If You Own A Service Business You Need To Watch This
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- This video idea has been on my mind for quite a while, as I’ve observed so many changes in the industry over the last few years, especially with my own business. I’ve seen the service industry change drastically, and I wanted to share some of my perspective with you guys to help you skate to where the puck is going.
This whole conversation was prompted by a recent 1 on 1 coaching call we did with one of you guys through the Lawntrepreneur Academy. We had a really good 20 minute long rabbit hole conversation about competing with other companies and, where the future of our industry was headed. The gentlemen that I was bantering back and forth with couldn’t be more right, in my opinion.
I’ve seen how customer service and taking care of people right has been such a mindset and business shift in the recent years for service businesses. I’ve seen how becoming more “boutique” in a way, has differentiated my business from my competition where I live. I feel there is a new business model available in todays climate, and if you do it right, can lead to much high revenues, profit margins, and overall satisfaction with your own company. Hope you guys enjoyed this conversation!
Do you guys agree or disagree with service and quality being the new expectation that is expected from a lot of your clients? Do you guys feel the “$20 lawn care guy”, or the cheap small business owner style, is on the out? Let me know in the comment section down below!
THE TWO RESOURCES I MENTIONED (but forgot to plug)!!
The Pumpkin Plan
(Great book about elevating your business and how to take on new clients that are way more valuable to you, and how to prune clients that aren’t as valuable. Tons of great info, definite must read for small business owners!
Get It On Amazon:
amzn.to/2YayhPT
(affiliate link)
The Company Of One
This was a new release and an audiobook that I finished about a month ago, that was really insightful and helpful. It talks about the new way of becoming higher-end, more service oriented, literally boutique fashioned as a small business owner. Although not directly related to lawn care, the principles still carry over in a big way. It was absolutely a pleasure listening to this book, and thought it could help a lot of you guys out like it did for me.
Get it on Amazon:
amzn.to/2Fy0I2Z
(affiliate link)
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Hey guys!
Lengthy video but I thought this was really helpful info, especially to those of you guys who are just getting your businesses going, or trying to take things to the next level.
Smash that LIKE button if you guys enjoyed the vid! Thanks for watching!
How can I enroll to your classes
They’re just for sale just as a-la-carte programs. We may have a monthly all access deal eventually if there’s enough interest, thanks!
Where do I go to sign up
Www.LawntrepreneurAcademy.com is where they’re all at, thanks!
Bryan I hope you don't get a lot of fans calling you because you're phone number on the side.
Dirty hands = clean money. Blue collar is the backbone of what America was built upon. Keep digging bro, stay passionate.
I dig it 🤲🏽
and free labor
@@PrincernPrince 😂😂
@@PrincernPrince Lmaoooo
Dirty hands and dirty money is good too
We own a lawn business. I love being out side feeling the sun and the fresh air. Making about 800-1200 a day so its working
I’ve been doing landscaping and lawn care for over 25 years! Customers don’t care if you drive a 30 year old truck! I have older trucks new equipment! Customers have straight up told me they don’t care what you drive! Flashy doesn’t always get the job done! And as far as being a landscaper, let the assholes look down their noses at you! Half of them live week to week and have no savings! Half the battle of owning a small business and being successful is being disciplined! You can’t have the latest and greatest in one day! I bought everything over time! I have 4 decent trucks, two dump trucks, two pickups! I don’t kill it but I do okay!
Hey mike way to go bro I'm on that wagon also good luck man
I just can't figure out WHY people thumbs down videos that are very informative! I mean if you want to continue being mediocre, saying that life screwed you, or THE MAN holding me down, then so be it. Don't bitch and complain 5-10 years from now when you had several opportunities to become more successful for your family and yourself and you've chosen not to. Only you are in control of what you do when you get out of bed every morning!! Awesome video, as always brother! Content is on a GRAND!!!!
Out of the 100k views this will get, 90k of them just watched the vid, 7k watched and heard it, but only 3k will watch listen and dissect it...I’m rocking with you B...
Cheers to those who implement 🥂
Sounds like Jesus parable of the sower
Im a welder by trade and recently got laid off. This was the push i needed to start my business. I’m working on getting that LLC to get started legally lol
Fuk the llc just register with the state or get a DBA...doing business as ...llc you pay way to many taxs
Yup got the DBA. Got a small 4x8 trailer to start off with. Working on getting the equipment now
I’d highly, highly recommend registering as an LLC. You greatly reduce your liability when operating as an LLC.
Brian's Lawn Maintenance Thats the plan. But i am on a very limited budget as of now, but once that cash flow starts to come in I’ll definitely register as LLC.
You mean to tell me a limited liability company limits liability?
As a self employed lawyer I have got to say that we are all working in the same type of business and that I have learned a lot and that my business improved a lot by applying the principles I learned after I stumbled over your channel, Keith Kalfas' and the channel of the lawn care millionaire three years ago. We are just fullfilling the needs of other people. Stuff that they can't do. I think that applies to every service oriented business: being accessible, having a nice website, taking pride in the work we do, being helpfull, helping only the people that apreciate our work. It is not what you do, it is about how you do it.
I am 5 years deep in my Residential Design business and watch your channel. A lot of good info here for any owner/operator or small business. Contrary to you and what sounds like most in the lawn industry, I started my business by charging more $ than my competitors. The reason I did that, is I knew the product I would put out would be much better and my level of service and attention to detail would be much higher. 95% of the time, you have to pay more for quality, and the people that I want to deal with know that. The General contractors I do work for were tired of poor quality and mistakes on their plans. They gladly pay me more to have 1 less headache. All that said, I realize that charging more than the competitors likely wouldn't work in the Lawn Care business b/c there is more competition. The reason I commented is to tell others not to sell themselves short and don't sell on purely price. If you present well, are confident in your product, and do what you said you would, there is no reason why you cant start out charging close to the same as an established business.
I am using a company that gets my business out there on many search engines.It is expensive, but my name is out there besides Google. I don't have a lot of customers, but want to have the lawns look good when I leave. Word of mouth is still the best, I think. I thought that buying t-shirts, with a logo, putting a logo on the truck and trailer, makes me look more professional, like it is a business that will be around for some time and not some fly by night dude. I get the service thing. People want a good product, lawn mowing, at a reasonable price. And to know that next week this same guy will be back because he cares about them and their lawn.
Doing a great job and caring about your customers and employees are definitely number #1 but looking professional, and having logos and graphics on your truck...being a presence in your service area and making sure you get customers to review you online and having a professional website is clutch. We live in a world that's on there phones and tablets all day. They ask google and Alexa everything. It's the wave. I suppose it really depends what makes you happy and how big you want to be
Exactly Brian ! Clients that care about your image are the best to me. There’s a huge gap between the overachieving 16 year old clean cut kid and the 1999 Ford F-150 hauling 2 zero turns. Quality is everything when it comes to my business and I’ve come to find people (and older people) love that.
Good reliable service is key. My grandparents needed to replace a bunch of windows. After a while of searching, they found a reliable person with business insurance who was respectful and did a good job, and was very transparent. This is just another example of having good reliable service
Transparency is huge in the window business.
Lawn service will always be available though out our lifetime . Especially in FL where I am from .
What i always tell young guys treat customers like family be respectful and do a good job its your reputation. Word of mouth is the best advertising you can have. Nothing wrong with hard work for a living makes a man out of you!!!
Here’s my business right now. I would love to know if there is anything wrong with it or what I can change. (I’m 17 by the way) (weekly I have one $100 lawn that is about 2 acres, one $40 lawn, one $30 lawn and my own. Then (bi weekly I have is two $40 lawns, and one $50 lawn. I pick up spring and fall cleanup jobs too. Those run from $200-$500 depending on how much I need to take away. On top of that I pick up every job I can. I try and make at least $30 an hour working by myself. I am also currently doing a clearing job for a guy that owns rental properties so I will get more work from him as well. That job is going to be making about $1000. It was $400 to just mow down all his lawn that was there because it was taller than my waist. And $50 a bed load with what I take away in my truck. Please, I want to thrive and grow. Ohh yea... I also am working a full time job as an electrical apprentice.
Stop doing bi weekly bro trust me say your company aren’t doing bi weekly. because and start doing 35$ a cut for normal house
@@okaoalal3144 Why did you say stop doing bi-weekly?
Seems like common sense, but the world has changed.......being Clean Cut and trust worthy go a long way. Two Thumbs Up.
kevin burkhardt no dreadlocks?
@@tonetrue2251 nada. Keep those grease rags in Jamaica.
Do any landscapers drop off news letters? I feel like if you had a monthly door hanger with what’s going on and possible things that might need to be done you could pick up a ton of business. I find most people don’t even know what they need to have done. A door hanger saying with good info about what’s happening in the weather, how they should be watering, what pruning/ work most people are about to start getting is. Giving recommendations on what to do I’m sure will gain customers and service. If you google Purdue lawn care schedule there’s literally a calendar which shows what needs to do when and you can say you’re doing what university studies say to do, making it a science vs a labor thing is a way to charge more and justify it.
Or if you see a specific common issue, like fungus having a hanger saying I found fungus in your lawn here’s how to fix it yourself or I can take care of that for you. Just a way to communicate recommendations would be huge as I feel like you rarely talk with clients as a landscaper (at least ones I’ve had) and some low hanging fruit is missed.
I’m not in lawn care but I love business and watching your stuff.
Cheers
Just what I needed! I'm 16 and don't have a truck yet, so its hard to stay "classy" with my setup (I use a Golf cart with a dump cart that hooks up to a ZTR). I hope to get a truck this winter, just need the business. Thanks for the info Mr. Brian!
You’re on the right track. Just care more than any of your peers about doing a good job, the rest will Follow champ
Dude that's awesome! Mad Respect for your creativity & ambition ✊ I hope you've had hella success thus far
This is my first full year. I started it as a property services company. Not a lawn maintenance company. Although lawn maintenance is generally the way in. If they like your work, then the customer will give you the other work. The problem with being cheap is that there only so many hours in the day. You can bust your ass all day doing $25.00 lawns or focus on doing quality work for more money. Less headaches. At the end of the day, you usually feel better about the work you did.
Brian this is 100% spot on lol I used to substitute teach high school since that was my degree but I quit since my business took off and never got a teaching job (thank god). I run into people I worked with and it always feels like they look down on me lol same reaction. They probably have no idea what we make. It would blow their mind if I told them it was more than the principal of the school 😂
Lol love it
Doyle Bros Lawn Care that is true
Sadly teachers make18 to 25 per hour
I don’t think it’s about people seeing you succeed but more so that if you appreciate nice things then that projects respect and quality. You pull up to a potential customer in your set up with a crisp look vs someone pulling up to that same customer with not so nice set up and attire. You see where I’m going. Love your channel bro. Starting my business in about a year from.
Your “friend” at the wedding is a victim of the 40/40 rule. Work 40 hrs for 40 yrs and retire. We are all trained from birth to follow this rule.
If your self- employed, your looked upon as someone who can’t get or keep a “ real job”. I feel sorry for their thinking. Where did most Americans work a hundred years ago; for themselves! Let’s keep the entrepreneur spirit going!
Hey man, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your videos
I’ve recently decided that I’m going to start my own lawn care and property, maintenance business
I have a full-time job right now so it’s going to be part time to start off with. I’m going to take about a year to get my ducks in a row by all the equipment that I need work on my brand any legal stuff that I need to do so I operate 100% professional
I’m going to bring my son along to teach him the value of a dollar
Teach him a skill, and hopefully open his eyes to something different
I’ve always wanted to start my own business, preferably landscaping lawn care
But anyways, man, I just wanted to thank you again I’ve been watching a ton of these videos and you and a bunch of other lawn care guys have lit a fire in me to go out there and do it
✌️
Hello Brian ive been in the lawn maintenance buisness since 2009 and have struggled to take my buisness to the next level . I focused my buisness in a small 3-5 mile radius and have a good name for my self I'm overwhelmed with work and turn down work everyday as I work solo I'm worn out frustrated and tired I've hit my limit of around £250 (UK ) a day. I've tried employing people at least 6 different people , I have a high standard of work I have a good skill on my strimmer .( In the UK we don't use edging tools for some reason and many of my customers wouldn't suit a edging tool) so basically when I employ some one I have them cutting lawns and I do strimming and blowing but I just carnt seem to find a guy who can cut grass properly I show them I teach them and tell them the high standard I expect they good for a while and then standards drop. This has happened with all employees standards drop and I just can't trust anyone anymore! .. have you had this problem with employees not keeping to your standards? And any advice? Im 30 year old and feel like 60 by the end of the day and desperately need a decent employee! Ha
this is our whole business model, we started our landscape business last november and almost exclusivly cater to the high end stuff. a friend who has been in business the last 5 years and does pretty well said "nobody wants weekly mowing everyone in this area does bi-weekly i am telling you that will not work" at this point all of our lawn contracts are weekly mows, we sell a superior service where we take attention to detail to another level! we also see ourselves on being clean cut all american guys that could be your neighbor. a few people attempt to haggle, but the majority usually say well it sounds fair lets do it! on a personal note i have went from getting 1 in 10 estimates to about 6 in 10, my pitch went from a pitch to just a personal conversation trying to find anything i can relate to a home owner on a personal level, if you can get them to like you as a person they will likely hire you for your service!
That’s awesome buddy
Funny thing about a customer reaction from a lawn mower purchase. They live in the most affluent neighborhood in Tampa. When they saw us cutting the grass with the most expensive mower they had ever seen! The wife came out and told us that she is paying us way to much if we could afford a new mower like that.
So we told her that we no longer had the time to service, finished her lawn and never looked back.
Yeah I know all about it I work here in South Tampa only in South Tampa the good old days are long gone even though all this development is happening the money is just not what it to be everybody's looking for the deal and it chokes you out but I've been in this game so long I can't really change careers so at 49 I'm going to ride this wave out till the end getting ready to go to bed just thinking about Mondays route
Point taken. Professionalism and customer service
Dude, I've watched your vids here and there. Around the 17th minute or so I decide, we're much alike... So I subscribed and thumbs up. Good job, bro.
I own a mortuary transportation/removal company and I just subbed! Thank you for this content!
I was about shut down my lawn mowing business but after watching this video I am still going to bust my butt of working and trying to grow my business. Thanks
Keep going brother! Continue to fine tune your process and start pushing your price up with your new clients. Just start out with 10/ hr more Then check back and see where your at in 6 months and see if you need to raise again! The more experience I’ve gained the more I find that my price is too low to begin with! It can be nerve racking but just keep going!
this is awesome, for the last 15 years ive been working as a DJ & Photographer and do a lot of weddings, im always asking people what they do cause i like seeing what i have in common with others that are guest. Last year i decided to start picking up a few yards again (used to do it back in high school, i graduated in 95 ugh) but i figured if i started with 5-10 lawns it would be a good start, by June i was already at 25 lawns.
Great video. I agree with you on this video. Regarding image/class/appearances, remember that a kid with $20 cash from mowing a lawn sometimes has a higher net worth ($20) than his client with the $300K salary, $1 million house, and $10k in the bank.
I am an immigrant and I really like your channel, thanks for the good advice !!
Thanks buddy.
Fabricio Rodriguez what the white man has forgotten is that everyone is an immigrant in North America unless you are a native American. Actually Mexicans are native Americans and we’re here long before the white man. As a white man, I don’t give a crap what nationality or color anybody is. I only care about how people act and how people treat me and whether they are good or not. Every race has really good people as well as really bad people.If it wasn’t for immigrants there would be no America.
Landscape lighting is a Big one most of us should add to our services, usually an easy upsell and not terribly difficult to take on
Best video you have ever done. Service industry prices (plumbers, electricians, lawncare professionals etc) are going to skyrocket in the next ten years. There is a huge shortfall in the people willing to do the work.
You tend to talk about cost of business a lot and often don't mention your biggest expense (asset)....TIME! Way more valuable than your Exmark, your trailer and your truck combined.
Thanks for the tip on branding and upscaling my lawn care business. These are some things I'd not thought about, but it makes perfect sense! I've been that lone individual doing all the jobs, but toyed on and off with hiring a crew and expanding my customer base. Also, I'm with you on paying more to get great customer service. It's so worth it to me, and I definitely have learned it's worth it to my customers. They usually are willing to pay a little more when I deliver great and reliable service, and I've always worked hard anyway to make sure their experience with my services is the best they've ever had!
Amen pal!
When you talk fast that means you think fast! Keep up the QUALITY, QUALITY IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IMO
I just found this video, I will be doing this for my business from now on I will aim to higher paying customers. I just raised my prices for weekly mowing services and I feel good I got 2 new clients in a high class Neighborhood. Best part it keeps does cheap customers away from me and my business. 🙏 ofcourse I did start the low ball guy to, but you have to grow and expand ASAP if not you will be left in the dust
My High School Basketball Coach made us wear a tie to games. He preached look God feel good play good. I'm 37 and live that everyday. I teach my kids that very same thing. My oldest is a great example of that plus I just likes looking good anyways but his feed back from his bosses and customers is great. Nice vid
Amazing video. I'm 16 right now and do quality work with quality commercial equipment. I'm struggling to get my "target client". From now on I'm done taking the yards that aren't going to pay well enough for the high standard of work that I do! Thanks for another great video!
You bet buddy. Learn this while you’re young and it’ll pay huge dividends for you long term!
This video was very helpful, I’m starting to get in to lawn care and I was confused about a few topics that you covered and now that I watched this video I actually understand them, thanks for everything you do
You bet pal. Wish you the best. If you ever have questions or topics just ask, we actively read the comments and I love bantering with y’all! 🤘
Watch more of his videos. He has lots of great topics!
MrJRod891 I already started
90% of my new customers this year are from the $20 a cut guys. $30 is my lowest price for a weekly cut. I'm in the Chicago suburbs. At $20 a cut as a customer you have priced yourself out of any complaint you might have. After the 1st or 2nd week after the switch to my company. I have the new customers sending me photos of their lawns saying "look at my lawn!". I always crack up. I did the work. I know exactly what it looks like. That's why I charge more, quality work.
Yep!
Ha. Nice. Good to see yet another flatlander in the comments section! Greetings. My wife and i own/operate bailey's landscape maintenance llc in Gurnee, Il.
I've never been the low ball guy, worked in management in manufacturing, so had some business experience. Figuring out your overhead is a must so you know what you need to make
Brian u are very successful inspiring not many people are like u I started my lawn care business cause of you Garretts Lawn Maintenance from byhalia ms Operate mostly in our branch Mississippi
Thanks Garrett, that means a lot. I truly hope these videos are like little breadcrumbs to help you guys make it big with your own businesses, whatever you may decide to do. Rock on!
Duuuuude, if I could give 100 thumbs up I would on this one! The part on service, professionalism and trust is the absolute best piece of advice you've given out yet. Your brand and reputation is everything and the price shoppers will continue to be disappointed in their hirings. Cheap prices always guarantee cheap work. As you said that advice applies to every trade or specialty as a service provider. Class it up boys and raise your rates. Thanks bro for solidifying what I've been learning. Awesome stuff!
Thank B! Best of luck to you too
GREAT VIDOEO! My wife cleaned house for over 20 years and you are so right. People will pay $$ for someone they trust. My wife always did her hair and makeup and dressed as nice as she could for cleaning homes. She was always turning down clients. Also I have found in my business their are some customers you just can not make happy and it is best tell them find someone else. YOU ARE SPOT ON!
Great video Brian, as I have said before I'm not in the business but I respect what people do. Especially those people that have a specific craft... when I watch your videos it shows that you enjoy what you do, and you take pride in your business. I"m in my late 40s and when I hire someone I need to trust them and count on them... I never shy away from paying for quality work and service. Always a thumbs up 😁😁 Also another Rockstar is Brandon... I see the work that he posts on instagram and that dude is killing it.... more videos with you, Brandon and Mike... hell of a team..
Thanks pal! Yeah those 2 studs hold their own as well!
Brian,
Another video that spoke directly to me, thank u. I am a new sub, in a similar situation. I used to do landscaping and residential snow removal (blowers) on the side with a buddy. Literally best job Ive ever had. Loved working for myself. Currently run a large Hardware Dept, and Garden Center @ a big box hardware store. Wife and I make good scratch, are smart with our $$.
That being said I AM F***ING miserable!
Work nights, weekends, holidays. Avg 55-60 hrs a week. Miss all kinds of things with friends and family.
Looking to make the jump and get back in. I know what its gonna take and am willing to start investing in myself. I feel like no one I speak to understands "this" wife included. So your content really speaks to me. Would pay to have a convo with a guy such as yourself.
Hey thanks Dom. Wish you the best too
I service and maintain swimming pools and the last 2 years started doing lawn maintenance and clean ups love the channel thank you for all the videos
Thanks for watching!
Brian you are absolutely right I work out from Florida.. Black Diamond, Terra Vista, Sugar Mills, The villages, the ppl are rich, they want quality... and they want that personal one on one relationship, and these are but a drop on the bucket of the rich places in Florida.. their is much much more.
Thank you Brian, this video is old however it really impacted me in a great way. Have a blessed rest of your season 🙏🏼
This is a treasure chest of knowledge, for me, what grew my business the most was chemical lawn applications, the whole lawn maintenance and landscaping did great, but when I started doing chemical, it shot to a whole new level. Thank you for the video!
Great video Bri...blue collar man here myself. KEEP DOING WHAT YOUR DOING... you will be AMAZED what you have accomplished and where you are in life another 10-15 years from now 👍🏻
Thanks Rob!
The key with this kind of service is consistency I’m always there on the same day every week even if it rains I try to make it or give my clients a call if I really can’t! and my quality never changes no matter what even if I’m behind.
Best lawn care channel ever in my opinion.
Thanks buddy. I don’t need the accolades, let’s just keep succeeding as a community and take care of our families, that’s all that matters at the end of the day.
True business man!!! and so true!!! I've kinda had convos with guys about the pay for 5 get one free, refer someone and get a free cut, pay in advance and save 10%.... I haven't had to do any of that ever, and without breaking my arm patting myself on the back I'm sure at any point I can take my part time gig and run with it!!! Great video as always bud!!! Now I have to keep working on getting that Brains10 discount from Tesla for you!!! Dirty Jersey out!!!!
Lol nice!! Thx bro!
Your wise beyond your years Brian and your right about the economy. Folks are spending. I'm someone who has done many different things professionaly over the last 35 years, all using my hands and I'll tell ya something, we are in demand like never before. My advice to the youngsters is learn how to do different things. Almost every lawn client I have needs handyman work. That's how I make a big chunk of my money.
Amen!
stumbled upon this video today....just wanted to say I love your attitude! The positivity is amazing thank you.
Thanks mate!
The cheap lazy "i'll mow it for $20 because i'm going to do a sloppy job if i even show up" guys are going the way of the dodo. Do quality work, be dependable, and be on time as much as humanly possible and you will get noticed. So far it has been working for us. 👍
JoeyBear I do a couple lawns for 20 dollars. I do actually a really good job. Mostly because I love mowing lawns. And weed whacking and edging. Not trying to go against any of you.
@@spinnerz2633 i get it my friend. I do 3 smaller lawns myself for that price. What i meant was the guys out there undercutting like crazy on bigger lawns. 👍 the lazy ones that do bad work and never show up when they're supposed to.
@JoeyBear Thanks for incite👍
@joeybear doing quality work and showing up are at best just the basics of any job. Competitive pricing and exceptional work and customer service is far more important
FOR THE HORDE!
Rebranding in 2022, plan to market more. Buying a nicer trailer if SLE isn't backed up three months in spring. Might upgrade mower, likely used but newer.
All,
Need a General consensus on this one....
about to get back into it and have been talking to my next door neighbor about it. He said before I moved to the neighborhood, there was like 5 people on my block who all signed up with one dude for $25. and he could get me in on that deal.
He also mentioned that the guy wasnt reliable. I wasnt suprised. You get what you pay for sometimes.
Full on agree, dont want to be the lowball guy. These are $35 yards all day. Do I sell my self on quality here still? How much is to said for picking up a handful of my first customers where I never have to load up the truck and turn the key to do work?
Landscaping companies have my neighboor on lock too, roughly 10% - 15% mow thier own lawns.
Hate to say this will get my foot in the door and I will get the $$$ back thru additional services. But it is possible, lots of trees and fall clean up work here.
Thank yall for your time,
DD Gurnee,IL
I knew this years ago back in the early 70's, I not only worked on heavy equipment doing any repairs that was needed, loaders, dozers, trackhos, cable cranes, hyd cranes, you get the picture, and on anything that a company owned, I also did pressure washing, welding, built trailers, BBQ pits, low rider cars, AC anti-thief cages, bugler bars, apartments fences, and gates, custom bumpers, truck bed racks, and wood work, electrical work as on 12, 24, 36 volt, and 120, and 220, and plumbing work, as some brick work, I have learned that don't change for every little thing, you have to bate your hook if you really want to get the bigger fish/ payoff,
Two thumbs up on this video Brain. Its true, keeping your prices up will weed out ALL the low paying customers that want a lot for little of nothing. Plus, above average prices tells the customer your serious and there to do business. My customer base is small But very profitable. Keep the great your doing.
Also to set oneself apart is to be reliable and give great service and being able to be trusted.
I'm a solo part timer, first season in business. I 100% agree with this business model. I sell every customer on the fact that as the owner I am going to take better care of them than a crew of employees with sketchy backgrounds and work ethics, and that I can offer them more flexible scheduling after rain delays and that I am much more accessible than a big company with a couple hundred accounts. They eat it up with a shovel and I enjoy the type of customers that attracts
Pretty much my exact convo. "I" am the one cutting the grass with "my" equipment. When you have a problem you talk to me, not one of the 10 employees that a big company has. There is no middle man, I am the man. Works every time
Yes! I say “you get me everytime”, they say “when can we get started”. Bingo!
Great video mate. Unfortunately quality isn't really being considered much where I am, and increasingly won't be in the future either. I live in area with a number of universities so many nearby properties that we maintain are rentals or student sharehouses. They just want long grass made short for the cheapest possible price, and thankfully they often let it get so long at times that other cheap guys don't have the equipment to get it down, so they reluctantly agree to our higher prices and often stick with us for simplicity. Everyone is wanting more for less now and its getting pretty evident in my area. I am winning less and less quotes now as all the cheap guys fly in for most places that aren't super overgrown, but I don't really care because I have to focus on my last year of school for now so I don't mind just having a few really profitable properties. I love the few I have which make me really high profits and are easy to deal with.
@volcano hi Yeah often it is harder 😂I don't know where your from but if you are anything like a lot of American blokes I see on youtube you have NOTHING on what tall grass really is lol. When I say "tall" I mean often pushing a metre, or more on a bunch I've done. Add the grass being thick and wet to the mix and yeah you have yourself an interesting job. I can pretty much guarantee that your Snapper wouldn't be tackling that without missing a beat. Sure it can be done, not saying it can't, but it certainly takes a lot longer than what we can do it in with a zero turn. I've had numerous calls for work to be done after the customer has tried it themselves with their basic push mower, or they have gotten a cheap guy in but they couldn't get it done either so we take the zero in and hammer it out.
Quality over quantity! My motto! I rather do a great job than a good job ! I want my customers to be blown away ! All about details,details, details. And people love it when you care!
I am rebranding my business as we speak. Mainly because of insurance purposes, but it will create the next stepping stone moving into the future
Your positive attitude and outlook on life and bussiness is very contagious...love your videos..keep em coming
Only way to do it man. Positive attitude for sho!
Hey Brian my lawn brother these time of days it hard to charge the price that I do .but then I found out if you go to the bigger house that are out of the area you normally service. And show them that your a lawn detailer that going to make it right the first time. That will take the time on one property to make it right then the money comes with quality.
Starting my lawn care business in spring of 2021. I've been binge watching a lot of your videos and you're giving out a ton of valuable information. It's nice to see people succeeding in a way that I hopefully will. Keep up the great work!
Thanks buddy!
Great video, Brian! Totally agree with your image, branding, and trust. I have keys and lock codes to many of my customers properties because they trust us. We’ve had reviews from folks who comment on taking the time to talk to the customer while on their property. We work hard on our image and relationship with our customers. That alone has been huge in the growth of our first year in business.
Always remember business doesn't go out of business by making too much money. They go out of business lowering their price
🔥
Thanks for another an awesome video Brian. This video had a lot of good information in it, and I really appreciate you sharing it with us.
The things you said that "Bob" was talking about getting setup such as his accounting, and learning how to hire people are the 2 things I'm always trying to learn, but have never been able to find any good information for. It's almost like people dont want other people to know how to do it or something, its weird. You'll listen to all the successful business owners always tell you how to grow a successful business, but they never tell you how to actually run the business.
Do you think you could consider going over those 2 things sometime in the future, mainly how to hire a subcontractor or employed that you dont already know? I would greatly appreciate any advice with those topics that you could offer, because without knowing those things, I feel like I'm at a complete stand still with my business, and unable to progress any further.
The phrase “Premium Service” is the new “5-Star” and I feel like there is a large segment in the market that wants a Premium Service. Keep in mind perception is reality. This has been my argument that the truck and equipment matter. Some clients will choose you based on your rig.... AS LONG AS YOU BACK IT UP. Market premium, be premium.
Ive just found your channel after feeling discouraged and lost with my business. Ive been chasing my tail to stay afloat and your content is putting words the gut feeling I've had for a while now. Thanks for your advice and positivity!
You bet Reid!
The $20 dollar guy is me ,but like u said don't compete restructure enjoy the business I'm trying to get ahead but as u said swirling down what I afraid of is losing accounts ¬ being able to take care of family, I'm disabled but I out every day & I have leukemia im in south fl its hot here all the time I really enjoy your channel & the advice u give , I hope u keep it up
Thanks
Be clean property service & more
I have service business. there is nothing wrong with charging more than your competition (even when your just starting). many people associate quality with price. The higher the price, the better the quality must be. you just better have a quality product to back up your higher price. If your going higher in price you better have some cool unique things. Having fantastic customer service is great - but a few simple, inexpensive complimentary additions to your service will really make people glad they chose you - even if they spent more.
I own a commercial mowing business and am doing fine with it,BUT I am getting out of it because I own a small engine repair shop also,I make more money with way less work in my own shop repairing lawn equipment for commercial lawn service companies and private customers
Brian, I've always appreciated you for your ambition, dedication to doing a great job, and ability to defy the weather to maintain your professionalism. Your rig, mowers, equipment and demeanor all shout cutting edge quality and that's what people want to get on their properties. Way to go young Man... keep up the pride, and the great work. Give that beautiful gal of yours a hug from a fan in Oklahoma. Cheers Buddy!
Hey thanks for the support Dave!
Def a long video that I skimmed, but I got the idea. Being in the service business myself, I actually think that customers have always wanted quality professionals to do work on/in their home, but there wasn't much available. With the internet around, it's so much easier to get the word out about your new service-based business, so competition got heavier and professionalism has gone up. I am always preaching professionalism. It's customer service people are actually hiring, not always the actual service itself.
One hundred percent agree!
Quality over quantity has gotten my family company through 2009 recession and 2020 covid - the quick mow and blow companies (I don’t knock them, they’re hustlin too) are the first to shut down during economic hardships. Quality stands the test of time and hardships in my experience.
Thanks for your channel Brian - keep on hustlin!
Yes!!! You hit it right on the head. This is the niche that we finding in OC, CA. More people are looking for a quality service over cheap.
Brian you couldn't have said it any better. The better you Make yourself look the better your business does. Just remember brand yourself. Market yourself cuz at the end that's what you're selling yourself. Take pride in the serve to provide as well. Thanks for the great video Brian really informative
You bet buddy
I do everything from mowing to Powerwashing. I have lawns from $20 to $160 a cut. This is our 2nd yr
Michael Bradway I wouldn’t jump out of the truck for lawn less than 40. Raise it up son
@@DoyleBros03 I would but right now. I'm trying to get back what I lost mowing for DG in my area. Had someone rearend my trailer and I was told my contract was pulled.
@@DoyleBros03 really? Even for a row of 5 or 6 homes front yard only?
j yeah I do one like that. It’s 4 stripes with my 52 Ferris and I charge her $190 a month lol I just said that’s our minimum.
j think of yourself as a tv service. They dont charge you less during months you only watch one hour of tv or only 2 channels. Same price
Love the realness of your channel and most of the comments here. I'm a Engineer by day but I run a small property service business and appreciate everything you do.
A lot of UK garden and grounds maintenance guys could learn from this as some of them don't raise prices as the customers they work for don't like to pay money sometimes. This sometimes effects the growth of their business as they don't have money to upgrade equipment, vehicles and employ extra employees.
From a garden and grounds machinery dealer point of view it can effect their business as well because if they need a repair doing by us that is beyond their capability (usually gearbox or engine)to repair they try to ask if we can do it cheaply, but when its a large repair it's never going to be cheap as they forget we have to employ mechanics and parts department staff to order parts and undertake the repair and they need wages to live on as well as the customer.
I run my business like i like my service. Quality everystep of the way. Speaking of which gotta come up your way to get me some guachos soon.
The problem with the $20 lawn guys around my hood is its so over saturated to where raising prices has a 50% chance to kick you in the ass. I feel like Lawncare has become more about branding and looking more professional than the next guy.
I’d agree man. But hey, a 10% investment into image could bring back 20% returns.
I enjoy your channel! I’m a softwash/pressure wash guy. Not many good channels on our side of the service industry. I’ve found the same issues
Hey thanks pal best of luck to you power washing guys too
Right on the money sir! Nice video as always
Thank you sir! Hope the new shop is going smooth!
Love the video. You are right on about everything. I get a kick out of this one because I run across these attitudes and looks from people all the time. I work in the Corporate world full time and make in the 6 figures. Been in the marketing world for over 25 years but 4 years ago decided to start what I love to do. Our lawn care and landscaping business is doing very well and I plan to go full time in 2020. But it never fails that I get all kinds of comments and looks when people find out I do lawns. They act like im the poorest guy on the block but yet I have 2 degrees and make more than 90% of my customers do. I never say a word but inside im laughing my ass off at these people who think they are sooo much better. Keep up the great videos and advice. Hopefully see you at GIE in couple of days
I totally agree with what you say about doing quality work and delivering top service. My business is a highly recognized brand that is known for giving superior lawn and landscaping service and customers are more than willing to pay the higher cost to get trustworthy, reliable service that is going to stay in business over the cheap, crappy work from the new guys that aren't going to be around next season. Great video!! Right on the money with your business attitude.
Started doing the research in my area to start a business. Incredibly inspirational
Get it bud 💪
I have a question, what do you do on winter season? I'm thinking that there's no grass to mow.
Ray Ramirez white gold! ❄️
Brother love these conversations learning so much from you this is what our company needs, we just started this year and we are getting customers but a lot of people who want bi - weekly so next season we are going weekly the bi - weekly is okay but not.
Well said buddy. Love the talks. It helps me on a daily. I really take what you say and apply it. Because of these videos I got a $2000 mulch job. I was nervous to price it that high. But I know I'm worth it and my time is worth it. And my customer had no problem with it. And I have customers that leave the keys to there house for me. I love my customers. And I show them in the quality of my work.
Chuck N Around how many yards of mulch?
That’s awesome buddy glad to hear
I’m seeing this same thing in my area as well, it’s not about the Money it’s how you treat the customer and your quality of work , people will pay premium price if you are doing it right
Ok I get what your saying about respecting everyone and there hardworking, and most of the people that complain about someone who points out the down side to the illegals or migrant are people that aren't in the business, I believe everyone is God children so we all are but we all live in an economic environment, I've been in the construction industry for over 35 years, and everything has gone up, I use to buy a truck for 20,000, now its 45,000, lawn mowers or materials are all up 2 to 3 times as much to buy today compared to buying it 25 years ago but the pay is the same, that's what people that aren't in this business don't understand and want to mark people as racist or biggetted and that's not the issue at all, I out windows and siding up 25 years ago for 55 a window and 60 a square for siding, of course everybody that sees a siding and roofing truck know that it is over run with illegals cause I've worked with and employed those guys that work great for the most part, once again it's not against the person or the race or anything, it's the economics that keeps it driven down, so the prices I listed are 5 dollars more, 25 years later, give or take a little for different materials that are more difficult to install buy general materials are still making the same or maybe 5 to 10 dallors more in 25 years, everything is up, cost of gas, truck, equipment eyck buy pay is still the same and that's why you hear some or alot most just don't say because of the political climate we're in, and thats the facts that nobody wants to talk about, I get why you verriedaway from that but you know as well as I do that we are fighting that up hill battle, it's not docs, engineers, computer engineers and programmers, etc coming over and taking those jobs and those are the people that complain about us saying something about it, this is a big problem and it's a problem that we shouldn't have to be dealing with and it keeps our oay down and the profession cause they aren't doing professional work so it is a problem, no hate just economic facts, so before you in your office say or call somebody a name not knowing anything about the business and my family has been doing this for 3 generations ,so don't give me that nobody else will do it that's crap we've been doing it for centuries and will keep doing it right from generations of experience without this under cut way of hack work
You're doing great job Brian. I would love for you to do a video on the end game for you. Do you have plans to retire, sell business, strictly do youtube videos etc. I am sure you have thought about it. Maybe in the video ask other lawncare guys what is their "End Game." I think it an interesting topic.
I never do lawns for $20 bucks my minimum is set at $30 dollars and that’s for extremely small lawns. Unless it’s literally one pass with a zero turn then I’ll do it for 20 bucks. I believe in quality and professionalism over being cheap and having to rush peoples lawns and cut corners.
Even hvac refrigeration guys watching. Keep up the good work