knowledge is power when bidding

[PearceTurf]

Hello,
This is my first post as a brand new member. I am a newbie and will appreciate any advice as I have already done for a few months as a visitor.

I have learned to go to my local county government website and click on imaps. Type in the address of a property and bam!, all sorts of info pops up. Acreage, dimensions, price of land and real property, when bought, owner, topography and even an aerial photo of the plot.

I really freaked a couple of people out when I told them I knew some of the info before even going out to look at the property. I think it really helped me get some of those bids.

Any other ideas of how you pros seek knowledge and information to make yourself more efficient would ge greatly appreciated.

[CCLS]

Go measure your commercial properties in the summer or early fall. In late fall or winter do cold calling to these locations. You will already know the dimensions of the property and how much to charge. You don't have to worry about guessing how big something is with snow covering it.

[flatlander]

IMAP

PEACETURF,
CAN YOU POST A LINK TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IMAP SITE THAT YOU REFER TO. I DON'T LIVE IN YOUR AREA BUT WOULD LIKE TO GET A LOOK SEE AT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THANX

[PearceTurf]

The website I used is wakegov.com. Then go to GIS or Geographic Information Services, then click on Imaps and take it from there. It is very useful. Good Luck.

[mmlawncare]

Man, that is priceless. Be thankful you have that. That is an awesome tool in this business. I wish we had something like that!

[TRANSMAN]

mmlawncare

Mike you should have access through your local county name with .org at the end of it.For instance Littlerock.org should bring you into there government files and give you acess to plot numbers adressess which give you detailed property dementions and satalite photos.You would have to actually go in and experiment with various paths and dig a little. In florida its always county.org some states use .gov .If all fails i think the tax collectors office will tell you the internet adress to get the same stuff as pearceturf. Give it a try.Good Luck

[TRANSMAN]

OH, i forgot were talking about government employees.If they dont have a clue look up a local land surveyor and call him.They definately know how to access all that stuff.

[GLAN]

that's nice

Knowing what to expect ahead of the estimate is an advantage. It also shows the prospective client that you did your homework.