big and with it the headache 2 years ago I sold most of it went solo I am much happier and like you said more money in my pocket I also run 2 crews 2 trailer repair bills any way I am much happier
watching in 2022. I felt your pain- I do not have a mowing business. The equipment doesn't last and expensive to fix as you say. I can't see the profit after all your expenses. You are probably the only person who pays Uncle Sam.
Love your honesty Johnny, I just lost 2 HOA's and had to downsize to 2 crews. Will probably make a video about it.
Blades of Grass Lawn Care, LLC thanks. It is sometimes deflating but there is a certain amount of relief that comes from it.
Blades of Grass Lawn Care, LLC I would like to hear a video on this as well.
Another fantastic video Johnny. I always love it when you put a video out.
Joe Ligerojoe thanks man
Johnny I respect your honesty sir. I have listened to you for a while now and its good to hear the ups and downs of fellow lawn care colleagues. Good stuff to know for us newbies in the biz. Be encouraged sir!
Just joined you. Thanks was very refreshing to hear some honesty. I hear you
Kevin Russell thanks
Takes a hell of man to admit where he went wrong and why. Tons of respect
Transparency is awesome! I am working on my startup business plan and trying to absorb all that occurs in this type of business. Numerous models to consider, it is a rare bird that tells it like it really is behind the scenes. You have brought up a number of scenarios that require closer scrutiny in developing my business model. You are the one of the few I have heard that shares the "dark side" and struggles one hopes to avoid. Thank you!
Also love your honesty, I use to hire guys to help me instead of paying them hourly I would pay them on a percentage on what jobs they did. I learned early that paying hourly will eat up profits in a hurry. The guys on hourly wages would take 2-3 times longer on a job and basically after labor and fuel and cost there was nothing left. If you hire on a percentage you give them a option to make as much money as they can make and save you money if they are sitting idle or talking to a customer or have a breakdown. I would cover the fuel cost of the truck and mowers and of course any maintenance and pay him a straight percentage across the board for the jobs he completed. But regulations have gotten so strict your still better running solo or have multiple business owners who work the business. Your are 100 percent correct its stressful and no matter how you go about it. Wish you well this mowing season
I put 300 hrs... on z... peryear... still make a good amount . mowing is only 25percent... of my job if that .. baby your z.. I'm about to attach a tow cart . for mulch but now I'm scared of hydros... Anyway i do alot of yard cleanuphedgemulchings... the mowing is just a bonus .. customers who want baggingsuk... I m glad I didn't get a bagger .. I only got one z... it goes down I go vacation until it's fixed or switch to treework.. .. not ideal but smart but u know having 2 zs... is a hugeexpense.. goodvideo... u think I can pull mulch with zturn... towcart
aos aos you can just not sure how the hydrostatic will like it
Look at John keeping it real! Lol! This is what I want to hear!!!
i tell my guys in my fb group lawndogs unlimited to go back to beltdrives but they dont get it.
Mario Saenz Landscaping Services for walkbehinds I agree but zeroturns are a little different.
Mario Saenz Landscaping Services why go back to belt drive?
Adan Castillo because they hardly ever or never breakdown and they are light on the grass so when turning or taking off on it doesnt rut the grass. they dontvturn on dime lime hydros do causeing grass to tear up. beltdrives are cheap in fuel and you get more lawns out of it.
Johnny Mow i never had issues with mowers until i bought a hydro
Mario Saenz Landscaping Services add me to your fb group. Adam Sales my business flyer is my profile pic.
Johny thanks man. you and the freak are the guys who have kept me focused on my business. It is so hard to find guys who love cutting and are willing to share their info.
i watched geektofreak videos for 2 plus yrs and i learned tons of tips from him from A-to Z and geektofreak would say do it your way dont do what the millionaires tell u too do etc..... or else u wont make it, and at first i was hesitasnt to watch geektofreak videos cause of his title, but after i watched his vidoes i was hooked, there never will be another geektofreak lawncare guy like him, he was the king in lawncare in my book. good video.
My Mama taught me long ago, you can’t count on anyone but YOURSELF!!!
Awesome video. I can go on and on about why I went solo but we'll just sum it all up to now I have far less stress, make less over all but def have more in my pockets at the end of the day. Can't wait for the setup! The "Johnny Mow Way!!"
Thank you, I just had a glimpse of what you went through with employees and equipment and decided to stay solo. I have run myself into the ground the past couple years now just want to be able to do it all in 4 to 5 days. Good advice from you and helped confirm I am doing the right thing.
Good vid Johnny. I was always solo as the costs associated with employing anyone made it pointless expanding, especially since its seasonal work. There were times when I could of expanded big time getting into working for the city or just by taking on more work, but the dramas associated made it very unattractive. So I stayed solo. I certainly paid the penalty for that though with injuries that Im still trying to fix 2 yrs after getting out. One offsider would of been great but not every job required trimming and then theres the seasonal part of it.
Anyway, I understand completely what you're saying and agree 100%. Just get yourself to the point where you can comfortably manage everything, get your debts paid off etc and look at investing what ever spare money you have in something else, like property or something.
Have a great season bud!
Mickhippy thanks my man.
beltdrives are your go to. hydros suck
love your videos man. what your talking about is the reason that i will be solo and plan to stay that way. i don't have time for lazy! i will be happy to make my 70 -80 a year. i can count on me!
I won’t grow more than I’m comfortable with. There isn’t enough people left who have good work ethic and are dependable. They leave you hanging and the pay scale doesn’t matter. 45-50 properties is a good number for me.
Great video Jonny!!!!
Hi Johnny Mike from Rembrandt Iowa
Hello
Dude I so hear what your saying, I listened to so many people when I first started, that got me re-thinking everything all the time. Once I took a step back and really looked at what I wanted, and quit worrying about everyone's "advice" is when I started to actually turn a profit and know what I needed.
Good info, thank you for sharing. I would like to hear a video on what you would do differently if you were ever to hire employees again.. how many, would you take on mower payments, truck payments etc.. I'm at the point of needing more than one helper if I continue to grow this year.. I'd love to hear your thoughts. -Jonathan C.
Great video. I made the same decision at the end of last season. I was running around like crazy dealing with employees problems and equipment problems. I am solo this year and so happy about it.
Jonny you did not fail. you evolved. you should be proud. this career is not ez. thanks for being honest. I have had the same struggle and have thinking about going solo.
We have a local John Deer/Exmark dealer and the owner told me that the zero turn manufacturers realized that pumps were failing do to the baggers on mowers so they increased the cc in the pumps and most now have hydro coolers to help with the heat. That was 3-4 years ago I believe when zero turns had constant pump issues. I'd say today's zero turns are better designed.
Its great to see your vids. The reality of your issues sounds extremely familiar. Still Solo and loving it!
I only put 350-400 hours a year on my main mower and maybe 200 on the other one and that’s a crap ton of mowing for me. Can’t imagine 900 a year. Dang
Mowing is low hourly. I tranfered over to almost all installation work. Lawns patios shrubs and mulch. I bank. Fuck mowers.
I love this video Johnny! I've been solo for 12 years and I love it. I don't have to depend on anyone but myself each workday. I'm 60 years old now so I dropped some clients this year. I also work a full-time job.
Thanks for being honest!!!
Spot on Johnny! And so many others say when it's zero % financing it's ok because "it is the banks money". Truth is, when you pay cash you add space between you and Murphy and life is easier.
Cash is king!
I'm going through it... $500 a day labor costs....couple thousand a month in trucks and mowers....maintenence on everything plus skidsteers and trailers.... Marketing and branding....insurance and taxes... Not to mention blowers, trimmers, edgers, hedgers, chainsaws, ropes, chains and binders, plows, Salters, snowblowers....i remember the days... 1 of everything and very little stress.... Miss those days sometimes
Thanks Johnny Mow. This Video will help me make some good decisions going forwards with my business.
The killer in this industry is the workforce, or lack of it. Not many want to dot his type of work for $12-$15 an hour. If they do, it's not for long normally. The 2nd killer is the constant replacement of equipment...mowers, handheld equip. and trucks. It seems to be a constant circle going round and round. You are so right about everything you said. Wish I had known this when I first started as well!!!
True. Tons of people can't let go of their ego and talk about how they have it all together. Why can't we be human and have struggles?
I totally understand how you feel about being disappointed with equipment. I swapped over all diesel powered units now to see if this will cure my problems with gas powered unit.
Could have been employee use too... I know that someone who doesn't pay for equipment will most likely run it harder than the guy who does. tow the mowers out of mud a few times without unlocking hydros.. things they might not know to do can add up. Bigger isn't always better. Been going through this as well as I constantly evaluate my goals. I'll take a K.I.S.S. company any day vs the big wig company with 1,000,000 moving parts. Keep it up man, love the few vids Ive just started watching. -Dmac
Love the video and what you're doing Johnny!
Saw this vid on lawnsite. I am amazed you could put 900 hours a year on a mower. Sounds like your south of CT I put 500-600 hours a year on mine and has been that was for well since the 90s. I too went the rout of no employees I have a partner we each cut solo he does fert I do pruning we merge for mulch and seeding and of course fall and spring clean ups. I might have to watch some more of these I like the honesty.
I must agree!! The number one thing that kills you in commercial mowers is for me pumps and wheel motors!!! Every brand I have tried I have had the same problem pumps and wheel motors! The warranties on them suck dealer support on them suck! Deere is claiming if they put a pump or wheel motor in a their machine out of warranty it will extend the warranty period to a year. Thinking about going deere from toro now... Went through 6 sets of pumps and wheel motors in piece of junk super z. Scag after 2000 hours seems to fall apart. Kubota takes forever with parts and the parts are worse then deere in price. Never used Farris really though ... their warranty leaves a bit to be desired and I like parts fast.
I'm solo and proud of it but, there are times when I need a little help. What are my options from a legal stand point to hire temp/part-time helper from time to time. I can always ask a friend or relative to help but in fear of them getting hurt or damage my customer's property.
Billy Goat that's a tough one. Try getting to be friends with other similar sized guys in your area and then ask for help. 1099 them and they can 1099 sub work I suppose or use a labor company
I just had a meeting with a labor company for time to time help when needed. and looking at the numbers I am paying about the same as I would after it was all said and done for a regular employee, but using the labor company I don't have to use the help[er until I actually need them now.
As usual a very thoughtful video I agree I'm 55 25yrs doing it now it's about time not money how much do you really need if you can make your bills and run your business and take a vacation when you want and enjoy your grandchildren I rather be small and take it all then chase that dream of I'm the best and the biggest in town that's way overated and you learn that fast I'm totally less stressed than these ginormous outfits I can complete Better I got a much lower overhead being solo and loving life no rat wheel for me God bless you tell it like it is with out the cherry on top
An independent guy can make great money in this work as a side hustle. That's how industry started and it will probably go back to for most.
this is the first video I have ever watched twice on RUclips. your the man Johnny mow
This is one of the best youtube lawn care videos out there. Too bad we can't pin this one on everyones page.
Pay cash for equipment if u can’t rethinking is wat I need to do Brian’s Lawn maintenance on RUclips is wat got me started and my brother from Florida turf pros
Good video, glad your happy going solo !
Do these numbers seem legit as a solo operator?
Expenses:
Equiptment 15k/yr
Gas $7/hr aprox 11k per season
Taxes approx 20%
60 lawns per week
$50 per 40 min lawn= $600/8-9 hr day
$116k/9 month season
- $44k total expenses/taxes
=$72k NET per 9 month season???
Seems like decent numbers to me
your hilarious, love the impersonations
Haha, great video. I know you're not trying to be funny but its funny. I just subscribed.
Enjoy your videos, I've been a part timer for 15 years yes the equipment absolutely kills the profit. Tough to get ahead. Maybe selling water at 8 bucks a gallon is the way to go Lol
I have been doing this since 1985.... I have been part time, and I have been full time, and for the majority of all those years I have been solo, occasionally hire a high school kid during the summer. For me personally it’s better to only take on what I can do myself. I average about 500 hrs a year on my mower. That’s not a lot but I don’t want the whole pie, just my slice of it!... lol
@Johnny Mow Bro, it doesn't matter if you put 900 hours on a mower in a week or if it takes years.. The equipment doesn't know the difference if you maintain things and don't beat them to hell. We have Turf Tigers with well over 3,000 hours on them still getting it done. Mine has 1800 on it and works just like it always has. A third has only 500 hours and is just peachy as one would expect. We're not at all nice to our equipment, we maintain it well but we mow some crap properties pretty often that beat the hell out of the mowers and the Scags take it and love it. Not sure what kind of luck you have but it all sounds pretty extreme man. Were you maintaining your own equipment and trucks, did you have a guy that could do it cheaper than a shop? I feel like a lot of guys pay too much for maintenance by having shops do all the work when most of it could be done by someone with a bit of mechanical know how in them.
Did you see Greg’s last video
Great video , but I have a honest question.. If you are solo , what happens when you get sick or hurt ? Im am currently solo with a helper but would like to grow to the point where if I cant do it I will have someone that can . My main concern is to get fully invested in this business as a solo guy and then I get hurt/sick and Im instantly out of business .
Quality Cut Lawn Care & Services 21 years now most of it solo. I've broke a rib worked with a fever. It sucks but you do it somehow
3 years for me , have worked sick many times but I guess what I meant was very sick , surgery , stuff that would force you out of working . But glad to hear you've been at it that long with not many issues . Also thanks for the quick reply !
That's why its good to keep 1-2 part timers around even if they don't increase your profits that much. You should read the how to fail thread on lawnsite. He said its a great business when you have 1-2 guys on board working from your house but after that point is when all hell breaks lose
Great advice 👍👍
i like it Johnny mow. you sounded like Keith kelfas when you were talking about ppl lying about equipment lasting long time
Did you see Greg/video?
hey Johnny I got big and with it the headache 2 years ago I sold most of it went solo I am much happier and like you said more money in my pocket I also run 2 crews 2 trailer repair bills any way I am much happier
Should of went to scag, bobcat or Wright
I owned a SCAg one of the worst mowers I’ve owned
good video!!
'I have a lot of buddies locally in the business that tell me they made more money "profit" when it was them and a helper and they own pretty big companies. Makes me question going any bigger than I am....
Southern Style Lawn Care u gotta find the sweet spot
Salute 👊
Good stuff Johny. Yeah I hear a lot of guys talking about how they run their "crews" and just from the way they talk you can tell they dont have a clue what they are talking about and makes you wonder if they are even running crews...
Just an observation, but if a machine only last 24 months anything longer than a 24 month note is bad business. Just because they will extend the terms does not mean it's worth it. It also means that it cost more than $67 an hour to be profitable.
I'm solo but this is only my second year I'm trying to get accounts close together now I have some 30 minutes away then 10 minutes away sound like you bought a lot of mowers what do you think about the bobcats zero turns yes lots of maintenance on plow trucks 17 years of that fun and still going
Very good video.
It's a common mistake we all make. You talk a lot about knowing your numbers and that is huge. One of the top reasons of a business hardship is struggling to be able to pay for the financing of the equipment. You have the right mentality and systems in place. I would suggest growing your business on a cash basis instead of financing. In the future you can finance equipment but you also have the cash on hand to pay it off. I have seen a lot of companies in my area, whom some have grown faster and larger than I have, lose everything when their big contracts do not return. We have an operating credit that can be used but at all times I am able to cover it in cash. Cash is king on the customer side and the finance side.
Quick question about changing hydro oil, that applies even to the 'sealed for life' hyrdogear transmissions? Asking because I just purchased a Big Dog Alpha with an EZT (i think one step up from the very bottom trans they make) and I was under the impression I wouldn't have to worry about the hyrdo oil. Thanks!
Lost two great employees and they start their own business
Sorry to hear that
66.00 an hour going againt people who dont have a clue in what to charge its hard... im at 65 an hour and it's only me and one more person, thinking in hire one more but will have to go up to 95 an hour... its tough to make a dollar now a days.
no one ever said it was going to be easy in this business for those that get bigger compared to solo.
So what did you do about new zero turns every 2 years
You gotta read procuts how to fail part 1. Pretty much the same concept as the stuff you talk about in this video. He talks about how you and 1 employee can mow lawns and make a very nice living, once you go over that point all hell breaks lose.
sounds like you need a little jesus and dave ramsey in yer life son....
I know this video is like 2 years old but I get a kick out of when you say you start work at 8:30 am. Lol
Hire older guys its what I do.... 50's past their cowboy days, easier on equipment slower but usually better!
Good man! Work ethics is usually inherent with us older guys. Great point.
well....if you make 60 an hour mowing...and you put 9000 hours on the mower...that 10 thousand dollar mower made you 54000 dollars...IN A YEAR....how is it that you cant find profit in that? better yet...how is it that you couldn't pay it off in a year?
Aaron Bruce it’s obvious you don’t own a business. Because in your analogy you act as if that was the only bill I had! Keep moving on!!
I'm on this rat wheel you speak of right now.
Its just me and my wife now for the last nine years. She isn't on pay roll its like her money is my money. That is the only way we have made it since my dad retired from me. Its a cut throat business anymore. I see all these guys start up with all this new equipment and employees and then one day they are gone. The struggle is real and I can relate. If everyone quit bidding so cheap this would be a great business. You can get yards all day like but if you aren't making money what's the point. Add one employee and you will see how cheap bidding screwed you when you pay out more than you made.
downsizing is the way to go, too many unlicensed low ballers out there now. not worth the huge investment anymore
.
What the heck is this guy mowing? Lol
People are expensive and you can't pay anyone to care about your business.
Mexicans...
how much do you weigh?
hey Johnny I got big and with it the headache 2 years ago I sold most of it went solo I am much happier and like you said more money in my pocket I also run 2 crews 2 trailer repair bills any way I am much happier
Greenway Lawn me too. Just sometimes I get tempted especially this time of year when the phone is ringing.