Now that everyone has been working for a few months hows the season gowing? Spring started late for us. Phone calls had been few. Went into the season lean with 1 full timer and some part time help. Phone started ringing off the hook beginning of may. Hired on additional help, phone since stopped.
Been finding the project size has been way down 3-5k range and potential clents getting multiple estimates 3 to 5 each.
Repeat clients and word of mouth has been the greatest source of work in the past and the same this year. might br time for some advertising
its steady, not like years past but we are making money and paying all the bills. Year started slow, then picked up, slowed again, now the phones are ringing quite a bit again......
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Matt Thompson
Thompson's Landscaping
Henderson, NC
We had quite a few projects to finish from last fall which set our spring off schedule slightly. But, now we're approaching caught up and hoping the phone starts ringing with some larger construction jobs for the fall. This spring was the busiest we've ever been with jobs billed out, but again, I think that's because of the carryover. We've been at full staff (12) since the beginning of April.
I've been really busy so far this year, but have a part time job doing interior plant maintenance as well. Been working 7x a week for a few weeks in a row, and I try to get a day off when I can where I just sit. So far this has been working pretty well for my business ( 1 man!!). Got my insurance paid off for both business and auto so the jobs now are more exciting.
I built a stream showcase for a store that sells mulch, cobble, etc. this year and they keep sending customers my way so getting a few new contacts ( 3rd years of business) so my pool of customers are growing. In my three years, I've had about a 98% customer return rate for mulching, maintenance, etc. so building slowly and steadily. I decided that so far, I would only even consider hiring 1-2 guys that I know...the rest are too busy smoking pot, but they already have jobs, so sticking by myself for a bit. My part-time job of indoor plant mainteance is going good and I'm learning alot. They told me they are looking to give it over to me in the next year or so as its time for them to retire, so we see how that pans out. Overall, I'm pretty pleased and surprised how well things are going considering the economy. Looks like after mid July I'll be slowing down quite a bit, but..heh, I'm ok with that..I need a break (or at least a full weekend)! And my part time job will keep a cash flow coming. But hoping I can make a few more contacts and get a few more jobs to keep growing my customer base.
Really glad everyone else is doing decent this year!
Same here, started slow picked up and now kind of leveling off. I was a lot more scared about paying the bills in March then I am now. Can't complain when I see others folding weekly.
With bad weather and unreliable guys we have found ourselves with an oversold spring. A good problem to have I guess, but the chaos and stress of it has to be taking years off my life.
I find it interesting that everyone who replied to this thread is doing well, when evidence of landscapers going belly up is all around us. I wonder how representative GTX members are of the industry as a whole? My suspicion is that the cream of the industry is active here, and that's why our assessments are all positive, when so many others are struggling...
We are buried. I have never seen it this busy. The apprehension is on our part and the possibility of expanding. At this point we find ourselves very slow to set appointments and return estimates; as it's difficult to tell folks we are upwards of 10 weeks out. Could be our area, which is economically diverse and seems insulated from it all.?
Knock on wood...
I'll be the naysayer of the bunch. I wish jobs were falling out of the trees, but they are not as of late.
I am a one man and one part time helper show, so take my input from that perspective. I don't do any more marketing than word of mouth, a website, and jobsite signs.
I have had my regular garden maintenance clients decide to do it themselves this year or cut back the services they regularly hire me for. Clients who would regularly call me to do a spring edge and mulch have not returned my calls about doing the work. I had a customer last week, who I have been working for for five years, ask me if there was a discount because they are a long time customer and becuase of the way the economy is.
I am holding my prices at the same level as last year, the cost to do business has held steady, not gone down.
I have talked with other landscape contractors in the area and the stories are the same. This year is more of a hold on year than a move ahead year. The wholsale nursery I buy mulch from is a ghost town EVERY time I pull in. Last year there was a wait 3-5 trucks deep, the salesman is now in the front office waiting for me to walk through the door.
I have been on estimates where there is excitement and interest until the moment I present a quote. Then they just fall into some black hole. I follow up with a couple calls and never hear back.
I don't want to be Mr. doom and gloom, but that is what I am seeing. I hope there is a contractor from my area with news that can offer a better report than I can. I welcome that news!
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As a father I was always aware that I was raising my sons to leave home, marry, establish families, and be men who could stand on their own two feet. We must fulfill our own destiny. I really wasn't concerned about what they might 'do' but I wanted them to 'be' good men.
- David Epps
we are not too bad in my area also. we only landscape so I'm happy. there are companies in my area that are booked more than me but they are mowing, maintenance, and landscaping. don't know if that makes a difference or not. I have 2 estimates out I'm pretty positive on and that would put us to about august.( fingers crossed and praying)
I'm paying the bills, and agree wholesale yards around me are struggling as well. Last year 20 minute waits where the norm, now there might be one or two other trucks in their yards. I have some good estimates on the table, but thats all they are until there's a contract. Spring is almost over and if the stock market tanks again so will our work.
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