Quoting Townhouse complexs ???

[Moki]

I have been asked to quote 2 different townhouse complexs one is a 24 unit complex the other is a 64 unit complex. How does one go about this is there a list of services that they require that someone here is willing to share. Or can someone post a quote that I could work with I need to get these quotes together by Nov 21 at the latest. Thanks for any thoughts/help. CC

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Is this a brand new complex? Normally they would tell you exactly what services they would want and you would go from there. Are you getting the feeling your contact person there is new? Can you ask them for what services they currently are receiving? Maybe ask to see their last year's winning bid?

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[Moki]

Here is the scoop at the 24 unit complex my family is very good friends with 2 of the unit owners my son even dated the granddaughter of the one couple.

The 64 unit complex my dad knows one of the srata council memebers he is a deacon in my dad's church I have been doing the cleanup there and the Deacons that would normally be doing the work liked what I do so in a conversation with my dad this fellow asked if I would be interested in quoting on his complex.

I know that they have budgeted $22,000.00 this year for this work he has also now given gave me a verbal list of what they want and when I am not so tired I'll type it out.

Going to bed now have to sleep tired oh so tired...

I like this kind of tired.

[Steve]

Knowing their budget is a great thing. Now you can work backwards in a sense from that figure.

What kind of services do they want?

[Moki]

Heres their list of required jobs that are to be quoted...

1) cutting lawns once per week
2) removal of weeds in the common areas
3) one application of slow release fertilizer (Spring)
4) one applicaton of Dolmite lime (Spring)
5) application of weed killer (Spring)
6) application of approriate fertilizer to shrubs
7) Trimming shrubs and hedges
8) once a year top/trim/prune maintain trees under to under 20'
9) trim hedges/shrubs Spring and Fall
10) weekly removal of grass clippings with power blower on walkways/driveways/parking area
11) application of pesticides for trees and shrubs as necassary
12) edging of lawns as required
13) aerating of lawns once per year
14) weekly removal of litter/garbage on property

[Steve]

That is fantastic! Now have you figured out how many cuts you will need to perform and how much time each service will take?

From there it will be interesting to see how you break down the cost for each service. It should be a lot easier for you to do knowing what your target price is vs having to do this blind.

[Moki]

I've done one better...

After I finished the job I was doing today I headed over to the 64 unit complex and checked it out it was only a couple of miles from my old house so I headed over to talk with my old neighbour who actually does this for a living.

He has arranged with me to meet him early this Friday morning and we will go over to the 2 complexs and he is going to quote them for me...

How is that for a freaking bonus...

Had to tell him where I hunt deer though...

I will have to put off my gutter cleaning job until later in the morning but that shouldn't be a problem.

I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders...

[Steve]

Oh this will be fascinating to see what he comes up with and how close he is to their budgeted price!

Keep us posted on what he comes up with. What a great learning lesson!

[Moki]

Met up with my neighbour yesterday and checked out the two complexs with him.

I'm told to quote the following...

64 Unit complex = $1500.00 per month for 10 months

Includes

1) cutting lawns once per week
2) removal of weeds in the common areas
3) one application of slow release fertilizer (Spring)
4) one applicaton of Dolmite lime (Spring)
5) application of weed killer (Spring)
6) application of approriate fertilizer to shrubs
7) Trimming shrubs and hedges
8) once a year top/trim/prune maintain trees under to under 20'
9) trim hedges/shrubs Spring and Fall
10) weekly removal of grass clippings with power blower on walkways/driveways/parking area
11) application of pesticides for trees and shrubs as necassary
12) edging of lawns as required
13) aerating of lawns once per year
14) weekly removal of litter/garbage on property

24 Unit complex = $850.00 per month for 10 months

Includes

1) cutting lawns once per week
2) removal of weeds in the common areas
3) one application of slow release fertilizer (Spring)
4) application of weed killer (Spring)
5) application of approriate fertilizer to shrubs
6) Trimming shrubs and hedges
7) once a year top/trim/prune maintain trees under to under 20'
8) trim hedges/shrubs Spring and Fall
9) weekly removal of grass clippings with power blower on walkways/driveways/parking area
10) edging of lawns as required
11) aerating of lawns once per year
12) weekly removal of litter/garbage on property

[Steve]

That is fantastic!

Did he help you break down the services into how much time each would take?

Did he explain how he came up with those figures?

Also, did you let him know this company had a budget of $22,000 for these jobs and these bids come out to $23,500. Is there any concern about that?