Apartment complex bid

[MAKLawnCutter]

Well, Today went from a doctors appointment and apartment hunting to a possible bid place. We looked at a few complexs and the last one we went to, i told them i had two trailers i needed to park and a truck with vinyl on the sides that needed to be parked on property due to my business. One of the ladies looked at me like "duhhhhhh, what?" I explained 70% of my income is from the landscaping business. "Really now? are you Certified?" just by chance, my FedEx O/N came in with my Depot Certified papers and i had them in the van. Showed them to her and she was impressed, an independent with OSHA Approval and a Compliance Depot Certification? She called the management company that owns the property and they sent some one out at 6pm. We sat down and talked. The current company they have is being fired for negligence and crap work . They have had bids for work but, no one with OSHA approval also. I want/need to bid on this, i want the account, i dont know how to do it. Ill also need to hire two more bodies just for this job mainly. I cover the rest. Its a 2 day job alone tho . I wanna see my wife and help her through this pregnancy and not be like im in the military. SOmeone, input please? sits on

[MAKLawnCutter]

Lawn care business tips

Took too long to edit, long day. Here is a copy of the over head view from public records of the neighborhood. It is everything around the lake. Off of "GREAT POND" Matt

Attached Images

lakeside condos.jpg (48.8 KB, 55 views)

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

Well how many bushes/ trees; grass areas to be mowed sq ftage. how easy. How much blowing, etc. Cnt help if we dont know the job but you should know by now its just on a bigger scale it sounds like for you.

[Steve]

I want/need to bid on this, i want the account, i dont know how to do it.

Break it down and tell us what the bid requires.

[MAKLawnCutter]

Okay, well...

They called me yesterday requesting a bid within 14days so, i spent 4 hours last night putting one together.

Cover Sheet:
Company Name
Evaluation/Bid Form (title)
ATTENTION - Site Manager (Name if you have it)

Short paragraph about what you can bring to the community and tenants.

Footer -
Company name - Bid Sheet (amount it expires in)
YOUR company name

Page Two - Main Evaluation

Your company name
Address

Site (complex)
Address of main office

List buildings/streets as needed

Grid:

3 x 8 for easy reading

Top line - Job - Time required - Pricing
Cut
Edge
Weed-Eat
Cleanup/blow
Hedges
Palm Tree Trimming
Hurricane Season clean-up / Hourly rate (can also do snow plowing)(also includes my normal trees downed, most trees here dont fall unless pushed by winds)

A full sized box about 4 inches tall, all open to write "Obsticals" in. In box put "locations not listed but on file if needed" - Usually good for pool areas, small parks, lakes/ponds, water control areas, ect.

I also wrote a closing letter. You dont have to but, it lets them into YOUR business a little. Let them know WHO you are and WHY you want to bring them the best pricing available. Boast about how much better you are than their current company (not insulting tho).

This is how i have done it. There you go steve, thats my addition to the site lol.

[ExpoAware]

For strict lawn maintenance, just estimate the turf areas that will need to be mowed and build a time estimate. Do the same for trimming/edging/debris blowing.

Then I rate the job on how difficult it is and if I am already in the area (fuel/travel time) And I bid.

Of course figuring out your expenses for the job is THE place to start. Fuel/hour, man hours, insurance, etc... all the stuff you already know. Do you need more equipment? etc...

Congrats. I bet you get it.

[Steve]

What is your view on how long these jobs will take? Were you able to break it down like that? And a total time estimate to perform all the services?

[ExpoAware]

Originally Posted by Steve

What is your view on how long these jobs will take? Were you able to break it down like that? And a total time estimate to perform all the services?

That is exactly what I do. I take my time with estimates for larger or more complex properties. Experience tells me how long it will take me (with or without help) how long each task will take. I do a mental walk through looking at the obvious. I also make mental notes about possible up selling as I view the property. Once I guesstimate how long it will take me for each task, add it up, and bid. Though I don't strictly use time as my price gauge... that is just a good start from which to determine costs... at least for me. I think there are several ways lcos can do this according to their formula and succeed. This is just the way I do it.

I still get it wrong sometimes.... meaning it might take me longer than expected. We all do that from time-to-time leading to the infamous "cussing of oneself." lol. However with time, comes efficiency at the property.

It really is a mix of science (experience) and chance it seems.

[MAKLawnCutter]

I was .56 hours off just by doing it by sight, AWESOME MAN!

thanks.

MAtt

[Steve]

What total time did you calculate?