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I have read and read and read these post. Alot of you guys have said bid by $XX.XX per sq.ft. How do I determine the sq.ftg. at the job. Do some of u use a measure wheel. Or do you prefer to bid a different way.
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Yes, they are using a measuring wheel. I would say that it would be difficult to get a very close figure when you shoot for per square foot. I would recommend having a pricing strategy using something like per 500 sq ft, or per 1000 sq ft. And always round up to your nearest increment that you are using.
<<Don't Fear the Green!>>a.k.a.---> Erich
www.avalawnlandscaping.com
Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
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Thanks scaper. Where can u get a measuring wheel?
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Most hardware stores or landscape wholesale joints. Home Depot has a good one actually. Folds up nice, has a bigger wheel and costs under $100. I think it is about $75-$80.
<<Don't Fear the Green!>>a.k.a.---> Erich
www.avalawnlandscaping.com
Build a man a fire, he'll be warm for a day.Set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.Comment
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Count all parts of the work at the job site so that you can later come up with a cost and price for each phase of the work, not just a lawn measurement. You're at the job site anyway, spend a little more time. Later on you might be asked to do more work and you'll have a few numbers/measurements head start. Lawns, shrubs, trees, pavement, edging, beds ... everything. (Also) even though you are out doing only a basic bid ... it's a good idea to take several digital photos of the entire site for later reference. When you sit down to work up a price, go back to the photos are relate the numbers to the practical value of having a photo in front of you.
Phil Nilsson
Nilsson Associates Consultants
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Cole: Look on ebay for a measuring wheel. I purchased a almost new Rolatape MM30 (1000 ft.) for $28. All my local stores only carry the smaller wheels designed for interior use. JD
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Hey Hawkeye, which link did you click on when you were on ebay to find the tape? I need to get one but do not feel like dishing out $100 or more for one right now. Thanks
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I paid something like $70 at HD. It gets used all the time, more so during an estimate for irrigation than anything else. After time, small residential yards should be fairly easy for you to estimate, it's the large or irregular lots that you'll need help with.
Edited by - scott on Jul 30 2002 3:58:12 PMComment
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Zephyr: Use the ebay search feature on the main page and type in "measuring wheel" or "rolatape". There is a older MM30 at auction now. If you can wait, and don't get the bidding bug, you should be able to pick up a new one for around $30. There are lots of lesser measuring wheels at auction also, but I personally stayed away from them, and from the smaller wheels that are designed for interior use.
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a few other things to take into consideration when bidding. don't forget that you are going from one job to another. that is gas and time (time is money). also when you get to the job, you must park the vehicle, drop the gate, remove the mower, get it to the grass and then begin to mow. that is time also. if you're working alone, as am i, you need to put the mower back on the trailer. gate goes back up, unload the weed wacker, weed whack, replace the weed wacker and do the same with the blower. you must also add in time for gassing up, restringing and minor repairs while at the site.....these are just some helpful hints (hopefully)
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Travel time/load/unload .. for the commercial jobs - what I use to do was figure that my closest competition was within 15 minutes of the sites ... also bid the same work. Even though I might be 30 minutes from the jobsite, I never used more travel time (for cost purposes) of the closest competition. I didn't want my distance and excessive travel to interfere with the price bid but these were commercial when once there it was usually all day.
Phil Nilsson
Nilsson Associates Consultants
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Sears has measuring wheels (10,000 FT) with a large wheel for under $60.00.
Wayne
"If the grass on the other side of the fence appears greener...it must be all the fertilizer they are using!" (Kevin Rodowicz)Comment
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Hey gang I appreciate all the tips and ideas. Thank you all for the positive attitudes, this really helps a scrub. I realize we all start here, and again, thanks.
Cole
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