Pricing mowing

[Jayd54]

Hello, all.
I would like some advice on a couple of things. What do some of you think about charging a flat, affordable rate for mowing residential properties? It seems to me it would be easier to estimate income at tax time this way and (more importantly, to me) a good way to attract customers (since I still have none). Yes, I suppose it's lowballing but how else do I get my "foot in the door?" Thanks

[GrassMaster]

reply

Hello Jayd54:

It will be very hard to have a set price, there's to many Varibles. I've Cut Residential lawns for as Little as $25 to as much as $650 a Cut each time!

I had a Lawn that was about 5 or 6,000 Sq. Ft. of grass & I never billed them under $800 a Month. It was the Lawn from Hell, it was a lot more than just Mow, Edge, Trim & Blow. Just Keeping the Beds Cleaned out of debries was a Major Job. Every Year we Take Photos of Beds when Flowers in Bloom & Every Winter we Rearrange the Beds.

Just Be Patient, Make sure you are doing all you can to Advertise your Services & Target Major Neighborhoods. Once you get in, do a Good Job, The Work & Pay will come!

My First year I Only Landed 8 Year Rounders, the Second year I was up to about 30 & the Third year the Work was Falling out of the Sky! <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

Did you read this post?
www.lawnservicing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=74


There is Some Good Info here & if it's not here ask, Plenty of Seasoned Professionals here & More! We are Here to Help!

GrassMaster
Lawn Care Service Business Resources
Click here PM to the Forum Administrator

[rkbrown]

reply

GrassMaster is right. Having a flat rate can get you into trouble quickly. I know around my area, most subdivisions are about the same, and 9 out of 10 houses will be like that. But remember, as you are driving around you are only seeing the front yard. They may have some elabotate landscaping in the back that may require an inordinate amount of trimming. I think it benefits you to have an hourly charge in the back of your mind. After measuring the property and examining the landscape for the amount of trimming you will need to do, you will be able to make a more educated assessment instead of just going with a flat rate.

I am in process of getting flyers/business cards printed, but just yesterday evening was out playing catch with my daughter in the front yard. A couple was walking buy and asked "Who does your yard?". I love those questions

Rob
Taybritt Lawn and Landscape Services

Edited by - rkbrown on May 14 2002 09:21:11 AM

[kutnkru]

reply

The biggest problem with a flat rate is that it will only cover about 30% of accounts in each category.

I use what would have been a flat rate as a starting point to gage what I need to charge. Then you factor in obstacles, travel time, trash removal, weeding, etc. that adds to your time spent at each account.

As far as taxes are concerned figure that about 40% of your gross will go to operating expenses, and charge accordingly so that your not cutting for less cash than a guy flippin burgers -LOL!!!