Bidding to get other work

[Rodriguez11]

Do any you guys ever bid maybe a little lower than you would normally on say the maintenance work because you know you will later get a major job from the customer? I just got a call today to do an estimate on the mall around here, very large property and came up with a monthly number that seemed outrageous to me ha but I do not know what they think is outrageous. The property manager mentioned completely ripping up all landscaping and replacing it because they have so many new tenants and plan to really make it compete with the mall straight across from them. I was thinking about discounting the monthly figure i came up with to guarantee I can get this contract and reap the benefits later on with the new landscaping.

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2008 F-350, 2006 rzt50 23kH, 2010 tank m48 with 25kH, 16x8 vnose car hauler, echo edgers and weedeaters.

[Rodriguez11]

Lawn care business tips

Here is an idea of just how big the place is http://maps.google.com/maps?q=spring...,0.013078&z=17 View Larger Map

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2008 F-350, 2006 rzt50 23kH, 2010 tank m48 with 25kH, 16x8 vnose car hauler, echo edgers and weedeaters.

[jrod14]

Originally Posted by Rodriguez11

Do any you guys ever bid maybe a little lower than you would normally on say the maintenance work because you know you will later get a major job from the customer?
I just got a call today to do an estimate on the mall around here, very large property and came up with a monthly number that seemed outrageous to me ha but I do not know what they think is outrageous. The property manager mentioned completely ripping up all landscaping and replacing it because they have so many new tenants and plan to really make it compete with the mall straight across from them. I was thinking about discounting the monthly figure i came up with to guarantee I can get this contract and reap the benefits later on with the new landscaping.

I do this in order to gain a good account. if you are gonna charge real cheap...make sure you can afford it. Estimate the hours it would take to do this and then add 15% of those hours as overage. set yourself an hourly rate on what the company should make. Or charge a good amount and add something free or discounted. Or....like you mentioned..you can charge a good amount and then on the estimate put 10% for new commercial account or something of that nature. What kind of landscaping are they gonna need? if you do the landscaping....charge at least 100% labor for the materials. Guaranteed that big landscape companies charge way more than this.

[Rodriguez11]

Maintenance wise, weekly mowing, edging, and weedeating.. Bushes every other week or as needed, making sure no weeds are in the flower beds etc. As far as ripping up old landscape and putting the new down, that has not been discussed because she said she does that around October but would have to look at her budget to see how much they will allow her to do.. Maintenance I figured 2 helpers with me and we could get it all done in one day

[Rodriguez11]

I dont plan to go too cheap on the price. I came up with a number then took 15% off of that and still was kinda shocked on the number. I even went cheap on the numbers when i was doing that.. Like islands in the parking lot that were I dont know maybe 20x3 for $5 each

[Steve]

This is a great question and a couple of times it has come up on here.

The upside is you may get the extra work, but what if that doesn't happen?

What do you feel is the downside to potentially doing this?

[Rodriguez11]

Well guys, I won the contract and start cleanup on Monday!! The property manager said my quote was $6000 a year above another landscaping company around here that is a big big company. She said they were basically begging for the work, maybe that was a turn down for her. She said she went with me because I showed up 1 hour after she called the office compared to the other companies that responded the next week. I met with her, got my proposal in before they even took a look at the property. She also said I presented myself in a professional way in appearance and knowledge on everything she asked. I think it pays off to look your best and be on time!

[Sprinkler Buddy]

Good for you! Take a look at my Sprinkler Buddies, if you find yourself replacing sprinkler heads constantly in this account. Those monster accounts are nice to have in the winter. Sounds like your working with a good group and it's not just about the cost/money to them. Sounds like a long term keeper account too!

[stevef1201]

Well guys, I won the contract and start cleanup on Monday!! The property manager said my quote was $6000 a year above another landscaping company around here that is a big big company. She said they were basically begging for the work, maybe that was a turn down for her. She said she went with me because I showed up 1 hour after she called the office compared to the other companies that responded the next week. I met with her, got my proposal in before they even took a look at the property. She also said I presented myself in a professional way in appearance and knowledge on everything she asked. I think it pays off to look your best and be on time!

Same thing happened to me, I got a call to look at 2 acres, told her when I would be able to look at it, got there 10 minutes early, gave her a bid, 125 dollars for 1.5 acres, weekly. She said sounded great, when could I start? She also said that she had called two other guys who never even showed up even though they had appointments.

Good for you on this job, hope you can make it work. Don't hesitate to hire more help if you need to.

[Rodriguez11]

I will be sure to do that sprinkler buddy, I have never really messed with sprinkler systems much other than the ones I ran over with a skidsteer that the customer said they had no clue where they were. She mentioned the normal changing of plants soon and mulch the entire property perhaps in September. But mentioned they are doing a "capital investment" in the near future because they have new tenants in the mall and budgets have increased. That is really why I wanted the contract and now I feel this is going to open so many new doors once I get the place in shape and can use it as a reference.
That's great steve, I once had a customer that called 7 companies before she called me, I was the only one to ever show up out of all. Sometimes I am shocked in people's lack of effort getting jobs.