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42 May/June 2016 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com LANDSCAPE AND TURF MAINTENANCE ■ BY LINDA BEATTIE Whether it's running every morning to train for a marathon or earning a degree to land a dream job, everyone takes steps to work toward a greater goal. The same is true for landscape business owners looking to grow their business. One way to accomplish this is by investing in equipment, such as an overseeder, to expand services and increase profi ts. While herbicides and fertilizer provide a steady annual stream for revenue, overseeding offers the opportunity to supplement income with a new service offering while building a happy and satisfi ed customer base. It's a simple and cost-effective way to refresh the turf by covering bare spots and improving the turf 's color and thickness. Not only that, but overseeding helps prevent the spread of weeds, diseases and insects by incorporating new seeds with greater resistance, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizer. With so many benefi ts and such broad market appeal, opportunities for additional revenues are endless. An easy ROI While expanding into overseeding may require an initial equipment investment, it quickly pays dividends. The cost to overseed a lawn varies by region, but let's say, on average, landscapers charge $0.29 per square foot to overseed. If the average lawn is 900 square feet, fi guring conservatively, a landscaper will complete eight lawns a day and make a profi t of $100 per lawn after subtracting other expenses, such as seed and labor. With overseeders ranging in price from $1,500 for a low- Sow the Seeds Maximize profits by adding overseeding to your services end machine to around $4,000 or more for a professional-grade machine, this quickly covers the initial equipment cost of a professiona-grade machine after about 40 projects, or fi ve days of work. However, remember to consider the total cost of ownership and not just the purchase price when selecting an overseeder. For long-term profi ts, a professional-grade machine offers added features to reduce maintenance and increase productivity. Also, keep in mind that you can't put a price on comfort, which directly impacts productivity, so make sure to invest in a unit that is easy to operate and easy on operators. This helps get more work done in the same amount of time — directly improving the bottom line. The potential market for overseeding is signifi cant. Overseeding is an ideal solution for old and tired lawns. It also supplements herbicide treatment in a weedy lawn. Apply the herbicide, allow the weeds to die and follow up with overseeding to establish a thick matt and prevent the reoccurrence of weeds. Overseeding also has potential in new lawns that were seeded but did not establish as well as an owner had wished. The overseeding process offers property owners the opportunity to establish a thicker, healthier lawn without the need to start from scratch. But don't stop at residential and commercial properties. Overseeding is a great method to fi ll in existing turf or refresh park grass. Overseeding also opens the door for additional services, such as aeration and power raking — both services that A raised seed box enhances quality by ensuring seed falls at a consistent level in bumpy or uneven terrain. When purchasing an overseeder, look for models that incorporate hydrostatic drive. This gives variable speed in forward or reverse for efficiently adjusting to changing conditions.