Insurance and Other Questions

[DT86]

Watch the fine print on the insurance.

Thank you for the heads up. I would have never thought about having that problem.

 

[whistlepig]

I believe you are mostly correct Sam, especially about the word of mouth making or breaking you. I feel the need for a little advertising to start things rolling. I'll probably print something on the computer and attach 10-15 business cards to the bulletin board at the stock yard, Southern States, TSC, ect. ......Side note.... One thing I figured out while placing advertising for my previous job is that every Tractor Supply has a bulletin board near the rest rooms.


Dave, I do not live around any cities. Actually with the 15' mower I don't think it would be suited for mowing city lots.

I live in the country but work in Cincinnati. I have seen several big lots being mowed with a mower like yours with a "Build to Suit" sign in front of them. Word of mouth will make or break you. If you fail one customer it will be no different than failing a hundred. Don't promise something that you can't do. If you promise and don't come through it is fatal. If you tell them that you are booked up and can't get to the job for a couple of weeks they will understand that. Or you can tell them that you are so booked up you may or may not be able to get to the job and they may need to find some else to do it. They will understand that also. But if you tell them you will mow something by a certain date and you don't get it done you are forever done. It will take years to repair this damage done to just one customer. That's how word of mouth can work against you. Don't get too much going that you can't take care of your existing customers. That will send years of hard work down the drain.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a commercial inland marine policy on my tractor and trailer. It only runs about $350/yr here in Idaho, and covers 2,000,000 liability plus injury and loss of use. It also covers all my equipment for any damage less $500 deductible.

My truck has its own commercial policy as i use it in my main business.

pretty cheap in my opinion... compared to losing your house in an accident

mines with state farm

 

[DT86]

Well State Farm is now out of the race. They do not cover scratching around in the dirt. While this is not my primary objective, I don't want to limit my ability to do other jobs.

 

[DT86]

Today I am really trying to come up with something to call my little endeavor. I want something that pertains to the actual work we hope to be doing . We came up with a few and I am sort of stuck on one, which the GF doesn't like but that doesn't really matter. A search online couldn't find anyone else using the exact name. I guess that's a good thing.


Any way the name I'm leaning towards is simply....... wait for it ............."Land Management Company" or "LAMACO"

What do you all think?? Good? Bad? Stupid?

 

[Coyote machine]

Today I am really trying to come up with something to call my little endeavor. I want something that pertains to the actual work we hope to be doing . We came up with a few and I am sort of stuck on one, which the GF doesn't like but that doesn't really matter. A search online couldn't find anyone else using the exact name. I guess that's a good thing.


Any way the name I'm leaning towards is simply....... wait for it ............."Land Management Company" or "LAMACO"

What do you all think?? Good? Bad? Stupid?

Not bad, but wondering if you are going to be managing land or landscaping? Customer potential to misunderstand what you mean is generally high in my experience owning several businesses over the years.
Would something like : 'landscape maintenance co.' be more clear as to what you actually do?
Just a suggestion, FWIW.

 

[DT86]

Not bad, but wondering if you are going to be managing land or landscaping? Customer potential to misunderstand what you mean is generally high in my experience owning several businesses over the years.
Would something like : 'landscape maintenance co.' be more clear as to what you actually do?
Just a suggestion, FWIW.

I want to be rough mowing 5+ acre lots and not just commercial properties, for out of town "country home" owners and farmers as well. In addition to the 15' mower I have a big a** grapple bucket and box blade as well. I figured fix a washed out driveway, clear a bit of brush here and there and if my equipment was too big we can rent what's needed.


Is that land management or landscaping?

I definitely don't want people to think that I'm willing to pull weeds out of Grannies flower beds.

 

[DT86]

To clarify: I'm not above doing landscaping for Granny and will price almost any job I'm asked to but I feel like there are enough "landscapers" around. I need to stand apart from them, offer something that don't (for the most part).


Does this make since? I hope everyone can understand what I'm going for here, and if they don't its my fault.

 

[DIRTROAD]

Well State Farm is now out of the race. They do not cover scratching around in the dirt. While this is not my primary objective, I don't want to limit my ability to do other jobs.

I would try to stay above ground if possible. Underground work and the insurance that accompanies it are very costly. You won't be able to afford the insurance just occasionally scratching around in the dirt. You definitely don't want to hit a buried underground utility without the proper insurance. If your primary objective is land management, then stick to that. If you get a job that requires scratching around in the dirt, then sub-contract that portion out to someone that has the proper coverage and make a percentage on the job. Don't assume the liability for the sake of getting the job. Work smarter not harder!

 

[DT86]

I hear what you are saying and agree. The first quote I got covered me using a scraper blade or box blade to fix a driveway, that's really all I would ever want to do, State Farm wouldn't even cover that.