Project Green Up

Next week we will be adding a new section on our website. *It will be advertised on the main page, however it will be featured on The Landscaper page of the site. *This addition is called Project Green Up What is it? simple really, we will be posting up many of the things you really should know about the industry, but probably dont. *This information will cover all differnt ends of the industry and focus on making young landscapers educated enough to upgrade there company to industry standard. *The first Article will be on putting together a job packet. *Since we value the opinions here at Gopher, we are posting the Job Packet project here let us know if you find this informative, and if you have any other ideas for future Project Green Up's send ideas here Project 1 The Job Jacket The job jacket or folder is a file folder. It is created once the job is sold. The folder and its contents stay at the office and never leave it. All originals are photocopied from this folder and copies are used in the field. If any documentation is lost in the field, it can be replaced by copying the original in the job jacket. The cover of the job jacket lists the project name, address, phone/ fax numbers, contact persons, list of payments made with dates and information specific to the job. The file contents include the items listed below. 1. Job proposal, and drawing-A copy of the signed proposal or quotation with a drawing of the job. The proposal is not given to the job foreman. However, the drawing is given to him to guide layout and construction. The drawing is easiest to read and estimate quantities from it if drawn on graph paper to a convenient scale. The owner/customer should sign the drawing as part of approving the proposal. The proposal and drawings can be used to clarify the scope of the job if questions arise. It can be useful in keeping the crew or owner from making any unauthorized changes. Changes orders are kept in the folder as well. *2. Maps-A map photocopied from a city map shows the exact location of the job site and environs. Maps should also show where dump sites are located, as well as places for purchasing pavers, base, bedding sand, and other materials required for the job. Copies of these maps should be issued to the foreman and given to drivers going to the job. Besides company employees, drivers can include those hauling away materials, and those delivering base, sand, pavers, and other materials. Some companies are using GPS to find sites plus track vehicle mileage and travel times. 3. Job Sheet- This gives essential information for the foreman to organize the job. It includes information on the materials, laying pattern, and edge restraints, plus any special requirements of the job. * The exact format will vary with the preferences of the contractor. These forms can be modified by the contractor to suit particular needs. The foreman generally completes the job sheet as a way to plan the job. 4. Daily Time Sheets-These are for recording all labor and materials for each day of work on a given job. Each worker is responsible for completing a job sheet at the end of each day. The foreman completes his and collects the completed sheets from the crew. Each labor operation has a code or number so that each can be tracked. Materials have code numbers as well. *These codes are essential to tracking job costs. 5. Job Cost Sheets for Materials *and Labor -These are provided by the estimator. This information is used by the foreman to complete the Job Sheet. The Job Cost Sheets tell the foreman what materials and labor to document during the job. The estimated list of materials, labor functions and hours are provided by the estimator on the sheet. The actual amounts consumed are written by the foreman. The functions of labor, number of hours, and materials consumed are transferred from the daily time sheets by the foreman. If there are additional labor functions, hours, and materials consumed, these are entered by the foreman on the Job Cost Sheets. The Job Costs Sheets for Materials and Labor indicate what is expected from the foreman to complete the job. They are not intended to evaluate the performance of the foreman. The completed sheets are a tool that tell the estimator how well the job was estimated. Copies of the items 1-5 listed above should be kept in a clear plastic holder, carried in the foreman's or job superintendent's vehicle. The information should be on the job site at all times until the job is finished. All sheets, i.e., the daily time sheets and job cost sheets are returned to the job jacket at the office by the foreman at the end of each day. Other items that belong in the office job folder include job cost estimate sheets for labor and materials, the estimate pricing summary sheet, actual vs. estimated job costing sheet, material order forms (company purchase orders), and copies of checks issued as payment for the job. Source: ICPI Certification Program

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Great information. Is this going to become a video in the future?

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well, the job jacket will be mentioned in one, but we wont be centering a video around it. We plan on merging certain topics from project green up and the landscaper, like when we get to the portfolio project and my personal favorite upcoming video and project, "Green Eye for the Lawn Guy" where we will show almost like a makeover type episode to show landscapers how to dress for client meetings and promotional trade shows. There will be a major focus on how to actually build a landscape company from the ground up so to speak.

[Steve]

"Green Eye for the Lawn Guy"

That is AWESOME!

HAHAHHAHAHA I love the title name and concept.

Great job.

if you check our site, we have made a few updates to differnt sections. Our editor is still ill so I have to apologize but it will still be a slight bit till the next landscaper episode, all 4 parts of a healthy landscaper will go online together though, they are all fully edited and ready to go. Project green up is online, somewhat, there will be a video example of how to put together the first project as soon as he gets the landscaper episodes up. so technically green up will be another webisode, but it will only be about 5 min. in length. also, on the main page is a slideshow for environmental design & management. It might be good for ideas for other landscapers to put one together on there own sites, it was extremely easy to put together. You will also notice on the landscaper page we put up the gopher radio banner, I listened to all 3 webcasts the other day and found them very informative. I would like to actually speak to a gopher rep about coming on the webcast. I think my story could be helpfull to the young guys in the business.
anyway
check out the updates
unitedenvironment.com

Oh, I also wanted to thank gopher for the publicity you have given us, we are finally getting our site listed on the search engines, and we came across a good amount of other sites where you guys mentioned the show. Thank you so much for pushing the word out. I also would like to add the gopher billing software to our store and have it link straight to you, so the only thing on our site would be a pic and description that links back to gophersoftware.com
let me know if thats ok with you guys and it will be up next week. we are looking to add another section to the site with reviews of green industry products, so a review of gopher will be up as well. Dont worry, it will be getting a great review, I love the program

[Steve]

I am glad to have been able to help with your shows promotion. I hope it continues to grow.

I sent you an email to find out what you would like to discuss with the webcast so we can move forwards with that.