Price By the Job or Square Foot?

[jandjlawns14]

I'm new to the Forum and I have been in the business for about a year and this will be my second year. I have a minimum of $35 and they are small sub-division yards and i have an opportunity to bid on trailer lots, homes on the river, and from 1/2 acre-3 acre lots. Most of the 1 acre-3 acre lots are going to be cut and trim only. Will it be better to price by the hour or by the square feet? I have been pricing my yards by the hour but should I price the bigger yards by the hour or the square feet. How much should I charge for square footage in Central Alabama.


Thanks,
J and J Lawns 14

[N.TX]

Here in TX i price based on yards up to a certain sq ft ex.. lots up to 10,000 sq ft $28weekly , add $2 dollars per 1000 sq ft above that up to 15,000 sf. This includes the total size of the property before you take out for the house concrete ect... Most of these under 10,000 sf ft take only 15 min with 2 guys and small mowers to mow, edge, trim and blow. Those are my base prices.. i make it aware that if a customer would like extra services or their property is difficult to cut because of too much in the yard then i will give a customized quote. Any thing over half an acre i would charge a set rate but give customized quotes for each one. I have one 3 acre yard that takes me 5 man hrs to do and then a 2 acre that takes me almost 4 hrs. One had more trees more planters and one is wide open mowing not to mention the little extras i do at one that i dont do at the other. Some larger properties you may be able to mow the majority with say a 60inch z where as some you might have to pull a midsize out for some fenced in areas or areas behind a barn or somthing. Weedeating can vary a whole lot on larger properties too. I would make it clear that if they want any other services such as weeds tree trimming ect.. that it will be billed hrly on top of mowing at $xx dollars per man hr.