[tjl]

I would like to pose a question for any of the companies that install "only" hardscape jobs.

I have been in busy in my area for 30 yrs and all that time we have been 45% Lawn Maintenance and 65% Landscape Construction. I am currently planning on relocating to Virginia and I am thinking that I will start a new company doing "just hardscape" and maybe a little planting, and stay out of maintenance and other areas that stretch my expertise.

My question is this: Can you make a good profit in this area and still maintain cashflow and keep busy once you get established?

I am currently writing a business plan and putting together my MORS (Multiple Overhead Recovery System) financial projection and I feel that this type of company has more advantages than disadvantages, however I would like to hear from companies that are doing just that, or anyone else who has an opinion.

[georgiehopper]

We do not do any maintenance anymore, though we used to about 4 years ago.

We service northern Virginia and it is possible to make a living doing no maintenance, but it is difficult to get through winter unless you do something like push snow.

We don't push snow either and I can tell you, it aint easy. I started a pet sitting business last year hoping to supplement the landscaping... for me, that is a good option, and a person can bring in more than $25,000 a year doing it.

I am also actually considering adding some maintenance or commercial contracts back in to keep the cash flowing though..but .the jury is still out on that ..it all depends on how the petcare goes.

[WildLake]

Its definitely tough. The phone pretty much goes dead in the winter. We couldn't make it just hardscaping. Even is you have some work it can be difficult to perform the installs in the winter with the snow and saturated ground. We actually sell Christmas trees. Provides the cash flow to keep the main guys doing busy work through the winter. Cleanups start in march and we did the first paver work last week.

[mrusk]

Of course you can make it just doing hardscaping!!! You can net a 100k a year working 8 months a year solo. If you can't do that you are not charging enough. You might have to work 65 hours a week, but it is possible without a doubt.

[tjl]

Working 65+ hours is something I already do so that's not a problem. I will however be looking for that special person that has a CDL, can operate a excavator and skid steer, drive a dump truck with trailer, and has paver and retaining wall experience.

If anyone wants to relocate to the Roanoke area and has these qualifications lets talk.

I don't want to do this on my own, I have larger expectations and I've already put 30 years into the landscape business so it's not like I can do this forever. I will be doing what ever it takes to get my new business off the ground and if that means installing smaller jobs on my own, than so be it.

My goal is to work ON my business not IN my business. Thanks for all the replies.

Tom

[neversatisfiedj]

I do nothing but hardscapes, of course I am only part time now. so I put in about 20 hours a week.

[stonecrop111]

I must be thinking of going fishing but it doesn't matter what business you are doing, rather the question is, how long will it take you to get in the middle of the river where the big fish are? Relocating your life and business is most difficult when you don't know anybody in the community, everything starts from scratch. The faster you can get out in the flow of business, that 100k can be hooked and landed. I only know of 2 ways to do that. One is to be a great marketeer and salesman, the other is to ride the coat-tails of other successful businesses. Everyday, every job, my mantra is work smart, not just hard. If I ever get to that point, I'll let y'all know. All the best to your business in VA.

[tjl]

Stonecrop,

Thanks for your reply, those are good words to remember.

Tom

[Mac]

stone crop has some good points. Regarding riding the coat tails, every day I have 5 other businesses generating leads for me. I do not provide certain services and send referalls to these guys and they do likewise to me. While it has benefited me much more than the others, we are all very pleased with this lead-circle.