What should i charge for lawn mowing service?

Mal AC · Jul 12, 2011

Hi i am trying to start a lawn mowing 'bussiness' in western NY and i am just trying to figure out what i should charge for but just not prices...

Gas= price of gas*gallons used
Oil=$?
Grease=$?
Maintance=$?
Time=$

Any ideas would be very helpful

om21braz · Jul 13, 2011

As the lawn care business varies greatly in different areas of the U.S., I would suggest you check out the link below. More info related to business start-up ideas, costs, various pricing schedules, etc. - a wealth of info on getting started. Good luck in your venture!

www.lawnsite.com

acme97 · Jul 13, 2011

I don't know, but I asked a service to give me a price to cut about 1 ac, weedeat around house and pump house. I can do above in 1.5 hrs by myself using a Kubota Z326 ZTM, and weedeater. Was quoted $250 for each time. FYI didn't go with them.

Mal AC · Jul 14, 2011

Thanks for the link. Im thinking like $15 bucks an hour, for gas and parts when things brake, oil, grease, etc..., Im just 13 and im not trying to really make an actual bussiness, im just looking for something i love doing when school is out for the summer. i made little fliers that i put in peoples pennysaver boxes. the only problem is i live in the country where everyone has a lawn mower but they r also getting old so hopefully some1 will call.

wsp617 · Jul 14, 2011

A friend of mine is retired and does lawn cutting on the side. He gets $20/hr and has all the work he wants. With the price of fuel and equipment, not to mention possible repair costs, $15 maybe a bit low. Good luck. Nice to see a 13 yr willing to work instead of sitting and playing video games all day.

Mal AC · Jul 15, 2011

ok, $20 sounds good, now i only need work to do. i wish i was at least 16, cuz here in NY u can start driving at that age and i could advertise farther then just down the street

mchildress · Jul 15, 2011

acme97 said:
I don't know, but I asked a service to give me a price to cut about 1 ac, weedeat around house and pump house. I can do above in 1.5 hrs by myself using a Kubota Z326 ZTM, and weedeater. Was quoted $250 for each time. FYI didn't go with them.

Why are looking for someone to do your yard when you have that mower? I bought the same one a couple years ago. Thing sips diesel and the boys love it I haven't let them mow the yard since I bought it.

Fixemall · Jul 15, 2011

Most services here in WNY are flat rate and determined by services rendered, for a "clip and rip" for a standard size lot without a lot of trimming I would start at $25, add $3 for each "extra" tree you have to trim around and $10 extra to bag it. You may want to add additional services like mulching and fall leaf removal. You should be able to get mulch on site for $40/yd and charge another $50/yd for install. If you are near Hamburg I can get you hooked up with a plant and mulch wholesaler so you can make some real money fast.

acme97 · Jul 16, 2011

mchildress said:
Why are looking for someone to do your yard when you have that mower? I bought the same one a couple years ago. Thing sips diesel and the boys love it I haven't let them mow the yard since I bought it.

Long story. We own the property and house etc, but my wife is still active duty AF and we're in DC now. Oldest son lives there but never doesn't cut grass or take care of the mower. Worked out deal for my neighbor to cut my yard and his with my mower - but didn't do it all the time. Last time I went down, it cost me $500 to get the mower fixed because one of the O rings dryed out and caused the shaft to seize up. So we're thinking of kicking son out, put in security system, lock up equipment and hire a lawn service. We're waiting to see where her next assignment is. If it's within 5 hrs of house then he's out and we'll commute every other weekend.

If the OP was near me, I'd pay him $200 a month to keep it cut!

Mal AC · Jul 16, 2011

Fixemall said:
Most services here in WNY are flat rate and determined by services rendered, for a "clip and rip" for a standard size lot without a lot of trimming I would start at $25, add $3 for each "extra" tree you have to trim around and $10 extra to bag it. You may want to add additional services like mulching and fall leaf removal. You should be able to get mulch on site for $40/yd and charge another $50/yd for install. If you are near Hamburg I can get you hooked up with a plant and mulch wholesaler so you can make some real money fast.

That sounds good but, i live near Dayton, Perrysburg, Gowanda, out that way.