Very bad news ... sorry about this

[Phil Nilsson]

Very Bad news for them ...

Good news for you!

Some of the reasons why commercial customers seek a new contract …

Company is dissatisfied with the quality of the work being done by current provider.

Company policy dictates that each year, the company must acquire three competitive bids for all work awarded.

Company makes a habit of “price testing” the honesty of all outside contractors who provide services.

Company is always on the lookout for anyone who would do the work cheaper.

Management has changed, and the new manager wants to interview and select his choice of contractors.

Company has been acquired or sold to another who in turn wants to establish different programs, policies.

Company enters into a new agreement every year and looks for new contractors who have “new ideas” to improve the appearance of their properties.

The company is not a company at all but a government agency required to bid out work each time the contract expires.

Company has just built a new facility such as a motel, fast food restaurant, and doesn’t have anyone to maintain the grounds.

The current contractor has suddenly quit the account or told management he would not be interested in renewing the contract.

The current contractor has been released from the contract due nonperformance.

[Jack D.]

Worse news seems to be that nobody cares.

The Green Industry as it realtes to mowing/maint. is about price first, reliability second and quality third. As long as you understand and exploit this your comapany will flourish.

[clclawn]

Although not 100% correct, in many ways this is the smartest thing jack d has ever said.

[Phil Nilsson]

With commercial you can get into some fairly large and sometimes complex property maintenance procedures (and complicated, extensive procedures) that require a long learning curve thus giving rise to the need for an extended contract. On these large properties, it can take weeks for crews to learn the best production methods thus "extending" "payback" on training time. Anyway, the larger the property, or the more complex the contract the longer the time frame desired since often times the contractor would have to invest in additional equipment and crew strength.

[Elwood]

I agee with what Phil just said, BUT some places won't want a long term contract, but a single year contract. This will allow them to exploit a new company with little experience bidding these type of sites who will lowball the crap out of the job while they are salivating at such a deal. This will lead to cost savings for the consumer and a huge dent in the success or even lead to the downfall of the provider. Does the consumer care? No, they will run thru as many companies as they can to save a buck why their property is kept at a "so-so", yet satisfactory level.

The trick is to find consumers who want a quality provider and while still wanting a competitive price, are willing to pay slightly more for quality, reliability and performance. Sadly, in the comerical world today, these consumers are getting thin.

Building relationships with clients is key.

[Phil Nilsson]

Try regional multi-location service offers (within state) (or multi states) and than form alliances to do the work ...

what do you think? good idea?

[Jack D.]

Quite often a company's standards lessen as they add employees and accounts. One must be cautious to enable employees w/the proper training and equipment and proper supervision in order to maintain a pre determined standard.

Commercial mowing is often secured by the lowest bidder which can make the profit vs quality control mechanisms tenuous.

[GrassMaster]

Mr. Jack D.

I think you made a mistake on those Pics...

I know somebody that's going to be mad about you putting in that Company name & if he says so...

I'll have to remove those pics...

Please understand my situation on this... No hard feelings Mr. Jack just part of my crappy job?

[jrservices]

Jack, you're a wingnut!!!!!!!! Erichs gonna rip you a new one.

[Scaper-S2k]

Sure, I took those pictures to show the President of BK what other competitors were doing to his lawns. He looked at my photos of their work, and signed me up immediately to fix the mistakes!



But, here's the thing, I took a few shots of that site. Jack posted the first one. But wouldn't ya know it, while I was standing there in disappointment, the actually lawn care company pulled out and left. Lucky for me, I was able to snap a shot of them!!

Here it is!
















P.S. Jack, why not just use my screen name instead?



By the way, those originals weren't pictures taken by me, nor were they any job we have ever worked on.

[SodBuster]

Man....those Burger King fast food joints look awful. If one is attempting professionalism, they should abstain from that type of work....unless they have nothing better going on.

[steve-o]

i have to get up at 5 am and i am still looking at this stuff. you guys are too much!!!!!

steve

[Jack D.]

Please note that the set-up pictured by Mr. Skaper could easily net $80 per hr. mowing w/the right accounts. The operator has kept overhead low, likely using a personal vehicle, and has a bold and effective marketing strategy.

[Scaper-S2k]

Jack, it appears that 'Jacks' is mowing for $5-$10 per cut. So figure $7. That would be pretty tough for that fella to do 11-12 lawns per hour, all day.

I do agree with you though, the sign on top of the vehicle really gets noticed!

I wonder why they don't just put the mower in the back of the truck though.

[Phil Nilsson]

"Does the consumer care? No, they will run thru as many companies as they can to save a buck why their property is kept at a "so-so", yet satisfactory level."

Okay so what ... that's life ... go with the flow or drown? ...