Cheapest rate you charge?

[bruces]

so if the yard takes under 10 minutes total ,and $15.00 is charged ,that works out to $90.00 per hour less expenses ,and like has been stated ,he is already there,unloaded,and ready to go .I think that little lawn is probably paying the entire expenses gas wise for the 5 others he has at the same stop [probably with cash to spare], and I would also be willing to bet that little lawn earns the highest per hour of any other lawns he cuts .

[cwillic]

Lawn care business tips

So what happens if he gets fired from the other lawns and he is left with a 15 dollar lawn to mow. Then he will be paying to mow that lawn, with his expenses. Besides, do the math, 1000 sq ft mowing, with I would guess about 150 ft of trimming, then blowing walks etc, in 10 minutes, plus time to move equipment from next door, sounds like a stretch to me.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by cwillic

I guess we can agree to disagree. It seems to me that you are making his neighbors pay for travel time, unload, load, etc. while he gets all that for free. I wouldn't do it for 15 if it was only 10 sq ft. I operated an air conditioning company for 26 years, when we got called for an estimate only for repairs, we would be there maybe 10 minutes, and the bill would be 75 to 85 dollars. My rate for my estimates is based on 50 per hour, with a 45 minimum. I do not chase the stamp size neighborhoods, as I am not going to work 10 or 12 hours a day on low income lawns to make a living, and that seems to be the norm on that type of business. My clients are all high end and that is my business model. I typically work 6 hours a day and it is going to stay that way, or I will retire.

There's nothing to disagree about actually. We're just working completely different types of lawns and do things a little differently.

I DO understand your reasoning for not cutting anyone a break because you're already there, and what you said above about losing the others and being "stuck" with the $15, but these two were "add ons" for me - I got them after I had got the others. I could have easily said "No thanks" and found other clients nearby that would pay $25, but THEN I would have had to load up and drive elsewhere and unload.

For me, it's easy money - for someone else, it's a nuisance. You have to do what works for you.

Thanks for adding your thoughts though. We can all learn a thing or two when we hash things out.

[cwillic]

I guess my whole point is that each lawn should be priced on its own conditions, not as a group price. A group of lawns should benefit you, not the customer, on pricing. I know that is not the way it is usually done, but that is the way I do it.

Best of luck to you. It seems like you know your plan and are working your plan.

[willshome]

I give $5 off each customer if they are right next door to each other. This way if one moves the discount goes a way. It's fair and it costs me time and money to move my stuff

[cwillic]

willshome

Not a bad idea. I do something similar, only I call it a trip charge, flat rate for each customer, period.

[Ducke]

The lowest I charge is $35.00.
If they want it fir less they can hire the low baller down the road and then call me when he stops showing up in July because its to hot to work or he would rather be at the beach with his buds.

[cwillic]

Ducke

Or when his Dad's mower breaks.

[yourscape]

Originally Posted by willshome

I give $5 off each customer if they are right next door to each other. This way if one moves the discount goes a way. It's fair and it costs me time and money to move my stuff

I think that is fair and I like how you worded that as a trip charge. That way the customer understands what there discount is.

[yourscape]

When you guys are talking about your bottom price I am wondering if you are a 1 or more man crew. I would think a one man crew would still be a profitable with a lower rate than a 2 or more man crew.