Under bid ?

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by 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? Yes. Unfamiliar with that size lawn, and have never cut grass of that height before. While I mostly knew what I was getting into (need to mow it twice), I didn't consider the added time because of the hight/thickness of this grass, as it was trying to choke the mower at some points. Next year people who procrastinate will pay dearly for doing so. That, or they can pay some other chump to bust his a$$ and ruin his equipment for a few dollars. Why should I have to work 3-4 times harder because they either neglected to get it cut all month, or thought they could save money by waiting.

[brettly]

Lawn care business tips

My first year as well, and i learnt the hard way ..cutting after they neglected it for 1-2 months, cutting twice and some three times it was that bad, i dont pull any punches anymore, if its cut twice on an avg sized lawn its double the $.

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by brettly

My first year as well, and i learnt the hard way ..cutting after they neglected it for 1-2 months, cutting twice and some three times it was that bad, i dont pull any punches anymore, if its cut twice on an avg sized lawn its double the $.

hey guys hope this helps, as you guys have been talking about tall grass, i assume 8-36 inches or taller is what you guys are talking about. I learned from the previous Landscape company i worked for that if a lawn is over grown the company only would take an "under bid" job only if the client was willing for the company to come back at least 3 times after the first cut.

if the grass was taller then one foot we would let them know we would only cut it to about 8 inches then come back and cut it back to 4 inches and back down to where the grasses original height should be so we would charge them a bit more for the first mowing about 20% more then the usual service then we would come back 3 times at that price then if they hired us we would charge them their regular service fee, this made it easier for them to pay and see results and we gained lots of clients.

now thats a bit different then what i do but i still leave the grass longer then usual even if they just hired me for a one time cut since if i cut it shorter i can damage their lawn.

[elrascal]

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".

You raise some interesting points and I can see that this is great way to protect yourself but I wouldn't be to keen to do this myself. I am definatly a big fan of offering a free trial mow for two reasons.

1. You will avoid underquoting as per the o.p.
2. It is an incredibly fast way to build a large business.

Sure it really sucks when you are first starting out your business and have to do it all yourself and then have someone turn around and say they "nah I don't want your service's."

But its important to relise its a numbers game and all you need to do is think of the life time value of each customer.

[Steve]

if the grass was taller then one foot we would let them know we would only cut it to about 8 inches then come back and cut it back to 4 inches and back down to where the grasses original height should be so we would charge them a bit more for the first mowing about 20% more

How would you cut it to 8in? Would you just use a line trimmer and trim it down the first time?

[cruzgardening]

Originally Posted by Steve

How would you cut it to 8in? Would you just use a line trimmer and trim it down the first time?

the company had a walk behind line trimer somthing that looks like this
a bit bigger and it was gas powered.