Sample of my bid I put in this morning?

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by JLH Pro Lawn Care using a company called clear for the mobile 4g internet $60 a month unlimited access and you can buy the mobile laptop stand on ebay for cheap, i run a 1000w power inverter inside my van for power to everything sorry no pics yet but soon That is awesome! I'm super jealous! Can't wait for my business to grow so I can get some of these things. Matt

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Austin Organic Lawn and Landscaping Care

[jymie]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Growing Green . My ultimate goal would be to have a tape measure (does anyone carry a tape measure and measure the feet in front of customer? Is that tacky or professional?) and a computer with me. Stanley makes the best measuring wheel IMHO.

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by jymie

Stanley makes the best measuring wheel IMHO.

Can I get that at Sears, Lowe's or Home Depot?

Matt

[Steve]

You should be able to order a survey wheel almost anywhere. Even amazon.

[Growing Green]

Is that what everyone uses? Goodness...glad I found that out. I thought I would look unprofessinal if I brought one of those out.

I'll defintely be getting one of those. Will help me out tremendously.

Matt

[Growing Green]

Just bought one off of Amazon. Thanks Steve! This shows how big of a noob I am. Never had to do this before.

Matt

[empie120]

Matt,

It looks really good, I am a little concerned after the first bid of 75.00 per month you leave your self very open for and extra 10 or 20 per month or 120-240 per yr. It wont take long for fert and mulch to eat that up in cost of goods and leave you trimming trees and installing fert -mulch ect for free. I think I would just give a bid for mow blow edge and go and leave other services as priced per job as needed. I have done the same thing before and it has "ate my lunch" before. Just my thoughts and only trying to be honest and give advice.

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by empie120

Matt,

It looks really good, I am a little concerned after the first bid of 75.00 per month you leave your self very open for and extra 10 or 20 per month or 120-240 per yr. It wont take long for fert and mulch to eat that up in cost of goods and leave you trimming trees and installing fert -mulch ect for free. I think I would just give a bid for mow blow edge and go and leave other services as priced per job as needed. I have done the same thing before and it has "ate my lunch" before. Just my thoughts and only trying to be honest and give advice.

Those monthly charges are just for my service. They do not include the price of the materials (mulch, fertilizer, etc...). I added this note at the end of the bid under the prices of each package - "** Prices for mulch, compost and fertilizer are sold at exact cost from The Natural Gardener. These products will be invoiced separately. Note: Only organic products are used." But I'm afraid that line gets lost in all the writing.

The customer wanted everything wrapped up into the price. So I think I'm going to start including everything for future bids - cost of my service and a close estimate of the products. I can be flexible though. Whatever customer wants. That measuring wheel is going to help me out a lot and has releaved a lot of stress of "guestamation".

I really appreciate the feedback and you taking the time to look over the material.

Matt

[Steve]

Just bought one off of Amazon.

Matt, keep us posted on how using one changes your bidding procedure and ultimately your profit margins.

leave other services as priced per job as needed. I have done the same thing before and it has "ate my lunch" before.

This is a great point. Do you have any examples you could share with us that stand out in your head? I'd love to hear them.

[Growing Green]

Well, I went out and did a Fall Cleanup for the lady - underbidded myself again. Ugh! I'm getting better and better though at bidding for Fall Cleanups. I underestimate the leaves everytime. BUT good thing is her and her husband loved my work and they are signing up for my Ultimate Package and wanting me to come out around 32 times. Very exciting!

Other good thing is it is in a VERY HIGH CLASS neighborhood. Was very funny as there were landscapers everywhere in their awesome vehicles and trailers and mowers and there I was with just my truck, push mower and not even with a trailer. LOL I'm using a rake and plastic bags to pick up leaves. While they have all these fancy machines.

Here is another good thing. I saw my customers neighbor stop in front of my truck and she wrote my info down. As I was working on the customers lawn the neighbors lawn people came out and they didn't do a good job blowing or anything so hoping she is not happy with them and is interested in my work. She has a two story house and I wonder if she saw how good I left the neighbors backyard. Now here is the scary thing. The neighbors house is amazing. Has to be near million dollar home. I do not even have the equipment to do her house. LOL I don't even own a hedge trimmer yet and there would be a ton of hedge trimming at their house. Oh the joy of growing and being a noob! :-)

Oh and Steve. I did use that survey wheel and went over the lawn and the beds. I cannot believe it, but my prices that I totally guestimated on were right on with my estimate bid. Total lawn is 2190 sq ft and total beds for mulch is 610 sq ft. What a lucky guess!

Take care,
Matt