mowing once a month?

[mpetro]

I just got a call today from a little old lady who only wants her lawn mowed once a month. She said that her grandson mows it every once and awhile, but how do I know that until I pull up to her yard and the grass is too long to cut. Should I just stay away from this monthly thing or should I charge more than usual for her yard?

[greenlawncare]

I would say forget it. In my experience, these things never work out well.<p>Either one of two situations will plague you:<br>(1) The grandson will have done it just a week before and she'll send you away saying &quot;come back next week&quot;. Can you charge her for your travel time? Probably not.<p>(2) The grandson hasn't done it in a while and it's unusually long. In this situation your cost of using machinery sky-rockets because of the added wear and tear that the machine was not built for. You can try cutting it at 5 inches, but you know she'll be calling you the next day and asking you to &quot;finish the job&quot;.<p>Some may argue that $XX.00 is $XX.00, even if it is only once a month. Just keep in mind that EVERY job you do should be approached the same way. After you key in your labor (don't forget to pay yourself), cost of machinery and other overhead, are you still clearing something? If so, could you clear more on another job with the same time spent? If not, then go for it. Otherwise, move on. Period.<p>

[geogunn]

it's hard to argue with greenlawn's advice.<p>GEO

[Toroguy]

If you need the work take it, if you have a nice existing customer base, then you might want to pass on her for the above reasons. I took those old ladys on a budget to get myself off the ground, but have replaced them with weekly customers. Of course after offering them a weekly service.

[Lazer]

I do an elderly lady whenever she calls.<p>I charge $75.00 for a 8,000 sq. ft. lawn and do no trimming or blowing.<p>Only do if if it's off by itself where no potential customers can see you.<p>Bottom line: Get major money or stay away.

[Charles]

No, way , no how. If you then charge her alot of money for that one time. She tell all her relatives and her church and her friend that you gouging her. Taking advantage of a little ol lady.

[Lazer]

I agree Charles.<p>I told her 4 years ago when we started that there were companies who could do it for $15 to cut only. I even gave her 2 phone numbers of guys who could do it.<p>She said she wanted to work with someone she could count on.<p>But, certainly your advise is the way to go.

[osc]

Take the job and when you cut, scalp the lawn to the dirt. Most old ladies like that.

[MOW ED]

Tell her to hire a farmer, they have the equipment to bail hay.

[Gus]

Accounts like this are usually more trouble than they are worth. If you are talking about a vacant lot and chare top $$ then do it. Many homeowners try this on me and has been said when you show up the lawn will be way to long. Stick with &quot;regular customers&quot; there is no shortage of those

[lawnworker]

been there & done this in the past.These kinds of jobs are not what lawn care is about<br>leave them to the sears craftman mower users<br>company . A pro service needs to be doing pro jobs.those older ladys try to save money but the wear and tear on the equipment is just not worth it i used to do one my 48 walkbehind would have to push the grass over and work real hard to discharge in 1st gear.over the last several years i have walked on any job that i dont agree with the costermer on cutting hights frequincy are whatever else. just do happy people only

[Toroguy]

osc, <br>that was hilarious...it made my night

[MWHC]

I have had my share of fun with the elderly this week :) If you have nothing better to do with your time than drive by to see if the grandson has done it; then take the job and charge lots of money.<p>Once the customer pulls this stunt we let the grandson have the account full time.