Cutting brush

Originally Posted by turfmaster The contract will be for 24 weeks of mowing: Duration from April 15 thru Nov.30th There is no winter work involved. I think this could be huge for my business if we get this account. There are 99 homes ranging from 1.5 acres to 7 acre lots. I would say the homes range from $500,000 to $1,000,000 in value. Wow! that looks like a great contract if you can get your hands on that! How close to busy is that going to keep you? And was the $14,000 for the entire contract of 99 homes and everything or am I misunderstanding what is required with the contract? And I like Steve's idea of the doo doo bags and disposal sites..

[turfmaster]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by SuperiorPower Wow! that looks like a great contract if you can get your hands on that! How close to busy is that going to keep you? And was the $14,000 for the entire contract of 99 homes and everything or am I misunderstanding what is required with the contract? And I like Steve's idea of the doo doo bags and disposal sites.. The contract is for mowing, trimming, 3 fertilizations and cutting the outlots 2 times per season. Any tree or shrub trimming or mulching will be an additional charge. This work will be for all the common grounds, picnic areas, playground area etc. I'm hoping to also get some of the 99 homes as clients. The potential there is huge. The current LCO is a large company and the people of the neighborhood are not happy with their work especially for the $14,000. My bid came in @ $12,700 This job would add another 5 hours a week to our mowing schedule. And Steve I like your doggy doo doo bag idea too!!

[Steve]

What are some of your plans to reach out to these home owners? How might you attract more of them as customers?

[turfmaster]

Originally Posted by Steve

What are some of your plans to reach out to these home owners? How might you attract more of them as customers?

I already met with the treasurer of the home owner association during the walk through prior to the bid. I felt him and I hit it off pretty good.

He did mention to me that there are quite a few homeowners who would have a LCO service their property.

If we get the account we will start by doing outstanding work on the common grounds.

I will then take every opportunity to talk to people who live in the subdivision and mention all of our services.

I may go door to door and introduce myself as the new LCO taking care of the common grounds.

Heck I think I'll order some of artie's card holders to mount on my trucks LOL.

[Steve]

The current LCO is a large company and the people of the neighborhood are not happy with their work especially for the $14,000. My bid came in @ $12,700

What do you think was the big difference in why the prices differed?

[turfmaster]

Originally Posted by Steve

What do you think was the big difference in why the prices differed?

#1 I have 4 employees not 50.
#2 I have much less equipment to buy and maintain. 2 trucks and not 20.
#3 I have no rent my shop is at my home.
#4 This enables me to bid this job more favorable and I'm at $70.00 an hour for this one.

[picframer]

Originally Posted by turfmaster

#1 I have 4 employees not 50.
#2 I have much less equipment to buy and maintain. 2 trucks and not 20.
#3 I have no rent my shop is at my home.
#4 This enables me to bid this job more favorable and I'm at $70.00 an hour for this one.

Sounds to me like you have a sweet deal, lower overhead allows all of us in this business to blow the competition away and still make really good money. I too run my business from home, it's not only a tax brake I have 5 acres so room is not an issue. A lawn/landscaping customer would never visit so I am not sure why some of these companies have these big offices in expensive locations, I drove by one yesterday and thought OMG they must be making serious coin to be in that strip mall!

I wish you the very best and you will do great!