[gbrob]

I am starting a landscape business with an emphasis in laying sod and landscapes (ie: flower beds, 20 shrubs, and 2 trees). We have secured 3 subdivisions for a major home building company in Austin, tx.

My question is what tools of the trade do we need for laying sod and installing landscapes and what are some of the pitfalls related to sod laying and working for a corporation (home builder).

I have some idea's myself, as I currently a Super for the home builder we will be contractors for, but I wanted some additional feedback from ya'll.

Our plan is to get into the lawn care end of the business as opportunities arise (after the homes in the subdivisions are sold) and we are going to buy lawn equipment as necessary.

Thanks in advance...........

[Stonehenge]

Depends on what services you want to include - grading will require certain larger tools, but planting a few shrubs and annuals will only take a shovel, rake and w/b. Laying sod will take those tools plus a knife, some string for lot lines, and some strong arms.

There are a million tools you can buy for any given line of work, so I'm not really inclined to walk through all the tools we have one by one. But if you have questions about specific needs, fire away, and I'll answer the best I can.

Regarding working for a builder or developer, search the forums here, as they are dotted with threads about problems dealing with builders.

[Bamboo]

For laying sod you need a knife and a water roller.
The funny thing is you left out all the other things that need to be done first before laying sod.
1. Rototill.
2. Rough grade
3. Install borders (headers) for planting areas.
4.Install lawn irrigation system (sod will die if not irrigated daily )
5. Install plants
6. Drip irrigation system for plants and trees
7. Install landscape fabric (not always needed )
8. Mulch beds with bark or chips
9. Finish grade lawn area
10. fertelize lawn area
11. lay sod
So you need a rototiller, Trencher, rakes, shovels, water roller, wheelbarow, pvc pipe cutter, saw, screw gun, sledge hammer, fertelizer spreader.
As for the builder make him sign a contract for each individual property. This way you can lean each individual home if you dont get paid. Also only licenced contractors can "contract " with builders or homeowners.

[Rylmndrivdiesel]

One thing about builders in Michigan which may or may not apply to texas is that BUILDERS OVERSPEND BUDGET AND THEN TRY TO USE THEIR SIZE AND LEGAL TEAMS TO NOT PAY **CK BUILDERS my friend just got his money from a job he did almost two years ago and the **ll S**T the builder put him through almost put him under we almost had to use a little street justice on his A**. my 2 cents

[Fine Edge]

you may find that unless you have good, cheap labor, working for a builder is not going to be worth it. Typically, the landscaping part is the last thing to do and they just need the bare minimum to close the house. That relates to : Just have the bare minimum to pay the sub.
Maybe I'm crazy but I've gone that route before and builders don't want decent bed prep, specialty plants or any extras.
I can't put my name on a generic piece of work.
Good Luck

[NCSULandscaper]

the few builders i work for have realized that the better the landscaping looks, the better the chance of selling the house. I use large laceleaf jap maples, regular jap maples, mature hollies, and loads of shrubs and they are willing to pay the price for it. I would pre-screen builders before you work for them to find out their intensions, then make your decision from that. Remember its your business and you can choose who you work for, so dont let the builder tell you how to do things.