All Guides & Posts
Real advice for starting and growing a lawn care business. From $0 to $5M — no fluff, just what works.
How to Start a Lawn Care Business with No Money
You don’t need a $50,000 truck or fancy equipment to start a lawn care business. I began with a push mower when I was 11 years old. No debt. No big upfront investment. Just grit and a willingness to work hard.
What Equipment Do I Need to Start a Lawn Care Business?
Stop buying $15,000 mowers when you have five customers.
How to Price Lawn Care Jobs to Actually Make a Profit
If you’re winning 80% of your estimates, your prices are too low. That’s what I’ve seen over and over. When you’re saying “yes” to nearly every lead, you’re probably leaving money on the table—and worse, you’re...
Why Your Lawn Care Business Isn't Growing (And How to Fix It)
Growth feels good until it doesn’t. You add a second crew, maybe a second location. Your overhead jumps. Your complexity doubles. Next thing you know, your margins disappear and you’re working harder than ever. Sound...
The #1 Reason Lawn Care Businesses Fail in the First 5 Years
Most landscapers don’t make it past five years. And it’s not because the market is too crowded or the demand isn’t there. The real problem? A lack of business education and financial literacy.
How to Get More Lawn Care Customers Without Spending Money on Ads
Everyone says, “Just get more leads.” That’s usually bad advice. I’ve seen it a hundred times: owners chase more leads, dump money into ads, and still don’t move the needle on profit. Here’s the real deal — if you’re...
When Should I Hire My First Employee in Lawn Care?
A lot of lawn care owners hire their first employee because they’re overwhelmed. They’re running from job to job, struggling to get everything done, and think, “I just need help.” That’s the worst time to hire.
Why Your $1M Lawn Care Business Has No Cash in the Bank
You hit $1 million in revenue, but your bank account looks empty. I’ve seen this a hundred times. It’s one of the most common traps in lawn care and landscaping businesses scaling past that $1M mark.
The Leaky Sales System: Why You Don’t Need More Leads
If your close rate is under 30%, getting more leads won’t fix your business. I’ve seen owners chase leads like it’s the holy grail, only to watch cash flow stay flat or even drop. Here’s the truth: you’re leaking...
How to Survive the Off-Season in a Home Service Business
The off-season kills more lawn care businesses than bad weather. You work your tail off from March through October, then winter shows up and drains all the profits you made during the spring rush. If you don’t have a...
Should I Buy New or Used Trucks for My Lawn Care Business?
I used to say, “Only buy used trucks.” That was the advice I gave for years. In 2026, that stance has shifted—and here’s why.
How to Build Systems So Your Business Runs Without You
The goal isn’t to build a business that works *when you’re there*. It’s to build one that works *when you’re not*. If you’re still the bottleneck in your lawn care business, you’re stuck. That’s the hard truth.
How to Get Your First 10 Lawn Care Customers
You want lawn care customers but have zero budget? I got you. Here’s how I landed my first 10 clients without spending a dime on ads. Real tactics that work if you’re willing to get off your butt and do the work.
What to Charge for Lawn Mowing: A Real Pricing Guide
If you're stuck on what to charge for lawn mowing, you're not alone. I break down exactly how I priced mowing jobs at Augusta Lawn Care — what works, what doesn’t, and the common mistakes that kill profits.
How to Register Your Lawn Care Business (LLC vs Sole Prop)
Learn about how to register your lawn care business (llc vs sole prop) from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
Do You Need a License to Mow Lawns?
Learn about do you need a license to mow lawns? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Write a Lawn Care Estimate That Wins the Job
Learn about how to write a lawn care estimate that wins the job from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
The Best Lawn Care Software for Small Businesses
Still running your lawn care business on paper routes? Learn why that’s holding you back and how Home.works software saves time, cuts errors, and speeds payments. Based on my experience growing Augusta Lawn Care to 200+ locations.
How to Handle a Customer Complaint in Lawn Care
Complaints happen. How you handle them separates a one-time customer from a lifetime client. Here’s how I turned tough calls into loyalty with Augusta Lawn Care’s systems and a straightforward mindset.
Should You Offer Landscaping or Stick to Lawn Mowing?
Thinking about adding landscaping to your lawn care business? Here’s why sticking to recurring lawn mowing might be smarter—and when it actually makes sense to expand your services.
How to Raise Your Prices Without Losing Customers
Raising your prices scares you because you think you'll lose customers. The truth from Mike Andes: with the right approach, smart communication, and timing, you can bump your rates 5-8% without hurting your business. Here’s how to do it based on running Augusta Lawn Care with 200+ locations generati
How to Build a Lawn Care Route That Makes Sense
Learn about how to build a lawn care route that makes sense from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
What Is Pay for Performance (P4P) and Does It Work in Lawn Care?
Learn about what is pay for performance (p4p) and does it work in lawn care? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Market Your Lawn Care Business on a $0 Budget
You don’t need thousands of dollars to get your lawn care business in front of paying customers. I’ll walk you through the exact no-cost marketing moves that helped us grow Augusta Lawn Care to 200+ locations and over $60 million in revenue.
The Real Cost of Starting a Lawn Care Business
Learn about the real cost of starting a lawn care business from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Hire Reliable Lawn Care Workers (Without Getting Burned)
Learn about how to hire reliable lawn care workers (without getting burned) from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
Should I Buy a Lawn Care Franchise or Start From Scratch?
Learn about should i buy a lawn care franchise or start from scratch? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Track Your Lawn Care Business Finances
Learn about how to track your lawn care business finances from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
What Is a Good Profit Margin for a Lawn Care Business?
Learn about what is a good profit margin for a lawn care business? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Get Google Reviews for Your Lawn Care Business
Google reviews are the secret weapon in growing your lawn care business. Learn when and how to ask, scripts that work, handling bad reviews, and why getting more reviews means more revenue.
How to Upsell Lawn Care Services Without Being Pushy
Upselling doesn’t have to feel salesy or pushy. Learn how to identify natural upsell moments and present add-ons like fertilization, aeration, and mulch in a way that feels helpful and grows your lawn care revenue.
When Should You Buy a Second Truck for Your Lawn Care Business?
Learn about when should you buy a second truck for your lawn care business? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Fire a Lawn Care Customer (And Why You Should)
Learn about how to fire a lawn care customer (and why you should) from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Use Google Local Service Ads for Lawn Care
Google Local Service Ads can be a game changer if you want lawn care leads that actually convert. I break down how LSAs work, setup tips, costs, and why the Google Guaranteed badge is a must-have.
How to Build a Lawn Care Website That Actually Gets Calls
Learn about how to build a lawn care website that actually gets calls from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Deal With Employees Who Don't Show Up
No-shows crush your lawn care business. Learn direct, proven strategies from Augusta Lawn Care’s founder on handling no-call no-shows, building accountability, and fixing culture to stop employee ghosting.
How to Grow a Lawn Care Business to $100K in Year One
Learn about how to grow a lawn care business to $100k in year one from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
What Happens When You Stop Showing Up to Your Own Lawn Care Business
Owner dependency kills growth. When you walk away, lawn care businesses reveal their cracks—missed jobs, upset customers, cash flow hits. Learn the hard lessons I got the hard way building Augusta Lawn Care to 200+ locations and how you can build redundancy so your business runs without you.
How to Set Up a Referral Program for Your Lawn Care Business
Setting up a referral program can turn your customers into your best sales team. Here’s exactly how we built ours at Augusta Lawn Care—what incentives work, how to ask for referrals, tracking systems that don’t suck, and the dollar amounts that actually move the needle.
The Difference Between Revenue and Profit in Lawn Care
You’re chasing revenue, but it doesn’t pay your bills. Learn the difference between revenue, gross profit, and net profit — and which numbers actually keep your lawn care business alive and growing.
How to Get Lawn Care Contracts With HOAs and Property Managers
Want steady, reliable lawn care contracts? Learn how to find HOA and property manager contacts, what they want, how to write proposals that win, and how to price commercial deals differently from residential.
Should You Offer Lawn Care Year-Round or Take the Winter Off?
Learn about should you offer lawn care year-round or take the winter off? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Train a New Lawn Care Employee in Their First Week
Learn about how to train a new lawn care employee in their first week from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
Why Your Lawn Care Estimates Are Too Low (And How to Fix It)
Learn about why your lawn care estimates are too low (and how to fix it) from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Run a Lawn Care Business While Working a Full-Time Job
Learn about how to run a lawn care business while working a full-time job from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
The Lawn Care Business Plan That Actually Works
Forget the 50-page business plans banks want. Here’s the lawn care business plan I actually used to build Augusta Lawn Care to $60M in revenue and 200+ franchise locations. Simple, actionable, focused on what moves the needle.
How to Use Door Hangers to Get Lawn Care Customers
Learn about how to use door hangers to get lawn care customers from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Handle Lawn Care Seasonality and Keep Cash Flow Steady
Seasonality kills a lot of lawn care businesses. I built Augusta Lawn Care into 200+ locations by mastering cash flow during slow months. Here’s exactly how prepaid programs, annual contracts, and off-season services keep your money moving.
What Insurance Does a Lawn Care Business Need?
Insurance isn’t optional in lawn care — it’s the difference between staying open or closing shop after an accident. From general liability to equipment coverage, here’s what you need to protect your business.
How to Price Lawn Care Fertilization and Weed Control Programs
Learn about how to price lawn care fertilization and weed control programs from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Use Nextdoor to Get Lawn Care Customers
Learn about how to use nextdoor to get lawn care customers from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
The Lawn Care Equipment Maintenance Schedule That Saves You Money
Running a lawn care business without a solid equipment maintenance schedule is like gambling with your revenue. Learn the daily, weekly, and monthly routines I built into Augusta Lawn Care to slash downtime, save thousands, and keep teams rolling without hiccups.
How to Scale a Lawn Care Business From 1 to 3 Crews
Adding a second or third crew sounds simple until you hit the second crew problem. Here’s how to build systems, hire smart, and hit revenue goals without losing clients or your mind.
How to Collect Payments Faster in Your Lawn Care Business
Learn about how to collect payments faster in your lawn care business from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
What Is the Best Mower for a Lawn Care Business?
Learn about what is the best mower for a lawn care business? from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Create a Lawn Care Service Agreement
If you want to stop losing money and headaches in lawn care, you need a solid service agreement. Here’s exactly what to include, why it matters, and how it protects you when clients bail or push back on payment.
How to Use Facebook Ads for Lawn Care (Without Wasting Money)
Learn about how to use facebook ads for lawn care (without wasting money) from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.
How to Build a Lawn Care Business That You Can Sell Someday
Want to build a lawn care business that you can sell for real money someday? I’ve taken Augusta Lawn Care to 200+ locations and over $60M revenue—here’s the no-BS truth about what makes a business sellable, from recurring revenue to systems and management.
Why Most Lawn Care Businesses Never Break $250K
Most lawn care businesses stall before hitting $250K in revenue. I’ll break down the real reasons why this ceiling exists, what owner-operators get wrong, and the system gaps that keep you stuck. Here’s what it really takes to break through and grow beyond that point.
How to Get Lawn Care Customers in a New City or Market
Starting fresh in a new city with zero customers can feel impossible. But if you play your cards right, you can build routes fast, dominate neighborhoods, and create serious momentum. Here's how I’d do it, based on building Augusta Lawn Care to 200+ locations.
The Morning Routine That Runs a Lawn Care Business
If you want to scale your lawn care business past $200k a year, the secret’s in your morning routine. Here’s the exact step-by-step daily schedule that keeps my crews moving and my franchisees crushing $60M+ a year across 200+ locations.
How to Know When to Quit Your Lawn Care Business
Learn about how to know when to quit your lawn care business from Mike Andes, founder of Augusta Lawn Care.