Looking for something else to add to the business

Oh and I decided to pass out flyers with the waste removal on the bottom as "other services" and see how it goes. I'm not going to spend money on it until I get a job lined up. It's pretty cheap, so if I get a job say that morning from a flyer, I could go buy what I need and return that afternoon and make my money right back.

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

That's great! How many flyers did you hand out? Let us know how this goes!

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[FourSeasons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Think I could get away with $20/hr for that, $10 every half hour? Since it's kinda straining on the back?? I've got gloves already and small sheers I use for minor trims to bushes at my own home.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]There is good money in maintenance

I would go for somewhere close to $60/hr or a $1/minute. You gotta remember you are a business. You are going to have expenses to account for.
You are not doing sidejobs to save up and by a new bike to ride to school next year. Even though some people will act like this.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (FourSeasons @ Oct. 30 2007,7:50)]

I would go for somewhere close to $60/hr or a $1/minute. You gotta remember you are a business. You are going to have expenses to account for.
You are not doing sidejobs to save up and by a new bike to ride to school next year. Even though some people will act like this.

Yeah I was talking to my dad about it today and he was like you need to charge by the job, so they know the total cost, plus brought up my expenses, gas, equpitment, taxes, etc. Saying how I need to factor that in, and yes really wasn't thinking about all that.

And I was looking at peoples yards/flower beds and thinking what I could charge for them, but I'm afraid I'll go too high with what I want. But I guess we could negotiate possibly?? Can't spell, lol!

At least until I get an idea of what people will pay for it?? Or do you think I should stick with exactly how much I originally say not drop it at all. Then maybe offer to do just the front or back and come back another time???

Example give them a full price for entire yard, front and back if they have gardens in both, and if they don't like it offer to do just the front for then and the back when they have more money?? Sound good??

[Steve]

Well, as long as you know what your expenses are, it can't hurt to negotiate if you will still make an acceptable profit on the job. You can always come in high and feel out the customer. If you are too high, you can ask what they were looking to pay for such a job and then find a price you both can agree on.

The more you play around and experiment with this, the more comfortable you will get!

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ Oct. 30 2007,5:51)]That's great! How many flyers did you hand out?

Let us know how this goes!

just a few so far, but I'm going to make up new ones tonight, my daughter is having a school event tomorrow and I figured I could probably pass out some flyers to the other parents/grandparents.

Then after I'm going to canvas my neighborhood since it's so close I'll save on gas/time to get me started with my side projects.

I'll def keep you posted on it!!

[Steve]

Are you going to be dressing up for halloween? Will you be handing out flyers to trick or treaters? Or if you go trick or treating?

[FourSeasons]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Yeah I was talking to my dad about it today and he was like you need to charge by the job, so they know the total cost,

Thats what I meant. Figure out the total time its gonna take you to do a job then figure around $60/hr. Multiply that by your estimated time to come up with your total.
I'm sure you know this by now.
If you are going to be doing alot of flower beds I would even add some extra time on top of the total. You can easily end up spending 30 min on a very small area when cleaning out beds.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ Oct. 30 2007,7:31)]Are you going to be dressing up for halloween? Will you be handing out flyers to trick or treaters? Or if you go trick or treating?

wow, now what would we do without you. With how busy I've been for today I didn't even really think about it! (again 2 kids, lol) Yes I will be dressing up, and we will be trick or treating this evening.

I'll get on making some flyers, I just bought candy for trick or treaters, I'll bag up the candy with flyers and hand them out as we go!!!!

Awesome, thank you!!!

Yay, I decided to make mini flyers, out of print your own business cards. Put a big happy halloween, have a safe holiday from: Sarah's Lawn Care and Flower bed beautification.
And made the bottom like a coupon for parents. A keep this card for $__ off any service. And obvously listed services.
I should have sent a bunch in with my daughter to school today for her classmates!!! agh!!

Well at least I know what I'll do for the christmas season...these mini flyers with bags of candy, happy holidays style.

Also there was even a girl in her class last year who brought in candy with a thanksgiving theme for her classmates...so I'll have some time to do that one I suppose.
Well just shareing my ideas.... Hopefully all this brainstorming will help others as well!!