Pricing

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Steve When they do that, I would start with the per cut price and then give them the monthly price based on 4 cuts if they are cut weekly or 2 cuts if they are bi-weekly. ... Well, sometimes there are 5 weeks of the scheduled day in a month. What I do is this: 12 month weekly contract: (per cut price) x (36 cuts / 12 months) = monthly price for 12 months. Per cut price times 3 if they are spreading payments across the winter months. 12 month bi-weekly contract: (per cut price) x (18 cuts / 12 months) = monthly price for 12 months. Per cut price times 1.5 if they are spreading payments across the winter months. 8 month weekly contract: (per cut price) x (36 cuts / 8 months) = monthly price for 12 months. Per cut price times 4.5 if they are paying during 8 mowing months (April - November approximately). Make sure you get 8 full payments though. You must have a signed contract for these so that they know they have to keep paying throughout the winter.

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Boughter's Lawn Care Services Mowing and Fertilizing in New Castle, PA

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Last edited by mark123; 12-21-2011 at 03:23 PM.

[turf&tree]

Lawn care business tips

I don't live in a climate where bi-weekly is an option except when it hits 95 degrees in july, aug. Then I have a couple of them that ask me to skip while the grass is dormant. Not a problem this year with over 70 inches of rain. I did have one customer who wanted bi-weekly and it just added time to my visit because I had to double cut it every time. I told her to line up another company for service next year. We charge by the week that way in the 5 week months we make pure profit on that last cut. I have 10 big commercial properties that we re-arranged the schedule in order to get (2) 5 week months in on this summer. More profit. Another idea you might try is offering 12 month payment plan. That way you have steady income all season, even in the off months. We do not plow so it is income in our down time. Sell yourself as a professional and charge well for everything you do! Just a thought.

[stevef1201]

I work in Central Florida, during the mowing season I charge x time 4.3 per month. There are 4.3 weeks in each month. I do not cut bi-weekly as takes time out of each 'off' week.

During the non-mowing season I charge the same for yearly contract as I include fall / spring leaf clean-up.

Fertilizing, weed control, insect control are all extras, and part of the yearly contract.

I have found that I have reduced the number of annoying clients, and increased my income by 2 or 3 times.

Get everyone to sign contracts, whether seasonal or yearly.