Hiring Lawn Care Personnel or....

[Bob Wilson]

Hi BP! 

I'm attempting to solve a challenge. 

Currently we have 20 units, all needing mowing/lawncare.

Currently I have about 6 companies handling this because the units are spread throughout the Chicago suburbs. Although I have great relationships with my main contractor (handling 6 units), he is unwilling to travel a bit further to handle some of the others. 

This presents 2 challenges-
1) The payroll/admin that my wife goes through each month, isn't worth the hassle. Way to much QC, and back and forth. They submit pictures to a "google form" after a mow, and she uses that as proof to pay. Obviously, they oftentimes don't submit pics, and/or submit same pics twice. Again, the hassle isn't worth it anymore.

2) Cost. We pay either $30 or $35 a cut, depending on size, which in itself, is no concern. However, all of these contractors prefer weekly cuts, and if we go to bi-weekly, cost rises. In a perfect world, I'd love a cut 3x monthly, not 4. With a model of 3x/month, we could be saving $30/month on each property. $600/monthly. 

I'm considering posting a job on Indeed or something for 2022 season, and hiring in-house, purchasing the riding lawn mower and trailer, the whole thing. What is everyone else doing to solve their lawn care with multiple units?

[Colleen F.]

@Bob Wilson   If the hassle isn't worth it forget the pictures, if you have established relationships that is a bit much.  Have them submit their invoices. Trust buy verify doesn't mean you have to check on them every mow. 

Another thought is if you hire someone  it is not a really attractive job.  They would have to want to work only part of the year.  They would have to have a truck set up for towing a trailer.  They would need to be insured. It is too much time commitment for a part time job for some retired person but not enough for full time and its only part of the year. And they would have to be reliable and not want vacation during the summer.