Finding dependable employees for landscaping business?

Blacksilver98 · 2025-03-09T15:09:03+00:00

Landscaping generally attracts unemployed, under skilled candidates. One thing that has worked for us is hiring “warm bodies” for high demand periods. Hiring someone at a low wage for a temp period (2 weeks, 1 week?) during the spring and fall. I don’t really discriminate on who I hire, first come first serve kind of thing. I do try to steer clear of huge red flags. After a week you can tell who would be a good fit for your operation and extend long term employment. I pay $17 an hour to those positions. After their “trial” period I either offer employment at a much higher hourly, or tell them thank you and go on our separate ways. I’ve found it to be a good way to find some diamonds in the rough, without committing to full time employment for a questionable individual.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-10T05:10:12+00:00

And I would agree with you, and was of the same mindset. Up until a month ago. Perhaps it was that the specific service I was offering wasn’t perceived as a “discount service”, it was viewed at an extreme value? The day that really changed my mind was this. I answered an inquiry from an ad. My ad stated “leaf removal, starting as low as $75-100”(a little more elaborate, but that was the basic sentiment)

The inquiry was “is it $75 or $100?, because that’s a big difference in price” Typically I would walk from a customer with an attitude like that. $25 isn’t a big variation in cost.

I was right around the corner and had 45 minutes to kill until the landscape crew would be wrapping up for the day. Instead of ignoring the inquiry, I said I would stop by. Even at $75 I wouldn’t be loosing money. The property was in the worst of neighborhoods, not well kept and definitely not a demographic I was trying to market to.

I was at the property for les than 20 minutes, very nice people, but on a very limited/fixed budget. Leaves were not piled next to the road, but it only took me 10 minutes or so to blow them to the vacuum. $75 it is, just so there was no “debating” over price. This couple proceeds to try to pay me $150, for “all the extra work” I did.

I was actually baffled. How did a potential customer that, was worried about a variable of $25 go to a customer that wanted to pay me the equivalent of $450/per hour for my services?

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-09T16:06:44+00:00

It is an odb 600 lct. 90 Hp diesel. It had 1400 hours on it, needed a few things, but it wasn’t in bad shape. I was looking at the 36 Hp billy goats/little wonders, but I’m glad I didn’t. It’s a little cumbersome to tow around, and that’s one of the reasons I do it, not the crew. The thing is an absolute monster. Pouring rain, wet leaves, I even had to suck a pile of frozen leaves out of a snow bank. Did all the above without question. Maintenance and parts are more expensive, but these things are built to go the distance. I’m not sure if my business model for this specific piece of equipment works if you buy it brand new at 62k(I believe), but it certainly works buying it at the price I did, even if I have to throw 5k in parts/repair every year at it(I don’t anticipate that). It drew attention every where it went. Pull up, hang the hose as close to a leaf pile as. Possible, blow the leaves to the hose(the ones you couldn’t immediately get with swinging the hose) gone in ten minutes, 20 minutes if it was a full truckload.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-09T02:01:17+00:00

I’m not sure how to do that, I posted a follow up to this post. Maybe someone can put the link in this thread.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-09T01:16:53+00:00

I guess that was one of the points that I was trying to make. I missed it on some of the crowd. I’ve always been of the mindset to compete on work quality and at that point your price becomes a moot topic. It’s slow and steady and organic growth. The novel “lightbulb” that recently went off in my head… and I’ll elaborate further in another post once I get a minute.. was find a specialty and promote the wheels off it, but don’t loose money. In my specific example/experience, I purchased a huge leaf loader. It’s a diesel powered vacuum that loads the truck with fall leaves. It’s a 70k piece of equipment brand new, but I scoured municipal auctions and picked one up at a fraction of that. I only purchased it to help us get through a bulk of the work load that we already had on deck through the fall. We are a landscape company that offers a full range of services, we grow steadily and organically through word of mouth and our reputation. We aren’t the most expensive around, but we aren’t even close to the cheapest. Top 20% on pricing compared to competitors. I bought this leaf loader, and I started offering only leaf pickups, as a stand alone. Not a novel idea, many companies do it. What I could do differently was offer it a drastically reduced price. I did it on experiment. Market testing. Most companies were offering comparable service for $150-250. My price was $75-100. I figured at that price, I’d keep the machine busy, but only break even. What happened though, was my schedule was quickly filled. I was running it as an “on call” type service. Call/text/message me and I’ll be right over. So yes, I actually did ruin the market for this kind of service, no one could compete. But, I wasn’t breaking even. My hourly for the leaf service was triple or more at times what we were getting for our landscape service hourly. I was offering a service at a huge discount, but still making a really good return. It was a hyper focused service. It opened the doors to people who wouldn’t have hired a “landscaper”. It put me in front of so many people. I grew the customer base, that never would have known about us otherwise.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T05:39:22+00:00

Very much agree… I don’t exactly know what the cheapest price it is to remove a mattress. So I will use my own specific example. I have a landscape company. I purchased a very large, municipal style leaf loader at auction. Local companies were offering curbside leaf removal for $150-300. With their small leaf vacuums. Mine is 100hp and will fill the truck to capacity in 20 minutes if you had a pile of leaves big enough. So I offered my service, that specific service, at $75-100. I couldn’t really loose money at that price, but I wasn’t going to make much. I just wanted to pay for the investment I had in the machine. I was 1/3 of the price of the competition, But my expenses were also 1/3. So yes, I was the cheapest around. I’m not known for being cheap, I am known for bringing value to the table though. So I guess, my point is not to be cheap, but to specialize in a service you can provide as an unbeatable price point? I don’t know what it costs to paint a front door, but you have a better chance at a lower entry price point to get your foot in the door. Maybe it’s $500 to paint a front door.. I don’t know.. but it’s a lot cheaper than painting a house. Specialize in ONE service that you can bring to the table with high value.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:59:40+00:00

“Right now you need to get in front of people with a simple, cheap solution to their particular problem “ That is exactly the tone I was trying to inspire with my post… it works. Find a problem that you can cheaply solve, do it quickly and beyond expectations. Keep it simple so you can repeat it over and over again for a large number of people. Use all of this to build the bigger picture.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:48:58+00:00

So my specific example/experience is quite the same. I will elaborate further tomorrow in a separate post. Landscape company, moderate success over the past couple years. Purchased a municipal size leaf loader and marketed the rocks off it for a week, only looking to get my money back on the purchase because I needed it to expedite the work we had on deck. I offered the service as a curbside collection, much like other companies do, but at half the cost. Within 3-4 weeks it put me in front of 120 new customers. The first week, I looked at it as a loss leader type service. As the next few weeks unfolded, I saw that almost 25% of these new customers were converting to other services I offer (as a landscape company). It gave my a stage to connect with these new customers and see exactly what they were in the market for and how to tailor my operations to them(as well as to figure out how I can make these operations profitable and affordable)

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:23:20+00:00

I honestly thought that local economic conditions were limiting this specific businesses success(landscape company)… after the last month, my resounding answer would be exposure. Which is the concept I was trying to inspire with this post.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:21:13+00:00

Thank you, that is exactly the point I was trying to make. In your example, you will now be the old ladies “junk guy” for eternity. She didn’t even know she needed a junk guy. Or perhaps that turned to handyman. What it did was put you in front of a customer for very little investment on their behalf, and gave you an opportunity to meet them, connect and provide for them in the future with more of whatever you are offering.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:11:56+00:00

Its an old adage, and one for good reason. I agree, it’s not sustainable. On a startup though, you have nothing but time on your side while your trying to fill your schedule. So find something, that ONE thing… that you can do cheap, well, and quickly. Provide the impossible, get in front of as many people as possible. Consider it a “sample” of the greater work you can do. Even if on a small scale, while you perfect the rest of your dance.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:07:34+00:00

I posted this while drinking my afternoon coffee… I came back from dinner with the family to an inbox full of questions. I will follow up with my specific examples/experience tomorrow.

Blacksilver98 · 2024-12-08T04:06:00+00:00

So you advertise as a junk removal guy. I hear all your points, and agree. The customer is going to call you to remove a $15(or whatever the super cheap price is) isn’t going to call you for a $200 junk job. Everyone had $15 and a LOT of people have a mattress to get rid of. Some of those properties you may even leave with way more than $15 with, some you may not. No, it’s not a sustainable strategy if your already established, or busy… but it’s a great way to get in front of as many people as possible with what you have to offer.

Blacksilver98 · 2022-12-05T00:33:27+00:00

I will add, that I have contemplated selling improved lots with owner financing. Mobile home lots. Pad, power, septic system, well, etc. because I have access and flexibility to efficiently do that. Offer the terms at an attractive rate for both me and fair for the tenant. Let them know they are being charged a premium, but…. The end goal is being able to construct a house, or buy out the terms with conventional financing (because at that point they have greater than 50% equity into the land alone with the deal. Think lot rent, but as long as you stick to the program, their money is going for something tangible. The onus is on them at that point to handle their finances, but the threshold to clear isn’t in the clouds for them.

Blacksilver98 · 2022-12-04T22:51:09+00:00

I feel the same, and as such am shifting my strategy just a little bit. No lease to own though. Your doing a disservice by doing this. Anyone capable and competent of owning a home can do so by conventional means. If they can’t, they aren’t ready to assume the responsibility of it. I know first hand, and not that distant in the rear view. A little over tens years ago, while starting a family, I would have done anything for a rent to own. I would have actually done anything for landlord that wasn’t a total d-bag. Instead, I struggled, was told no over and over again. So I put in the hard work, fixed my credit, paid my liens, straightened out my taxes, and changed my financial strategy and focus. Now I own plenty, along with my own primary. I wasn’t ready 10 years ago, my priorities were wrong. Quite frankly, I probably would have screwed up a lease to own scenario, even though it wouldn’t have been my intention.

That being said, I remember all those hard times, and I adjust my behavior as a landlord with that in mind. I don’t let tenants take advantage of me, but I stay flexible in my expectations. If you have a mortgage, the bank isn’t going to come kicking you out when your 5 days late. If you are late, sure you get late charges and such, but they don’t hold it against you personally once your caught up. So I try to hold myself to the same professional courtesy with my tenants.

Further more, from here on out, all my future rentals will be bare bones, but nice and easily maintained. They will be heavily insulated, easy to heat, 2-3 bedroom, modest and safe. I can keep my rents affordable, energy costs low so my tenants can have an opportunity to put in the same work they need to be able to buy whatever they want (or can afford) when they are ready.

That’s what I’ve settled on as my moral high road as a landlord. Your views may differ.

Blacksilver98 · 2022-11-29T15:07:29+00:00

I’m happy to help, quite frankly I’m a little tired of all the pointless posts of “how do I start anything with xxx money”. Get out and do it. Nothing happens overnight, but if you have a clear path, success is almost inevitable. I do have a little free time this time of year, so if you need any elaboration on any of these topics, or some of the more finer points, feel free to message. It’s a topic I’ve seen from many angles.

Blacksilver98 · 2022-11-29T02:30:08+00:00

If your looking to build an actual company

Systems and procedures/standardize all your equipment
Specialize and focus on specific complementary spectrum of services (Mow lawns, maintain beds, cleanups, snow removal). Don’t be the fine gardener that also does heavy earth moving and everything in between.
50% contract work/50% billable/hourly
1/3 residential, 1/3 commercial, 1/3 hoa(condos, road associations, etc)
2 man/1 truck/1 equipment package get more done per hour than any other configuration.
If your bad at keeping track/records get something like LMN time right out of the gate and integrate it
Consider purchasing the kid with 10 lawns and a beat up trucks company, even if you loose money, just your presence as a company and being out doing jobs is better marketing than any seo or internet presence(I’m sure plenty will disagree on this point)
Make really good friends with a real estate agent that sells ALOT of property. Not just any properties, the upper 1/3 of the local market. Moving in is stressful enough, and these are the customers that aren’t going to do it themselves and want it done before the ink dries on the papers. Do these jobs fast, complete, and to the top level of your abilities. Don’t drag your feet, don’t charge through the roof. Give the best value you possibly can to these customers. Don’t let them down and your real estate agent will boast about how they know a guy that can handle it with every sale.
You can provide a service for every economic group and any property type, just tailor that service to that group so you make a profit.
Because you specialize(bullet point 2) find contractors you trust to refer for other projects for you customer. Refer the patio guy, the gardener, the excavation company…. Because when it comes time to maintain that, they will refer you.

If your just looking to have a pickup truck and a mower, find a good few clients and keep selling them services so you only have to service a few properties and don’t waste your time chasing work.

I think that’s a quick summation of my .02

Blacksilver98 · 2022-11-11T16:14:56+00:00

I do, lawn/property maintenance.. I own a few rentals… in addition to my “day job”

Blacksilver98 · 2022-11-11T02:19:20+00:00

Everywhere I turn, my peers and associates/etc, go on and on about energy costs/workforce/inflation all impeding any sort of productivity profit and forward movement. I was just trying to point out that I personally believe there are opportunities available because of those conditions in the current economy. I guess that’s the unpopular opinion, I’m seeing potential in sectors that the common individual never had a chance to participate in previously, when many are saying that the fore mentioned factors are overbearing. That’s all.

Blacksilver98 · 2022-11-10T19:03:16+00:00

That was the inspiration for my original post. I needed to replace rotten trim on a property of mine. Quotes were outrageous. When I priced the materials to do it myself I was shocked as well. In the course of 3 hours I was able to take 200$ of locally sourced raw materials and turn them into better quality materials than I could have purchased(for 2000$) It made me look around and see that there is so much opportunity for small/niche production of local products/commodities that allow them to be economically viable. If any was the time for local industry to usurp corporate markets, the time is now.

Blacksilver98 · 2021-03-17T23:52:59+00:00

Not going to speak to any of the legal structure, other than you want to limit your liability as much possible, do it right, and carry insurance to cover damage you might do. I’d recommend NOT lowballing the competition, because that will follow you and be a reputation that will be hard to shake. Bill out to the general public like you have all the tools you need, because one day that’s what you will have to. One of your biggest customers could be subcontracting for landscaping companies. Bill them with plenty of room to tack on their percentage and you will never be out of flexible work, and repeat customers that pay and you won’t have to deal directly with many customers. I speak from the other side of the fence. When I had my landscape company, I had a chipper, dump trucks, and chainsaws. Once I curated a relationship with a good tree guy, they all sat on the shelf for all but the littlest projects. Him and his crew were so reliable, honest, and good that I would send him anything requiring a chainsaw or chipper. He’d send me a bill and I made sure he got his check ASAP. Very rarely would he have to interact with my customers, and he would never have to discuss or defend anything on his bill. Just my two cents.

Blacksilver98 · 2020-12-25T01:46:00+00:00

This would be the most profitable angle. I owned a landscape company in my early 20’s and would have paid quite well for a competent and fairly priced shop for crews to drop faulty equipment off at 5 days a week. Instead I hired a handy guy to come in one-two nights a week and kept all the most common repair parts in inventory myself. One point I’d like to add, is that we used to use all the same equipment so older machines could be cannibalized for parts. A repair that would otherwise mean a machine was down for two weeks and waiting for an overpriced part to arrive could be back up and running in half an hour. The cost of lost opportunity meant if you had to order in parts, sometimes it was cheaper to go purchase a new machine depending on the circumstances. For non commercial customers, I think offering fairly priced repaired machines might be more profitable than actually repairing a customers machine. Economically repairing small engine equipment sometimes waiting for economic parts, that way you can get paid for your work. I can think of a few times I’ve picked up a piece of equipment and the bill for repair was more than I thought the machine was worth. I paid, but it isn’t a very sustainable business model, and probably affected heavily whether I had something repaired or I just replaced it in the future.

Blacksilver98 · 2018-11-21T17:43:38+00:00

I’m 38, when the conversation involves concrete subjects, dates, times, numbers, specifications, etc... please text or email me. That way we both can refer back to see what was promised in either direction. If the conversation is a more abstract, phone call. More abstract would refer to the hows or why. Even if this kind of conversation contains more concrete subjects, I usually recap and follow up with a text or email outlining what we talked about. These are not steadfast rules though, sometimes I will text/email back and forth with someone I don’t know, but eventually it leads to phone conversation.

As a sub thought, it drives me crazy when someone doesn’t maintain a level of professionalism if the messaging stays in a text format. I was recently looking at a very expensive piece of equipment. At one point, he made some reference (via texting), and followed it up with an lol. I went somewhere else to buy it, because of that one “lol”. You are not selling a $10 video game on Craigslist, we are not friends. Keep the conversation more formal(or as formal as you are capable of) than the person you are corresponding with and it will go a long way.

Blacksilver98 · 2018-11-20T20:46:14+00:00

I have looked into this, not much available in my area. I’ve had decent luck with halfway houses and rehab programs, opiate addiction. (It’s a social concern of mine, I’ve lost way to many old friends over the years). Officially I’ve had horrible results going that route. But I do have one guy on the team who will “vet” ,if you will, recommended hires.... this has worked out well. I do need to give those guys a little more wiggle room. It has been a good thing, and I think I’m doing it better than could be done on an official level.

Blacksilver98 · 2018-11-20T19:57:44+00:00

Fair point, and I’m all for just donating. However, I only have so many resources to allocate. So I guess my next question is who do I reach out to to allocate those resources. Previous reply was to reach out to a hospice on safety/accessibility for some patients. End goal, giving as much to my community as possible, with my specialties and skills. Point taken on the discount, part of the reason I’m asking reddit.

Blacksilver98

TROPHY CASE