Landscaping Contractor Hagerstown MD Lawn Mowing Service Washington County Maryland

Trucks are one of the most important aspects of a landscaping company, and managing them correctly can go a long way in helping your bottom line.

Grosh’s Lawn Service often receives comments from strangers about the cleanliness of the company’s fleet.

From eco-friendly trucks used for estimates, to large pick-ups that can haul heavy trailers, to cab over trucks that house every tool for the job, each landscaper has a preferred set of wheels. But no matter the exact make or model, a few best practices can go a long way in extending the life of any vehicle.

NEGOTIATING THE DEAL.

Some commercial truck models cost as much as $40,000 to $50,000 each, says Tom Grosh, owner and operator of Grosh’s Lawn Service in Clear Spring, Maryland. The company offers lawn mowing, landscaping and custom gardens with a heavy residential focus.

He finances his vehicles with the institution that offers the best interest rate at the time of purchase. That rate has been anywhere from 2.9 percent to 4.9 percent as of late. A recent General Motors truck purchase was financed through the dealer with the intention of paying the vehicle off before the end of the loan.

“It just makes it easier for us, because then we have working capital that’s not tied up with a five- or six-year truck payment,” says Grosh, who only buys new trucks. “And then we can move on to another piece of equipment or whatever else that we’re looking for.”

Usually Grosh will take out a six-year loan with the goal to pay it off in four years.

“That way if we do hit a bad period – like right now we’re without rain so work will be slow for mowing and all that – that way we don’t have the pressure of big payments. When it’s good, we just keep paying it ahead of time,” he says.

Grosh finds it efficient to be direct with dealerships. He will contact each one with a description of the vehicle he is looking for and ask for their best price.

“I don’t come back and try to beat them down because I don’t do that with my customers,” he says.

https://www.lawnandlandscape.com/article/miles-maintenance--money/

Photo courtesy of Grosh’s Lawn Service