For people starting out in lawn maintenance, and even for veteran professionals, one of the biggest hurdles is figuring job costs. Oftentimes, it's a Catch 22: You can't bid accurately until you know your costs, but you can't determine the costs until you get the job.

When you visit a prospective customer, what type of sales approach do you use? If you're like most successful lawn maintenance professionals, you will talk about your experience in the industry, the quality of your work, your employees, response time and, just maybe, before the presentation ends, you might bring up price.

More than a few lawn maintenance professionals and groundskeepers rely on used equipment either as front line workhorses or as dependable backups. When properly maintained and upgraded, used equipment can be nearly as effective as equipment fresh off the assembly line, at much less the cost. The kicker? If not approached with caution and more than a little up front knowledge, buying used equipment can end up costing the new owner more, much more, than he or she anticipated.

In the hustle and bustle of the busy season, it's not unusual to overlook some things or simply put others on a back burner. If safety is one of those things, then you're operating a very risky business, chancing not only the safety of your employees but your customers, as well.

Asked to name one of the most challenging aspects of their job, and most lawn maintenance contractors will define it in one word, bidding.

If you're like most lawn maintenance professionals, you started your business using one or two walkbehind mowers. And if you're like most successful entrepreneurs, your business has grown to the extent you now need to purchase additional mowing equipment. Should you buy more walk-behinds, or is it time to consider one of those expensive riders you see some of your competitors using? The answer may surprise you.