How to start a lawn care business: When is it time to upgrade equipment?

June 11th, 2011 → 1:06 am @ Lawn Care Business Expert // No Comments

When learning how to start a lawn care business an $842 repair bill from the lawn mower mechanic will make a profitable day unprofitable in a hurry. What about a $2000 engine replacement? Repairs like these are part of the lawn business but they don’t have to be an annual event if you will be smart with your equipment. So here is what you do to avoid giving you profits to the mechanic instead of in your pocket.
• Buy slightly used mowers. New mowers will make you eat the depreciation just like a new car. I don’t recommend this but if you have plenty of money, then go ahead. What I recommend when you start a lawn care business is to buy a mower with less than 500 hours or less. If you can get one around 200 hours for several thousand less than it would cost new, then you are doing quite well.
• Once you buy the mower, become familiar with the manual. Focus especially on the area of maintenance. Learn when to change the oil, grease the mower, change the fuel filter, air filter, etc. Follow these guidelines. Lack of maintenance costs thousands in the long run. If you are using a mower in the lawn care business every day. I recommend sharpening the blades at least once per week. Grease the fittings at least every two weeks. Check the oil at least once a week. Blow out the air filter at least once a week. This will keep you going and avoid some big bills. Here is the maintenance schedule for an Exmark Lazer Z lawn mower.
• Sell equipment every 1 to 2 years and get newer equipment. Once lawn equipment gets over 1000 hours, even if it been well maintained, you can begin to have problems. When a mower goes down, it is not only about the cost of the repair, but also about being without your mower while it is getting repaired. If you get a good deal on a mower and sell it 2 years later, you shouldn’t lose that much in the exchange. I believe you will lose less money this way and have much better equipment, than trying to keep the same machine for many years. When you are learning how to start a lawn care business, try to avoid the words “money pit” which is what I called old lawn mowers that keep breaking down.