dam lowballers!!

[eight1seven]

I guess i have to get use to it thers this lawncare comp.doing lawns at $25 no matter what size they are :hammerhead: I mean is it even worth it? what do ya think of this bs?

[sooner74]

Are they a large outfit? If so, they could be really efficient or out of business soon. They come and go. I have heard the competition is fierce down there.

[eight1seven]

i know they have 4 trucks running 2 workers (look like homeless)per truck but at $25 a house they must b getting paid like 5 bucks an hr i guess as long as they get enough for beer their ok i guess?

[garth1967]

Are they a large outfit? If so, they could be really efficient or out of business soon. They come and go. I have heard the competition is fierce down there.

good post sooner i guess in texas though there are probably illegal workers .but you have to ask how long can they go on at those prices, how long will it take before those customers to finally ring you

[allenh60]

I guess it depends on where you are at. Alot of my lawns are $25.00 a whack and most of them complain about paying that much.

[Microbe]

Do you pay taxes? If not then $25 for a huge lawn "cash," is like making a measly lets say 10 bucks an hour, and if you have an employee on huge lawns I just can't see making more than that, cause you have to edge, and blow, mabye even some bed work. Dam guy's, I feel for you, in my area the Tax's are $10,000 minimum and houses are 550 G's minimum and they still can't believe that they can actually talk to there gardener, after they hired me. THey wana tell all there friends that there is actually knowledge and dependibility still around now adays. Especially in an area as cut throat as Long Island NY........ QUIT!!!!!! Fire the customers that don't pay or "COMPLAIN." THen you'll have a few "blue chip," customers........ start your business again...... Also...... If TEXAS IS SO REPUBLICAN AND AMERICAN, WHY WOULD TEXANS SELL OUT hard working americans for Illegal, "HOMELESS," looking petty, retarted, slave workers who just send there money $5 an hour, back to were ever there from? KEEP THE MONEY IN THE US!!!!!:usflag:

[SodKing]

Do you pay taxes? If not then $25 for a huge lawn "cash," is like making a measly lets say 10 bucks an hour, and if you have an employee on huge lawns I just can't see making more than that, cause you have to edge, and blow, mabye even some bed work. Dam guy's, I feel for you, in my area the Tax's are $10,000 minimum and houses are 550 G's minimum and they still can't believe that they can actually talk to there gardener, after they hired me. THey wana tell all there friends that there is actually knowledge and dependibility still around now adays. Especially in an area as cut throat as Long Island NY........ QUIT!!!!!! Fire the customers that don't pay or "COMPLAIN." THen you'll have a few "blue chip," customers........ start your business again...... Also...... If TEXAS IS SO REPUBLICAN AND AMERICAN, WHY WOULD TEXANS SELL OUT hard working americans for Illegal, "HOMELESS," looking petty, retarted, slave workers who just send there money $5 an hour, back to were ever there from? KEEP THE MONEY IN THE US!!!!!:usflag:


I think you answered your own question...

[cwlawley]

I guess it depends on where you are at. Alot of my lawns are $25.00 a whack and most of them complain about paying that much.

I was going to say the same thing. A lot of lawn care people sometime confuse "lowballing" to themselves trying to push up the industry standard. Yes, it is true that some people can make $50 where others can only make $20.00...but there are A LOT of factors that make that happen.

[eight1seven]

i guess thats business:dizzy:

[lawnsplus]

i guess thats business:dizzy:

Depending on your market, $25.00 isnt bad.

We can be low on our price because we use lawn cutting to fill the gaps between hardscapes, patios, walls, larger installs, irrigation installs etc..

If we break even or up to 15% margin on grass cutting we are happy.

Not to mention the guys that work for me enjoy cutting.

Another segment that has grown exponentially for us is irrigation startups in the spring, and blow out in the fall. Maintenance is huge too. You would be surprised how many homeowners break heads on the edge of driveways etc..

We just replaced 15 heads for a guy that decided to rent a core aerator and do his own property, needless to say he went over the lawn three times in three directions, overseeded and then decided to give the new seed a drink, what a site.

When we arrived I turned on the first zone and laughed my Azz off, water was bubbling out of the ground on 2 heads and 2 shot up like gysers.

I told him for $45.00 we would have aerated the lawn for him and repaired any damaged heads for free. He said next year we could aerate for him as he handed me my check for $400.00

:clapping:

[allenh60]

I wish I was making more on alot of my yards but I am happy and content as is. I'm a one man crew just trying to make a living and definately not trying to take away from anyones living. I don't consider myself a lowballer by far. I don't even advertise. 99% of my customers are from word of mouth from other happy customers. I've never made on a hit the clock job as much as I'm making on my own and that thrills me. I just got through with 4 senior park lawns at $25.00 a piece. I started late and now it's only 2:19 and I made $100.00, the yards took about 30 to 40 minutes a piece and while doing them I obtained a new customer with a tiny little yard for $25.00 a week. I'm not arguing, just conversating. I don't like lowballers either, but my definition of lowballers are people that go to your customers and try to under bid you. I don't do that. Around here you see lawn care folks everywhere you look but I don't think any of us are having any problems getting customers because new subdivisions and senior parks and office buildings and fast foods are going up every day. I got 6 new customers this year already and don't even have a sign on my new truck yet and still have all of last years customers. I under bid myself often and hate myself later but am still in the learning stage where bidding is concerned. My larger yards are $30.00 and $35.00 a cut. Anyway, it boils down to I'm making a decent living without stabbing anyone in the back and I'm my own boss and am happy. By the way, I love this site. Sorry I haven't posted anything since last year.

[Badgerz]

I wish I was making more on alot of my yards but I am happy and content as is. I'm a one man crew just trying to make a living and definately not trying to take away from anyones living. I don't consider myself a lowballer by far. I don't even advertise. 99% of my customers are from word of mouth from other happy customers. I've never made on a hit the clock job as much as I'm making on my own and that thrills me. I just got through with 4 senior park lawns at $25.00 a piece. I started late and now it's only 2:19 and I made $100.00, the yards took about 30 to 40 minutes a piece and while doing them I obtained a new customer with a tiny little yard for $25.00 a week. I'm not arguing, just conversating. I don't like lowballers either, but my definition of lowballers are people that go to your customers and try to under bid you. I don't do that. Around here you see lawn care folks everywhere you look but I don't think any of us are having any problems getting customers because new subdivisions and senior parks and office buildings and fast foods are going up every day. I got 6 new customers this year already and don't even have a sign on my new truck yet and still have all of last years customers. I under bid myself often and hate myself later but am still in the learning stage where bidding is concerned. My larger yards are $30.00 and $35.00 a cut. Anyway, it boils down to I'm making a decent living without stabbing anyone in the back and I'm my own boss and am happy. By the way, I love this site. Sorry I haven't posted anything since last year.

:clapping: :clapping: I'm with you. Great post, I don't care what anyone says. Just because someone is cheaper than you doesn't mean they're lowballing. They may just be making a profit and they may be happy with the profit. Discretionary spending and efficient work habits result in good business no matter what you're doing.

[roccofish]

Hi All,

Remember you get what you pay for!

[tlwmsu]

Sounds like you're a happy camper, which is what it's all about...one question; is there a big problem in your area or the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area with people not doing this business legit?

[sundayrugger]

Here I'm putting bids out on 1,000 - 1,300 and lucky if I'm getting them at $25 to $30 bucks. I had one lady tell me after I gave her my bid that she found a guy who would do it for $15. CRAZY I think my area is saturated with too many part timers like me as well as the pros.

[sundayrugger]

My bad boys that was 1,000 to 1,300 square yards. That would be almost 4,000 square feet.

[allenh60]

I don't know if there is a problem with people in my area not being legit or not. I never hear anything of it. I know there's a few teenagers in some richy neighborhoods making a killing and I kind of doubt they are legit. But I don't care one way or another. They are'nt taking any money out of my pocket. They will find out how important it is to be legit sooner or later when someone stops to see there papers or when they shoot a rock through a window or hurt a car or worst hurt somebody. I think alot of people don't go legit cause they think it costs too much, my insurance was only $149.00 down and $49.00 a month and license is only $35.00

[Badgerz]

Hi All,

Remember you get what you pay for!

I agree but at the same time keep in mind that quite a few people just want their lawn cut and they don't want to do it themselves. They could care less if it's some company with fancy trucks and equipment or if it's some kid with his dad's riding mower on a little trailer. Just food for thought. These arguments will never be resolved and the issue will never go away. Just have to stay smart and do what you can to stay ahead.

[tlwmsu]

I don't know if there is a problem with people in my area not being legit or not. I never hear anything of it. I know there's a few teenagers in some richy neighborhoods making a killing and I kind of doubt they are legit. But I don't care one way or another. They are'nt taking any money out of my pocket. They will find out how important it is to be legit sooner or later when someone stops to see there papers or when they shoot a rock through a window or hurt a car or worst hurt somebody. I think alot of people don't go legit cause they think it costs too much, my insurance was only $149.00 down and $49.00 a month and license is only $35.00

Thanks for the response...I'm beginning to get the feeling that it's all about what part of the country you're in as to how big of a problem it is...or maybe just certain parts of each state? I may be contacting you in the next few weeks about who you got that insurance through, and what it covers...might be down your way before too long...:waving:

[allenh60]

Thanks for the response...I'm beginning to get the feeling that it's all about what part of the country you're in as to how big of a problem it is...or maybe just certain parts of each state? I may be contacting you in the next few weeks about who you got that insurance through, and what it covers...might be down your way before too long...:waving:
Come on down. I got my insurance through Trustway which is also who I have my car insurance through. The lawn care insurance I have is liability and to my knowledge it covers anything that happens on the job. Such as a rock going through a window or what knot. Something else I am about to check into is I heard that your vehicle insurance is cheaper if you tell them you are using it for your business. Does'nt sound right but I want to see for sure.

[chriscraft]

My vehicles are 300 a month or so to insure, liability is even more, then unemoplyment insurance, workmans comp, its not cheap. but in this area its tuff to get 25 a lawn cause they are all 10,000 sq foot lots with 5,000 of grass on avg and non legits do them for 15-18. it makes it very tuff for the real lawn care buisinesses

[lawnsplus]

My vehicles are 300 a month or so to insure, liability is even more, then unemoplyment insurance, workmans comp, its not cheap. but in this area its tuff to get 25 a lawn cause they are all 10,000 sq foot lots with 5,000 of grass on avg and non legits do them for 15-18. it makes it very tuff for the real lawn care buisinesses


You can say that again...

I just tell potential clients there price is $23.00 per week, get a second neighbor within 3 houses either way and I will make that $20.00 add a third and I can compete with the $16 - $17.

But my problem isnt no legit companies its the really large legit companies with 5 man crews doing 30-50 a day.

[ed2hess]

Do you pay taxes? If not then $25 for a huge lawn "cash," is like making a measly lets say 10 bucks an hour, and if you have an employee on huge lawns I just can't see making more than that, cause you have to edge, and blow, mabye even some bed work. Dam guy's, I feel for you, in my area the Tax's are $10,000 minimum and houses are 550 G's minimum and they still can't believe that they can actually talk to there gardener, after they hired me. THey wana tell all there friends that there is actually knowledge and dependibility still around now adays. Especially in an area as cut throat as Long Island NY........ QUIT!!!!!! Fire the customers that don't pay or "COMPLAIN." THen you'll have a few "blue chip," customers........ start your business again...... Also...... If TEXAS IS SO REPUBLICAN AND AMERICAN, WHY WOULD TEXANS SELL OUT hard working americans for Illegal, "HOMELESS," looking petty, retarted, slave workers who just send there money $5 an hour, back to were ever there from? KEEP THE MONEY IN THE US!!!!!:usflag:
I am going to suggest that Justmowit move to your area and show you how to make money charging $25 for any size yard. He just moved into our area this year. I think he pays by the job...not sure though. By the way there aren't ANY lawn workers making $5 in our area...more like $8 - $10.