Side jobs?

[Steve]

also i deal with Service Magic (60% success rate) Is that for lawn care jobs or side jobs as well?

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[cklandscapingorlando]

Lawn care business tips

Well Im lucky enough to live in florida so I get paid year round.But at first I would build decks,fences,dig up plants,pressure wash,or any thing I could get my hands on.The key is putting your self out there.Let all your clients know what could be better with their property.They probly dont know you can do what you can do.If a client needs landscaping then draw up something and let them know how you can make it look.I dont ask but I enjoy designing so I just do it then give it to them.Make sure that you do this for clients not customers.A client trust you and will use you for any thing they can.A customer is someone your doing work for but they have no problem using someone else.If your clients love your work they'll tell a friend and they have to keep up the friends.

[Steve]

The key is putting your self out there.Let all your clients know what could be better with their property.They probly dont know you can do what you can do.If a client needs landscaping then draw up something and let them know how you can make it look.I dont ask but I enjoy designing so I just do it then give it to them.

Do you ever find yourself creating a landscape design and presenting to your clients if they don't ask for anything, just if you are inspired to do it? If so, does that ever work? Can you land jobs that way? Or should you first wait for them to ask you to offer them a design idea?

[cklandscapingorlando]

Thats exactly what I do.Thats why I said they have to be clients not customers.If you do that for a customer you run the risk of them taking bids on your design.But a good client will keep it and if they deside to go forward then its your job.Yes I have landed jobs this way.Even if they dont want it right then they always have that thing in their mind every time they come home or have guest over.They know it looks bad and you can fix it.I would do something basic and then try to up sell them on a better job.You know just the bones at first and the frills when they want to talk.

[Steve]

I would do something basic and then try to up sell them on a better job.You know just the bones at first and the frills when they want to talk.

That is really neat!

If you happen to have a design you have made from drawing to reality, I'd love to see it.

Also, how much of a difference have you found you can charge a client from a basic design to a more elaborate one?

[cklandscapingorlando]

We have some pics on our web site. cklandscapingflorida.com.Some are plants we're growing,some maintanance,some installation work.Afte x-mass we'll put up pics of x-mass.We're just starting to take pics of our work for promotional stuff.Well I like to work with what they have in mind for a budgit.But I've started a job at 1200 and ended at 3200.In 2 days and 1200 in material.If you lay out just a single hedge row in #3 then to use a bunch of #1 for an up sell is'nt that hard.The bulk of the money is in the hedges so when they see how much nicer it is fo just a few hundred more they usually go for it.

[Steve]

.If you lay out just a single hedge row in #3 then to use a bunch of #1 for an up sell is'nt that hard.

What was the #1 and #3 referring too? The pictures on your site?

After x-mass we'll put up pics of x-mass.

Are you offering outdoor holiday decorations? Or what kinds of x-mass pictures are you referring to?

But I've started a job at 1200 and ended at 3200.In 2 days and 1200 in material.

Do you mean the $1200 in materials was on top of the job price or included?

[cklandscapingorlando]

1 gal. and 3 gal. Yes I do decorations for the holidays.The job took 2 days and 1200 in plants and mulch.I billed them 3200 for the job.1000 a day aint bad.The pics are on my web site.

[cklandscapingorlando]

The total job was only 1200 at first but by the end it was 3200

[Steve]

Yes I do decorations for the holidays.

What has been your view of outdoor holiday decorations? What price range do you think lawn care business owners should shoot for when promoting this kind of work?