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Buy a used truck now or wait until we can afford a new one?
We are a small Junk Removal company operating with a single truck. Our current dilemma is whether we should purchase a used truck now and put the extra money into repairs, or to wait a bit longer until we can afford a new truck that won't need repairs right off the lot. There's pros and cons to both options and we just can't decide.
How Can Small Businesses Build Partnerships with Equipment Manufacturers?
A lot of welding, fabrication, and equipment manufacturers seem to only reach out once someone already has millions of views and a massive following. When you contact them first, it can sometimes feel like you are immediately brushed aside as someone looking for free equipment. That is not always the case. Some of us are not looking for freebies. We want an opportunity to use the machine, put it through real work, create honest content, provide useful feedback, and prove whether the equipment is worth buying. Even a try-before-you-buy program, discounted demo unit, short-term equipment loan, or content partnership could benefit both sides. Personally, I reached out to around 40 different manufacturers. None of those initial cold contacts resulted in an actual offer. Most of the time, I ended up in a sales loop with salespeople repeatedly contacting me or adding me to their mailing lists. However, I do not consider those conversations a complete waste of time. They started building connections and put my business on their radar. I also learned that being honest and professional matters. The person you initially speak with may not be the one who gets to make those decisions. But once someone inside the company knows who you are, what you create, and what you can offer, it can open the door to future opportunities. I currently work with a few different companies, including Andeli, which makes welders, plasma cutters, and other welding equipment. Those relationships did not happen because I had millions of followers. They saw the content I was consistently creating around my business and reached out to me. I was able to show them that I could provide something of value in return. For those who have secured equipment sponsorships, demo opportunities, try-before-you-buy arrangements, or manufacturer partnerships, how did you make the first connection? What did you offer the company in return? Did follower count matter more than content quality, industry experience, audience trust, or the ability to provide useful product feedback?What Equipment Should a Small Landscaping Business Invest in First When Starting Out?
Hi everyone! One thing I’ve committed to since starting Mowing With A Purpose Landscaping is reinvesting back into my business whenever I can. Recently, I was able to get my Ferris back up and running, which was a huge win. Along the way, I’ve also been building out my Echo PAS-225 system with attachments like the edger, blower, tiller/cultivator, chainsaw, and pole saw. Having one powerhead with multiple attachments has been a great way to expand the services I can offer while keeping costs manageable. I also recently purchased a Gravely mower, and now I’m trying to decide how to best use both machines. Would you: Make the newer Gravely your primary mower and keep the Ferris as a backup? Continue running the Ferris as your main workhorse and save the Gravely for backup? Rotate both throughout the week to balance wear and tear? I’d also love to hear what equipment has been the biggest game-changer for your business. If you could recommend one piece of equipment every landscaper should invest in early, what would it be and why? I’m always looking to learn from those who’ve been in the industry longer. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience! — Elisha Mowing With A Purpose Landscaping 🌱💪What's one Jobber feature you wish you had started using sooner?
I've been exploring how different home service businesses use Jobber, and it's interesting that two companies can use the same software in completely different ways. What's one feature, workflow, or habit that made you think: "I wish I'd known about this six months ago." Whether it's scheduling, quoting, invoicing, client communication, reminders, or something else, I'd love to hear what's made the biggest difference for your business. Hopefully this thread helps newer members discover some hidden gems too.Lease or buy: What's your rule when shopping for a work vehicle?
How do you decide whether to buy new, buy used, or lease work vehicles? Share what you've learned from your experience below!👇 In this Masters of Home Service episode, Beau Batcheller and Kyle MacDonald dig into the true cost of fleet ownership and explain how to build a reliable fleet without hurting your cash flow. Looking to simplify fleet management? Learn more about the Force Fleet Tracking and Jobber integration: https://bit.ly/3QRTIWN Never miss an episode of Masters of Home Service. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Hidden Cost of "Warm" Steel: Is Your Bench Grinder Killing Your Tool Life?
Hey everyone, Joined the community about 2 weeks ago and wanted to talk shop about something that bugs me every time I see it in the field: the standard garage bench grinder. I run Sharp Artisan Knife and Tool Sharpening out of west Georgia. As a service-based skilled trade, I spend all day looking at edge geometry and metallurgy. One massive mistake I see a lot of pros make when maintaining their own gear, whether it’s high-end pruning shears, wood chisels, or culinary steel is using dry, high-speed grinding wheels. If your blade sparks like a 4th of July sparkler and turns even slightly blue or straw-colored at the edge, the temper is shot. That high heat completely alters the carbon structure of the steel, making it brittle. It might feel sharp for an hour, but it will chip or go dull twice as fast on the next job. In my studio, I run strictly slow-speed, water-cooled machinery to keep the steel completely cold. It takes a bit more patience, but the near mirror-polished edge holds up to serious commercial abuse. Curious how the rest of you handle tool maintenance in your shops? Are you guys doing quick touch-ups on a standard dry wheel, outsourcing to a specialist, or just running blades until they die and replacing them? Drop your setups below!
What is the best used mower to buy when starting a lawn care business on a tight budget?
Hello, my name is Travis. I want to start my own lawncare business. What is the best used mower to start with? I'd love to be able to get new to start just for warranty, but I'm on a tight budget. I want something that will hold up for a while till we get going good. Thank you for your help!
Does anyone have input on how to leverage business certifications for profit?
I know certifications can open doors, but I’d love to hear how people are actually turning them into revenue, stronger partnerships, or new opportunities. What’s worked best for you in scaling with certifications like WOSB, SDVOSB, 8(a), or others?Before you upgrade your work truck, get an insurance quote first
I've been running an F350 dually with a flat deck for hauling my trailer and compost equipment. It's got a boost leak and it's starting to feel like death by a thousand cuts — every time I fix one thing, something else comes up. So I started looking at upgrading to something heavier duty, an F550 or a medium duty truck (chev C4500) that could actually handle the payload without being pushed to its limits. Before I got too far down the road, I called two insurance brokers to get commercial quotes on both options. The number shocked me. Because I'd be considered a new driver of that class of vehicle, insurance came in at $3,500–$5,600 per year depending on the broker — compared to about $700/year on my F350 dually. Same story whether it was the F550 or the medium duty Chevy. The insurers don't care that I only put about 1,000–1,500 km a year on my work truck, just short local drive. Bigger vehicle, bigger liability, end of conversation. That math changes everything. I'm still looking for the right truck — something reliable that doesn't cost near-new money for something old and beat up — but I'm glad I got the insurance reality check before I committed to anything. If you're thinking about upgrading your equipment vehicle, call a broker before you fall in love with a listing.
