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What is the best way to bid lawn jobs? Do you do it by the square foot like this?
1. Divide a lawn up into several pieces that are roughly rectangular, square, oval, circular, triangular, trapezoidal (4 more or less straight sides of unequal length) or other geometric shapes as appropriate.
2. Take measurements of these shapes using a measuring wheel or a measuring tape,
3. Use the appropriate mathmatic formula to determine the square footage of each piece.
4. Enter each value as a positive (regular) number in a column to be added up for the total square footage when you're done.
5. Measure, then calculate the square footage of "take-away" obstacles- large obstacles that would take away from the square footage of a piece of lawn- like big bushes over 10' in diameter, beds, concrete slabs, driveways, etc..
6. Enter the square footages of all "take away" obstacles as negative numbers in your totals column (or simply subtract them from the total square footage for all areas of the lawn)
7. (Optional) Measure and add up the distances around all trees, fences, bushes, beds, houses, out-buildings, garages, swimming pools, gardens, driveways, sidewalks, patios, slabs, et cetera that would need to be trimmed with a string trimmer or edged, and charge x amount per lineal foot for string trimming or edging (whether or not I would wish to show this as an item on an itemized bill)
8. Add up all the square footages, positive (lawn areas) and negative (take away obstacles).
8a. Subtract the take away obstacles, if you wish to do this instead of adding them as negative numbers.
9. Multiply your added total by your cents (or decimal fraction of a dollar) per square foot rate for the total price per cutting or mowing.
Or, is there a faster, more efficient way to do this? (especially on irregularly-shaped, obstacle-filled lawns)
Also, what would be a good price to charge per square foot for a new startup business in my area (Fenton, MI between Flint and Detroit)? How much should I add for string trimming and edging? Should I itemize these additional charges on the bill and/or on my price quote or estimate?
1. Divide a lawn up into several pieces that are roughly rectangular, square, oval, circular, triangular, trapezoidal (4 more or less straight sides of unequal length) or other geometric shapes as appropriate.
2. Take measurements of these shapes using a measuring wheel or a measuring tape,
3. Use the appropriate mathmatic formula to determine the square footage of each piece.
4. Enter each value as a positive (regular) number in a column to be added up for the total square footage when you're done.
5. Measure, then calculate the square footage of "take-away" obstacles- large obstacles that would take away from the square footage of a piece of lawn- like big bushes over 10' in diameter, beds, concrete slabs, driveways, etc..
6. Enter the square footages of all "take away" obstacles as negative numbers in your totals column (or simply subtract them from the total square footage for all areas of the lawn)
7. (Optional) Measure and add up the distances around all trees, fences, bushes, beds, houses, out-buildings, garages, swimming pools, gardens, driveways, sidewalks, patios, slabs, et cetera that would need to be trimmed with a string trimmer or edged, and charge x amount per lineal foot for string trimming or edging (whether or not I would wish to show this as an item on an itemized bill)
8. Add up all the square footages, positive (lawn areas) and negative (take away obstacles).
8a. Subtract the take away obstacles, if you wish to do this instead of adding them as negative numbers.
9. Multiply your added total by your cents (or decimal fraction of a dollar) per square foot rate for the total price per cutting or mowing.
Or, is there a faster, more efficient way to do this? (especially on irregularly-shaped, obstacle-filled lawns)
Also, what would be a good price to charge per square foot for a new startup business in my area (Fenton, MI between Flint and Detroit)? How much should I add for string trimming and edging? Should I itemize these additional charges on the bill and/or on my price quote or estimate?
