Under bid ?

[cleancutlawncare5382]

My first under bin of the season. UGH! I won’t know until I mow for the first time but I think I under estimated the difficultly of this one. Not a very big lawn but has 2 very steep banks. I would give them about a 30 degree slop. It was hard to focus on the estimate, customer was following me around and talking then rain started again. So the whole thing was rushed on my part. Two questions: 1. How do you factor in difficultly? 2. Will I do damage to the 4 stroke mower at the 30 degrees? ( oil )

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www.montgomerysqualitylawncare.com

[bruces]

Lawn care business tips

is your mower pressure or splash lubed ?

[cleancutlawncare5382]

I don't know. Its a new Toro 21" push

[CHEESE2009]

Sometimes it's hard to quote a job without having done the job at least once.

I have lawns which seemed like they would be a problem, only to find out they are pretty simple to manage.



For slopes, I find it best to go across them - than it is to mow up/down.
It can be tricky leg work, but if your mower isn't that heavy, you'll be alright!


I have lawns with slopes 60-70 degrees. Go slow, keep your feet spread open.

[Steve]

Sometimes it's hard to quote a job without having done the job at least once.

Do you ever mow a property first for free to get an accurate time on how long it will take or how do you recommend going about this?

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by cleancutlawncare5382

My first under bin of the season. UGH!

I won’t know until I mow for the first time but I think I under estimated the difficultly of this one. Not a very big lawn but has 2 very steep banks. I would give them about a 30 degree slop.
It was hard to focus on the estimate, customer was following me around and talking then rain started again. So the whole thing was rushed on my part.

Two questions:
1. How do you factor in difficultly?
2. Will I do damage to the 4 stroke mower at the 30 degrees? ( oil )

Hahaha! "hard to focus"... I had a very similar "distracting customer" situation recently, but it involved "cleavage".



I quoted $35, and after doing it for a second time today, I'm kicking myself for not saying $45!

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Do you ever mow a property first for free to get an accurate time on how long it will take or how do you recommend going about this?

To make sure you don't screw yourself over, you can charge a "assessment fee".

Basically, get a worst case scenario price in which you'd charge - and charge them that before you give them the exact price. If they are willing to pay it, feel free to maintain their lawn.

You can say, "this fee is for us to become familiar with your lawn in order to avoid any possible danger to my equipment and/or myself."

They will understand that it is a one time fee, and will be awaiting your exact service charge. The only thing that could go wrong, is if the lawn is always a "worst case scenario".

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

To make sure you don't screw yourself over, you can charge a "assessment fee".

Basically, get a worst case scenario price in which you'd charge - and charge them that before you give them the exact price. If they are willing to pay it, feel free to maintain their lawn.

You can say, "this fee is for us to become familiar with your lawn in order to avoid any possible danger to my equipment and/or myself."

They will understand that it is a one time fee, and will be awaiting your exact service charge. The only thing that could go wrong, is if the lawn is always a "worst case scenario".

i currently have a one time fee for most of my clients quoting them about 25-50% more then i would charge them normally the first time i go, it has helped me since i know how much to charge them for their monthly fee all the time.

[Hedgemaster]

I did an "underbid" today.

I mowed my largest property to date. It had not been cut yet this season and it was BAD. I quoted $100. I didn't get burned TOO badly, but had I known it would have been so difficult, I would have asked for $150.

He ended up giving me $120, so that helped. (and was appreciated)
It took me 4 solid hours with only one break to get a drink of water.
I had to cut the front twice. First at the maximum hight adjustment, then going the other direction set at the "middle" height adjustment.

This was not a job for a push mower. I had to make most of the passes at only half the width of the mower because it was so thick and high. Next year I'm going to have a walk behind for this kind of nonsense!

[Steve]

What do you feel messed you up on bidding it more accurately? Was it the size of the property? The height of the grass or a combination of both or more?