Subbing Urgency

[CHEESE2009]

So I have a ton of walkways to do on behalf of another company, yet they have yet to pay me. Regardless if it snows or not, I expect a consistent income for my dedication and time. The idea was to pay me $3000/month. One month has already passed. **** regardless How much would you guys charge for the following expenses per walkway; They receive $120 per client, per season. My time: My assistant: My fuel: My truck maintenance:

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

This matter has been settled. Now to figure out how and what I'm going to pay my assistant. I hate this part, always a gamble with winter...

[Steve]

So I have a ton of walkways to do on behalf of another company, yet they have yet to pay me.

Regardless if it snows or not, I expect a consistent income for my dedication and time.

Scott give us the low down with this. How did you set this up and also why?

How did you resolve it?

[CHEESE2009]

I figured I am more interested in lawns than any snow work, and not willing to build up my own personal clientele just yet, it's an expense in it's own.

I bump into this competitor very often, offered to make a deal;

I'll be making approximately 62.50% per walkway.

I'll send the company an invoice, per month (pretty much).

I'm having some 'trust issues' right now.

Personally, I would have rather gotten a check last month. Anyway, we'll see what happens. Had some interesting moments with this competitor in the past which I hope will not come into play this winter. I should be ok!

They are just as awful as I am with communication, so I feel slightly at home yet annoyed.

[Steve]

Scott there are probably a lot of members right now on the fence about finding their own customers or being a sub-contractor when it comes to snow removal.

What's your view on why you decided to got the sub-contractor route? What are the pros or cons to it?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Scott there are probably a lot of members right now on the fence about finding their own customers or being a sub-contractor when it comes to snow removal.

What's your view on why you decided to got the sub-contractor route? What are the pros or cons to it?

There are two choices I had thought about when it came to snow removal.

a) Start a foundation and build myself up slowly with each passing year.

b) Fast, guaranteed income.

I chose the second option because I would rather have guaranteed money to spend on making my lawn maintenance service more productive. If I wasted any more time building up my snow route, a lot would be at stake. The competition is tough as it is for snow, and I'm not ready. I could have found a different job for the winter, but I still like to run the show, so this was the next best thing. lol.

There are some draw backs, as dealing with a competitor is not fun. Everyone will have their guard up, and you will feel uncomfortable. Negotiating payment is tricky, because we can't 'out fox' each other, we both know how the game works, and we both want the better deal for ourselves.

It's a constant, yet hidden hatred for one another. You will always feel as if it is their best intention to burn you, and usually you will get burned.

All of this is spoken from experience, I have done work like this for others in the past, and I can't officially say it's a nightmare - but there are more pros!

The more time you spend with another company, you get to see exactly how they operate. I wouldn't consider it espionage, but you get the idea. It can be a learning experience, or a good laugh if the company is always messing up.

It's all about that guaranteed money, if you don't get it sooner than later, get yourself out of the situation, they are taking you for a ride.


NOTE:

It's important to consider how crazy your competitors may be. One competitor sent me out with a tractor they had purchased used that had no breaks. They didn't bother to maintain it before my shift. That was the last time they ever saw me

[Steve]

Are you finding these contractors are making good on their agreed payment structure? Or is it a constant problem trying to get them to pay on time?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Are you finding these contractors are making good on their agreed payment structure? Or is it a constant problem trying to get them to pay on time?

There was a major payment issue a few years ago, they withheld from me for about a year. Eventually after a few threats, they made good.

They are pretty normal, but extremely two sided. It's as though they are extremely desperate, in a greedy way more than anything. If you've got a weakness, they'll use it against you. The mission for them, is to always hide until they can't hide from you no more. A lot of companies are like this, it's CHEAP. If you don't ask for your money, you wont get it - and they hope you never ask.

[Steve]

What is your view on using contracts when dealing with general contractors in such a way? Do you find you would prefer it or no? Would they prefer it or no as well?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

What is your view on using contracts when dealing with general contractors in such a way? Do you find you would prefer it or no? Would they prefer it or no as well?

There are a lot of ideas thrown around until the very last minute they change the way things will happen, anything to buy them more time to avoid paying.

It came down to me having to create a few invoices, which is making things a little complicated at the moment. They keep throwing clients at me, so that digit /expectation I write on the invoice wont cover any new clients. It's a flaw, sure I could add it all up on the next invoice (every second month), but who says they will pay?

Anyway, I'm over-thinking this. I'm sure it wont be all that bad and they will be honest.

I could always write them an invoice for every client, but frig that. lol.

Anyway, an invoice will work as the contract. I don't like to sign anything that can potentially be used against me.