Would like to offer well rounded service, sub out fert app.?

[Dixie Pro Lawn Care]

I don't want to get into seeding and pest control/fert until I am licensed but want to offer a well rounded service. I know of a few guys around here that basically sub out this area of lawn care but I wanted to ask you all what is the industry procedure with this. Ok, let's say I call a guy who is licensed and propose this arrangement to him. Should I expect to get charged a little less (if so, how much less?) than a regular customer as a referral kickback or should I expect to pay the norm and try to bill the customer a few bucks more (how much over what they would have paid if they called him directly?) I'd be concerned the customer would rather save a couple bucks and just use the applicator directly. What's fair to me and the applicator? Thanks all for any help you can give. I want to have an idea of what's accepted before I call a guy about subbing out for me.

[RRS]

I've subbed out apps for 4 years now. The guy I work with is strictly apps, no mowing or scaping. I'm charged the same rate as a normal customer and I don't markup the service when passing along the cost. The customer gets one bill from me and many don't even know my company isn't actually doing the apps.

He does about 40 properties for me and probably another 200 or so on his own. The way I benefit from the situation is he refers all his mowing and scaping work that's in my service area along to me. I do the same for apps. We're basically a partnership with no legal ties. It's worked very well for me so far and I have no plans to change anytime soon.

You gotta make sure you're getting in with someone that's honest and knows what they're doing if you're going to be putting your name on the service.

[l&r]

I do the same as Casey, I sub out all my commercial props to a licensed fert guy, he in return recommends me to his clientel. The same with Irregation I use only one guy and he refers all his new customers to me. This arrangment has worked out extreemly well for all.

[ArkyLady]

I work for a company that does weed control/fert apps only and we get a lot of customers asking who to use for lawn maintenance and sometimes people call just looking for maintenance since we're listed in the yellow pages and they don't know the difference.

I would think it would be beneficial to you not to worry about making a profit off the apps directly, but just get the referrals from whoever you team up with. That is assuming you're even wanting more customers

[Dixie Pro Lawn Care]

All great advice. Thanks. Sounds like a mutually beneficial arrangement. I'll do just that.

[Dixie Pro Lawn Care]

Next question, should I get with an applicator and have him show me how to price a fert/pest job? Is that the standard procedure for what's done with this arrangement? Price per Sq Ft right?