Uncle Stanley always being straight forward and not sugar coating the truth. I been watching him for years. And there are videos that he made years ago that I still go back and watch them for motivation. Thank you uncle Stanley. You truly have helped so many of us.
I don't know what happened for sure but I love it. This is the man I started watching for a couple of years. The truth will set you free. Keep up the awesome work. God bless you.
We always used mowing lawns as the gateway to all the other services we use... it has always been a great tool to get our foot in the door with customers. We never get into bidding wars, we price every lawn to make money and most of our customers are the ones that hired the company or person that has no clue how to run a business... and then they just disappear on the customer so they usually come to us asking to charge whatever we need to and also "what else do you offer"
Been in Business 14 years. Got rid of our lawn and property maintenance 3 years ago. Focusing on only excavating, have a 3 excavators , 14 ton, 10 ton, 3.5 ton, and one track loader asv. Best move ever. No more headaches for such a small profit margin. Leaner company. Your channel has been super helpful over the years!
I must be an anomaly. I did right at $120k in profit, on paper for the last two years mowing lawns. One truck, 3 mowers, and one laborer helping me. Work five days a week averaging 8 hours a day and all local properties. My job is so easy I barely break a sweat anymore and I take off ten weeks straight for the winter. No headaches here. I feel like I've got it made in the shade and I ain't ever gonna stop mowing. Some of my buddies who are tradesmen work seven twelves for months at a time, out of town for around the same or even less pay. They all want to be in my shoes. Especially as we all grow older.
@@T_81535 Are you using words like everyone else? You write I did right at $120K in profit, on paper for the last two years mowing lawns. Do you mean your business generated $120,000 in gross revenue before business expenses or are you claiming that after business expenses you cleared taxable income of $120,000 with only two people cutting grass five days a week averaging 8 hours a day????? Look at this; 2 men 5 days a week (52 weeks a year) 8 hours a day is 2x5x52x8 is 4,160 hours a year divided by $120,000.00 is $28.85 per hour.
@@T_81535 see that’s the difference between someone who has their lawns and expenses dialed in vs majority of other lawn guys who don’t. Keep it up dude that’s awesome!
❤ the amount of times you go into the details of running a professional profitable business is astounding for the average entrepreneur. I wish I had a your mindset installed in my circle surrounding me on the daily basis. That’s why I keep watching your videos! You have such a great positive impact on my life.
I bet I am the only person who ran a lawn cutting business with a boat.. before I got a drivers licence I used my 14’ boat with 6 hp.to get to my customers . I’d only cut grass to people who lived on the lake. Did that for 2-3 years..Then later got a truck..
Started with maintenance for the first 3 years. Now 7 years in and focusing just on Sod everything. We have now become in the top 5 out of all of Central Florida by focusing just on 1 item. Amen love the channel!
When I first started watching green industry videos almost a decade ago, I noticed immediately that many of the guys doing it were TH-cam folks that cut grass. There were very few landscapers that made videos. I think it's even worse now. I can think of only two or three channels that I would say are 'real' landscaping companies. Not taking anything away from these guys that are focused on making content. There's a ton of work involved as you know. Heck, I tried it for a bit and it took too much focus away from what I consider my actual work 100% agree with everything you said in this. Although, I have to admit, I didn't realize excavation work was offering so little profit these days (it makes sense with the flood of folks involved now). I have always looked at landscape maintenance (I mean full maintenance, not just mowing. Trimming hedges, ornamental bed weed control, etc...) as a 'loss leader' bit without the loss aspect. I can handle the low profit margins that come with maintenance due to the add on services that you mentioned (and many you didn't). That being said, the way the economy is going, basic maintenance is a service that isn't optional for businesses, therefore, it's going to be a steady source of income in economic downturns. Hardscapes, aeration, ponds, design/installation work can and will dry up as people are more and more about their finances. One thing I've always regretted has been not learning how to weld. If you want to get to that top tier of innovation, fabrication skills are a necessity. Great video and, of late, your content has been on fire.
He’s not knocking the hustle. Sounds like he hurt your feelings and you stopped listening. There is no money in selling gasoline to the public but if you build a convenience store and have that customer walk in and buy a simple bottle of water now that’s where the money is at.
I know what you are saying and would agree for small operations but I'm not sure I totally agree in all cases. We have a very profitable business that is 90% commercial mowing/maintenance . Everyone also says that you can't make money on commercial maintenance..... False. You just have to be better AND MORE PROFESSIONAL than the competition so that you get the really good contracts that the competition can't keep.....not the lowballers that put everything out to the lowest bidder every year. I'm talking about contracts 100,000 a year and up. Hardscaping is great but its really construction and is subject to economic conditions. If the economy goes south, people can hold off on a hardscape project. A large commercial facility or business park can't hold off on mowing a couple hundred acres in the middle of a city. Agree 100% on upselling to existing customers. Farm the lands you own first!
I mowed for years and he’s right, there is NO money in mowing, just people who think they’re making money. There’s even less money in commercial and this has been a known fact for the 42 years I was in it. I stayed in it because it was a passion but as I got older, I also got wiser and decided I couldn’t keep working for free and I mean FREE!
@paulwatson5965 With all due respect, I have a business that is NOW 100% commercial and it pays me and my team incredibly. We have no debt, And we have primarily brand new equipment and trucks. You are just plain wrong and making blanket statements about an entire sector of the industry which you clearly do not understand if you could not make money. Probably best to talk about your experiences With the different facets instead of telling others what they can do. When you did commercial you probably did low bidder apartment buildings and subcontractors for national companies....... That is garbage work and I agree it is not sustainable. Quality commercial is something completely different.
You’re absolutely right about NO money in mowing. I did it for 42 years because I had a very deep passion for it and was young and just had to have the biggest and baddest mower and that new box truck. I see sooo many guys doing the exact same thing. I see guys by the dozen swearing they’re making money all because they don’t have one clue about running a business. I knew for years I was losing my a$! But I didnt care because I was doing what I love but now at 54, I absolutely cannot do something else that’s losing money and to “ just have the work.” I’m hoping to try more landscaping projects and learn hardscaping and something that requires actual thinking in hopes someone will pay me for it.,
Stanley!!! I drove you to the Colorado Springs Airport after Reber's first profit summit, it was great to meet you and Phil!... Although I am not building ponds anymore, mostly due to body issues and a move to a free state, I digress... The pond world through North America's Largest equipment manufacturer is as big as "you" make it. Although not in the pond business anymore, I still use the same principles everyday in a less of a niche business (not landscape)... All the way through this video is sound advice...
love it!! I completely agree with you. Cutting grass is good but increasing customers with several services is the best thing to do. also cutting grass helps generate new customers for hardscaping.
I’m pushing for more mowing, you can’t beat the simplicity. One team member per truck (f150 or similar) with a ramp rack, v-ride, 21” mower, back pack, trimmer and some fuel, rinse and repeat. The right person can be trained up in a couple weeks. I was told long ago mowing is your bread and butter and I still believe it. Don’t get me wrong hardscaping is great but if you’re young and hungry throw a mower in the trunk of your car and get at it.
Man we have to get Toro onboard with showing their testing. I just bought a Multiforce and I am unbelievably impressed by it. This is coming from someone who used to run exclusively Wright (still do) where the CEO is more in touch with his consumers than any other company I've ever seen and he's a seasoned engineer. I love pretty much everything about my Multiforce and would love to see how they test these things and what the engineers are thinking when they're devloping a machine like that.
This is my 3rd season doing lawncare. I do spray yards which can pay well. This year I am getting more into the landscaping side of the business. I did one retaining wall last year and I had my friend help me do the estimate. He used to do the business but now sells trailers now. The profit from the retaining wall showed me real quick why guys do this kind of work.
I've been in hardscaping for over a decade and have been a business owner for 2 years now. Hardscaping is so profitable its crazy. The more pride you have in your work, the better your books will look.
Cutting lawns is a great side hustle and a wonderful way to get into your next business. I make an extra 40% of my paycheck in about 10 hours a week mowing after my job. That is 15% increase in pay and that includes a couple hours a week in maintenance. That money was used to pay cash for truck, trailer, excavator. Now I’m onto step 2. 5 year plan to be self employed.
I think a lot about how our environment shapes our personalities and peculiarities. You should travel the country and find the different types of dirt monkeys from all the different parts of the US. I think the country is having a hard time understanding how huge our country is and how it creates so many different types of people and lives because there are so many different types of lands and climate. I live in Jacksonville, FL and it is immediately apparent how much easier my day to day is being in a COMPLETELY flat semi-urban environment, summer humidity and potholes are my only true obstacles, never once thought of getting a skid steer, never had to think of upgrading my old Ranger to battle up mountains and hills. I imagine I am more chill than I would be if I lived in the mountains or the cold. Loving this video!
I have been in lawn & landscaping business for 30 years I done pretty well I have good customers and do a lot for new houses the whole job most of the landscaping sod mulching and patio wall building and last 2 years I add pressure washing decks driveway etc pressure washing I have too crews doing that’s daily in spring summer and fall but I do know we’re you coming from if don’t up charge on lawn care like we do there’s is some profit but you add in extra services there’s is more profit and Stan I love your video your videos I learn from them thanks for sharing
Thanks. I'm sending my boss this video. We do over 200 lawns. And it's definitely a race to the bottom. We also do hard scapes. I started in demo and haven't really done it since the around 2006. I miss it but everything you said makes sense. Thanks
Spot on love it. I love mowing lawn and yes that is how I started but today I only mow around 3 a day. Each one of those we are doing other things on the property lots of other things and we may decide to go just work at other properties if its in the cards that day. Like I said I still love mowing lawn just not 18 of them a day. Do not follow the crowd make your own path. Make and do what you want.
You’re completely correct about Lawn Mowing! I got rid of that service from my business a year ago. I get my customers to come back every year with Power Raking and Aerating in the Spring, and doing Sprinkler Blow Outs in the Fall. Then all summer long I don’t waste my time mowing and I can do landscape projects that make money instead of waste my time.
Good info. I'm find that it's more than just having equipment and trying to do work with it...anyone can rent a skidsteer or mini for 300 a day. The key part is the knowledge and skill to get the job done right. Problem is that people (customers AND businesses) don't understand that and think it's about showing up. It is a race to the bottom because there's people out there willing to work for free or break even just to play with their toy they bought even though they didn't need.
My grandpa owns QPS Pluming and he also owns a 1997 bobcat 331 Mini Excavtor so every day after school I go out with him and run it for 10-15 dollars an hour digging trenches and septic tank holes. The excavator may be small but it’s powerful and gets the job done.
I did landscape estimating and installation in western WI and some on the east side of the twin cities, as an employee not owner, for 8 years. We did everything from new build lawn install with grading, irrigation, seeding and sod. Paver patios, paths, steps, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens. Ponds and Streams and outdoor LV lighting. As well as all plant beds and trees. I am now out of the industry. I if was to ever start my own business with the knowledge i have; I would do patios and walls almost exclusively. The ability to separate yourself by simply using better products and having pride in your installation makes for, in my opinion, walls and pavers to be the easiest place to see higher profits. Irrigation is NOT hard work imo, but its difficult to install systems withour offering startups and blowouts which is a deterrent from more lucrative work if you dont specialize in irrigation alone. Low Voltage lighting is an easy money maker but typically an upsell on top of other work, not standalone. I would NOT ever take work to install lawns or do landscape maintenance. No matter what, attention to detail and taking care of your customers is what will make you successful. Word of Mouth means alot. If you do the cheapest work, youll get the cheapest homeowners.
The education and thoughts you have given in your videos from Day 1 have helped me so much with my business. All your the “How To’s”, products, and information you give is so vital in order to be successful. Thank you so much for all the content you have given and are still creating for us!
Spot on. Mowing really is the worst way to make money. I have been in the commercial maintenance business all my life and the only way to make it is to upsell. Even at that so many guys are not looking at their route density. Guys shouldn’t even consider leaving their zip code if they want to attempt to make it as a mow blow guy. I only work in one neighborhood mowing now and won’t compromise on that choice. Other services we will travel but even then we won’t go more than a few miles from home base. Too many chucks with trucks around.
Stan, I’ve watched you for years. You’re the best and love your vids. I’m sure I’ve missed a few episodes over the years. But toward the end of your #1, you got into TH-camrs and if they make it transparent to us on how they make their money. I don’t recall you ever telling us how you make your money. We all know TH-cam is good. But what about everything else y’all do? So with that said. How do you make your money? Lol. Keep up the great work and vids,you have a great crew!
I’m a lawn guy but branching out more into what your talking about. Tying to regrow both my lawn and a customers lawn right now and honestly I am doing it for way cheap, because I haven’t done it before. But now I understand what all it takes, and how much work I’m actually doing that I wasn’t considering.
I made 40k in just three months last mow season, but a lot went into equipment and what not. Hoping to truly grow my business this year and really branch into the specialty work and be working year round.
I started mow blow and go, customers asked me can you build a block wall so I learned how to. I found the other landscapers weren’t my competitors it was the home owners dollars. Was the money going to the landscaping or the kitchen and bathroom remodel! Today I’m a general contractor that has a plumbing division! We now have customers we have done their kitchens, landscaping and new garages with mother-in-law apartments.
Used to estimate heavy highway work, you cannot understand expenses until you are filling in all the costs, down to the cell phones, guesstimated equipment downtime on average, etc. Existing material removal, like curb, gutter, asphalt, trees etc, was always the easy money.
Great job with this one Stan you hit the nail on the head. I’ve learned that when you get to the point of not worrying about what everyone else thinks and you just say exactly what’s on your mind and what you actually think that’s where things get good.
Observation, an advantage of value-add projects (hardscapes, application, etc) is the markup you get to put on the product you are selling as part of your service.
Gracie is awesome, i can just hear the color commentary from that peanut gallery, she's responding to your vocal energy " really?! woooooowwwwaaa " is what i heard. Kwai Chang Caine to master Po
Agreed, it might be a cliche but, “Not putting all your eggs in one basket” really is something worth thinking about in the long run. I’ve sacked my current job off as I’m tired of working for these big firms who don’t keep promises, don’t provide the equipment you need then allow you to get taxed into oblivion after you do the job of several people for stupid hours a day. I’m going to work with someone who has their own business later in the summer once this disc issue in my neck has been sorted out as I want to know how to run one myself, that’s where I want to go from this point of as I turn 40 next year, enough is enough, the employed worker has no rights at all in the United Kingdom, it’s no wonder we have such a problem with people not wanting to work, often choosing to defraud the benefits system instead. Overheads and whatnot is the thing I’ll have to learn about as it is not something I’m familiar with, in my country you can offset the costs of running your business against your tax bill, but you still have to pay them which means you have to adjust for it, you just deduct those costs from your tax bill that year. I don’t know how it is in the States but I assume there must be something similar.
I hear you bro ... our family had the last "out house " permit issued in our home town .. with 6 kids They tried for years to cancel that permit Of course I'm not saying what town
Where does snowplowing fall in this? I imagine the income is massive but the overhead is also crazy. You need so much equipment to do anything large scale. This is speaking from someone who plows their own driveway with a pick up truck. I can’t imagine doing very much with a pick up. It takes forever.
:45 At Mendakota Country Club Mn State applicators License renewal training seminars 👋 the bosses at Midwest landscapes are impressed with you. i try not to bother you when i see you around, it'll interfere with more videos being made dispensing great information for all! so i just nod and wave if your hands are free and your head is up. thanks for the videos Stanley
If I went back to 2002 when I studied production horticulture thinking I’d eventually have a greenhouse… still working on that - I would have specialized in arboriculture - get ISA certified and specialize in high end tree services, don’t be a tree hacksmith… great work and great money whenever I do tree work, but I killed my back snowboarding as a young guy, and as of last fall - 100% transitioned to e-commerce and will be developing my own landscape/horticulture industry based products. Edit: typed this comment before hearing him talk about category #5!! Woot woot!
You touched just a little on the 1 topic. SNOW / Winter Work. That one is a big one. As special Insurance. That is the bigest Killer in Ontario Canada. Slip and Falles. People will sue you if they Fall. I Salt our Driveway each Storm. God Bless.
Hey Stanley , first and foremost thank you for the helpful tips and videos ! I currently own a paver sealing business in Florida but I'm getting into paver installations as of now starting small. I feel I have some issues with the bigger bids because of my estimate detail was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about it. Thank you
Yes! Ive mowed for 5 years solo and averaged only 4-5k profit a month during the cuting season. This is the first year where I am doing landscaping only and I made 15k profit this month after all expenses! And minimum tools. I plan to build up
Another great video, Thanks Stan! Any chance you could do a video on marketing? How to get more calls for a new business.. Maybe bring a marketing expert that you trust on the show?
Thanks Stan. You mean everyone doesn't have a dirt floor? Hmmm. It's mine though. Wouldn't trade it for piles of debt. Thanks for the content. I admit sometimes I'm a fish out of water struggling to breathe. Watching your videos helps me stay motivated. Thanks.
im personally buying one of the chinese stand on skids for my landscape company !! i cant afford a 37 thousand john deer or 48 thousand ,actual skid steer when i might only be in bizness for a certain amount of time i was tryna weigh it out !! average company time in bizness / big machine expense i do just grass so im guilty of the worst way !! LoL thankks for informative video as always Stan 🇺🇸
Love your videos I’m really trying to find my niche! I just bought a Harley rake and am trying to specialize in final grade. Can you give me some ideas on what I should be bidding or how I should be bidding.
It's across the board, it's in "hardscapes" and even worse in "pools"....the Atlanta market is a sess pool of people that have no business being a contractor, much less the aforementioned trades.
it's amazing how many parallel's to my business in this video. I've known it for a long time but i keep doing it anyway. The reason is because some money is better than no money. Stanley always cuts through the BS. I love these videos.
What are your thoughts on focusing on garden bed landscaping? Profitable enough? Things like installs / tear-outs / bed maintenance plus some aeration / dethatching services is what I try to focus on. 2nd year in, trying to stay away from mowing/hardscaping myself
When your name is on that Widget (literally), then that Widget becomes you, and you definitely don't want to sell yourself short or be a laughing stock. Same thing for completing a job/task/assignment/project. Everyone afterward sees how well you did the work. They WILL talk about you. What you want them to say is what you put into the project. You can tell those that take pride in their work as opposed to those that want to simply make as much as possible by minimizing their costs. The ones that minimize their costs will do shortcuts, use poor materials, sloppy work, not completed steps/tasks in the project. They'll bid less than the guy that takes pride, but you won't call them back. They know that the screwup today means at least one return trip to fix it. They are a limited life, soon to expire company, because they do two things wrong. Undervalue their work and underperform their project. The guy that takes pride will not allow shortcuts, will not demean his project by using poor materials, will not tolerate sloppy work in himself or his crews and will do not only everything in the scope of work, but will likely go just a bit more to ensure his part of the project is solid. He'll charge/bid more than the average because he knows he's paying more for materials, more skilled technicians that don't have to have their work redone.
I've been landscaping and Snowplowing for over 25 years you are absolutely right the only way to make the $ is to upsale all the other services that comes with lawn care. Great video bro. Oh and it's plenty of influences that don't let u know but they make it so obvious if u have any common sense 😂
Finding a good contractor to work for is difficult ... im older and have been landscape construction labor and hardscape guy for 8 years ... any advice?
What many people do not understand, specially younger, is that you take everything you see on the internet with a HUGE grain of salt. If they seem to be too good to be true, they usually are. Many dont make any mistakes in their videos and tell you how great everything is. Thats the magic of post-editing. I view people higher who admit to their f*ckups and often will warn others what to do to avoid it.
Third generation tree guy here. Down sized 6 years a went back to just 2 employees. It’s not about the money to me anymore. I love what I do and like to have a good time doing it. All the big companies around here I know keep expanding and there all in massive debt. And have to worried about All this woke crap and lazy people now a days. I work 6 ,7 hours a days 4 maybe 5 days a week. And put more money in my pocket than all my competitors hands down. Be good at what you do and making people happy is we’re it’s at. I realized after 30 plus years there is more to life than work and money. Good video.
I agree with what you are saying. Me and my brother mow yards two days a week. Maintenance work 3 days. Mulching, trimming, clean ups, tree trimming. We mow 65 yards in the two days but we have really good route density now. We start working the middle of march and stop the first week of December. Me and my brother are 50/ 50 and we bring 75 thousand a piece after paying for everything. That’s bring home. But we kill are self daylight to dark. It’s hard to make good money. We have a part timer on bigger mulching jobs. But it’s hard on me and I only have so many years left I can do It myself. Start getting employees and it would get hard to make decent money with that work. Also dealing with 80 90 different customers makes dealing with invoices, calls, estimates a lot more work. I would like to get into retaining walls and stuff like that. Born really poor with no education but I make do with what I got. Nice information. Thanks
Byron, thank you for your story. I am humbled by what you have done, and I live in the 'Lucky Country' Australia. It is getting tough to make ends meet here too. If you are not sweating your balls off every day, you cannot keep your head above water.
You have talked about finding market price when bidding paver jobs, but how do I go about finding that out? I'm looking to start a hardscaping business, but only have my current employer to base pricing off of. Love the videos!
Uncle Stanley always being straight forward and not sugar coating the truth. I been watching him for years. And there are videos that he made years ago that I still go back and watch them for motivation. Thank you uncle Stanley. You truly have helped so many of us.
I don't know what happened for sure but I love it. This is the man I started watching for a couple of years. The truth will set you free. Keep up the awesome work. God bless you.
Thanks man & God Bless 🙌
@@Dirtmonkeygobless
We always used mowing lawns as the gateway to all the other services we use... it has always been a great tool to get our foot in the door with customers. We never get into bidding wars, we price every lawn to make money and most of our customers are the ones that hired the company or person that has no clue how to run a business... and then they just disappear on the customer so they usually come to us asking to charge whatever we need to and also "what else do you offer"
Nice!
The guys that work for dope and beer money aren't reliable.
Been in Business 14 years. Got rid of our lawn and property maintenance 3 years ago. Focusing on only excavating, have a 3 excavators , 14 ton, 10 ton, 3.5 ton, and one track loader asv. Best move ever. No more headaches for such a small profit margin. Leaner company. Your channel has been super helpful over the years!
I must be an anomaly. I did right at $120k in profit, on paper for the last two years mowing lawns. One truck, 3 mowers, and one laborer helping me. Work five days a week averaging 8 hours a day and all local properties. My job is so easy I barely break a sweat anymore and I take off ten weeks straight for the winter. No headaches here. I feel like I've got it made in the shade and I ain't ever gonna stop mowing. Some of my buddies who are tradesmen work seven twelves for months at a time, out of town for around the same or even less pay. They all want to be in my shoes. Especially as we all grow older.
@@T_81535 Are you using words like everyone else?
You write I did right at $120K in profit, on paper for the last two years mowing lawns.
Do you mean your business generated $120,000 in gross revenue before business expenses or are you claiming that after business expenses you cleared taxable income of $120,000 with only two people cutting grass five days a week averaging 8 hours a day?????
Look at this; 2 men 5 days a week (52 weeks a year) 8 hours a day is 2x5x52x8 is 4,160 hours a year divided by $120,000.00 is $28.85 per hour.
@@T_81535 see that’s the difference between someone who has their lawns and expenses dialed in vs majority of other lawn guys who don’t.
Keep it up dude that’s awesome!
Can barely live on 120 anymore.
I’m wanna be at where your at. I’m still trying to figure out how. I hate maintenance but I can’t deny it makes me a decent living
❤ the amount of times you go into the details of running a professional profitable business is astounding for the average entrepreneur. I wish I had a your mindset installed in my circle surrounding me on the daily basis. That’s why I keep watching your videos! You have such a great positive impact on my life.
I bet I am the only person who ran a lawn cutting business with a boat.. before I got a drivers licence I used my 14’ boat with 6 hp.to get to my customers . I’d only cut grass to people who lived on the lake. Did that for 2-3 years..Then later got a truck..
Wow, Smart move using the resources you already have and profiting. Like to hear it!
Started with maintenance for the first 3 years. Now 7 years in and focusing just on Sod everything. We have now become in the top 5 out of all of Central Florida by focusing just on 1 item. Amen love the channel!
When I first started watching green industry videos almost a decade ago, I noticed immediately that many of the guys doing it were TH-cam folks that cut grass. There were very few landscapers that made videos. I think it's even worse now. I can think of only two or three channels that I would say are 'real' landscaping companies. Not taking anything away from these guys that are focused on making content. There's a ton of work involved as you know. Heck, I tried it for a bit and it took too much focus away from what I consider my actual work
100% agree with everything you said in this. Although, I have to admit, I didn't realize excavation work was offering so little profit these days (it makes sense with the flood of folks involved now).
I have always looked at landscape maintenance (I mean full maintenance, not just mowing. Trimming hedges, ornamental bed weed control, etc...) as a 'loss leader' bit without the loss aspect. I can handle the low profit margins that come with maintenance due to the add on services that you mentioned (and many you didn't). That being said, the way the economy is going, basic maintenance is a service that isn't optional for businesses, therefore, it's going to be a steady source of income in economic downturns. Hardscapes, aeration, ponds, design/installation work can and will dry up as people are more and more about their finances.
One thing I've always regretted has been not learning how to weld. If you want to get to that top tier of innovation, fabrication skills are a necessity.
Great video and, of late, your content has been on fire.
You got it! & much appreciated. I also agree, welding is a pretty awesome skill to have as well
Can't knock the hustle. Keep it up fellas. Don't let videos like this discourage you.
He’s not knocking the hustle. Sounds like he hurt your feelings and you stopped listening. There is no money in selling gasoline to the public but if you build a convenience store and have that customer walk in and buy a simple bottle of water now that’s where the money is at.
@@genecoppedge5972 😢😢
Great solid info….glad I watched to the end! Meet you 2 years ago at equip expo and the same dude on the camera is who I got in person 💯
Very cool!
I know what you are saying and would agree for small operations but I'm not sure I totally agree in all cases. We have a very profitable business that is 90% commercial mowing/maintenance . Everyone also says that you can't make money on commercial maintenance..... False. You just have to be better AND MORE PROFESSIONAL than the competition so that you get the really good contracts that the competition can't keep.....not the lowballers that put everything out to the lowest bidder every year. I'm talking about contracts 100,000 a year and up.
Hardscaping is great but its really construction and is subject to economic conditions. If the economy goes south, people can hold off on a hardscape project. A large commercial facility or business park can't hold off on mowing a couple hundred acres in the middle of a city.
Agree 100% on upselling to existing customers. Farm the lands you own first!
He should have clarified better, there’s great money in commercial
I mowed for years and he’s right, there is NO money in mowing, just people who think they’re making money. There’s even less money in commercial and this has been a known fact for the 42 years I was in it. I stayed in it because it was a passion but as I got older, I also got wiser and decided I couldn’t keep working for free and I mean FREE!
@paulwatson5965 With all due respect, I have a business that is NOW 100% commercial and it pays me and my team incredibly. We have no debt, And we have primarily brand new equipment and trucks. You are just plain wrong and making blanket statements about an entire sector of the industry which you clearly do not understand if you could not make money. Probably best to talk about your experiences With the different facets instead of telling others what they can do. When you did commercial you probably did low bidder apartment buildings and subcontractors for national companies....... That is garbage work and I agree it is not sustainable. Quality commercial is something completely different.
You’re absolutely right about NO money in mowing. I did it for 42 years because I had a very deep passion for it and was young and just had to have the biggest and baddest mower and that new box truck. I see sooo many guys doing the exact same thing. I see guys by the dozen swearing they’re making money all because they don’t have one clue about running a business. I knew for years I was losing my a$! But I didnt care because I was doing what I love but now at 54, I absolutely cannot do something else that’s losing money and to “ just have the work.” I’m hoping to try more landscaping projects and learn hardscaping and something that requires actual thinking in hopes someone will pay me for it.,
Stanley!!! I drove you to the Colorado Springs Airport after Reber's first profit summit, it was great to meet you and Phil!... Although I am not building ponds anymore, mostly due to body issues and a move to a free state, I digress... The pond world through North America's Largest equipment manufacturer is as big as "you" make it. Although not in the pond business anymore, I still use the same principles everyday in a less of a niche business (not landscape)... All the way through this video is sound advice...
Stan you are always a straight shooter, thanks. You are doing a great service to the rest of us.
Gotta get to the point, don't like BS. Thanks for the support Brian. 👊
love it!! I completely agree with you. Cutting grass is good but increasing customers with several services is the best thing to do. also cutting grass helps generate new customers for hardscaping.
You are the one of the most fair person ive ever watch,thank you for your bluntness! Hope you and the family had a great holidays !
Thanks and you too!
I’m pushing for more mowing, you can’t beat the simplicity.
One team member per truck (f150 or similar) with a ramp rack, v-ride, 21” mower, back pack, trimmer and some fuel, rinse and repeat. The right person can be trained up in a couple weeks.
I was told long ago mowing is your bread and butter and I still believe it.
Don’t get me wrong hardscaping is great but if you’re young and hungry throw a mower in the trunk of your car and get at it.
Mowing lawns is still better than 95% of 9-5s.
Man we have to get Toro onboard with showing their testing. I just bought a Multiforce and I am unbelievably impressed by it. This is coming from someone who used to run exclusively Wright (still do) where the CEO is more in touch with his consumers than any other company I've ever seen and he's a seasoned engineer. I love pretty much everything about my Multiforce and would love to see how they test these things and what the engineers are thinking when they're devloping a machine like that.
About to watch but I really like your stuff! I’m starting a hardscaping company in NYS. Your stuff has been great advice. Thank you.
Happy to help! Thanks for being here
This is my 3rd season doing lawncare. I do spray yards which can pay well. This year I am getting more into the landscaping side of the business. I did one retaining wall last year and I had my friend help me do the estimate. He used to do the business but now sells trailers now. The profit from the retaining wall showed me real quick why guys do this kind of work.
Good to hear it, the profit from that kind of business is rewarding. God bless 👊
Another very informative video. Thank you for sharing light in our industry.
Thanks for caring 👊
I've been in hardscaping for over a decade and have been a business owner for 2 years now.
Hardscaping is so profitable its crazy. The more pride you have in your work, the better your books will look.
i work for a hardscapes company in KC…we are booked like crazy. we do very little landscaping on our projects…just not worth it.
I’ve tried to take off in the hardscaping world. Just been afraid ever since I fumbled the bag on a $30k retaining wall. Now I’m 9-5
what happened??
@@ALLw3rk
@bettercallALL Fumbling the bag is part of the learning process. Gotta do two more 30k walls to make up for it now
@@woodyfpv5331 thanks for your positivity & encouragement, have a great one!
as a 23 year old in the industry thank you for being honest and telling us the cold hard truth!
I love this video, Stanley. Thank you for sharing.
Cutting lawns is a great side hustle and a wonderful way to get into your next business. I make an extra 40% of my paycheck in about 10 hours a week mowing after my job. That is 15% increase in pay and that includes a couple hours a week in maintenance.
That money was used to pay cash for truck, trailer, excavator. Now I’m onto step 2. 5 year plan to be self employed.
I think a lot about how our environment shapes our personalities and peculiarities. You should travel the country and find the different types of dirt monkeys from all the different parts of the US. I think the country is having a hard time understanding how huge our country is and how it creates so many different types of people and lives because there are so many different types of lands and climate. I live in Jacksonville, FL and it is immediately apparent how much easier my day to day is being in a COMPLETELY flat semi-urban environment, summer humidity and potholes are my only true obstacles, never once thought of getting a skid steer, never had to think of upgrading my old Ranger to battle up mountains and hills. I imagine I am more chill than I would be if I lived in the mountains or the cold. Loving this video!
Environment is definitely a factor
I have been in lawn & landscaping business for 30 years I done pretty well I have good customers and do a lot for new houses the whole job most of the landscaping sod mulching and patio wall building and last 2 years I add pressure washing decks driveway etc pressure washing I have too crews doing that’s daily in spring summer and fall but I do know we’re you coming from if don’t up charge on lawn care like we do there’s is some profit but you add in extra services there’s is more profit and Stan I love your video your videos I learn from them thanks for sharing
Glad to help a brotha out. Keep up the good work
Great video man.. hopefully people don't tune out just because they hear something they don't like. This information was valuable👍🏻
Happy to hear it
Thanks. I'm sending my boss this video. We do over 200 lawns. And it's definitely a race to the bottom. We also do hard scapes. I started in demo and haven't really done it since the around 2006. I miss it but everything you said makes sense. Thanks
Love your green room , relaxing space!!!! Nice picture on wall…
And No wonder I follow your TH-cam because you are the best straight forward guy. Learned so much from your video so keep them coming
So cool to hear. Glad you’re here 👊
Spot on love it. I love mowing lawn and yes that is how I started but today I only mow around 3 a day. Each one of those we are doing other things on the property lots of other things and we may decide to go just work at other properties if its in the cards that day. Like I said I still love mowing lawn just not 18 of them a day. Do not follow the crowd make your own path. Make and do what you want.
Well said 👍
I missed this side of you i definitely needed this video
I go into my garage that I just started renting for my tree equipment. Go mess around with my climbing gear, Lift weights, listen to music. I love it
You’re completely correct about Lawn Mowing! I got rid of that service from my business a year ago. I get my customers to come back every year with Power Raking and Aerating in the Spring, and doing Sprinkler Blow Outs in the Fall. Then all summer long I don’t waste my time mowing and I can do landscape projects that make money instead of waste my time.
Smart. I had to learn that lesson about Lawn Mowing myself. Glad to hear!
Good info. I'm find that it's more than just having equipment and trying to do work with it...anyone can rent a skidsteer or mini for 300 a day. The key part is the knowledge and skill to get the job done right. Problem is that people (customers AND businesses) don't understand that and think it's about showing up. It is a race to the bottom because there's people out there willing to work for free or break even just to play with their toy they bought even though they didn't need.
We love you, brother! From a concrete contractor from Cali❤
Appreciate it 👊
My grandpa owns QPS Pluming and he also owns a 1997 bobcat 331 Mini Excavtor so every day after school I go out with him and run it for 10-15 dollars an hour digging trenches and septic tank holes. The excavator may be small but it’s powerful and gets the job done.
Bro, that beard is very distinguished. You have now become like an Aristotle of landscaping.
I love your house man!! Was hard to focus with the beautiful stone work 😂
I did landscape estimating and installation in western WI and some on the east side of the twin cities, as an employee not owner, for 8 years. We did everything from new build lawn install with grading, irrigation, seeding and sod. Paver patios, paths, steps, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens. Ponds and Streams and outdoor LV lighting. As well as all plant beds and trees. I am now out of the industry. I if was to ever start my own business with the knowledge i have; I would do patios and walls almost exclusively. The ability to separate yourself by simply using better products and having pride in your installation makes for, in my opinion, walls and pavers to be the easiest place to see higher profits. Irrigation is NOT hard work imo, but its difficult to install systems withour offering startups and blowouts which is a deterrent from more lucrative work if you dont specialize in irrigation alone. Low Voltage lighting is an easy money maker but typically an upsell on top of other work, not standalone. I would NOT ever take work to install lawns or do landscape maintenance. No matter what, attention to detail and taking care of your customers is what will make you successful. Word of Mouth means alot. If you do the cheapest work, youll get the cheapest homeowners.
The education and thoughts you have given in your videos from Day 1 have helped me so much with my business. All your the “How To’s”, products, and information you give is so vital in order to be successful. Thank you so much for all the content you have given and are still creating for us!
Wow, that is really great to hear. Its my pleasure. God bless! 🙏
Spot on. Mowing really is the worst way to make money. I have been in the commercial maintenance business all my life and the only way to make it is to upsell. Even at that so many guys are not looking at their route density. Guys shouldn’t even consider leaving their zip code if they want to attempt to make it as a mow blow guy. I only work in one neighborhood mowing now and won’t compromise on that choice. Other services we will travel but even then we won’t go more than a few miles from home base. Too many chucks with trucks around.
Stan, I’ve watched you for years. You’re the best and love your vids. I’m sure I’ve missed a few episodes over the years. But toward the end of your #1, you got into TH-camrs and if they make it transparent to us on how they make their money. I don’t recall you ever telling us how you make your money. We all know TH-cam is good. But what about everything else y’all do? So with that said. How do you make your money? Lol. Keep up the great work and vids,you have a great crew!
I think you’re spot on because your #4 you can add on things like Vineyard installs and Fencing installations, too.
Yup!
I’m a lawn guy but branching out more into what your talking about.
Tying to regrow both my lawn and a customers lawn right now and honestly I am doing it for way cheap, because I haven’t done it before. But now I understand what all it takes, and how much work I’m actually doing that I wasn’t considering.
I made 40k in just three months last mow season, but a lot went into equipment and what not. Hoping to truly grow my business this year and really branch into the specialty work and be working year round.
YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH.. SPOT ON..
Thanks for another educational and honest move that I subscribe to. God be with you.
Right back at ya
I started mow blow and go, customers asked me can you build a block wall so I learned how to. I found the other landscapers weren’t my competitors it was the home owners dollars. Was the money going to the landscaping or the kitchen and bathroom remodel! Today I’m a general contractor that has a plumbing division! We now have customers we have done their kitchens, landscaping and new garages with mother-in-law apartments.
lesson is repeated until lesson is learned
Used to estimate heavy highway work, you cannot understand expenses until you are filling in all the costs, down to the cell phones, guesstimated equipment downtime on average, etc. Existing material removal, like curb, gutter, asphalt, trees etc, was always the easy money.
Great job with this one Stan you hit the nail on the head. I’ve learned that when you get to the point of not worrying about what everyone else thinks and you just say exactly what’s on your mind and what you actually think that’s where things get good.
Facts 🙌
Observation, an advantage of value-add projects (hardscapes, application, etc) is the markup you get to put on the product you are selling as part of your service.
Love your videos as always. I've been in biz since 86. If i'd known what I know now I would have persued hardscaping long ago.
👍👍
That was very good . Keep up the good work to u are doing very good in my world in illinois .Robert.
Thanks Robert! Stoked to help
Those hanger basket pitcher plant thing is cool looking!
Thanks I try 😂
Gracie is awesome, i can just hear the color commentary from that peanut gallery, she's responding to your vocal energy " really?! woooooowwwwaaa " is what i heard. Kwai Chang Caine to master Po
Agreed, it might be a cliche but, “Not putting all your eggs in one basket” really is something worth thinking about in the long run. I’ve sacked my current job off as I’m tired of working for these big firms who don’t keep promises, don’t provide the equipment you need then allow you to get taxed into oblivion after you do the job of several people for stupid hours a day. I’m going to work with someone who has their own business later in the summer once this disc issue in my neck has been sorted out as I want to know how to run one myself, that’s where I want to go from this point of as I turn 40 next year, enough is enough, the employed worker has no rights at all in the United Kingdom, it’s no wonder we have such a problem with people not wanting to work, often choosing to defraud the benefits system instead. Overheads and whatnot is the thing I’ll have to learn about as it is not something I’m familiar with, in my country you can offset the costs of running your business against your tax bill, but you still have to pay them which means you have to adjust for it, you just deduct those costs from your tax bill that year. I don’t know how it is in the States but I assume there must be something similar.
I hear you bro ... our family had the last "out house " permit issued in our home town .. with 6 kids
They tried for years to cancel that permit
Of course I'm not saying what town
Where does snowplowing fall in this?
I imagine the income is massive but the overhead is also crazy. You need so much equipment to do anything large scale.
This is speaking from someone who plows their own driveway with a pick up truck. I can’t imagine doing very much with a pick up. It takes forever.
Please do a video about all possible machines to buy and use. Motorized.
:45 At Mendakota Country Club Mn State applicators License renewal training seminars 👋 the bosses at Midwest landscapes are impressed with you. i try not to bother you when i see you around, it'll interfere with more videos being made dispensing great information for all! so i just nod and wave if your hands are free and your head is up.
thanks for the videos Stanley
If I went back to 2002 when I studied production horticulture thinking I’d eventually have a greenhouse… still working on that - I would have specialized in arboriculture - get ISA certified and specialize in high end tree services, don’t be a tree hacksmith… great work and great money whenever I do tree work, but I killed my back snowboarding as a young guy, and as of last fall - 100% transitioned to e-commerce and will be developing my own landscape/horticulture industry based products.
Edit: typed this comment before hearing him talk about category #5!! Woot woot!
You touched just a little on the 1 topic. SNOW / Winter Work. That one is a big one. As special Insurance. That is the bigest Killer in Ontario Canada. Slip and Falles. People will sue you if they Fall. I Salt our Driveway each Storm.
God Bless.
Appreciate the info, ill keep that in mind. God bless brother.👊
Hey Stanley , first and foremost thank you for the helpful tips and videos ! I currently own a paver sealing business in Florida but I'm getting into paver installations as of now starting small. I feel I have some issues with the bigger bids because of my estimate detail was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about it. Thank you
Dont be scared tp rock that "cowboy" hat, the hat with the beard looks ridiculously cool!!
What about the nursery or topsoil business? Have you ever done a video on that? I’m very curious about getting into that industry
Yes! Ive mowed for 5 years solo and averaged only 4-5k profit a month during the cuting season. This is the first year where I am doing landscaping only and I made 15k profit this month after all expenses! And minimum tools. I plan to build up
Glad to hear about your successes with the change. Keep going!👍
Another great video, Thanks Stan! Any chance you could do a video on marketing? How to get more calls for a new business.. Maybe bring a marketing expert that you trust on the show?
I’ll keep that in mind 👍
Sheesh you’ve always kept it 100 and that’s why I follow you !
👊
Man.... great advice!
great vid for people who are new to small business, cheers.
Thanks Stan. You mean everyone doesn't have a dirt floor? Hmmm. It's mine though. Wouldn't trade it for piles of debt. Thanks for the content. I admit sometimes I'm a fish out of water struggling to breathe. Watching your videos helps me stay motivated. Thanks.
Awesome to hear. Keep at it & God bless
My Dad used to buy mowers as cheap as possible, then fix them up and double his money.
im personally buying one of the chinese stand on skids for my landscape company !! i cant afford a 37 thousand john deer or 48 thousand ,actual skid steer when i might only be in bizness for a certain amount of time i was tryna weigh it out !! average company time in bizness / big machine expense i do just grass so im guilty of the worst way !! LoL thankks for informative video as always Stan 🇺🇸
More vids like this. Great insight
Love your videos I’m really trying to find my niche! I just bought a Harley rake and am trying to specialize in final grade. Can you give me some ideas on what I should be bidding or how I should be bidding.
Tight runs, good systems, good employees makes a big difference. Then add landscaping services and that makes a big difference also.
It's across the board, it's in "hardscapes" and even worse in "pools"....the Atlanta market is a sess pool of people that have no business being a contractor, much less the aforementioned trades.
I hear ya.
the market is not like that here in NYS...it might be like that in MN.
it's amazing how many parallel's to my business in this video. I've known it for a long time but i keep doing it anyway. The reason is because some money is better than no money. Stanley always cuts through the BS. I love these videos.
I try my best to get straight to it. Appreciate the support!👊
What are your thoughts on focusing on garden bed landscaping? Profitable enough? Things like installs / tear-outs / bed maintenance plus some aeration / dethatching services is what I try to focus on. 2nd year in, trying to stay away from mowing/hardscaping myself
When your name is on that Widget (literally), then that Widget becomes you, and you definitely don't want to sell yourself short or be a laughing stock.
Same thing for completing a job/task/assignment/project. Everyone afterward sees how well you did the work. They WILL talk about you. What you want them to say is what you put into the project.
You can tell those that take pride in their work as opposed to those that want to simply make as much as possible by minimizing their costs. The ones that minimize their costs will do shortcuts, use poor materials, sloppy work, not completed steps/tasks in the project. They'll bid less than the guy that takes pride, but you won't call them back. They know that the screwup today means at least one return trip to fix it. They are a limited life, soon to expire company, because they do two things wrong. Undervalue their work and underperform their project.
The guy that takes pride will not allow shortcuts, will not demean his project by using poor materials, will not tolerate sloppy work in himself or his crews and will do not only everything in the scope of work, but will likely go just a bit more to ensure his part of the project is solid. He'll charge/bid more than the average because he knows he's paying more for materials, more skilled technicians that don't have to have their work redone.
I've been landscaping and Snowplowing for over 25 years you are absolutely right the only way to make the $ is to upsale all the other services that comes with lawn care. Great video bro. Oh and it's plenty of influences that don't let u know but they make it so obvious if u have any common sense 😂
Lol exactly
Dammit stan i stared a general excavation business because of you!! Hahah its accually goimg good here in idaho
Thats why i do lawn mowing as a side gig
Finding a good contractor to work for is difficult ... im older and have been landscape construction labor and hardscape guy for 8 years ... any advice?
That is why wright is amazing.
What many people do not understand, specially younger, is that you take everything you see on the internet with a HUGE grain of salt. If they seem to be too good to be true, they usually are. Many dont make any mistakes in their videos and tell you how great everything is. Thats the magic of post-editing. I view people higher who admit to their f*ckups and often will warn others what to do to avoid it.
💛💛💛THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO 👍👍👍 KEEP UP THE GOOD CONTENT 💛💛💛
Thank you! I will make sure to.😎👍
Whew! I thought you were going to tell everyone how profitable the tree care industry can be! Dodged a bullet there!
Third generation tree guy here. Down sized 6 years a went back to just 2 employees. It’s not about the money to me anymore. I love what I do and like to have a good time doing it. All the big companies around here I know keep expanding and there all in massive debt. And have to worried about All this woke crap and lazy people now a days. I work 6 ,7 hours a days 4 maybe 5 days a week. And put more money in my pocket than all my competitors hands down. Be good at what you do and making people happy is we’re it’s at. I realized after 30 plus years there is more to life than work and money. Good video.
Check out the Amprobe ACD-51NAV or 52NAV. both are the cheapest I could find for checking THD. Price aroud $350.
Hey, you kept it so real I had to subscribe
Keep up the good work. And content you make....
Doing my best 👍
Stan, your green room is awesome 🤩
Thanks! 😁
I’m down in southern VA and considering moving to Rochester MN. I’m nervous to move my business. What do you do for the winter?
I agree with what you are saying. Me and my brother mow yards two days a week. Maintenance work 3 days. Mulching, trimming, clean ups, tree trimming. We mow 65 yards in the two days but we have really good route density now. We start working the middle of march and stop the first week of December. Me and my brother are 50/ 50 and we bring 75 thousand a piece after paying for everything. That’s bring home. But we kill are self daylight to dark. It’s hard to make good money. We have a part timer on bigger mulching jobs. But it’s hard on me and I only have so many years left I can do It myself. Start getting employees and it would get hard to make decent money with that work. Also dealing with 80 90 different customers makes dealing with invoices, calls, estimates a lot more work. I would like to get into retaining walls and stuff like that. Born really poor with no education but I make do with what I got. Nice information. Thanks
Byron, thank you for your story. I am humbled by what you have done, and I live in the 'Lucky Country' Australia. It is getting tough to make ends meet here too.
If you are not sweating your balls off every day, you cannot keep your head above water.
@@TheAefril All we can do is keep on keeping on. One day at a time. Good luck mate.
You have talked about finding market price when bidding paver jobs, but how do I go about finding that out? I'm looking to start a hardscaping business, but only have my current employer to base pricing off of. Love the videos!
Gummies are a must here😂