Here we go!
When people find me online and call me, it’s a great feeling. It means Google is still working well. But as soon as I hear the words “lawn fix” and “senior discount” together, I cringe. Not because I don’t care about seniors living on fixed income. I know that right now, in early 2024, British Columbia’s Lower Mainland is probably the priciest place to live in Canada.
I am still relatively lucky because I can hustle for extra income but seniors on fixed income may not be so lucky. I get it. But I’m also in business to provide great service and generate profits at the same time.
No shortcuts to a great lawn
There are no shortcuts to having a great lawn. It’s a fight, literally. You have to baby your grass, lime and aerate in spring, fertilize and water your lawn all year, and cut it at the correct height. Then you have to pray that the watering restrictions aren’t too long in summer.
All of this work costs money. Seed and fertilizer are expensive and even if a senior lady can cut her own grass, it will still require inputs like gasoline and oil.
Beat up lawn
Not much of a lawn, is it? All I see is moss and very little grass. So, how can I help in this situation? I can rake up the moss and scarify the dirt to make it hospitable for grass seed. Then I have to source out good quality seed that won’t end this lady’s retirement.
The green waste will go into her green waste bin so I don’t have to charge her for green waste removal.
I see maybe two hours of labour here to patch up this ugly lawn. Which means that I have to ask myself how desperate I am to drive here for two hours of labour; labour which is supposed to be discounted. That’s tough because I know my minimum hourly rate and it’s set. Technically, I could go somewhere else and not have to worry about senior discounts. I run a for-profit landscaping company.
Decisions, decisions
I suspect I will try to fit this small gig into my schedule once it warms up enough for seed to take. I will take off a few dollars and see what the lady says. If it’s still too much, then we’re done. I need to generate obscene profits while I help people. Green First! Landscaping isn’t a charity. I have serious ambitions for my business.
Conclusion
Having a great looking lawn isn’t easy. It’s a fight and it will cost you time and money. A small senior’s discount won’t save you. There is a price to pay for beautiful green lawns.
Now, I can patch up the lady’s mossy mess by raking it up and over seeding it. And then what? You can’t stop there, it’s a fight, remember? You have to water it, fertilize it and cut it properly. Definitely call me if you need help but expect to pay for a great-looking lawn.
