OK guys, give me every formula you have ever seen =). [Archive] - LawnSite.com™

syzer

03-21-2001, 08:49 AM

I would like to type something up, like a quick reference .doc or something like that.

I would like formulas for mulch, flower planting, % or fert applied, amount of grass seed, etc.

Absolutely everything you guys can think of. I would like to have this ready to go so I can just use as a quick reference since we are relatively new to the business and this would help I know at least me out.

turfquip

03-21-2001, 09:41 AM

That's not a very good idea Syzer.

What if you get one other response with a whole page of flawed formulas. Will every member thirsty for knowledge implement pricing formulas that dont properly account for their costs?

I'm not trying to give you a hard time here, I'm just wondering if this is the right way to do it...for the long term success of your business.

syzer

03-21-2001, 10:04 AM

Well that would be a logical concern but given the number of ppl on this forum most very experienced I'm sure someone would correct any mistakes that were made by less experienced ppl.

I have some formulas that were posted on here before that were beneficial to me in many ways. I would like to see what else is out there.

Green Finger

03-21-2001, 10:09 AM

Syzer, Turf is right.

It sounds like you are trying to get the text book answer for doing estimates and you can't do that. You can't put landscaping in a box. There are too many factors that come into consideration. The area of work, the income of the customers, the cost of goods. There are too many variables.

A lot of guys may try and shoot a lot of formulas at you but, believe me if they have a solo operation or they are running one to three crews and they do all the estimates, they don't use a formula.

Don't get me wrong you have to figure out how much you have in the job,(cost of goods) the time involved (man hours). Then you figure how much do you want to make off the job. (in relation to the customer actually paying) Everybody has a minimum price.

That's why a lot of guys tell the customer when they get a call for an estimate over phone, they always say I have to see the job inorder to price it.

Too many variables.

sgreanbean

03-21-2001, 10:24 AM

i use some of the formulas as a starter but end up dropin the price to keep the work out of the scrubs. i had a guy this week bid one of my mulch jobs, 35.5 yds he bid at $300.00!!! he has to be stealing the mulch! but i still got the account( customer didnt trust him!)

syzer

03-21-2001, 10:28 AM

No, maybe you guys misunderstood me when I say formulas i mean general generic formulas. Like if you have:

1000sqft or garden and you want a 3" layer of mulch you need 9.26 yards of mulch for a 3" layer.

Or if you want flowers @ 8" o.c. and you have a 250sqft garden you need 520 flowers for a 20% set back from the edge with 8" space.

These are formulas that help you with bidding a job from actual true #'s that cannot mess you up.

I DONT want "If you have a 14msf lawn charge $35.00 with one tree and if you have 2 trees charge 35.50" That is not what I am looking for.

I hope this clears this up a I am in no way asking for the information I think the ppl who read the original thread are thinking.

Green Finger

03-21-2001, 10:43 AM

Syzer,

Formulas only work well when you are doing Government contract work. They want everything broken down by line item. They base it on the "Means Book for Contractors" They have every formula you ever want or have.

When you do residential bidding or commercial bidding things are different.

Example. If customers want flowers you charge by the flat. plus mark up and labor. if customers want seeding charge by the bag plus mark up and labor and so on.

It's best to keep it simple.

Best advice. you have to come up with your own formula
No company is ever going to tell you exactly what you want. To do so; is like KFC giving away the Eleven Herbs and Spices "FORMULA".

Hope this can shed some light on your situation.

AltaLawnCare

03-21-2001, 04:52 PM

Do a search on mulch or mulch pricing. Many formulas there. Don't make the mistake I use to and search the entire msg. Only search the Topic. There is also a web site or two which have formulas for calculating areas, but I don't have the addresses handy. Use a wheel and measure everything - even just mowing, because it's useful for trying to sell additional services! :) The formulas are only a basis for estimates, but they should help give confidence in your bids.

bob

03-21-2001, 05:01 PM

http://members.aol.com/MonT714/convrsns/

Runner

03-22-2001, 02:23 AM

Here's a sure one. E = mc2

Clinton D. Wagner

03-22-2001, 07:45 AM

Chris you are on the right track..

<center>LANDSCAPE CHARTS</center>
<TABLE BORDER=4 CELLPADDING=4 CELLSPACING=4 BORDERCOLOR="#FF6347">
<TR ALIGN=CENTER>
<TH WIDTH=420>
<H3>BARK,HUMUS,ETC. FOR TOP DRESS</H3>
</TH>
<TH WIDTH=420>
<H3>COVERAGE CHART ONE CUBIC YARD WILL COVER</H3>
</TH>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=420VALIGN=TOP>
DEPTH                COVERAGES 
INCHES                 PER CY 
1/2"                        640 SF 
1"                           320 SF 
2"                           160 SF 
3"                           92 SF 
4"                           69 SF 
5"                           55 SF 
6"                           48 SF 
EXAMPLE: 
2000 SF AT 2" 
2000 DIVIDED BY 160= 12.50 CY 
 
<TD WIDTH=420 VALIGN=TOP>AREA TO COVER 
IN SF.                           1" DEPTH 
1,000 SF                           3.13 CY 
2,000 SF                           6.24 CY 
4,000 SF                           12.47 CY 
5,000 SF                           15.5 CY 
10,000 SF                           31.2 CY 
 
 
 
EXAMPLE: 
2000 SF@ 1" = 6.24 CY 
</TD> </table>

[Edited by Clinton D. Wagner on 03-22-2001 at 07:54 AM]

Eric ELM

03-22-2001, 08:53 AM

I have one like what AltaLawnCare mentioned on the Lawnsite Search pages on my site. It's always there and it is at the top of the search page. It is for figuring how much mulch and you can add the price per yard of the mulch in too.

AltaLawnCare

03-22-2001, 09:27 AM

That is the formula I was refering to. I've learned its a good idea to go to Erics site first when looking for specific posts. Here is a thread on mulching; http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=8655

Scroll down to see where Mr Ziffel uses a formula to get cuyrds, the trick is to use .167 to convert inches to decimal. Rounding makes a big difference, I used this to make one in Excel which prints out on a colored pre-printed proposal form.

Mr.Ziffel

03-22-2001, 09:58 AM

Syzer,
Since I see my moniker bandied about in the above post I'll try to provide you with all the information you need about anything in one place. Seriously. It's called:

THE VISUAL HANDBOOK OF BUILDING AND REMODELING by Charlie Wing published by St. Martin's Press. The back cover says it has "500 pages bursting with helpful features and information: Thousands of illustrations, graphs, charts; Formulas for estimating coverage, buying supplies, pricing the job correctly; Conversion tables and gauge charts; Comprehensive-roofing, siding, wiring, plumbing, design, landscaping,carpentry and more."

I often pick it up when I have a new project and find it useful. Will

syzer

03-22-2001, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the formulas guys, I think the first guys to read the post took me wrong. I already have my priceing and that jazz down for the most part. I was just asking for something like clinton posted (thanks) I will chekc syour out Eric. I have one for flower planting and mulch if anyone needs them I boosted them off of other posts =).

awm

03-22-2001, 07:01 PM

if you put 3 men to working togather.sooner or later one will be the a blank blank. attin usuly works