Checking out the compition?

[Green-Cuts]

Hey
I was wondering what your thoughts were on calling your compition and having them bid a property to see what they charge, there presentaion and what they are like? Do you think it is underhanded and sneaky or ok??

THanks
BJ

[LandscapeMasterpieceGA]

spelling on thise site just KILLS me

[Badgerz]

I was thinking the same but I hate to be one of those guys that runs around reminding people they can't spell.

Green, go ahead, have a friend or relative get an estimate. Nothing wrong with that. It's probably the best way to know what an average cost is in your area.

[olderthandirt]

Hey
I was wondering what your thoughts were on calling your compition and having them bid a property to see what they charge, there presentaion and what they are like? Do you think it is underhanded and sneaky or ok??

THanks
BJ

I think you have to be joking :dizzy: You think there gonna tell you there cost? Do you need help with your presentation that you need to have your competition show you how its done? Maybe WORKING for your competition for a yr is what you really need. That way you have an IDEA of how to run a business :hammerhead:

[mr mow]

personally i think its a great idea. I just started my business this year but i have 10yrs exp. with the biggest company in my area and i did it to the company i used to work for, it helps you establish a base line or median for what everyone else is charging. i understand though that it wastes there time but im sure they(incl. business owners on this site) have done it in some fashion or another. in my instance, i want to be competitive not the lowest priced . so i want to find the median.

[Green-Cuts]

Hello

Not needing help just wondering how they are and how much they are charging?

I tend to mispell later at night after a long day sorry. Not an english major.

Thanks
BJ

[mr mow]

hes talking about pretending to be a customer, and what they would charge him to do his lawn. not actual costs. am i right?

[Jdmtnbikr]

spelling on thise site just KILLS me


There are more illiterate and ******ed people in the lawncare industry than any other industry I have have ever seen, by far.

I find it to be quite amusing actually.

[olderthandirt]

There are more illiterate and ******ed people in the lawncare industry than any other industry I have have ever seen, by far.

I find it to be quite amusing actually.


Your facts are wrong. Very few ******ed people work in the lawn care industry, unless your being a smart azz and trying to make a point. Which really shows which class you would belong with. :dizzy:

Now that is amusing. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[Jdmtnbikr]

Your facts are wrongs. Very few ******ed people work in the lawn care industry, unless your being a smart azz and trying to make a point. Which really shows which class you would belong with. :dizzy:

Now that is amusing. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


My facts are "wrongs"?

Thank you for proving my point.

[The landscaper]

I imagine a lot of people do this same type of thing.

[olderthandirt]

My facts are "wrongs"?

Thank you for proving my point.


QUOTE=Jdmtnbikr
Aside from that I am *trying* to get my own side landscaping/interior plantscaping business off the ground, not much luck at all (1 client) so far.

Try English teacher, Or better yet try employing some ******ed people. It has to work better than your "landscaping/interior plantscaping business" is going :waving:

[cwlawley]

I think everyone should check out their competition, especially if you are starting out so that you can better understand the position that you are starting in. Sometimes though you get lucky and customers will tell you how much so and so used to charge them.

[HK45Mark23]

Read: Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

[topsites]

I don't think it's a very good idea...

I mean, it might be ok so long you don't get caught but the oldtimers can smell turds coming from 1,000 miles upwind somedays. And if you do get caught, you've opened a can of worms and possibly a couple of gates to some unknown section of hell. I used to think this was fun or cool until one day I ran into a demon so large and bad, I have never felt evil so strong before in my life, I swore the other guy was capable of murder right then and there, and I haven't played silly games since.

It is better to ask here for pricing, get pictures and you might have to take some bashing but it's better here than a tail whoopin' out in the wild yonder someplace, just waiting to happen to you.

[Green-Pro]

Why don't you simply try calling some other business owners and try and establish a relationship with them instead? Not all are going to be willing to be friendly but some will and this is a great way to share information, job prospects, bid procedures, etc. This is called NETWORKING, say it with me. This will get you a lot farther than trying to "backdoor" somebody about pricing structure in your area.

[Green-Cuts]

Hey
Green-Pro
How would you approach tham about it? I am mainly trying to figure out what other guys are charging in my area.

Thanks
BJ

[topsites]

Hey
Green-Pro
How would you approach tham about it? I am mainly trying to figure out what other guys are charging in my area.

Thanks
BJ

thou art forgiven lol, sorry man I feel real strong about dishonesty.

pocatello, I'll be... I spent a couple years south of preston, franklin county, just north of Logan.

hmmm, I don't remember exactly but the prices weren't that much different, unless someone else has input, I'd suggest going with the standards or averages / across the board prices. What I mean is you can try 1/4 acre lot grass cut + trim for $35 and then if that doesn't work you could still do it for 30 but not less. Only reason I say this is Pokie is a city limited in size (and population), it's not as small as preston by any means, but it ain't SLC or Boise, either. And this limit may have an effect on price to a degree.

[one man gang]

There are more illiterate and ******ed people in the lawncare industry than any other industry I have have ever seen, by far.

I find it to be quite amusing actually.

It's not as amusing as yard boys who think they are some how better,smarter and more sophisticated then other people. Your self esteem must be at rock bottom if you feel the need to belittle people in order to feel better about your sorry ass.

[Green-Cuts]

Top site

I was not dishonest about anything. There are a few lowballing companies that are in my area that for there prices I would consider paying them to mow my lawn so I could be working. I had a company (kid) tell me it would be $20 to do my 600 sq ft lawn but if that was to much he could go $15.00.... That was crazey, he lowered his price before I even said anything.

Thanks
BJ

[Badgerz]

Oh wow. LOL

I'll sell ya this car for $18,000 but if it's too much I'll let you have it for $15,000. Hmmmmm.

[olderthandirt]

If your cost are $25 an hr. what differnce does it make if your competitions charging $20 an hr? You should know your cost and how much you need to make per hr. When you do you set your rates to achieve that goal. If your costs are more than the "going" rates then you need to up sell or trim your cost.
The only benefit knowing what the competition charges is so you can charge less.

[Green-Cuts]

Hello

Not wanting to charge less, I will charge what I have been charging no matter what my compittion charges. I am in it for making money not mowing lawns for fun. I was just wondering what they were charging.

Thanks
BJ

[Green-Pro]

Hey
Green-Pro
How would you approach tham about it? I am mainly trying to figure out what other guys are charging in my area.

Thanks
BJ

Listen to Mac, you absolutely need to know your costs. Knowing what the competition is charging is good as far as knowing what your market will bear. Providing a unique or niche service can allow you to charge more.
As for how to approach them? Easy, I stop and start conversations with competitors. By and large most are going to be pretty easy to get along with, I have cell #'s of a couple and they have mine. This is for jobs I don't do or that they don't do, we refer each other. There will be some that are arrogant sob's but they are few.
Know your costs, figure out your competitors pricing structure (you would be surprised how easy this information comes to you), use this info to determine the climate of your market and how you need to target and operate within to get what you need.
I'm not suggesting that guys will freely give you their pricing structure if you ask. I'm merely saying that it will "pop" up more often than not. Often in relation to the above mentioned scenario of referring each other.

[Derek9D]

some guy that has no overhead can do your lawn for $25 and then another guy that has overhead and more bills to pay may charge $40 dollars but to some people quality is worth more then price, and for the others you may do there lawn for 6 years and do a good job and they drop you for mickeymouse landscaping because they are charging 5 dollars less.

[grassmasterdawn]

spelling on thise site just KILLS me

You do realize that you misspelled the word "this" while criticizing other peoples' spelling. Unless you were just being ironically funny. If that's the case, it is pretty humorous:laugh:

[dtelawncare]

I do have question, since it has come to this. How about we call our competitors, have them write a bid for us, and then see if they can spell better. Sorry to be a smart one, but come on. If I wanted to be a Literature or English professional, I wouldn't be cuttin grass for money.

Sorry bout that. I think the networking is the real answer to your question. Being new myself, I have a couple guys around town I feel very comfortable asking questions. After all, not being a scholar speller, I may need them to proof read a bid for me. HA HA HA

[one man gang]

I do have question, since it has come to this. How about we call our competitors, have them write a bid for us, and then see if they can spell better. Sorry to be a smart one, but come on. If I wanted to be a Literature or English professional, I wouldn't be cuttin grass for money.

Sorry bout that. I think the networking is the real answer to your question. Being new myself, I have a couple guys around town I feel very comfortable asking questions. After all, not being a scholar speller, I may need them to proof read a bid for me. HA HA HA

The guys that point out spelling errors are self loathing jags. All the guys around here refuse to be friendly but what I do is ask customers what they paid before me or the people I do bushes or other periodic work for what they pay. Also when I tell people in social settings what I do for a living and they hire out for lawn care I ask them what they pay.

[daveintoledo]

some guy that has no overhead can do your lawn for $25 and then another guy that has overhead and more bills to pay may charge $40 dollars but to some people quality is worth more then price, and for the others you may do there lawn for 6 years and do a good job and they drop you for mickeymouse landscaping because they are charging 5 dollars less.

it may be low, but there is no way any business has no overhead........
:)

[REENO]

There are more illiterate and ******ed people in the lawncare industry than any other industry I have have ever seen, by far.

I find it to be quite amusing actually.
probably why they are cutting grass and not coming up with a new formula for jet fuel.......maybe, just maybe!!!!:hammerhead:

[Prestige-Lawncare]

My facts are "wrongs"?

Thank you for proving my point.

A simple look at this quote "My facts are wrongs" un-quote shows that the person who was replying to the original post changed the wording in the quoted part. The original post did in fact say "wrong" ... but when it appeared in the follow-up post it was changed to "wrongs".

Now ... my real reason for posting on this thread! I have a 13 year old daughter who is learning impaired, or by some called "******ed". She is the sweetest, most loving, honest person you will ever want to meet. Is it HER fault that she has this challenge in life? Does she deserve the teasing, meanness, and stares she gets from some people who make fun of people with challenges? Are they any better of a person then she is? And she is only mildly challenged ... very mildly challenged.

I'm not better then her .. nor do I consider myself better then anyone else. The people I feel sorry for are the people who think they are better then someone else.

Okay .. I'm done .. sorry for the soap-box speech. Maybe I just love my daughter too much.

[Brendan Smith]

A simple look at this quote "My facts are wrongs" un-quote shows that the person who was replying to the original post changed the wording in the quoted part. The original post did in fact say "wrong" ... but when it appeared in the follow-up post it was changed to "wrongs".

Now ... my real reason for posting on this thread! I have a 13 year old daughter who is learning impaired, or by some called "******ed". She is the sweetest, most loving, honest person you will ever want to meet. Is it HER fault that she has this challenge in life? Does she deserve the teasing, meanness, and stares she gets from some people who make fun of people with challenges? Are they any better of a person then she is? And she is only mildly challenged ... very mildly challenged.

I'm not better then her .. nor do I consider myself better then anyone else. The people I feel sorry for are the people who think they are better then someone else.

Okay .. I'm done .. sorry for the soap-box speech. Maybe I just love my daughter too much.
i hate to say it because i am usually against anything pc, but i agree with your point. if one of my kids had the same issue, i'd frequently be getting bailed out for killing/maiming anyone who said things like that. i have a customer whose sister has downes (sp?) syndrome and she is one of the morally best people i have ever had the privilidge of knowing.

[ECS]

Hey
Green-Pro
How would you approach tham about it? I am mainly trying to figure out what other guys are charging in my area.

Thanks
BJI was wanting this information also because I thought I was charging too littl. I called one of the companies and asked him to go to lunch one day. I told him I was looking to get some information from him. He undersood that when I told him I wanted to get business because of the work I do and not because I was the cheapest. We sat, had lunch and talked for 2 hours. I got a lot of good information from him. I send him work on a regular basis for things that I don't do, can't do or do not have time to do. I think if you are upfront with them, they will respect you for that and help you. They do not want the prices in the area to go down any more than you would like to see them go down. I remeber seeing a couple LCOs on here from I.F who would probable be able to help you as the prices should be about the same in IF as Pokey and you would not be a threat to their business.

[Prestige-Lawncare]

i hate to say it because i am usually against anything pc, but i agree with your point. if one of my kids had the same issue, i'd frequently be getting bailed out for killing/maiming anyone who said things like that. i have a customer whose sister has downes (sp?) syndrome and she is one of the morally best people i have ever had the privilidge of knowing.

Thanks Brandon ..

I know there are a lot of people (most people) that feel the way we do ... but there are also a lot of people who like to make fun of others who may be a little bit less fortunate. I just had to reply to the comment as it irks me to no end when things like that are said.

Thanks again ...

[chriscraft]

Thats funny, too many lowballers, newbies in this buisiness. Charge waht you charge and be fiar to yourself and the industry

[mike lane lawn care]

i am networked with one of the big lawn care companies in the neighborhood. they call me, if something happens and need some extra help, plus if i need help or get sick, they are right there for me.

[Az Gardener]

Many other industries "shop the competition" it is a common practice. You can always learn something even if its what not to do. It will give you a competitive edge. The industry in general is very open, this site is a good example. I am very active in the industry locally and I am very blunt about asking the price question, others will tiptoe around it but after the hey how ya been thats usually the second or third question I ask. I always volunteer my information and I relay what I have heard from others. I teach a class on seasonal flowers once a year and even in front of 100 or so supervisors and owners its one of the questions I ask, most active contractors know the numbers its not that big of a deal.

What is of more interest to me is how they present their company, what is their methodology for bidding, how do they handle rain outs, extras and service calls, what is their degree of plant knowledge , how do they do their billing, how many other services do they provide etc.

Just because my overhead is this and I need to charge that to be profitable is not the end of the equation. You don't think Exxon or Mobil are just recapturing their overhead and eking out a small % for profit do you? You should get what the market will bear. If your presentation and knowledge is greater and it has value to the client and you can sell it then you would be very generous to leave money on the table.