[atlowner]

HELLO,
I OWN A LANDSCAPING COMPANY IN NC. I STARTED 3 YRS AGO, WITH RESIDENTIAL AND WE ARE ABOUT 50/50 WITH RES. AND COMMERCIAL. WE HAVE JUST LANDED TWO 88 UNIT TOWNEHOMES AND STAFFING IS A CONSERN OF MINE. I AM STAFFED PERFECT RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK THAT I CAN ADD THE NEW CONTRACTS. THE PROBLEM I HAVE IS I WILL BE STRETCHED AND WHAT IF SOMEONE GETS SICK OR ETC. THE QUESTION IS WHAT GUIDELINES DO ANY OF YOU USE WHEN DECIDING TO HIRE- BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT IS EXPENSIVE-I KNOW IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY.
THANKS
ATLOWNER

[Stonehenge]

Hi Atlowner -

I should first mention that writing in all caps is the online-world version of shouting - it turns some folks off, and so you tend not to get as good a response to queries.

I don't have a hard, fast guideline myself, except that you shouldn't hire in anticipation of an increased workload. If the added work doesn't come through, now you're overstaffed.

In general, each of your people should be able to produce X amount of revenue in work. If you have 3X in sales, you should have 3 people. When do you add #4? At 4X? 3.5X? Hard to say, and only you can make the right call for your circumstances.

Good luck!

[atlowner]

Stonehenge,
Thanks for the email.