Commercial Bid

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

HI This is my first Commercial Bid. The guy is about 20 miles away but I want to go and bid it just for the expierence. I don't care if I get the bid. I would like to know how you guys bid the commercial properties. The one I am going to is a 10 acre location he told me that it is a golf driving range. Can anyone give me any perspective on how you do it. Do you measure it and bid like another job using the gopher estimator? Do you discount the job because it's in one spot? I would need a bigger mower at least one I only have a 52 inch and a 36 inch. Please any help I would appreciate.

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Liberty Landscaping LLC
www.libertylndscpng.com
Woodbridge, NJ

[jymie]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Liberty Landscaping LLC HI This is my first Commercial Bid. The guy is about 20 miles away but I want to go and bid it just for the expierence. I don't care if I get the bid. I would like to know how you guys bid the commercial properties. The one I am going to is a 10 acre location he told me that it is a golf driving range. Can anyone give me any perspective on how you do it. Do you measure it and bid like another job using the gopher estimator? Do you discount the job because it's in one spot? I would need a bigger mower at least one I only have a 52 inch and a 36 inch. Please any help I would appreciate. wow, How do you feel about being a target while your mowing? They may have a mower that you could use with the protection you would need to avoid getting dinged with a golf ball. Also golf balls are rough on the blades. Your bound to come across some along the way. Measure it out and figure out your time to do it, figure in the expense for you to have the needed protection.

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. http://www.lunchesruslawncare.com

[Steve]

Do you discount the job because it's in one spot?

Once you know the size of the area, you can figure out the amount of time it will take to service the property.

Because you will be in one place for a longer period of time, you could potentially offer a slight discount, if you are pretty sure of your hourly operating expenses. I think as you bid more of these commercial properties, you will get a feel for when to do that and when not to. But ultimately you may find you don't need to and still be able to get the job.

Once you put your bid in, you will be able to find if you get the job or not. Even if you don't, they may let you know the winning bid price and this will help you figure out where your bids are compared to others in the market and potentially adjust them.

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

I went out there and talked to the owner and his son. They said that they wanted me to come at 5:30 am to cut the lawn when noone is there. They said that's how they did it with a 60" Dixie last year. He said it took him about 3 hours a lil more or less. Originally he wanted it done weekly then when I finished measuring he said that they might cut it one week and alternate me cut one they cut one to save some money. I have to plug in all the numbers and see what it comes to. I think I am the only one they called. He asked what equipment I have and when I told him if I find an extra guy I can use their Dixie Chopper so it gets done faster. He also said that they don't water it so once the heat comes it probably won't be mowed at all. I am going to work it up and call him and see what happens. The majority is the "greens of the range" but there is a small front area that will need to be push mowed. There are also a few hills about 4 or 5 but otherwise it's all flat. Do you guys use your zero turns on hills or use a push mower (that's how I did it before) but that's a lot of hill there's only 4 or 5 but they are fairly big. Thanks for the help all.

[Steve]

If you don't feel comfortable mowing the hill with your ztr, use your push mower. Only you can make that call based on the grade and the conditions.

Keep us posted on how it goes. It will be a unique and learning experience.

[Liberty Landscaping LLC]

Well after a follow up call and an email he got back to me today. I used the estimator from Gopher and the price was between 170-190 depending on how many mowers I used my two zeros or my two zeros and their zero they would lend me. I quoted him 300 and told him that it will probably be lower but it's such an unusual property that I wouldn't know for sure till after cutting it once. Well he emailed me saying the most they could do it for was 200. On a whim and to get the expierence we both agreed to cut it once like that this week and see how long it takes. He wants to see if he can pick up the golf balls quick enough to stay ahead of us. I am going to email him back and say lets give it a shot. I think its going to take longer then the estimator is saying that's why I went the extra 100+. We will see. I am trying to find two people to take with me. I figure with my 36 and 52 plus his 60 inch decks we can knock it out quick. My fingers are crossed. I have my eye on a 72 inch exmark if I land this as a contract that I am going to pick up which will decrease our time even more. Thank God I bought a 24 foot trailer and didn't pass up the good deal because I will need its room if I get the 72. I figured a customer will always love saving money but trying to raise it on them is not going to be easy....I will post any updates!

[Steve]

This does sound like a great learning lesson without being locked into an annual contract. I look forwards to your updates.