What would you bid?

[Greener Grounds NC]

Im new to this area but i have been in the business for 8 years. Iam going from my prices that i could charge from my previous state where i owned a lawn care business. Ihad a customer that received one of my flyers i passed on in a neighborhood wanting an estimate this is what it contained. lawn is 10,500 sqft in grass. Bermuda grass. edging in linear ft - 370 (needs re-edged but have existing edges) mulch dimensions came out to 16.5 yards of mulch fertilization (5) aeration and seeding of 10,500sqft keeping the beds de-weeded pruning about 2.5 hrs 2x a yr.(1 man) i estimated the lawn at $42.50 per cut. (2) plant fertilizations where would you guys be on this price wise. they told me i was around $40 higher for 12 months service than their previous guy. my total was $351.00 per month for 12 months by the way!

[jymie]

Lawn care business tips

Hold firm on your price what ever you decide on, many times a customer will say you are more than last guy just so you drop your bid. This may not be a customer you want anyways, sounds like he is price shopping to me.

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[BelleCityLawn1]

I would stick to what you think would be a reasonable bid. Many people say "well I had someone who could do it much cheaper" but then a few hours later they call back asking if they could still get your service. During the winter I have this happen all the time when we get dumped on and people do not feel like shoveling it.

Thank you,
Tim Oezer
Belle City Lawn Care, LLC

$40 a year higher is $3.33 higher per month. which is $.83 (cents) higher weekly.

It's difficult to compare based on one other guy's prices, but since it's all we have to go on, you're bidding isn't only in the same ballpark, it's in the same seating section.

Sounds good for your area based on the information.

[Steve]

they told me i was around $40 higher for 12 months service than their previous guy.

Was the other guy licensed and insured? Knowing that could help your negotiations. Could you possibly throw in something simple that could make the customer happy and keep the price the same?

[stevef1201]

Do like I do 'Well you had better call him'

[Greener Grounds NC]

it was $40 per month higher for 12 months* sorry guys. but still on a full service account i think that is pretty close in price?.. however the guy is charging for 12 months of services and doesnt stop by in the dormant non-growing season to pull weeds or spot spray and i did include a bi-weekly walk-around of the property for 3 months which is a total of 6 visits.

[6295danny]

Look man thats not worth the worry... I just started my lawn care this season... I have one nice 10 building complex an I got with a few small others.. Today I received a call for a bid thanks to one of my other customers... It ends up being a 30 plus acre complex with 3 different names. 3 offices... 41 buildings... I spent all day measuring the dang place.... Now for a rookie like me thats a major dang problem... Im scared to hand them a 4800.00 estimate per cut....I dont know if it over or under bidding the job???? the estimate program want even handle the crazy high amount of square footage i gotta estimate...This is a nightmare an maybe I should back of off it but I have the equipment to handle it so "wth":confused im going for it...

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by 6295danny

Look man thats not worth the worry... I just started my lawn care this season... I have one nice 10 building complex an I got with a few small others.. Today I received a call for a bid thanks to one of my other customers... It ends up being a 30 plus acre complex with 3 different names. 3 offices... 41 buildings... I spent all day measuring the dang place.... Now for a rookie like me thats a major dang problem... Im scared to hand them a 4800.00 estimate per cut....I dont know if it over or under bidding the job???? the estimate program want even handle the crazy high amount of square footage i gotta estimate...This is a nightmare an maybe I should back of off it but I have the equipment to handle it so "wth":confused im going for it...

Price seems good for both you guys. I did a 22 acre campground just mow and blow. I was at $2750 and I feel I underbid it after doing it a few times.

The trimming ends up being the killer on these large properties.

Greener Grounds, All you got is say is your policing the property in the off months. I'm offering year round care hes not. I'm firm on my price, thank you have a nice day.

[Steve]

Do like I do 'Well you had better call him'

What kind of responses do you get when you say that? Do those customers ever call you back later to ask you to come and help them? If so, how do you handle that?