For those who charge monthly

[privatelawn]

Do you charge less on the off season months or the same $$$ year round? I see many new customers wanting a discount for the off season months not sure if I should

[turf dog]

I charge the same for every month.

[sildoc]

I charge the same for every month.
Ditto, Other wise it is 900 for the major work months and 5 for the off time. why not make it an even 350 a month and eat the same all year long.

[hosejockey2002]

I charge the same year round. My contract makes it clear that they pay the same in December when I only show up once as in June when I make 4 visits.

[shane mapes]

i charge the same year around here in northern ca. i'm able to take care of my customers each month no snow and not to much rain

[PMLAWN]

12 months of payments = 12 months of EQUAL payments.
March 1st till nov 15th we visit every week and every other week during the "off season"

[Ron's Lawncare]

tell them they are getting a discount in the spring / summer due to you equalizing the payments throughout the year.

[WJW Lawn]

This may be a stupid question...but I dont really care. What happens if you are doing even payments....and on say...November 15th...the customer gives you the 15 day notice to cancel?? Lets say they signed up in March. What then?

Ive been considering this kind of contractual deal...so more insight would be great.

[WJW Lawn]

Also...what does the service include yearly? Do you offer packages of aeration and seeding? Does it include fall cleanup?? When you do fall cleanup---how many times do you perform the service? Again these questions may be basic...but I havent used contracts so Im still a little green to it.

[Bel Air Bob]

Do you charge less on the off season months or the same $$$ year round? I see many new customers wanting a discount for the off season months not sure if I should
Do however you like, just figure it out so you get the same amount over the entire year. I think most customers would rather have a steady monthly rate if their paying all year. If they want a discount in low months, remind them that means they'll have to pay more in busy months. You need the same money either way.

[PMLAWN]

This may be a stupid question...but I dont really care. What happens if you are doing even payments....and on say...November 15th...the customer gives you the 15 day notice to cancel?? Lets say they signed up in March. What then?

Ive been considering this kind of contractual deal...so more insight would be great.
1st question--why did that happen? You just provided excellent service all year. Why would they switch. If they are moving I can see but I also would have been thinking about that as I moved the for sale sign each week while cutting and than not done the fall service without first checking with the homeowner. That is the largest outlay for the year and want to recoup that so be sure they will pay for it or do not do it.

[Total.Lawn.Care]

Also...what does the service include yearly? Do you offer packages of aeration and seeding? Does it include fall cleanup?? When you do fall cleanup---how many times do you perform the service? Again these questions may be basic...but I havent used contracts so Im still a little green to it.

To answer this question, keep track of all visits, and if they want to cancel early, Tally the number of visits, extend that by the per visit rate, compare that to what they have paid towards the total contract and figure the difference. (# of visits x per cut rate = total services rendered) (Total services rendered - payments received = balance owed(credit due) )Sometimes they will still owe out money for visits made, sometimes they may be ahead and have a credit. Either way, tack on cancellation charge in your contract, to prevent you owing them money upon cancellation and so you get a few dollars to cover your time to advertise to replace them.

[WJW Lawn]

1st question--why did that happen? You just provided excellent service all year. Why would they switch. If they are moving I can see but I also would have been thinking about that as I moved the for sale sign each week while cutting and than not done the fall service without first checking with the homeowner. That is the largest outlay for the year and want to recoup that so be sure they will pay for it or do not do it.

Hey PM...you arent far away at all...have you had any problems selling your clients on the Yearly deal?? Round a bout how does you schedule flow with the season that we have here in central NC.

Thanks for the advice guys... Ive just never considered yearly contracts...only seasonal...but it makes good sense...and I almost feel like people that dont go for it...maybe dont take me (us) seriously...and can find a neighborhood kid...know what I mean?

[justanotherlawnguy]

Nope. 12 months = 12 monthly payments.

In FL, you will find customers tend to take it or leave it. If they start off complaining about the price at the get go, then you probably dont want them anyway.

You should never have to explain it to them.

Give them a break now and watch them work you to death in the summer...(do they offer to pay more when you go 5 times in a month during the summer, No. Its all part of paying monthly. If its 1 visit or 5, its $xxx.xx/month. Period!)

[sildoc]

To answer this question, keep track of all visits, and if they want to cancel early, Tally the number of visits, extend that by the per visit rate, compare that to what they have paid towards the total contract and figure the difference. (# of visits x per cut rate = total services rendered) (Total services rendered - payments received = balance owed(credit due) )Sometimes they will still owe out money for visits made, sometimes they may be ahead and have a credit. Either way, tack on cancellation charge in your contract, to prevent you owing them money upon cancellation and so you get a few dollars to cover your time to advertise to replace them.
Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner. Simple yet sometimes a hassle. I have it written in my contract along with the if they don't pay on time it cost the x amount per month. 30 days after cancelation and unpaid account they get a call. I give them 2 days to return my call and it gets forwarded to collections. Not if ands or buts I tack on collection fees and interest. I let them know this up front.
I hate it when some one cancels after the first month because you got their landscape in shape.

[kmann]

Do you charge less on the off season months or the same $$$ year round? I see many new customers wanting a discount for the off season months not sure if I should
people who want a discount for the winter are cheapskates. They will contest the fact that in the winter you may only cut twice per month. But ask them if they will pay more in the summer when you sometimes cut 5 times per month. They look at you like your crazy and then quote the monthly price. If they are even asking this, they will be trouble.

[Grass-Masters]

Has anybody ever tried this is the north, like michigan. Where our season seems to be 50/50 for winter and summer. If so if 30-35 per cut is average on a seasonal, what would be charged annualy. Would the monthly stay the same year round. And to add the clean-ups, aeration, seeding on 1/2 acre lots what additional monthly charge would be added (approx). This sounds like a great concept, just need additional info.

[HOOLIE]

I tested the waters so to speak this summer, maybe 5 or 6 customers that signed up in June/July...offered ONLY the flat-rate monthly deal, first month up front and payment only by credit card. I was a little surprised none of them even questioned any of that :)

I've been wanting to switch over to this billing system for awhile so I decided to test it out a little first and see how it went over. Paying per cut can kiss my behind

I didn't offer 12 month payments, but would do so for returning clients that I can trust. Really nothing to do here in Jan/Feb except maybe a trip or 2 to clean up stray leaves.