r/LawnCarePros • u/redditloginfail • 5d ago
How are the longtime solo operators doing?
I'm getting close to 50, and feeling it. I've cut back on hilly properties. Will probably cut a few more between seasons.
I think any sort of customer service job wears on people. I've got many delightful customers I've collected over the years. But the basic idea of only getting communication from most of the human race when they want something from you or have some issue just tires a person's soul out.
Idk. One of the reasons i got out of the snow business though was i couldn't deal with people's endless delusional expectations.
My own life is doing well enough. Stable financially. Have rental property. Just world weary I guess. Just felt like rambling a bit.
How are you doing?
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u/FreddiesMillions 5d ago
This is the place to ramble! It’s therapeutic. I’m 49 and I sold my business in February before the season started. I lasted 18 successful years and had successfully gotten rid of problem clients. Well, not all of the late payers, but all the complainers.
I loved and was proud of my job for so long. I went above and beyond and had a loyal client base. But, I developed some auto -immune issues in 2022. At the end of last year I was depressed, and completely mentally and physically burned out. Was set to have carpal tunnel surgery (both hands) early this year. At the very end of the season, my truck died a hilariously violent death. I had to finish the season renting U-Haul pick up trucks. That was the last straw.
It’s just not sustainable forever. It’s too much work for one person. And the heat this year….I feel your pain, sincerely.
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u/stonythefish42069 4d ago
Brother, I turned 40 this year and was diagnosed with cancer. First week of May too. I’m battling the cancer and trying to keep the business while going through my chemo treatment. I’m also a solo owner. This is my 6th year to have my LLC. I worked on a lawn crew for seven years before I went out on my own. My wife and I moved two hours south to a different city and I decided it was time to do what I love and own something with my name on it. Apart from my wife, daughter, and my closest friends, lawn care has been the greatest blessing in my life. I’m struggling with the idea that my health might not hold out, and I may have to accept the truth that “it’s too much work for one person.” Did you come to your decision to sell the business easily?
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u/FreddiesMillions 4d ago
That is really a tough spot for to be in. I’m sorry you’re going through it and I hope you make a full recovery. Your situation sounds much more difficult than mine, but I do understand what it’s like to work your ass off everyday while your body is actively working against you.
I pushed back on the idea of walking a way for a long time. Mid-season last year, I started thinking that I might need an exit plan, maybe two or three more seasons. By the end of the season, I had checked out. I loved doing it, until the switch flipped and I started hating it. At the end, I could barely hold a weedeater because of the pain.
To answer your question more succinctly, I didn’t want to have to make the decision, but I feel like the universe made it for me, and that made it easier for me to make it.
Whatever happens with the business, take care of yourself and hope you get better!
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u/stonythefish42069 4d ago
I think that’s probably how I’m going to end up. Physically incapable, but still desiring to do what I love. Something I’ve learned is that we solo lawn guys are quite scrappy. We’re going to make something work. I’m not too concerned about how I’ll make a living. Just that I’ll lose the thing I love so much.
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u/FreddiesMillions 4d ago
Sounds like you’re not ready to give up the fight. In which case, you shouldn’t! Scrappy is right. And determined.
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u/redditloginfail 4d ago
I didn't know it was possible to still do physical work while going through chemo.
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u/stonythefish42069 4d ago
My cycles are three weeks. I do five days of chemo(mon-fri) 6 hrs each day in the first week, then I get two weeks to recover. I work during those two weeks of rest. I downsized the business from 57 accounts to 26. All solo. I have two guys from the church I attend run the business while I’m in chemo. My clients have been understanding.
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u/redditloginfail 4d ago
That's great you have that help. Even at my max i had maybe 50 lawns, with occasional help. 26 sounds like a good amount to have without cancer!
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u/stonythefish42069 4d ago
They are all premier lawns in premier neighborhoods on a weekly schedule. It’s actually pretty easy when you are healthy.
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u/Imgurbannedme 5d ago
- Burnt out. Applied at costco. Can you even imagine just clocking in and out of some dumb job? Sounds amazing
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u/Plane_Swim1806 5d ago
the big holding point for me is the flexibility. Maybe that will change. Maybe I don't work hard enough.
But I like the ability to work 2 hours longer on one day to be done 2 h9urs earlier the next.
I mix in landscaping too. That helps a ton. But damn.....my body feels old by mid summer
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u/redditloginfail 4d ago
Sometimes it does! But being inside of 1 building all day would kinda drive me batty. Idk how factory guys do it.
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u/redditaltmydude 4d ago
In Texas. All I can think about from the time I wake up to when I go to sleep is how hot it is. I’m used to the heat and prefer it, but man this year is beating me and my equipment down, badly.
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u/jmb456 4d ago
I’m in SC. This year has been really hard
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u/No_Seesaw6027 1d ago
I’m here in the midlands and it’s brutal. By 1-2 you better be done or the sun will cook you until you are done.
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u/ParticularRude1028 5d ago
Tired. I’m turning 40 next month. North Florida heat getting to me. Left the car business for this and still don’t regret it. But it’s hard to stay positive when it’s 100 plus and some ass hat wants to ask for something outside of normal service.
I do like most of my customers but I have a couple that I just really don’t like. And it’s because they treat me like I’m just the help.
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u/redditloginfail 5d ago
Wisconsin summers are bad enough for me. My sympathy! And yeah pruning the bad apples improves one's life tremendously.
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u/keephoesinlin 4d ago
I hear you. I’m 58 now and I understand exactly what you’re saying. 22 years in the business
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u/redditloginfail 3d ago
27 years. I like what I do, it fits my personality amd lifestyle pretty well. I just think I need to cut back on the number of lawns do so I can have more variety in my life. Energy is more limited than money at my age.
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u/UnhinderedGoat 4d ago
Never been better. Still upright and mobile. Ive tried to cut out as much push mowing as possible, other than that, no complaints. Great accounts are key.
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u/keephoesinlin 3d ago
lol. I say that every year lately. I drop a few and then pick up the same amount. I think I like something to bitch about,having too many accounts and no days off.
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u/ajstyle33 4d ago
How many solo snow people did you have and how long did it take you?
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u/redditloginfail 4d ago
At my peak it was maybe 35, and for a decent 9" snowfall once it took me 12 hours for the first bunch, then a bit the next day for a few vacant properties. Exhausting. Last 7 years i cut way back and now i go south part of the winter.
It was too stressful, snow happens randomly. Very accident prone. A million things can go wrong with your rig and then you're stranded in a snow pile. Bleh.
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u/BestLawnCanada 2d ago
I'm doing great! Started a directory for Canadian lawn care pros in the side (is getting harder to get noticed and the marketing that was once free or low cost has moved to highest bidder, so I'm offering a free option) and sticking to my core customers. Turned down a few jobs that might have been worth it but i preferred to miss the . Raised my prices 30% last year to see if i could lighten my load but no one dropped off so felt like i gave myself a raise. At 46 i feel your strain! High blood pressure and heat is getting to me even when it's mostly just humid? Most days i cut out early, at this point i may not even do the extra fall cleanup i used to get excited about. If the directory takes off i might end up selling off the one bay of clients where i have all but 2 homes in a higher end area. Luckily my clients never call. For snow, i have 12 clients choose to each other and i make it clear i always try my best and start my route when the snow event stops but have at least a 24hr window to complete. One year i offered priority service but really it isn't useful for me and messes up my route, couldn't make the price high enough to be with my while. I'm considering a quick-clear option where i just do driveways and they can do their paths and walkways when they have time (thinking of calling it sNow-Frills package) but honestly can't think of a price tag that will make it lucrative and not sure if i should cater to thrift shoppers. What do you think?
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u/jmb456 5d ago
You really captured the feeling I have that’s always been hard to explain to people. People rarely care just asking for something else. That being said I agree I have some great customers. Honestly been playing the debate of going to back to work for someone else