Extra Charge For High Grass?

[bobbygedd]

extra charge for high grass? most of my customers are on a ala cart type billing system, which means we bill at the end of each month for what we did that month. now, i was forced to miss one week for personal reasons, then the following week it rained for 5 days, when i finally got back on track, the lawns were real high and needed to go over them 2 to 3 times to get them looking good, i charged extra for this. most customers didnt even question it, some called and complained. they said its not their fault it rained, i said it is not my fault either, but it is their lawn and i must charge accordingly for the extra work. i only charge 1.5 times the regular price, for 2-3 times as much work. just wondering what u guys think. thanx, BOB

[joshua]

bobby its your bussiness, you set the prices, most will understand, but you will have some who bicker.

personly i don't allow for the lawn to get that high, if i see its gunna rain for 5 days, i see myself getting wet for 5 straight days.
ok you did charge extra. 1.5 per cut so a $20 lawn would of been $30 you lost $10 a lawn on every $20 lawn for those 2 weeks. what i'm saying is you could have cut the lawns 2 times in the time you cut it once $40- 2 cuts,,,, $30- for 1 because of height in same time period.

[HOMER]

One week was for personal reasons, were they responsible for that too? I wouldn't charge my regular customers extra because it rained and especially if I was the one that was behind.

I would however stick it to a new customer or one that tends to wait til it gets that high to call me. That becomes their fault.

My opinion, couldn't-wouldn't-shouldn't:mad:

[smburgess]

I don't charge extra either. It just doesn't feel right, but it's your company - you set the rules.

[geogunn]

bob--one week your fault, one week wasn't. it kinda cancels out to me. I'm assuming that you charge by the cut and bill monthly.

I have been in your shoes before and didn't charge extra. HOWEVER, I would gladly charge extra if it was the customers preference/fault that the grass got out of hand.

GEO

[awm]

im kinda with the previous posters.
if the problem was my doing i cover it. if they were the problem they pay. in your case my cocern would be that they tolerate my not being there. most are pretty understanding.

[Atlantic Lawn]

Single cuts on customers who let their lawn get too tall get a price that could be twice as much as a regular cut. If it's my fault the lawns got so tall then I try to bust butt rain or shin to catch up. Hard to charge more.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

If the customer tells you to skip a week or something like that and you have to work doubly hard the next week, give em' a nice big bill. However, if it's due to a mistake on your end, you've got to eat the loss. As for rain, that's a mixed bag.

[AndrewLawn]

Personally,I'd consider you lucky just because they weren't angry at you for missing a week.I wouldn't have charged extra...but,like everyone else said,it's YOUR company,run it the way you want.(don't get me wrong,I can also understand how you feel about this too).

[alfabetsoop]

I'm not an LCO, so I might offer a different perspective. It's not the customer's fault you missed a week because of personal issues, and I'd expect my lawn to be cut sometime during the rainy week. I cut my own with an Exmark Metro, but have a service do the fert etc. I would definately have let my service know I wasn't happy about the extra charge.

But as most others have said, it's your business.

[bobbygedd]

gosh, i always see things differently than u guys. "my fault" the grass is so high? god makes it grow, i cut it. the way i see it, if i were there the two weeks i missed, and charged for those cuts, plus the one i did today, it would cost u $90. i am only charging u $45 to make up the extra growth plus todays cuts, u save $45. OR, LIKE I TOLD ONE LADY, if u wont pay extra ill be glad to go over the lawn one time, for the one time price. looked like hell when i was done. im not asking for anything outrageous, just resonable compensation for alot of extra work. im very surprized no one saw it my way here. thanx for your opinions. my written agreements state that cutting in foul weather is up to my discretion, if i decide i cant cut in the rain, the next price is 1.5 times . i mean we cut wed, thurs, fri, and sat, one year it seemed to rain on those days for like 3 months. thats when i decided i needed to be compensated for making up these cuts. when i have to spend an hour on a lawn that usually takes 20 min, y cant i be paid extra? i didnt make it rain.

[bobbygedd]

well, now i stopped home for lunch, and after cutting only 6 lawns that had to be cut 3 times each, and the damn grass was so high i didnt see that crappy toy in the lawn and mangled it and now im gonna replace it, i will definitly never ever cut high grass again for the price of a single cut. why would any of you take it on the chin like that?if you were paying help to make up these cuts, u would be working at a loss to do it. then let me ask u this, how many of u get calls like this" beeeeeep, hi bob its mrs **** from **** street, the grass really hasnt grown much so id like u to skip me this week" so, lets see, if the grass dont grow much, i dont get paid, yet if it groaws 5 feet, i cut it for a regular cut price. NO WAY, NEVER AGAIN!and thanks for your input ALPHABET SOOP, but when u hire a service to do work for u, u also understand u hired a human being, we get sick, have to deal with the elements, and also may need time off to mourn the death of a loved one. if u want to pay the fee for a single cut even though your grass is real high, ill be happy to go over it one time, with no catcher, shoot the grass all over your house and into your nice new mulch, then leave. after what i been through the last few days, i cant believe no one would charge extra. u guys are usually, no u r always a great help, but i just cant agree with this.

[casey]

Get them on contract.

[alfabetsoop]

Hey Bobby, relax a bit son. I'm sorry you've had a such a tough few weeks. But since you're a professional, I assume you'd call me to let me know I wouldn't see you for 2 weeks, or you'd subcontract out the work in order to keep the business. I'm not interested in screwing anyone, and as a matter of fact, I paid UP FRONT for my entire year of maintenance. So I treat you like a professional, and expect the same treatment in return. If I don't receive it, I simply fire you. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that's the deal. I have no intention of getting into a pi$$ing contest. I thought I'd simply provide the perspective of a homeowner, who put himself through college working as a grounds caretaker, BTW.

I truly hope you're personal problems are behind you, and you're gotten all of the support you need.

[John DiMartino]

Bobby,its your business,but I think a straight monthly rate would've been better,that way you could come every 5 days in the growing season,and every 10 days in the drought,and get paid both times.If I were you,I never,ever would have let the grass go without cutting 2 weeks,you should have made arrangements to have it cut.,IMO your lucky they didnt find someone else to mow their foot tall grass,or do it themselves out of frustration.I believe you're charge was fair,but only if you called them in advance,and they agreed to it,and knew you would be missing a week.

[smburgess]

The last two posts pretty much sums it up.

[dhicks]

I just missed a week of work due to rain and the death of my father. Prior to leaving for the funeral in Kentucky, I called each customer and let them know that I would not be cutting due to personal reasons. When I came back, all of my lawns were severely overgrown.

I had no intentions of billing my customers extra for high grass that was beyond my their control or mine. All of them appreciated the extra work that I did to get 'em back in shape.

[smburgess]

A true professional.

[TLS]

Some lawns just grow too fast and need a double cut to break up the clippings and make it look better. I don't charge for this. HOWEVER, I make it known of all this EXTRA work when a customer questions why I cut it in August whwn its dry and only growing around the raingutters, etc.! It works both ways and comes out in the wash! Anyway, the second cut or double cut is easier! You dont need to trim again, and you dont have to get too close to things the second time around.

[earthandturf]

Service, communication. These are two things I build my business on. Even during trying circumstances these are important tools that should be utilized. Personal time and rain aren't the customer's fault and I personally wouldn't charge them extra, I only charge extra when a customer's decision or preference costs me. Just my opinion.

[LJ lawn]

unfortunately a lot of people just cannot grasp the concept of the "it works both ways" (not charge extra when high,but continue to cut in the drought)i have talked and explained this to some people till i was blue, but to no avail-they just don't get it(i think they do but just play stupid).sometimes i jwill just cut it an inch higher or i'll run it over twice or sometimes i just don't care and use the WALKER and collect it.i like the monthly flat rate sytem of billing best myself-seems to work out to my advantage in the long run.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

The only times I would consider charging for overgrown grass would be when the customer has been skipped by me because of non-payment, or if it is a one time mowing. I don't hold the customer responsible for the weather, or my scheduling issues.

[bobbygedd]

well, after talking to other lawn guys in my area, i see where u guys r coming from. i do this part time, and thought that i would charge a fair amount of money, for an equally fair amount of work. well, then i find out that u guys do extra work just for the sake of keeping the customer. that dont work for me, then i found out what most of u guys make per year, and i am truly sorry for u and your families, i never imagined.

[1MajorTom]

Quote:then i found out what most of u guys make per year, and i am truly sorry for u and your families, i never imagined.


What exactly do you mean by that comment?


We charge accordingly when a customer calls and has let their grass get too high. In fact, we charge a good bit for the extra work.

Now if you want to take a week off for personal reasons, then that's your call. But if it rains the following week, (had those lawns been cut the PREVIOUS week), you wouldn't have found yourself in such a dilemma.

And exactly why do you do this type of work part time. Can't your full time job substain your family? Should I in turn feel sorry for you?;)

[kris]

Originally posted by bobbygedd
then i find out that u guys do extra work just for the sake of keeping the customer. that dont work for me, then i found out what most of u guys make per year, and i am truly sorry for u and your families, i never imagined. [/B]

What is that supposed to mean?... At first I never responded to this post because I thought it was totally insane that you could think of charging extra for your week of neglect. Trust me...you don't need to feel sorry for me..Keep up the shabby work so a legit company can take over for you.

[bobbygedd]

what i meant was that after talking to other guys around here and seeing what kind of money they earn doing this, i can only assume they can not afford to lose that one customer that may cancel because of a missed cut. and, as far as my regular job, i probably make twice what u make, but because im a hustler, i cut lawns too. its all a matter of what u consider "good money" . what most people consider good money, i consider pocket change. but, if thats the best u can do.....

[jones]

Billybob,
If you miss a cut ITS YOUR FAULT not the customers, doesn't matter if it's raining or not.

You cut lawns and you have a job.

I just cut lawns don't need another job like you do.
Just curious.

What do you consider "good money"?

[bobbygedd]

GOOD MONEY? TO ME, 100, 000 PLUS. AND ALSO BENIES. TALK TO SOME GUYS AROUND HERE, AND WAS SHOCKED THAT THEY THINK GOOD DOUGH IS GROSS 35, 000 . AND NO BENIES, TO ME THATS PURE POVERTY, IM ONLINE RIGHT NOW, U CAN INSTANT MESSAGE ME IF U LIKE TO CHAT

[jones]

You make 100K and cut lawns on the side????
Customers must love it when you pull up in your Hummer pick up and have the chauffeur unload the equp.

[bobbygedd]

NO, I MAKE 100K, PLUS BENIES INCLUDING MY "REGULAR" JOB. JEALOUS? DONT BE, I BUST MY ASS FOR IT, MOST GUYS CANT EVEN HANDLE THE STRESS OF ONE JOB. MY POINT THOUGH IS FOR me, TO DO THE EXTRA WORK AT NO EXTRA CHARGE IS NOT WORTH MY TIME OR EFFORT. I WAS JUST REALLY SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT SOME GUYS R MAKING 35, AND NOT LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JOB, IF U GOT KIDS AND A HOME, THAT IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY.

[jones]

YOUR CAPS ARE LOCKED.
Most of us collect welfare and food stamps to support our families.
Too lazy to work as hard as you.

Eric's gunna be mad.

[bobbygedd]

ok, mr. jones, ive had enough fun for tonight, thank you for being so pleasant when i may have come across as rude. im really not a bad guy, just really tired and run down, i really do work alot of hours. but, i still aint cuttin no high grass for straight pay, good night, dont care whos fault it is, it aint my grass.

[1MajorTom]

bobbygedd

i dont work in a papermill, but i do work in a printshop, it is a gravy job for great pay, been doing it 16 yrs. operate my lawn service during the day, then print at night, only bad part is being inside. sounds like that papermill job really stinks. we use rolls(web shop)hope to be full time lawn service someday

Why would you hope to be full time lawn service someday when you are already making 100K PLUS benies working your full time job?
You already said that lawn guys in your area are only making 35 a year. That sure seems like a step down for you.

[bobbygedd]

tom, the OTHER GUYS in my area r making 35, tend to think im a little, no alot better than them at running a business, anyone can cut grass but making a lawn and landscaping business very profitable is a different story. seems they r also content with that big 35, get out of bed at 9 am, eat lunch at 1, quit at 5 pm, give me a break, thats not a work day its a vacation, i know what i want and i do what i have to to get it. u r in printing also? been in web printing myself for 18 years, great money, never see the light of day, i need a change

[jones]

now your caps arn't working at all. you say your in web printing?

[bobbygedd]

yes jones, but this aint no chat room, hope we dont get in trouble for this. been in web printing since graduation day, 1983, been in lawn about 7 yrs. sorry major tom misunderstood your reply, now i get it, that was my quote from another thread, didnt say i was the brightest guy in the world

[1MajorTom]

Bobby,
No I am not in printing. That is your quote that was copied in my last post.

I guess what made me take notice of this thread was your comment that you said that you felt sorry for people in the lawn business and their families.

My husband and I have two children to raise and although we do not have fancy cars and boats at this time, we are more fortunate than a lot of people out there. We work 7 to 8 months out of the year, and we are able to live very comfortably.

I also don't doubt that you are a hard worker that does put in a lot of hours of work. But when you come here and ask a question, if you get some responses that go against your thinking, you in turn shouldn't get mad and lash out and say you feel sorry for most of us.

One last thing to think about. There may come a time when God forbid you aren't phyically capable of cutting your own grass. You may have to hire someone to do it. Would you want to pay that person extra because they decided to take a week off and then it rained and the grass got too high?

[jones]

Bobby I think you finally have told us something truthful.



I'm done Eric.

[bobbygedd]

jodi, u r very right, and to all whom i may have offended, I AM REALLY SORRY, sometimes, in a bad frame of mind, i say really dumb things, the truth is i come here when i am wiped out because i really value the opinions of everyone here, problem is when u guys dont agree with me, i stamp my feet and get mad. forgive me, and ok, MR. JONES, IM A MORON.

[KirbysLawn]

I hope Bobby figured out what the best thing to do in this situatation was.

Jodi, very well said!

Since the question has been answered many times, and this thread has become a debate we will close it before it gets out of hand.