help !! Bid bit me

[Stinky]

Put in bid on a newly built nursing home last Nov., just found out today that I got the contract. That is the good part. The bad part is that the new grass is now about 8" to 10" tall. Should I try to get double the per mow price and then some because I will have to mow twice and then rake it?? or am I binded by the contract I gave them, they are reasonable people and I have faith that they would understand. Also picked up 5 more of their properties, good news comes finally

[joshua]

personly i would take the loss in this situation because you have picked up 6 accounts with themjust raise the mower to 4 inches double cut it and the 2nd cut back it and go back in a day or 2 and get it to where it should be. but it wrong that they didn't call you letting you know you have the account, but some fault is yours, you could of checked in to see the outcome. good luck with what you do.

[Greenkeepers]

Charge them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not your fault that they let the lawn keep growing and growing...

[bdemir]

Just do it and tell them its a favor but to let you know ahead of time next time to make it easier. Rub it in a little and do it for free. Thats what i would do but its up to your dicresion.



Bedros

[Scraper]

I'll disagree with Joshua...Charge them for the added time. They were lax in getting back to you andf it is their fault it is now in the state it is in. Explain it to them and I'm sure there will be no problem. Or else cut it down one week and slowly but surely it'll get better. I definitely would not eat that cost though!

[KirbysLawn]

Hire someone with a Bush Hog to get the grass down to a workable level. I would make sure payment agreement was in writing and take the loss on this one property since you now have 7 properties total. Just as Bedros said, let them know you do not usually do this and this is a one time deal!

Ray

[Skookum]

If I was in that situation, I would do what Joshua has posted. Especially, if you are only talking a few hours. If it was days to do the work I would try to get a charge in there. But, I would want to start off by sticking to the contracted price.

I would discuss the situation with the property managers or owners and let them know what you are doing. This way they will see you taking control of the problem. Otherwise you will get a phone call wanting to know why you cut the lawn so high. You could also inform them that there might be some dried grass on top for a little while. I would not rake it up unless they wanted to pay for it!

Having a talk with them will also give them the chance to offer to pay you. You get to see how they react. A breif meeting will only stregthen your new relationship with them!

[lawrence stone]

Man if you can't handle 8 to 10" turf you must have some
real Stinky equipment.

Just double cut in two directions at the highest setting you
can then let it lay and dry out for a week then come back and double cut again.

[WC - LC]

Originally posted by Stinky
Put in bid on a newly built nursing home last Nov., just found out today that I got the contract. That is the good part. The bad part is that the new grass is now about 8" to 10" tall. Should I try to get double the per mow price and then some because I will have to mow twice and then rake it?? or am I binded by the contract I gave them, they are reasonable people and I have faith that they would understand. Also picked up 5 more of their properties, good news comes finally

Since you got 5 other propertyies from them, I wouldn't double price them either BUT, I would let them know ( in subtle way ) that they have created a lot of extra work for you and because it is so tall it will take maybe 2-3 cuts to start shaping up and looking good.

[1stclasslawns]

Oh My I hate to say it but I agr.... agre ......agree with sss..ss. Stone. Nah just kidding bout the hate to say it part.
But Stone is right, lower it to the level it should be over a few cuts. Cut it high the firsr time and lower it one notch every time.

Is it a Beverly property? If it is be prepaired to wait 60 days for your money. Ive done properties for them for several years.

Jim

[Ricky]

Remember it's not good for grass to remove more than 1/3 of the blade at a time. Although I have done this, it is especially hard on it to cut off more than 1/2. Explain this to them, feel them out, see what they think. They may love this idea:

Tell them you will cut it as high as the mower will cut then come back in a few days and take off some more. They may be glad to pay you for this.

If they don't like that I would use double blades and cut it a little high and make it right the next time. Remember that these people gave you 5 other jobs. That will help.

I would do this for them the first time. But I would explain that the bid was for normal cutting and that they shouldn't make a habit of it.

If the grass gets tall by your fault, that is a different matter (and this can happen) :)

[bob]

Wen I get a property thats in bad shape I tell them up front that the first few cuts may look a little rough because of the length. But I reassure them it will look good after that. Do what Stone said and cut it high and lower it every cut after.

[kutnkru]

Ahhh the beauty of blade spacers. ;)
Kris

[brandy]

Why not charge by the month that way you always get paid alteast for four cuts a month!!!

[Runner]

If you cut it high, then come back in a few days to cut more off again, it will be right back to where you started again. How big is this place? What are you cutting with? Just mow it high, drop it about 3/4", mow it again, drop another 1/2" and you are good to go. Just start and end in the same places top allow plenty of time to dry, and pick a nice sunny day to do this. It will help you alot. Also, do your string trimming right before the last cut.

[awm]

If I understand you are getting paid per mow.
If so Id charge for two cuts unless your agreement
calls for weekly cut.In that case youll get paid back
on the easy cuts this summer so I wouldnt charge.

[HOMER]

Ya'll are a bunch of hard heads! Just mow it the best ya can, go back after it dries and hit it again...........geez Louise, they gave you the contract, it ain't like it's a one shot deal. Just about every propertie I pick up takes longer the first time but gets easier as I go.

Do I need to bring a real mower up there to cut that grass? I will now!

[lawnman_scott]

You got 6 new accounts, whats a little extra time the first cut on one of them.