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I am mowing an empty lot for $30 (not sure how big it is, but takes about 30-40 minutes). The lady across the street hired me to do it and now wants her yard mowed. She has a a house, garage, and many trees and flower beds. Her lot is just a little larger than the empty lot. Is asking 60-70 bucks for that too much. It is bigger and has many more obstacles and a bank. I don't want to rip her off. Any suggestions.
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You just answered your own question. Don't rip her off. 2 jobs across from each other can equal a better pricing situation. Figure your time and go from there. We always estimate by time as the old saying goes.."time equals money".
Treat her fair but stick to your desired hourly rate.The green on the lawn and the green in your pocket live in happy harmony. -
Is twice as much too much? I just don't know. I am going to see her Friday. It will take more time. hmmm... I just don't know!Comment
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You may consider giving her a "package" price. In other words...a little better deal on the house by adding the lot. If both properties are owned by the same person you also take a billing out of the picture. Experience is what it takes to estimate time. You may consider a "no more than" first mowing letting her know you want to be fair to her and yourself and you are just unsure how long it will take. She may see that as you being very honest and sincere and have a good impression of you. We have done that in the past and it has never been a negative situation.
No insult sent by saying you need more experience...it is just a time and experience factor with age!!....and I have some of that age thing going on!!
Good Luck.The green on the lawn and the green in your pocket live in happy harmony.Comment
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Originally posted by nightlynik
All you need is the poor man's tape measure. Your step, or "pace", is about 3 feet. Pace off the lot. Step off the length of the property and multiply by 3; then pace off the width and multiply by 3. Now multiply the 2 numbers and you will have your square footage.
For example, length: 40 paces x 3' = 120'. Width: 33 paces x 3' = 99'. 120' x 99' = 11, 880 sf. If you run a 36" mower devide by 17000 sf ( low end of scale) and you will have .699 of an hour, or 42 minutes.
I purchased a tape measure this past winter and found that my poor man's tape measure is fairly acturate. I still use the poor man's tape instead of the fancy $75 wheel.Comment
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Right on ...Originally posted by Stephen M.Comment
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Where did you get the scale for time requirements for a 36" mower? I would like to see a copy of that. Or is that from personal time trials?Originally posted by Stephen M.Comment
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I bought the whole 9 yards of Phil's system that he advertises on this site (COMs). Alot of info I won't use, like snow plowing. But the 2 most useful books that you HAVE TO purchase to make $$ is:
1. "Labor Time Data Handbook". On page 30 you will find the range of sf mowed based upom mph.
I always use the 36" w/b info and the middle figure. Even though I have both a 52" & 36" out on the same job, I use the 36" info just in case the 52" is down and we have to use 2 36 w/bs. I don't think the numbers reflect overlapping and turns at end of rows, so you can adjust the #s by multiplying by 80%. This also helps when weather is lousy and it takes more time.
page 16 has time data for edging and page 47 has time data for string trimming.
2. "Job Pricing Guidlines" has very valuable cost data on Aerating to Window washing, with everything in between.
I thought I knew how to make $$, but after buying COMs, I can make a lot of $$.
Want to know how to make the most $$ at mowing? Then buy "Maximizing Profits in Mowing"
Even if you don't like Phil and his politics, you should pay Phil for his "consultation". Want to be a PRO? What more can I say?
Click on the blue in Phil's post, 2 back, and it will take you right to the info. And NO, Phil doesn't pay me to be a fan!Comment
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Simply figure out what you should normally make per hr estimate the time it will take to do her yard and maybe if you feel it is ok knock a couple bucks off of that since you will have 2 yards next to each other ... If she doesnt understand why it is so much more kindly explain to her in a way she can understand that her yard takes more time because of obsticles and such and you want to make sure her yard is as sharp as possible the other is just a lot.. it cost you soo much for you time when you could be making it other places... if she isnt happy with that then see if it is worth sacrificing a little just make sure your not loosing if your loosing you might as well drop it and go find some new accounts... thats my opinion on itComment
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