Bid Issue

[eltonallen]

I tried searching the forums to see if a situation like mine has occured here I didn't find one so maybe someone has an idea of what I can do. Scenario is this. I was working as a groundskeeper of a condominium association with a base pay of $550. This included cutting, edging, trimming and pruning. It takes me a bit of time to cut due to the layout of the property but not a major issue. At the beginning of the month the property manager informs me that the Association is sending out the grounds keeping to bid and he gave me the list of what would be required to which I have attached. My question is really how much should I charge on this. If I got the contract I would have to use my equipment and furnish all materials. So I am assuming a definite price increase. I appreciate any advice.

Attached Files

SCW Grounds Maintenance Duties 0309_1.docx (11.2 KB, 10 views)

[Steve]

How to get lawn care customers - Vol 2

Hi Elton, Is it possible you could resave the file and post it as a doc file instead of the docx? I can not read the docx files. Thanks!

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[eltonallen]

Let's try this one. I saved it as text instead of Word.

[swstout]

Originally Posted by Steve

Hi Elton,

Is it possible you could resave the file and post it as a doc file instead of the docx? I can not read the docx files.

Thanks!

Here it is Steve

[Steve]

Oh thank you so much.

Ok here is the file so everyone can read it and jump in.

Subcontractor Grounds Maintenance Duties
March 2009
-Mow and trim all common grounds areas including the backyards of townhomes.
-Pickup and cleanup (vacuum not blow) all common area grounds (including walkways, townhome backyards, swimming pool areas, etc.) four times per week during May through August and 2 to 3 times per week during the rest of the year.
-Empty wastebaskets at swimming pools and mail area.
-Weed or use Roundup herbicide as needed in all areas.
-Trim bushes and plants as needed. (Does not include the Palms but does include the Sagos)
-Check and test irrigation once per week—advise maintenance of any problems.
-Report any needed repairs in a written list.
-All equipment, gasoline and chemicals provided by subcontractor.
-Successful bidder must provide copy of liability insurance before commencement of work begins.
All bids must be submitted by March 27, 2009 in a sealed envelope either in person to the office or by mail.
The bid will be awarded beginning April 1, 2009 for a one year period with renewals for one year periods possible with consent of both parties.

Can you give us a break down of how much area this is? How long did it take you to do each job per week?

[eltonallen]

Originally Posted by Steve

Oh thank you so much.

Ok here is the file so everyone can read it and jump in.



Can you give us a break down of how much area this is? How long did it take you to do each job per week?

I don't have the exact area of the property but maybe http://www.sandcastleswest.net/ will help give a rough idea of the area.

As far as time on a cut day it takes me about three hours which is cutting, trimming, edging, and blowing of the drives. This is really because of the layout of the town home section which has 18 individual turf islands.

On a non-cut day it takes me about two to three hours to complete my tasks. I tend to time those tasks out over the course of the week as the association required me to be there for the specified days. So regardless of whether or not I had zero work to be done, if I didn't show up the property manger was calling me because an owner/s were on his case.

[Steve]

Ok I am not sure of the exact property lines but here is an overhead view.

As far as time on a cut day it takes me about three hours which is cutting, trimming, edging, and blowing of the drives. This is really because of the layout of the town home section which has 18 individual turf islands.

So we are looking at 3 hours per week to do the cutting, edging and trimming?

You should really figure out the area that you are cutting and the total feet of your trimming to help you with future bids.

You are in a good spot to know how long the job will take now since you have done it before.

What equipment are you using to perform these jobs?

On a non-cut day it takes me about two to three hours to complete my tasks.

What tasks will be included in this and what equipment will be needed?

In total we are looking at 6 hours total a week? Is that correct?

I was working as a groundskeeper of a condominium association with a base pay of $550

The association was paying you $550 per week for 6 hours of work? And when you say a base pay, what additional things did they pay you to do that we should take into consideration now?

[EasyPro]

my advice would be to not post the location and name of a company your bidding for . . .

[eltonallen]

Originally Posted by Steve

Ok I am not sure of the exact property lines but here is an overhead view.



So we are looking at 3 hours per week to do the cutting, edging and trimming?

You should really figure out the area that you are cutting and the total feet of your trimming to help you with future bids.

You are in a good spot to know how long the job will take now since you have done it before.

Yeah I will mark that out tomorrow

Originally Posted by Steve

What equipment are you using to perform these jobs?

I will be using my lawn tractor and push mower, trimmer, edger, blower, and I will need to purchase an outdoor vac as that is a new requirement.

Originally Posted by Steve

What tasks will be included in this and what equipment will be needed?

Basic tasks will include the lawn maintenance, picking up debris, pruning, weeding, herbicide. Any planting of shrubs or flowers is a separate issue.

Originally Posted by Steve

In total we are looking at 6 hours total a week? Is that correct?

here is the comedy on that. The way that the list for bidding is written, the contractor would be required to be there for four days per week during the summer and two to three times during the rest of the year. So the way I worked this was that I essentially had to find things to do because I did not want to drive 15 miles one way for 15 to 30 minutes of work. On the other hand there are some days that I may work 8 hours or more. So if I were able to show up and fulfill the tasks at hand and not return until the next cutting cycle, I would venture to say maybe 2 to three hours per week. Once again that is just if I did it like it should be done. However as I stated in an earlier post, the prop. manager wants to see you because the owners nag him because they don't "see" me.

Originally Posted by Steve

The association was paying you $550 per week for 6 hours of work? And when you say a base pay, what additional things did they pay you to do that we should take into consideration now?

I'm sorry I should have been more explicit on that one. I get paid $550 per month.

I also must add that during the winter months down here the beaches are generally quiet so I show up twice a week to do some cleaning up and viola I'm out in about an hour (that is me busting my tail to look for specifics).

my advice would be to not post the location and name of a company your bidding for . . .

true statement

[Steve]

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The way that the list for bidding is written, the contractor would be required to be there for four days per week during the summer and two to three times during the rest of the year.

I am concerned with this because if you are signing a contract, they can hold you to it. I don't know how much leeway you are going to have to be creative in showing up when you want.

If you had to pick a figure of how many hours you will be billing them for, for the year, what total amount of hours would that be?


Why are they deciding to stop paying you as an employee by the way? What made them want to put this out for bid?