Need help on Commercial Bid

[tntgross]

I have been offered to put in a bid on a condo. I currently have no large commercial accounts. I do have the equipment and man power. My question is how do I bid? The lawn and flower beds are 1.94 acres there are also wetlands of 1.35 acres that I will have to weed-eat. They want the place edged, blown, trimmed, ant beds taken care of every cut, annuals twice a year, 45 yards of mulch once a year, pleanty of hedges, they also want trees to be kept trimmed, fertilizer and weed control twice a year. It would take three men about 6-8 hours to do a regular service. If anyone here could give me some helpful advice it would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks alot,
Tina
T-N-T Lawn Care and Landscaping

[Scaper-S2k]

reply

21 hours per visit seems a bit high. Are you sure of this? Also, how many annuals per install?

[tntgross]

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Well, There are three men doing it now. It takes them 6 1/2 hours to finish. They are not doing the job right or what is required in the contract all they do is mow and go, so the condo association is looking for someone else. They charge $500.00 per service. Personally I do not see it all being done for $500.00. $24,000 a year seems a bit low for what they require. What do you think ? There is an awful lot of blowing, weed-eating, edging, they are using rider mowers. The annuals will be about 100-150 to be installed twice a year. Do I need to just break down all that is required and then price it? I don't want to under or over price, it is an annual contract. I would like to be fair and still make a profit.

Thanks,
Tina
T-N-T Lawn Care and Landscaping

[BRL]

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"Do I need to just break down all that is required and then price it?"

That's exactly how I would do it. As far as the time required, you need to figure out how long it will take you with your equipment, it doesn't matter how long it takes any other company with the equipment they have.
My .02

[tntgross]

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Good Point BRL. I figure with my men it would take 4-5 hours to mow, edge, trim, and blow, 6-7 hours when hedges needed to be done. This place isn't just one big building it has several differ units to take care of. Including tennis courts and pools that will need to be blown.
Thanks,
Tina