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$40K Lawn Ruined by a Spray Service, Fall Leaf Cleanup Discussion, & Lawn Care Revenge Stories

📅 November 2, 2026 ⏱️ 54:02 🎤 Greg, Don, Michelle, Steve Droxel

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 2:00
    Expo Recap & Fall Transition
    The hosts reflect on a busy October due to Expo, and discuss the shift from mowing to fall cleanups, noting that many lawns still need one more cut.
  • 4:10
    Halloween & Seasonal Decor
    The hosts and listeners share their Halloween experiences, discussing decorations and trick-or-treating, and their thoughts on spooky yard decor.
  • 5:02
    Mower Maintenance & Winter Prep
    A discussion on mower maintenance, particularly hydro changes, and the decision to outsource some repairs versus DIY for efficiency.
  • 7:41
    Lawn Care Revenge Stories
    The hosts and a listener share amusing and sometimes frustrating stories about clients who refuse to pay, leading to creative 'revenge' tactics like returning leaves.
  • 2:58
    Trailer Setup & Upsells
    The hosts analyze a listener's trailer setup, discuss the pros and cons of different trailer types, and how to upsell services like limb trimming.
  • 4:46
    Winter Service & Pricing
    The hosts discuss their approach to winter services like snow plowing, pricing strategies, and dealing with client expectations.
  • 5:39
    $40K Lawn Ruined by Spray
    A news segment is played about a $40,000 lawn ruined by a spray service, leading to a discussion about chemical application risks and client responsibility.
  • 8:46
    Leaf Cleanup Pricing Strategies
    The hosts and a listener discuss different pricing methods for leaf cleanup, including flat man-hour rates and charging for removal.

Speakers

G
Greg
Host
D
Don
Consumer Reporter, Channel 6
M
Michelle
Emerald Island
S
Steve Droxel

Key Takeaways

✦

Always check your alarms, especially for critical appointments, as a simple setting error can lead to missed opportunities or important events.

✦

Consider offering limb-trimming as an upsell, as low-hanging branches are a common nuisance for lawn care professionals and can improve property aesthetics and safety.

✦

When facing client pushback on pricing for added services, clearly communicate the value and costs involved, as some clients may be surprisingly understanding and supportive.

✦

For fall cleanups, it's beneficial to confirm service with clients beforehand to avoid doing uncompensated work, especially if they decide against the service last minute.

✦

Be cautious with chemical applications, especially herbicides and fungicides, as misapplication can lead to significant lawn damage and costly reparations.

✦

When pricing leaf cleanups, consider a man-hour rate (e.g., $125-$150 per man-hour) to ensure accurate quotes and fair compensation for labor and removal, especially for difficult jobs.

✦

For internal maintenance tasks like hydro changes, weigh the cost and time of DIY versus outsourcing to a professional shop, especially during off-peak seasons when shops have more flexibility.

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