Bidding a Golf Course

[COWPOP]

We are new to this. A greenskeeper at a local golf course has asked if we would be interested in contracting to mow the rough areas along the fairways and around the course. How would someone bid this? We are on the ground floor of this profession and have not mowed the first yard yet. We have been able to get a couple yards that we fertilized, aerated, and seeded. If anyone can help please do. Thank you so very much.

Lawn care business tips

Wow...a golf course, that's up there. I've never dealt with anything nearly that large before, but I would suggest talking to other greenskeepers in the area and asking what kind of time they spend mowing the rough. Is it just a once a week mow? I know my golf course does rough twice a week, so that might be another factor to consider?

[justin_time]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (COWPOP @ Mar. 24 2008,7:45)]We are new to this. A greenskeeper at a local golf course has asked if we would be interested in contracting to mow the rough areas along the fairways and around the course. How would someone bid this? We are on the ground floor of this profession and have not mowed the first yard yet. We have been able to get a couple yards that we fertilized, aerated, and seeded. If anyone can help please do. Thank you so very much.

I hope their providing you everything...

Do they want to hire just as labour ?

If so i'd say ask like 15 to 20 / hr...

I personnaly did work at a golf course.. but for fun.. so that's what i think you should do.. bid by the hour..

I personnaly know that you can only do 1 or 2 holes in a day

[Steve]

Hi Charlie,

If all else fails and you are not comfortable with your abilities at the moment to break down this job into smaller sections to create a bid for it, you could always consider just doing the job once to see how long it will take you.

Once you know how long it will take you can come up with a bid you would be comfortable with.

Let me know how all this works out for you.

[hotwired]

Hi
There are a number of creative ways you might approach this. Steve's "break up" idea is one I hadn't thought of. If it were me, I'd want to make sure of a couple of things:

1. If you'll need extra equipment, make sure there's an iron clad multi year contract so that you're not stuck with thousands of dollars in un unsed half depreciated equipment one season later if they decide not renew.

2. I'd estimate it as many ways as you can. Measure or find out the actual square footage and use mower area tables to find out how long it will take.

3. Be upfront. Let them know that you've never taken on something quite so large and you'd need to make sure you have a chance to re estimate if you're "off" so you're not stuck mowing at a loss all year. I choose blatant honesty over making someone think you're bigger than you really are any day. Much less painful!!

4. Finally, look at "who you are" as a company. Does this job, despite the $$$ it makes you see, fit who you are as a company?? Or will it just distract you from your mission? It may double your gross, but if it just ain't 'who you are', let it go downstream and wait (or go get) that job that's more up your alley.

Cheers!