Approaching Builders

[Kidsweet]

I have made a few calls around to some local builders to see if they are accepting any bids on new construction homes. Most of them tell me to fax them some numbers in and they will take alook at it. My questions is what should I send them in, and how do I know what they want in these new homes as a landscape. Anyone that does know anything about any of this please fill me in on as much of this as I need to know.

[Seascape]

They want your labor rate. Be very,very,very careful w/ builders. Dont appear scared or nervous dealing w/ these guys or theyll eat you alive. Avoid custom builders until you are really ready. Try to hook up w/ larger builders. Like here in ohio M/I homes, and dominion are the only ones i trust. I work for 3 custom builders and havent been screwed yet but as soon as i let my gaurd down they will. Also be prepared to carry these jobs for at least 30 days before you see a check. If they like your labor rate theyll let you bid.
mike

[Kidsweet]

So what are you saying. Your hourly rate or what yo think a job would cost. Need more info please.

[Seascape]

Dont play theyre games. If you fax them anything right now theyll put the hook in you. Call them back or better yet visit theyre office in person. They probally have package landscapes. Ask if you can veiw them and how many you can bid at once. Try to work something out to get bulk work. Dont expect to get top $$ out of these jobs. Bid them low if you really want them. At the office if your lucky the person you need to speak w/ wont be there. This is so you can pump as much info out of who ever is there. take advantage of this situation if you get that lucky. Stick your chest out when dealing w/ builders. They want your labor rate cause if your cheap theyll use you. $30 per hr is what they want to see.
mike

[Klean Kutz Landscape]

30 per hour is that for per person or for your total crew, with builders is it maintenence or just landscaping the front and back yards, or the whole neighborhood. i myself are interested in getting in with some builders. what do you charge.

[Seascape]

30 per man hour. This is what they want you to use on theyre jobs. (you can pick up extra cuts and make more) I suggest you start w/ a large builder. The contacts tend to be salary guys that just want it done w/ no head aches at a cost they wont get ripped for by theyre supervisor. They are less likely to fast talk you and more likely to pay you. be prepared for some very miserable experiences if you work w/ custom bulders. (not all of them) but most of them can suck blood from a turnup.
mike

[McBillNLex]

Something else to consider along these same lines

Last builder we worked with was a leach. He was introduced to us by a supplier, who come to find out was owed a huge chunk of change. He got into us for about 3,500 but involved us in a charity house for the dream factory, here in Lexington.
We ended up eating a substantial amount of the 3,500 but the dream factory gig, hooked us up with several big landscape projects for others.

I don't know if some of the new guys have ever tried it, but some larger real estate firms have "Relo" divisions. Say an executive with Toyota ( a large manufacturing plant near here) gets transferred back to Japan, or California, you get the idea. The Relo firm would try to sell the house, but the exec has already moved. Well the real Estate agent ain't gonna put on shorts and go mow it, and the owner ain't gonna fly in for the weekend and mow it.

Many of these firms hire companies to do it. I did work for one several seasons ago. They would Email a list to me on Monday of any that were still in the program. Most of the time there were 15 or 20 of them. They wanted neat jobs but not gold plated. You need liability insurance, I think 500k was them minimum amount though mine was 1m, all employees have to be covered by workmans Comp. Since I was a sole proprietor and only employee, I had to show proof that I was covered by health insurance. They are not Cadillac payer's, they are looking for lower cost on neat jobs. The advantage to a contractor trying to build a lawn service is that, potential clients get to see the quality of your work in the neighborhood. Your can have the most beautiful rig in the world and never get a call until they see that rig parked in front of a lawn that your laying down a killer stripe on.

If your have a good relationship with the agents, and they like your work, ask them to refer you to clients that are looking for someone to do a quality jobon their lawn. Most of the folks using the relo thing consider themselves to be much to busy for such a laborious task. You will probably be assigned a contact within the office and point out that you are doing bulk lawncare for them at a bulk price, but that while your rates for homeowners will be a bit higher, your level of service rises accordingly too!

[Klean Kutz Landscape]

sounds great, how do you get in contact with builders? where would i even look for one?