WHAT TO CHARGE.....................# 2

[HOMER]

I had to do that! I'm in the same boat and the phone is ringing. I have been cutting a Church yard for the last 2 years, it is mainly open cutting with only the trimming to do around the building. There are no trees or even a good parking lot or flower beds so it's riding for about 2 hrs x 3 mowers minimum. I won't tell you what I've been charging for fear of hearing the laughter from all over the U.S. and Canada but I would like to get an average from everybody so I can present it to the guy in charge. Oh, I have to drive 30 minutes each way just to cut this one place, nothing even close to my route so factor that in. I am using a 50&quot; chopper and a 72&quot; chopper and the 48&quot; slow scag. I will be eagerly awaiting your reply, I'm sure by now its knee deep in weeds and he wanted it cut last Saturday but I didn't make it.<p>Homer

[eagle lawn services]

I simply charge $30 an acre for just cutting it, weedeating, or anything else is extra. As for the thirty miles, you may have to eat that. Another closer service won't have to factor that into their price and you know the saying, it is your competition that sets your price. If you think you can get away with it though or can afford to lose the account, then obviously charge your hourly price for the drive... you could be mowing closer to home making money instead of spending it behind the windshield, so if they are intent on having your service charge for your drive time. <br>Just my two cents.<br>chris h.

[Keith]

Homer, I couldn't laugh. I too have one of these, but not ten acres.

[gorrell]

Homer, you should be getting $40.00/ machine/hour for this property. If you're not getting this, you should re-negotiate the contract. Thanks, Lynn

[cutting edge]

Since it's a church, could you write off the extra amount as a donation? (Consider it part of your 10% that you give back.)

[HOMER]

Thanks everybody, now tell me a dollar figure you would charge. $180.00, $200.00, $250.00? I am cutting it for $160.00 per cut right now, total time to leave home base, mow it, return to home base is probably 4 hrs, pretty good chunk of a day. Since it is a Church, and a small one at that I wanted to give them as good a deal as I could but I also need to make money at it.<p>Homer

[cjcland]

for 10 acres i would charge 350-400 mowing only i wouldnt worry about the drive because you would have a lot more driving than that to do the same amount in residentials<p>----------<br>CJC Landscape Management<br>Winter Haven, Florida

[Charles]

This is too weird lol. I have almost the same deal. A twenty minute drive. The first time i cut that church it was knee deep in weeds too by the first of april. They made me waite again this year to see if any of the members would cut it haha. I have been doing it for 3 years now. it doesnt matter what you want to get for a church job homer. The deacons of the church are the tightest of tightwads hehe. Just be happy with what you can get and pray they don't make you pay them to cut it:)

[DMC300]

HOMER,I HAVE ALMOST THE SAME EQUIP. AS YOU AND I COULDN'T DO IT FOR LESS THAN $180,AND THAT'S IF I WAS A MEMBER AND I DICTATED HOW OFTEN IT GETS MOWED.THAT'S MAKING WAGES.HIT THEM WITH A COST OF LIVING RAISE FOR THIS SEASON.AND YES I AM A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN!<p>----------<br>DON<br>LIANNES' MOWING

[lawrence stone]

It's only a 4 man hour job w/ a 72&quot; mower<br>including travel time if there is no trimming.<p>Squeeze another $20 from them for a fuel surcharge.

[Charles]

Mine is not 10 acres Homer. Are you using three mowers at once with helpers? Running one 60&quot; Mower I would charge $35 per acre. That what I mean why it doubtful you get what you should

[goose]

If it had to be bush hogged it would be $350-$400 a cut .10 acres is a lot of grass. That would be the same square footage as 20 residentials. Cutting 20 for $160?

[HOMER]

Thanks ya'll, I will push for another 20-30 bucks, I gotta make it fair to me first. They used to bush hog it but were not satisfied with the appearance, wanted it mowed. At least now I know I'm not totally alone!<p>Homer

[Doug406]

6 hours of cutting for $160?? How are you guys staying in buisiness?? Your cost of living must be a lot less in other parts of the county. I cut for minimum $30 an acre or $35 for EACH man hour, and get plenty of work. If you cant make money, then save the time for another job. Although it is a church, and I believe in giving a break, that sounds a little overboard. But I guess if you can make a good profit, which I consider 30%+ of the gross, then go for it. <br>This subject bugs me though, because I bid a property a few weeks ago for a very wealthy guy in our town. He has over 6 acres of lawn, a pond, trimming, and he is picky. Perfect job for our crew ( we are the best in town), I bid at $210 per and after a few days he called back and said I was out of the running by a long shot! I said ok. I was actually feeling sorry for the lowballer because he is working harder, not smarter for a few bucks. I just simply filled his spot with a few others to yeild better than that profit. I just do not see anyone working for much less, exept the ones with junk equip., no insurance etc. <br> Just my way of doing buisiness I guess. Another thing, why does every lawn company to seem to they hate each other in there home towns. I make it a point to wave, say hello in the stores, etc. to all other lawn guys. They wave back, but I think only because I did first. If we would all charge what we are worth, maybe some of you guys wouldn't have that pissed off look on your faces when I pass by.

[thelawnguy]

hey Doug,<p>in response about lawn co's hating each other, I thought the same thing, til I talked with some of these guys. Seems everyone has the same fear, that everyone is out to steal each others business. Once other operators find that I take new customers on referral only, and thats if I have an opening, and I wont take customers from existing legitimate businesses, it seems the waves became more spontaneous and the looks more relaxed and friendly. Whatever you can do to help break the ice and portray yourself as someone on the same playing field not someone out to bury the next guy will help immensely. Maybe even get you more work, I know I pass on names when I cant do the job, others do the same for me.<p>Of course, if the goal IS to be the only guy in town, ignore the preceding advice.<p>Bill

[HOMER]

Hi Doug, <p>I stay in business because on average i am turning around $60.00 an hour on most of my properties. The Church was just an isolated case where I bid on it 2 years ago and now feel kind of obligated to continue, see I'm a nice guy! I was asking everyones opinion to get an idea and $ figure that they would charge........It still hasn't been cut and I will get in contact today with the check writer and discuss the funds. I did try to point out that it doesn't take all that long to mow it, however it is being mowed with fast equipment. I understand you're point about charging by the acre and that would be O.K. if I were on a tractor or Murray, but how can you charge one way for large acreage and another for residentials? Aren't you still trying to hit a dollar per hour goal, if it only took you 2.5 hours wouldn't it be a little high if you charged $350.00 to mow it?<p>As for other Co.'s hating yoy, I have to agree! I wave at all of them I can, and get very few waves back. I told my wife the other day that I was going to start waving at all those that didn't return the friendly gesture with my middle finger! I had one little prick that doesn't even own the business turn his back to me the other day as we rode by, you know, as to disrespect me! I will deal with them the same way I have been dealing with them........when their customers call me because they are dissatisfied, I will give them a higher quote and take their business, that way I haven't taken anything from them, it was already lost, and I haven't low balled them because I'm getting more per month than they were. In my opinion, once the customer calls or a property goues up for bis, its fair game and may the best man win. I quoted a large piece of property the other week at $750.00 per cut, think I got it, nope! Bid on a 2 out of 6 Churchesm bid it in such a way that I could make money, got the bid tabulations back and you should see the #'s the winner put in(I should say loser),where I bid $135.00 per mowing he bid $60.00, where I bid $300.00 each time for shrub work, he bid $60.00. I bid $85.00 per mowing on another one, he bid $45.00 etc......this is why it is so hard to make a fine living doing this, I usually don't wish bad on anybody, but he was the lowest, so far out of line with everybody else, SOB that even the guy awarding the bisd should have seen it. We'll see how well they get maintained.<p>No, I'm not low on everything I do, just paying for past mistakes that need correcting.<p>Homer