fertilizing price

[BGJohn]

I have 3 homes to fertilize for this guy and the total sq. ft. is 19000. I had figured this price to be 485.00 for the application for all three lawns. This guy asked me to use the scotts 4 step program which will cost me 169.00 to purchase the fertilizer. Does the price Im offering sound close to what some of you may have come up with? Please help I have to get back to him soon. Thanks!

[Phil Nilsson]

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Try this link ...

http://www.lawnservicing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2074

Phil[]

[mariner]

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Seems rather high. My cost would be $324.00 for 4 applications for that size lot.

[BGJohn]

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Mariner,
How do you base your prices, Im having a hard time trying to figure out which way to turn. Everyone has given me great advise.

I take it your price is with the cost of the fertilizer, labor and whatever else you may add in? I thought it was a good price but I could be wrong. Help a brother out!!

Is it illegal to use scotts brand fertilizer for peoples lawn or do you have to go and buy some other brand from a fertilizer company.

Thanks again for all your help!![]

[qualitylandscaping]

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BGJohn,

Is that $485 for all three lawns together or each one individually? If they are individual, to high... If they are together, to low...

I asked about pricing on here a few days ago and will charge 10x the cut price for a 4-step program. So if I cut a lawn for $30, the yearly fertilizer program will be $300.. If I don't mow the person's lawn, I will measure it and base on a $25 minimum + $2.50 per 1,000sqft..

You can use whatever brand fertilizer you want. I prefer Lesco, as it is not much more expensive than Scotts but gives much better results.

Good Luck!

[BGJohn]

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I also used your pricing method....2.50/1000 sq ft over 4000 and only came up with 250.72 including the base price and fertilizer cost. How are you coming up with 324.00? Maybe im just missing something?

[BGJohn]

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Thanks steve, I actually priced them separately as they are model homes and if one sells then I have to go over my prices and refigure them. I will have to look around for Lesko, I havent heard of it around here but then again Im really green to this business.

You say using scotts is fine. Thats good news, I was curious if there was some law about using fertilizer like Scotts and charging someone for it.

I was told also since its granular there is no need to get a license for the application of fertilizer. Only liquids and pesticides. What do you have to do?

[BGJohn]

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Steve
I do mow these yards. 1 yard for 20 and 2 for 25. So your telling me I should add the totals together...70 and multiply buy 10? that would be 700.00 for all three. Does that sound right? All the fertilizer for the homes only cost 170.00. Thats one hell of a profit. Let me know.

[bhelberg]

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Regulations for application of fertilizers and pesticides are different in every state. In Texas, for instance, you can apply fertilizer without an applicators license, as long as it doesn't have any additional herbicides or pesticides. If you do a weed and feed, however, you must have an applicators license which costs $150/yr after you pass 3 different tests which also cost money. To keep your applicators license you must have 5 CEU credits relevant to your license before reapplication each year. You must also have proof of financial responsibility (insurance) in order to get your applicators license here, and most likely in other states as well.

I believe that it is worth it, since this can be one of your differentiators from your competition.

Good Luck []

[mariner]

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Sorry, I wasn't thinking. My price would be 71.50 per application or $286.00 for 4 applications. I figured that at 2.50 per 1000 sq ft and a $24 base charge. My cost is around $1.00 per 1000 sq ft. With weed killer it is about $1.17 per 1000 sq ft. So i'm more than doubling the cost of the fert plus the $24 base.

[BGJohn]

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Does anyone know if you can apply granular fertilizer in indiana without a license. So far Ive had 3 people tell me yes and 1 no. Just trying to save myself a phone call.

[mariner]

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Not really sure. Most states will require you to have a license unless you are applying the customers fertilizer. Also, you can't advertise this. Better just make the phone call and save yourself from paying a hefty fine.

[BGJohn]

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I agree about the fine. so what your saying is as long as there is a fertilizer with the pestiside (ex. scotts brand fertilizer) then you think you dont need a license?

[qualitylandscaping]

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BGJohn,

In NY, a license is not required to apply straight fertilizer.. Those include: 5-10-5, 10-10-10, and any other fertilizer that is not a mix. A mix would include a weed killer, grub killer, winterizer, etc. So other than 5-10-5 and 10-10-10, you can only apply Scotts Fertilizer without a license, not the weed and feed, winterizer, or summer guard, etc..

I don't know the law in Indiana.. Sorry

[BGJohn]

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Does this price sound close to anyones? Using the same fertilizer, Scotts 4 step program at a 5,ooo sq. ft. home with the price of fertilizer being 48.31 I came up with a total of 84.06 for my price.

Can some of you give your imput and tell me if im close to you? Thanks