Bidding on commercial jobs

[mklier]

I am just beginning my lawn care business and would like to get into doing some commercial work. How do I go about bidding on a commercial job and where do I fnd jobs that are available?
Any suggestions that anyone can give me are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike Klier
Michael Klier's Lawn Service

[Scaper-S2k]

If you are just getting started, I would recommend learning with the residential first.

Plus, you need to save up some $$$$ to help with cash flow when you start doing commercial accounts.

[yardboy]

Like Scaper said above^^^^^^ , is the smartest thing you can do.

[GrassMaster]

Better save your money?

I am just beginning my lawn care business and would like to get into doing some commercial work.

Besides what money you keep on hand in the business checking account monthly for running your residential business make sure you add another 3 Dollars for every 1 Dollar you make commercially a month & you'll still run tight on money.

My buddy is doing a $12,000 Plus a month commercial account & the first of this month he'll be billing them for 4 months services, Yes that's $48,000 & almost another $15,000 in extras...

Do you think he's running a tight behind right now?

It's common for commercial accounts to run 60 to 90 days behind in payment & their ain't a damn thing you can do about it except worry & pray. Because you give them a hard time about payment, they'll find someone else to do it cheaper, there's plenty out there to do it too & pay you those 3 or 4 months they owe you when the cows come home or pigs fly... Which ever comes first? :laughing:

Please do not think that it will make a hill of beans if you put it in your contract that they pay you every 30 days & after the 10th there's a late fee...

If you haven't done commercial accounts before please remember this & it goes for the Residential too.

Contracts are made to be changed, obeyed & broken. Contracts are only as good as the people that signed them.

It don't mean nothing to drop or lose a $85 or $485 monthly residential account, but what does it mean if you drop or lose a $2,000 - $5,000 - $10,000 a month account. It means some employees are going to lose some jobs & maybe that $30,000 Bat Wing mower might have to be sold for $5,000 less than you owe on it unless you get lucky & can pick up that size account in a few days & your back to 60 to 90 days to get paid. I promise you they pay you when they feel like it & the bigger company they are, most likely the later they pay.

Me & the members in the reply above mine are not trying to discourage you, we're trying to help you prevent a natural born disaster from happening to you, your family, your employees & your business!

It takes money to make money!

[safari lawn]

I am just beginning my lawn care business and would like to get into doing some commercial work. How do I go about bidding on a commercial job and where do I fnd jobs that are available?
Any suggestions that anyone can give me are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike Klier
Michael Klier's Lawn Service

Do like the others said first, then start mailing business cards to the owners/managers of commercial projects, shopping centers usually have a number for renting a store posted, Community Associations.

I do only residential but I am in a whole different situation doing this part / full time and having a full time career.

[Barrett Lawns]

nice!!!!!!!!!!

[delphied]

[QUOTE=GrassMaster;175379]Contracts are made to be changed, obeyed & broken. Contracts are only as good as the people that signed them.




bravo. I see so many threads from people who think they have all the answers on making someone pay. That quote is the truthful one though. Im stickin with residentials and maybe small commercial if they become available.