selling weekly service vs.bi-weekly

[lonestarlawn]

It seems not so much a customer quality issue as a grass isn't growing issue. I did get a couple jobs this week though, cleaned some flower beds for a new customer, and got a job clearing some overgrown weeds in a small backyard. The second job may lead to trenching job if the guy accepts the bid.

[krzys666]

Lawn care business tips

If you have a problem finding weekly clients something is not right. we work in a higher end area. there are a few types of clients. 1 the ones that want everything perfect, grass cut every week no matter what, and they pay. 2) the ones that want a perfect grass for free, and pay late 3) biweekly clients that dont relly care about the grass but care about everything else, weeding, mulch in beds, pool care, powerwashing, ect. they dont mind paying for extras. 4) cheap clients that dont want anything done we dont atract the 4 type of client because of price. we still have a bunch of the 2nd type of clients, but we take care of them by charging there credit cards on a weekly basis. we have a small percentage of biweekly cuts. if you find the grass is drying up then offer irigation

[Godslapper]

Time for me to make a change. After this year I'm going to sell only a monthly service. No more of this by the mowing stuff. The dry weather is putting me in the poor house. I'm running out of trimming and mulch work. Maybe 3 or 4 days of that left. On the plus side. The trucks and equipment are tip top. All the rust has been painted and payroll is down a bit. yeah.

Only problem is how to convince my old customers that even though they will pay a little more each month and they might see me a little less that it is still a good thing. I think it will be a hard sell.

[sunsetlandscaping]

Well like I said, most of the mowings I do are for people that have second houses, and the soil is really acidic and sandy. Really the only thing I can since I don't know anything about irrigation, is offer overseeding and fertilizing. I say this because, a lot of the yards around here are just weeds and not grass. They come up here to play on the lakes, not sit around and work in the yard. Leaf clean up is probably my biggest money maker as of right now. Mowing is second. Right now I am trying to learn a little hardscaping over the next couple of years because I've had some requests for that. Haven't had any for irrigation, although I would love it in my own yard.

[Godslapper]

I have a feeling that over seeding will be an easy sell later this summer.

[sunsetlandscaping]

This kind of brings me to my next question. Considering that my clients have second homes, after I slice seed there lawn, what is a fair price to charge for watering twice a day for them. Because obviously they are not there to do it.

[sunsetlandscaping]

Originally Posted by Apex Lawn & Landscape

I have 2 vacation homes that I take care of for existing customers...I bought these:


It's not one of them hard to read turn dial manual ones, this is all digital. Hook it up to the spickit and it offers two zone control. $39 at home depot. I had the same issue as you, I just billed them for all the supplies, a couples hoses , sprinklers, and two of these, and made a 30% mark up on it. Then I charge them to just drive out and take a peak every now and then.

I actually went and picked one up today. I bought one for like 24 bucks, think it was on sale. Only this one is a one zone, but I figure, I could hook up a 3 male in to it, and be set. Of course, I would have a complex system of water hose, but it would save me from having to drive out 2 times a day and water right?

[lonestarlawn]

Originally Posted by Apex Lawn & Landscape

I have 2 vacation homes that I take care of for existing customers...I bought these:


It's not one of them hard to read turn dial manual ones, this is all digital. Hook it up to the spickit and it offers two zone control. $39 at home depot. I had the same issue as you, I just billed them for all the supplies, a couples hoses , sprinklers, and two of these, and made a 30% mark up on it. Then I charge them to just drive out and take a peak every now and then.

Thats a great idea. I just picked up a couple lake houses where the owners only visit on the weekends. I'll try to sell them on some of those.