Another service idea

[picframer]

I finished leveling 6 loads of fill today and three loads of top soil, installed 200 feet of drain for a new client. I finished around 8 this evening, they were very happy. Then the husband said we want you to build out inter locking rock wall, it's 84 feet long and we want it 30" high, I guess the surprised look on my face prompted the next question when the wife said "I know it's not listed in your services but you know how to build one right?" I said I built my own at home but never thought of building for others. "Well it's settled then, here is a picture of the brick we want, any idea when you can start?" Found this one funny, I can build it with a helper and make a really good buck doing it, they never did ask for a price, guess that is the way it is when you are both doctors, just get it done. Anyhow these walls are simple to build and perhaps another service the users here could consider. Andy

[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Oh fascinating! Would this be a retaining wall? Or a more decorative wall?

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[picframer]

Originally Posted by Steve

Oh fascinating! Would this be a retaining wall? Or a more decorative wall?

18" will retain a wall along the driveway then 12" +/- will extend above the grass. I have all the equipment to do it drom digging to placing sand, level and compact, it's something that never crossed my mind. So I have Wednesday as a give quotes and run errands day, well half of it, I plan to call around and see if there are many guys in this business, I have never seen lettering on a vehicle to this effect.

So I told them of a very close friend who is a Blacksmith and does amazing art work, they called Scott and he will be doing a railing that will go on top of my wall. Here is his work http://www.scotianironworks.com/main.htm

Another business idea is lawn sweeping, I do advertise it and have done a few, it's a 60" pull behind sweeper that removes thatch, leaves, twigs, small rocks etc. Anyhow with University out and more staff coming on, I sent an email to a few real estate companies along the lines that clean swept lawn could mean a few thousand dollars to the seller.

Did that on Friday late in the day, I received four calls today from real estate agents and have 11 properties for the guys to start doing. Now to cover my butt I asked for a credit card # and informed them we would bill the morning we set out, rate is $75.00 an hour min $35.00 fee.

I think this will take off as neighbours will see what an amazing job it does and who wants to hand rake a lawn, gosh even I would pay someone $75.00 to do mine.

Andy

[Steve]

Your blacksmith friend does amazing work! OUTSTANDING work! I bet if you start offering this service, he could send you a lot of business as well.

Another business idea is lawn sweeping

I'd love to see some before and after pictures of this.

Do you explain to the customers that this service will not only remove leaves but also rocks and other objects? Or how best can you convey to the customer what this really is?

For the average person, this might sound like you are using a hand held broom to sweep the lawn.

[swstout]

Originally Posted by picframer

I finished leveling 6 loads of fill today and three loads of top soil, installed 200 feet of drain for a new client.

I finished around 8 this evening, they were very happy. Then the husband said we want you to build out inter locking rock wall, it's 84 feet long and we want it 30" high, I guess the surprised look on my face prompted the next question when the wife said "I know it's not listed in your services but you know how to build one right?" I said I built my own at home but never thought of building for others. "Well it's settled then, here is a picture of the brick we want, any idea when you can start?"

Found this one funny, I can build it with a helper and make a really good buck doing it, they never did ask for a price, guess that is the way it is when you are both doctors, just get it done.

Anyhow these walls are simple to build and perhaps another service the users here could consider.

Andy

I gave a quote for a 35' hedge today and the homeowner asked if I would install an electric dog fence around his frot yard? I've heard of them but have no idea how to estimate one. Googelng now for info.

At the way things are going by nest year I'll have to have my own Yellow Pages to cover all the services people want!

Steve

Oh, by the way, the gator is gone.

[turfmaster]

Originally Posted by swstout

I gave a quote for a 35' hedge today and the homeowner asked if I would install an electric dog fence around his frot yard? I've heard of them but have no idea how to estimate one. Googelng now for info.

At the way things are going by nest year I'll have to have my own Yellow Pages to cover all the services people want!

Steve

Oh, by the way, the gator is gone.

Steve,
I have put these in in the past.
I used a edger to cut the slot around the perimeter that the customer wanted done. Then you just tuck the wire in. It works pretty sweet. Usually wired the control box in the garage. If you have to run wire across a concrete sidewalk or driveway you just tuck the wire in the tooled or sawed joint in the concrete then use silicone caulk on top of wire. Hope that helps you.
TURF

[swstout]

Originally Posted by turfmaster

Steve,
I have put these in in the past.
I used a edger to cut the slot around the perimeter that the customer wanted done. Then you just tuck the wire in. It works pretty sweet. Usually wired the control box in the garage. If you have to run wire across a concrete sidewalk or driveway you just tuck the wire in the tooled or sawed joint in the concrete then use silicone caulk on top of wire. Hope that helps you.
TURF

Thank you, I found instructions on Google about using the edger but they said to use a concrete saw for the walks and driveways. I like your idea better.

How did you charge for labor? by the foot or what? I was thinking about charging by the foot for material and labor. What do you think?

Steve

[turfmaster]

The last one I did was about 5 years ago. At that time I charged $1.00/ft plus materials.
I used a wood stir stick for paint cans to push the wire in the slot .

[swstout]

It gives me a place to start. I told the man I would get back to him Wednesday or Thursday so I have a little time to 'cuss and discuss'
my way through figuring the bid.

Steve

[Steve]

At that time I charged $1.00/ft plus materials.

Did you add any markup to the materials?

How much does it cost to get the electronics and all that for this project?