Snow contracts

This kind of surprised me. I recently participated in a survey for snow magazine and the question was "Are you already getting your snow contracts signed for the 2007-08 winter season?" And I was very surprised to find that 60% of respondents answered "yes". Kind of interesting. Any thoughts on why so early?

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Well, I think it is smart. If you have been in business for a few seasons why not take care of these situations as soon as you can in the year and lock the customers in. That would give you ahead start over your competition. In the past when would you deal with these issues?

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I personally don't send out snow removal contracts until September

[camigda lawn service]

Hey, I'm getting into the residential snow removal this year. I just bought a snowblower today. I am asking how much to bid on these jobs. I am in Denver Co so anyone here that can give me some answers could ya? I have several of my lawn service clients interested and am eager to give them the bid asap.
Thanks!

[Steve]

Hi camigda,

Prices may differ based on areas. Have you thought about calling a few local lawn care operators in your area and ask them how much it would be to do this to your property? Or to a friends? That way you could get a local idea. Maybe get 3 bids for a friends property?

Would that help you?

Unless someone else wants to jump in and offer some prices?

[camigda lawn service]

great ideas, thanks. was hoping some local denver snow removal folks could throw me a bone by telling me how they determine their pricing in this area. I'm not lazy but instead will waste their time and gas by bringing them out to give me a quote, for their service I will not use, but I figured I'd just ask in this forum instead. I hate when people do this to me!
Asking is so much more productive for all.
Camigda:blush:

[Steve]

I totally agree, I just thought my response would be the fastest.

Hey, you know you can always give them $10 or $20 bucks for the estimate to make it worth their time.

The information they give you will be worth way more than that. Someone else here from Colorado may still jump in here to help answer you.

Any thoughts on what you will be doing to market this service?

[camigda lawn service]

I never thought of that, thanks! That way I won't be screwing them over and I'll feel a whole lot better about it.
As far as marketing right now I'll be calling my current lawn service clients, I'll put out flyers along with my aeration flyers, plus I am associated with a non-profit organization that will allow me to place the flyers there. I also placed an ad on Craigslist targeting my specific area. Since this is just beginning and I have only the blower and shovels, I've got to keep it small.
CMig

[Steve]

Will you be offering any outdoor decorations this fall/winter?

[Billz]

I always send my snow bids to my customers with their bills on Oct. 1...This year some of my customers are actually signing with other plow companies...I am not sure what I will do about it in the spring. These same 2 customers praise me every time I see them, and admit their lawn has never looked so good...but have no loyalty toward my if they sign with the cheapos...I will probably just raise their lawncare next year $100, and look every time I plow to see if they are done. Last year I had a customer sign with another company...they plowed 6 times, where I plowed 25 times to the same area. He complained all spring to me about being snowed in all winter, and then just announced to me he was taking bids again this year, and I would have to compete with that company if I wanted to plow him this year. I hate snow already so told him if he wants to sign with anyone else for plowing to be sure they mowed!