Commercial bidding...I need help

[AllseasonLawn]

I am new to the buisness. I am jumping in head first but need some help. I was ask to bid a large property for a very big corporation in my town and don't know where to begin. We have a appointment with them to get a layout of all the properties. There are two large properties and a few residential that they own also. Does anyone have a formula you use for sq/ft because I have no idea how long it would take to do the job.

Help me please...

All Season Lawn and Landscaping

[kutnkru]

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Its quite helpful if you have your location filled out so that we dont give you a yankees bidding form if your from the south -LOL!!!

We will seriously need to know what equipment you have for the site so we can point you in the right direction.

[kutnkru]

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Heres how I try to formulate my numbers for bidding:

<b>TURF CARE</b>
The best thing that you can do is to measure the property to calculate your services. You should take measurements for mowing, trimming, edging, mulch, fert. & pesticide apps, etc.
Try calculating mowing using these figures:
- use 44,000 as an acre
- multiply your square footage by your pricing structure (ie. $3.50/m sf)
- multiply this number by a degree of difficulty from 1.5(easy) to 3(difficult)

Try calculating edging using these figures:
gas or stick edger’s - .50 cents per 100(lf)
line trimmers - .75 cents per 100(lf)
line trimmers (along chain link fencing) - $1 per 100(lf)

Most company’s when you place your estimates like to see that you are a conscientious contractor that wants to give their property a manicured look. I always estimate the amount of time I think we will spend picking up debris prior to/while mowing and calculate trash removal times as part of the mowing price.

<b>ORNAMENTAL BED MGMT.</b>
Measure the total linear footage of ornamental beds to calculate your edging times. Then you should measure the sq footage of these beds so you can put together your pricing for mulch. If they have existing mulch you can submit a price for topdressing or even just re-fluffing what is there if it was applied to heavy. If you were going to be putting down a fresh coat I would submit a price for a 2” layer. The only times many apply 3” is at the time of the installation of plants when the beds were first put in.

As far as shearing is concerned not knowing your skill level you can guesstimate your estimated times by figuring 5 minutes per small (under 2') shrubs, 10-15 minutes for medium (3'-5') shrubs, and up 45 minutes for large (6' above) shrubs and hedges. These times include the cleanup as well.

You will also want to look at the overall condition of their beds and put together a weed control package whether it’s hand weeding, chemical control, or both.

<b>RENOVATION SERVICES</b>
These services (aeration, lime, power raking, over-seeding, etc.) will also be based on the overall square footage of the area being treated. If you do a search you will be able to get the jist of how many bid these services out.

<b>SNOW/ICE CONTROL</b>
I don’t know the rates for snow/ice control in your area but you will want to factor in your estimate for plowing, site clearing (hauling the piles away) - sanding/salting vehicular and pedestrian pavements, hand labor for snow blowers, shoveling, dispersing ice melts etc. - figure whether your pricing structure will be contingent upon per push, per fall, and/or both.

Hope this helps!!!

[Scaper-S2k]

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Give us more details and we can help better. Watch out if you are new to the biz and take on a huge commercial account. I would not necessarily recommend doing that. Especially if it is a high profile job. Waiting a year or so to get good at it will allow you to keep a contract for a longer amount of time. Jumping in before prepared can end that contract, and you may never have the chance to bid it back again.

[AllseasonLawn]

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Thank you very much for your imput. I am in southern Missouri. I actually have no equipment because I don't know what I will need...depending on my commercial accounts and how much I have to do.
I have the backing to buy what ever I want but still wondering what that should be. Any suggestions would be great...
Mark

[dancom]

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i have to agree with scaper, get some experience under your belt before you go for the big one.

[louslawns]

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well a 52 inch walkbehind preferably a hydro walkbehind is good or maybe a zero turn riding mower but you are always gonna need the 32 inch walkbehind for those small fences you have to get through and the 32 inch w/b are a good investment some line edgers (staight shaft) of course and some stick edgers and a back pack blower rakes shovels gas oil oh yaeh and of course hand held gas hedge trimmers branch cutters chainsaw trailer to carry it all and a truck to pull it

[kutnkru]

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A basic mowing set-up is a 36"wb, straight shaft line trimmer, stick edger, and a back pack blower.

If you are awarded your contracts your first purchase should be a (2) 52" wb hydros as you used the term "WE". This way some of your parts will be interchangeable such as blades when you get the 36".

To get yourself plenty of space for hauling equipment I would buy a 6x16 trailer (with electric brakes of course LOL!!!). This will give you plenty of room for 2-Z's and a 36"wb. Throw on some trimmer and backpack racks for easy access/storage of your hand-held equipment and your good to go.

eXmarks will probably give you the best cut, Scag will take a better beating, Bobcat/Bunton are not very user friendly IMHO (I hate their pistol grip set-ups), JD is well a Deer (and around here thats a hunted breed -LOL!!!), Snappers dont have a great dealer network/support her locally so I cannot comment on how they are since becoming a Kees clone -LOL!!!

Your best overall bet is to chose a piece of equipment that your are (1) comfortable with and (2) has impeccable dealer support because thats something you will definitely need with these bids. You will probably have ZERO room for down time.

Good Luck!!!