Anybody here know anything about Landscaping businesses???

ping65810 · 05-31-2006, 01:57 PM

I am strongly thinking about starting up a landscaping business, small of course, but still a reasonable business. Anyone here do that for a living, any comments good bad or otherwise about it? I already have the majority of stuff that I need, plus the knowhow that comes from all of my own lawn projects from over the years. So, I would like to get as much feedback from everyone on here about what they think of the idea.

Thanks,
Steve

P.S- Keep in mind that at my job now, business is dead, and I am making no money (I sell Jeeps/Chryslers for a living), so I really have nothing to loose, other than learning a little more about landscaping.

RubiconSS · 05-31-2006, 02:00 PM

I have many "Landscaper" clients. What would you like to know?

**kaketj** · 05-31-2006, 02:33 PM

I use to own a landscaping company, I would say it was about the best job I ever had,and the worst! I enjoyed being out doors and most of the people I worked for(my regulars)most of the business is straight forward,overhead can be low,and profits can be exteremly high if you bid acurately,this takes time to get it right! I under bid myself many times and had to eat the cost

but you learn, most of the landscapers I know/knew get bonded and license,due to the variables involved in the business(plants die,people b****) Also, look into you state/county laws about plant regulations, some countys out here have a cetification required to plant plants,why I don't know but I always figured it was a money hoop

Also figure that the tools you have are going to be put thru alot more as job tools and will break alot faster!!! this is the expensive part of this business

oh and gas!
there where jobs that ate my tools alive! and ate the profit too

good luck

myo6redtj · 05-31-2006, 02:41 PM

Learn spanish

Desperado2 · 05-31-2006, 02:44 PM

Ping, do you have a green card?

mylt1 · 05-31-2006, 02:57 PM

i was second in command of one for about a year and i made the owner some money. but he liked paying a girl he had a crush on that was basicly just coming in 2-3 times a week doing nothing but surfing the net more than he was paying me so i left and less than 6 months later he went belly up like a dead guppy. i have a chuckle about it when ever i see him. he had a good thing going and i was running that place like a champ and he let his other head ruin him. oh and he still wasnt getting any from her. she was just useing him for some extra cash.

**grogie** · 05-31-2006, 03:11 PM

I keep thinking about working for myself, but not in landscaping. I did have a friend that did landscaping, even hired several guys, but he didn't keep his taxes paid up and ended up owing a lot of money to the IRS. Be sure to check with the SBA. They have some good info. on running your own business, from taxes, insurance, to hiring employees, etc. Your tax preparer may have some tips as well. Mine suggested to start out self employed, and if it works out, then spend the money to setup a business.

The best advice I heard was to keep your full-time job and start working part-time in your off hours. Good luck with it.

pushead · 05-31-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EaglesFan

Ping, do you have a green card?

If you have a green card you are over qualified and wont get the job.

ping65810 · 05-31-2006, 04:53 PM

I am thinking of starting my own Landscaping business! Not work for someone else. However, I see no funny part about the green card bit. Some people may hire illegals as cheap labor, that does not bother me at all. I wouldn't, but some people do.

Around here, most landscaping businesses hire high schoolers, or similar for help, not illegal immigrints.

**greenmachine99** · 05-31-2006, 06:41 PM

Sounds like a good idea. Around here every landscaping company I see is driving a brand new ford or dodge diesel. Must be some money to it.

mylt1 · 05-31-2006, 08:31 PM

if you have the opertunity to buy an already extablished company that would be your best bet. that way you already have a customer base and you can grow from there. what kind of equipment do you have already?

**michiganmaveric** · 05-31-2006, 08:38 PM

I don't know if you have any health or life insurance where you are at, but if you start your own company you will have to insure yourself, and it is not cheap.

mud4me · 05-31-2006, 09:27 PM

I have owned a landscape company for 16 years.

I love the challange.

I like what we do.

But hate the long hours.

Finding good employees is a huge issue. Its hard to grow without good, reliable, competent help. I'm the only white guy in my company. All hispanic employees.

Landscaping is VERY competitive. And you can loose your shirt at the blink of an eye.

You gotta know your numbers. Gotta have an annual operating budget. If yu dont know your numbers, you'll never make it. http://www.outdoorfinishes.com

05-31-2006, 02:00 PM	#2
RubiconSS Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Poconos, Pa Posts: 2,126 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have many "Landscaper" clients. What would you like to know? __________________ '05 Rubicon (to go) '01 CamaroSS(to go fast)

05-31-2006, 02:33 PM	#3
kaketj beef jerky and grease.... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: washington(vancouver) Posts: 532 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I use to own a landscaping company, I would say it was about the best job I ever had,and the worst! I enjoyed being out doors and most of the people I worked for(my regulars)most of the business is straight forward,overhead can be low,and profits can be exteremly high if you bid acurately,this takes time to get it right! I under bid myself many times and had to eat the cost but you learn, most of the landscapers I know/knew get bonded and license,due to the variables involved in the business(plants die,people b****) Also, look into you state/county laws about plant regulations, some countys out here have a cetification required to plant plants,why I don't know but I always figured it was a money hoop Also figure that the tools you have are going to be put thru alot more as job tools and will break alot faster!!! this is the expensive part of this business oh and gas! there where jobs that ate my tools alive! and ate the profit too good luck __________________ "shoot first,we have shovels" 2004 X w/ RESF 4.5- super 44/44 w/arb 35x12.50R15mt/r- all armored up! Warn 9.5 ti(front) 9.5xp(rear) (SOLD) 1999 Cherokee sport (build in progress) New toy. ZO6

05-31-2006, 02:41 PM	#4
myo6redtj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA Posts: 19 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Learn spanish __________________ 2006 LJ RE3.5 285/75/16

05-31-2006, 04:53 PM	#9
ping65810 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dracut, Massachusetts Posts: 85 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I am thinking of starting my own Landscaping business! Not work for someone else. However, I see no funny part about the green card bit. Some people may hire illegals as cheap labor, that does not bother me at all. I wouldn't, but some people do. Around here, most landscaping businesses hire high schoolers, or similar for help, not illegal immigrints. __________________ "No i dont have an old BMW 3 Series bias. I just prefer small, boxy, rear wheel drive inline six coupes...wait...DAMMIT!"

05-31-2006, 09:27 PM	#13
mud4me Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Keedsyville, Maryland Posts: 213 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have owned a landscape company for 16 years. I love the challange. I like what we do. But hate the long hours. Finding good employees is a huge issue. Its hard to grow without good, reliable, competent help. I'm the only white guy in my company. All hispanic employees. Landscaping is VERY competitive. And you can loose your shirt at the blink of an eye. You gotta know your numbers. Gotta have an annual operating budget. If yu dont know your numbers, you'll never make it. http://www.outdoorfinishes.com __________________ 86 CJ-7, 360, Holley Avenger, T-18, Dana 20, 4" suspension,

05-31-2006, 02:57 PM	#6
mylt1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,875 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i was second in command of one for about a year and i made the owner some money. but he liked paying a girl he had a crush on that was basicly just coming in 2-3 times a week doing nothing but surfing the net more than he was paying me so i left and less than 6 months later he went belly up like a dead guppy. i have a chuckle about it when ever i see him. he had a good thing going and i was running that place like a champ and he let his other head ruin him. oh and he still wasnt getting any from her. she was just useing him for some extra cash.

05-31-2006, 08:31 PM	#11
mylt1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,875 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	if you have the opertunity to buy an already extablished company that would be your best bet. that way you already have a customer base and you can grow from there. what kind of equipment do you have already?