PRICING SPRINKLER SYSTEM MAINTENCE

[BUBBA]

I AM SOMEWHAT NEW TO THE BUSINESS AND I RECENTLY COMPLETED A BID ON A TOWNHOME COMMUNITY. PART OF THE REQUIREMENT OF THE BID WAS WE WILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATION OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM. THE ONLY EXPERIENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS IS PUTTING ONE IN MY OWN YARD. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MOST OF THE LARGER COMPANIES THAT I HAVE SEEN SERVICING WHOLE COMMUNITIES ARE ALSO MAINTAINING THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM. I PLAN ON BIDDING ONE SUCH COMMUNITIES NEXT SPRING AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS SOME INSITE OR A FORMULA TO FIGURE THIS INTO THE PRICE.
I WAS ALSO WONDERING HOW MUCH TIME EACH MONTH IS ACTUALLY SPENT ON MAINTAINING THE SPRINKLERS.
I HAVE ALSO BEEN APROACHED BY AN INVESTER THAT HAS A COUPLE OF RENTAL PROPERTIES THAT HE WANTED A QUOTE ON MONTHLY MAINTENCE OF THE LAWN, HEDGES, WEEDS AND THE SPRINKLERS.
HOW WOULD YOU FACTOR A RESIDENTIAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM TO YOUR MONTHLY PRICE?
BUBBA

[Phil Nilsson]

reply

Sprinkler systems install & maint is cool but the BIG downside is that few if any sprinkler outfits in the country can find (foreman or technicians) to do the work. On a small scale, it's small scale requiring the owner operator to divert his time. Foreman are quite rare to find and keep. They might as well be in their own bizz ... right?

My solution to growing a bizz is to "lock onto" easily taught and accomplished work that anybody can learn to do and you pay them a low labor rate. Somebody quits you just replace them. Class B properties that want you to stay on budget. Crank out high production for "moderately" priced dollars. Ask yourself just how many customers there are who can live high of the hog when it comes to routine maintenance. Sell labor hours ... then CONTROL what you sold ... that's where I think it's at.

Phil Nilsson
Nilsson Associates Consultants
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Edited by - Phil Nilsson on Sep 08 2002 10:42:18 AM