Raising cost = Raised charges

[j2short]

What kind of increases are you guys making?? Gas prices continue to rise, who knows where they cap out. Many customers think I'm high on my hourly labor $35 for 1st and $25 per man after. Ive heard of higher hell the hvac guy's bill to replace a blower was $95 an hour plus parts. I'm in the wrong business I guess A few of my customers have gotten Joe Shmo from the corner store to trench the beds, put out mulch or straw and yes they save a few $ but when I have to fix the crap I charge them for the time. Pisses me off that its my truck people see and assume its my crappy work Seems that its usually the wealthiest go figure.
Raising my dump fee $ 45 to $60
Accounts not raised last year will be this year 1-5$
Hope you all have good years

[MASTERMOWER]

$35 first hour, $25 thereafter? Yeah, that's low. Around here you'd be the low baller. Years ago I chewed a friend out charging $25 per man hour to obtain jobs. I charge a minimum of $50/hr for installs/hourly maintenance work. And now so does my friend. :alien::alien::alien:

[j2short]

35 for 1 person 25 for each additional laborer. This is what I charge for leaf cleanup, shrub pruning, and any bs work.
Mowing I get 50-70
Mulch/straw around 50-75
Landscape installs better 60-100 depending on the job. Don't do but 10-15 a year mostly maintenance.
Guess it would be easier to charge the same across the board??

[MASTERMOWER]

Perhaps your problem is you tell your customers your rate. I know it's hard to price a leaf clean-up job, but with experience you'll come close.

If my customers knew what my labor rates were per hour I would get the same reaction. Give them a flat cost and it's perceived differently.

[GeeVee]

Absolutley. NO ONE gets an hourly rate, breaking work out to a customer on hourly is for chumps.

They want to know what something hourly is? Tell them what the burden and overhead costs per hour to be in business, if you know.

Just to get the nosy phockers to take a hint, I'd relay the retail cost of everything they could see in front of them, everything on the other crews TOE's, and the approximate cost of fuel per month used.

Their chicken**** complaint usually seemed pointless to them.

[MASTERMOWER]

Is it just ragged out or are we talking it's old and could just used a good waxing and clean the wheels/tires? If it's rusted out, wheels don't match and has oil leaks then you should be looking for something else. Regardless of how good you are, image is important. With a cleaner look, you become more approachable.
Maybe you don't need to try and target the wealthiest ppl. They tend to be pretty tight anyways. If you're good, the news will travel.

and my dump fees are in the neighborhood of $100. You have to figure travel time to/fro

I think he meant when he's there to mow, etc, people see his truck and see the shoddy bed work performed by some cut rate service and assume it was his doing. :alien::alien::alien:

[steve-o]

Image My Azz.......................

Is it just ragged out or are we talking it's old and could just used a good waxing and clean the wheels/tires? If it's rusted out, wheels don't match and has oil leaks then you should be looking for something else. Regardless of how good you are, image is important. With a cleaner look, you become more approachable.
Maybe you don't need to try and target the wealthiest ppl. They tend to be pretty tight anyways. If you're good, the news will travel.

and my dump fees are in the neighborhood of $100. You have to figure travel time to/fro

my ole truck is a 96 with 260k on it. it has dents, rust, and some leaks as well. my trl's are starting to show their age also with grease on the rims and just dirty as hell. AND me, i look old and worn out also, sorta like my pants that ain't got no knees left in them... i still got all 3 of my customers though....

steve-o

[MASTERMOWER]

Image is important, but I think it's overdone by some. :alien::alien::alien:

[subman]

Image is not only physical appearance. Its how you present yourself and the quality of work done....Yes, Image is very important.

[steve-o]

The Only Image That Matters In Hooterville.............

Image is not only physical appearance. Its how you present yourself and the quality of work done....Yes, Image is very important.

lot's of green grass with no weeds and them pretty stripes that spell out steve-o was on the prowl...........

steve-o

[GeeVee]

Healthy discussion, yes. Productive? No.

Longevity will keep your business alive.

Knowing your market, adapting to it it, and capitalizing on the experience you have earned, will make you the most successful with the least work to provide.

Scott speaks well, MM chips in for focus- Delas Gash offers another point of view that is valid.

I however, have given the most sage advice none would dispute.

You know your numbers, you'll know profit. If you don't know numbers, you'll never know profit.

No one should ever know your number.

Confidence is king.

[jayves922]

$35 is indeed very low. That's how others will underestimate you, your skills and your business. You would have to focus on building an image that is respectable and reputable. Perform well and charge equally. That way, you'll earn your clients' respect and they will even refer you to mostly anyone they know. We'd have to remember that we generally or mostly depend on word of mouth i this kind of business. Image is key.