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Old 05-29-2009, 05:27 PM
 
13,768 posts, read 38,052,981 times
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I know someone who did OK by getting a few commercial accounts for strip malls and gas stations. It is hard to get started but once you get one acct it gets easier.
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Old 05-30-2009, 07:49 PM
 
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If the reason you're moving to this area is for money, don't bother. You'll be sorry.
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Old 05-30-2009, 10:51 PM
 
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You have to be realistic. First off the economy is lousy.

Second you will be considered an outsider. As I said earlier these businesses are a dime a dozen.

I know someone who owned a restaurant who closed and he went into landscaping thinking because he was well known from the restaurant he wouldn't have any trouble getting accounts.

Even though he is well known in the area, he is getting very little work.

And with gas prices rising again this business gets expensive to run.

And coming from up north you aren't going to be used to working in the Florida sun.

While you have the summer heat up north, you also get a break going into the fall.

Here you are still dealing with 90 degrees into November.
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Old 06-13-2009, 08:11 AM
 
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I appreate the advice, is there a different part of florida that i should consider moving?

the reason for the move is simple, i dont wish to do snow removal anylonger. Its a pita, and if you hvaent done it big time, commecially ...please dont comment on that aspect , its the hardest job you will ever do

altho the business will be a new one, Im highly considering purchasing an existing one. on average i find 5- 8 per month , with at least 1 of them being a decent buy.

I ask about the money , becasue it does make that part easier.

I wouldnt expect the restruant guy to know anything about landscaping. I however do have 15 years into it. the plants are a little different , but nothing schooling cant change. and brick , block , hardscapes, concrete , stone work , and irrigation , is all the same in most aspecs.

as for the heat... well , im in iraq at this moment , myself and 7 other guys have built a total of 12 buildings in 6 weeks. its around 120 degrees
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Old 06-13-2009, 09:30 AM
 
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It is rarely 90 degrees in Nov in Tampa, although it is hot during the summer it doesn't compare to Iraq but you have to take into account the thunderstorms every afternoon.

Some ppl like Tampa other's don't, so I wouldn't base my decision solely on a one person's perspective of Tampa. Having lived in Tampa 30 years, I know ppl who have done very well doing landscaping, pool cleaning and other service business and there are some who didn't do so well. You need to have money to live off of for a year anytime you open a business.

The hardest thing about landscape work is that you won't have a lot of work during the winter months, so you need to have corporate type accounts so you can plant flowers and upkeep flower beds during those months to get an income.
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Old 06-14-2009, 02:43 AM
 
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Originally Posted by Keeper View Post
It is rarely 90 degrees in Nov in Tampa, although it is hot during the summer it doesn't compare to Iraq but you have to take into account the thunderstorms every afternoon.

Some ppl like Tampa other's don't, so I wouldn't base my decision solely on a one person's perspective of Tampa. Having lived in Tampa 30 years, I know ppl who have done very well doing landscaping, pool cleaning and other service business and there are some who didn't do so well. You need to have money to live off of for a year anytime you open a business.

The hardest thing about landscape work is that you won't have a lot of work during the winter months, so you need to have corporate type accounts so you can plant flowers and upkeep flower beds during those months to get an income.
got the cash for the year, plus the cash for a buy out, plus have the abilty to collect unemplyeement if i want. Also already have all the equiptment needed to support up to 3 seperate crews-flat out paid for

the humitidy and daily thunderstrom is a big killer. Also i heard a few guys that do alot of grass cutting saying that because the grass is a thinker bladed grass, they have the need to sharper there blades more often. one guy even said he would change his on site half way thru the day ? Altho i question his blade tip speed on his mower at that point, as well as what else he might be running over

would you consider a different area ...closer to clear whater, orlando , st peters? the only reason i picked the tampa area, im fimiliar with it. I have famil that lives on dauphin island , so its not too fare for them to drive over on there boat for a weekend
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Old 06-14-2009, 07:49 AM
 
13,768 posts, read 38,052,981 times
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Uh.. Dauphin island is pretty far from Tampa. I don't recall how long it took my family to go from Clearwater to Tampa but it was a good day/night drive because they didn't go across the gulf plus they didn't have a speed boat.

I never heard of anyone having to change their blades that often for normal yards. The grass is St. Augustine probably.
I would not recommend Orlando because it is hotter there than in Tampa Bay during the summer. You also have a larger area to chose from in TB. You can go from Sarasota to Tarpon Springs to Wesley chapel to Brandon.
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Old 06-14-2009, 08:02 AM
 
Location: Beautiful Pinellas County
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You sound like you are well equipped for the job in hand, and Tampa Bay seems the most sensible location if you are thinking about whizzing over to Dauphin Island by boat, as it's the largest connurbation on the Gulf Coast. Though I have to say Pensacola/Panama City are pretty large areas too, not so big as here though. Tallahassee is another consideration, that's less hot year round, but summers are very warm still, however overall, if you are not considering the Miami/Dade areas, or Jacksonville area, we are the best shot for numbers.

Take a look at Craigs List and Business Brokers of Florida, and Loopnet for these businesses for sale, if you have not already. It's harder working with brokers to find a business. Remember generally if you are buying through a broker for a business, they are working for the seller and not you, it's a bit different to residential sales, and it's up to you to do all the due diligence, so get someone good to work for you on that side.
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Old 06-14-2009, 11:11 AM
 
7 posts, read 10,281 times
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Originally Posted by lavender View Post
You sound like you are well equipped for the job in hand, and Tampa Bay seems the most sensible location if you are thinking about whizzing over to Dauphin Island by boat, as it's the largest connurbation on the Gulf Coast. Though I have to say Pensacola/Panama City are pretty large areas too, not so big as here though. Tallahassee is another consideration, that's less hot year round, but summers are very warm still, however overall, if you are not considering the Miami/Dade areas, or Jacksonville area, we are the best shot for numbers.

Take a look at Craigs List and Business Brokers of Florida, and Loopnet for these businesses for sale, if you have not already. It's harder working with brokers to find a business. Remember generally if you are buying through a broker for a business, they are working for the seller and not you, it's a bit different to residential sales, and it's up to you to do all the due diligence, so get someone good to work for you on that side.

iv been watching craiglist as well as a few other industry specific places. the boating deal is simpley because my aunt owns a chartering service with a few large boats. ...just a thought among many . It seemed the tampa was a decent choice with mulitple other sities close by , just in case one area doesnt work out
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Old 06-14-2009, 08:31 PM
 
13,768 posts, read 38,052,981 times
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You might want to consider Mobile if you want to be close to family. Mobile was rated as a top city for recession recovery in Forbes mag this week. They have a new steel factory and a call center starting up soon
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