Winter in FL

[gman]

I live in FL, I wanted to know if the price should change now that I'm only cutting every other week instead of 4 times a week? Can any let me know if I should keep my pice the same...

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Hi gman, Do you have these customers on a contract?

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How are they setup as pricing? Are they are a set price plan each month (flat rate) or are they setup a being charged per service?

[gman]

NO none of my customers have contracts, except when I do side work as far as tree trimming and planting and all the other fun things..And it is a flat rate for all my customers but as I start to advertise more in the slow season, I want to know if any new customers I get are going to get charge where I cut 4 time or 2 time a month?

[myrlin]

where are you in fl

[gman]

I'm in Sarasota and I also do work in Bradenton and Ellenton

My opinion on lawn maintenance:

For the past three years I have been moving away from charging customers per cut, and instead having customers on a flat monthly rate plan. *This saves time and hassle when it is in regards to a bill.

Usually how I handle it is customers without a sprinkler system are mowed on average 24 times a year, while customers with sprinkler systems are 28 times a year. *I then take those numbers and break it up in a 12 flat monthly rate for customers. *For example, Mrs. Jones gets mowed 24 times a year, at $30 each time. *After multiplying $30 times 24, and dividing by the 12 months, Mrs. Jones will be paying me $60 a month for 12 months. *

Sometimes I may mow more, sometimes I may more less. *At least I am covered for 12 months though. *Another thing about flat monthly rates, especially for us Northern guys:

Lets say that you have charged a customer four flat monthly rates so far. *I will take Mrs. Jones example up top. *So she has paid $240 so far, and has yet to receive a lawn mowing. *This makes the customer not want to cancel early too if they want to because they have already paid in $240. *She will not break even with her flat monthly rates until September. *Look below for what I mean:

January $60 flat rate, $0 cost for mowing, +$60
February $60 flat rate, $0 cost for mowing, +$120
March $60 flat rate, $0 cost mowing, $180
April $60 flat rate, $0 cost mowing, $240
May $60 flat rate, $120 cost mowing, $300-$120= +$180
June $60 flat rate, $120 cost mowing, $240-$120= +$120
July $60 flat rate, $60 mowing (drought), $180-$60= +$120
August $60 flat rate, $120 mowing, $180-$120= +$60
September $60 flat rate, $120 mowing, $120-$120= $0



I currently have approx 80% of my customers setup on a flat monthly rate plan. *It is the only way to go anymore

[gman]

Yes I have a flat rate it is $80 for four cuts a month only on the basic size of the yard which is the same a 1/4 of a arce. and $100 for 1/2 and so on. Now taking with all my new customers I'm the cheapest around the area. One of my new customers told me that they were paying $240 of the same job that I'm doing for a $100. I see your point with a flat rate but I have to cut all year around when you northerns (which I was born and raised in NY) only have to cut 6 months. So I don't know if it is far to charge the same pice all year.

[myrlin]

Gman,

We are also in FL. 90% of our customers are on a yearly contract. We bill them the same amount every month year round. It actually averages out cheaper by contract than by the cut. It can be $20-$120 cheaper for the customer to go with a yrly contract. You have to remember some months have 5 weeks instead of 4. When we point that out to the customers they don't have a problem signing a contract. The only customers we have on a per cut are vacant lots or someone who has their house for sale.

[gman]

Thank you

This will help me out alot.