Man oh Man need help!!!

[cz lawn care]

Ok like I have previously said on here, I have been doing this for about a year ......when I do clean ups and mulching I usually give a fair price to the customer while makeing a good chunk for myself, but EVERY time I do it the customer always wants more and they dont want to pay any extra .....just wondering if this is normal for everyone, and how do u tell them w/ out sounding like your trying to just take more money from them?

Also I have an enclosed trailer.......not good for cleanups and mulching...do you think it would be beneficial if I bought a smaller open trailer just for that?

[Lawnvision]

If it something small that will not take much time or cost you money, then do it for them. Otherwise, get some pre-printed change order slips and do all extras on a time and material basis at your normal hourly price. if you do less work for what you charged, the customer will point it out quickly, so why is it any different for you to point out that you are doing more for the quoted price.

[Lawnvision]

As for the trailer. Overloading it with mulch, etc will cause bearing problems later on. I think it would be more efficient to use a truck or trailer that can haul at least 7-10 cubic yards or 84-120 2 cu ft bags.

[bohiaa]

yea They allways do that.

Best thing to do is, write EVERYTHING down, get there signature, as approval to the job, and STICK TO IT....

[cz lawn care]

yeah.....sounds good

[dfklawn]

on cleanups be sure to ask questions on the initial estimate vist, if they call just foe remulching, makeit clear if they want shrubs trimmed or not,.,.also look at other plants away from the mulch such as i the yard to see if they need attn., keep the eyes moving and give yourself a good size up of the property,.,. this wil give you a chance for upsell and eliminate any question about what theyare paying for.,,.,.

[TandM]

buy a dump trailer and everything else above sounds correct.

[dfklawn]

for my experiences, addsing a hoist to your truck is better than a dump trailer,.,.,. most trucks can be done for around 1300 bucks.,,.,., after i get the new cab and chassis im buying a swith n go system

[hackitdown]

On mulch jobs I tend to quote by the yard. So I say in the quote something like this: "Supply and install 10 cu/yds of hemlock mulch for $650.00. Additional mulch available for $65 per cu/yd"

[topsites]

Yes I know exactly that situation.
Been there, done that, more than a few times :cry:

The problems:
1) A lack of sufficient demand.
2) Prices too low.
3) Not enough money in the bank.

The solutions:
1) More advertising.
2) Raise prices $5 across the board.
3) Start saving.
4) Keep doing that as often or as much as you like.

There you go.

Other notes: Unfortunately this can take an undetermined amount of that "when you're sick and tired of being sick and tired" stuff which, well, I hate to say it but you about have to let them do you x times then all of a sudden one day ATTITUDE happens lol
So if you're not ready for it now, I thought I'd mention it in case it helps later.

[Sal200]

On mulch jobs I tend to quote by the yard. So I say in the quote something like this: "Supply and install 10 cu/yds of hemlock mulch for $650.00. Additional mulch available for $65 per cu/yd"

So you just give them a price of everything(supplies and labor) all in one price. You dont show one price for supplies and another price for labor.
Is it better to show everything in just one price instead of customers seeing how much you are charging for each. I hope what i just wrote is understandable.

[topsites]

So you just give them a price of everything(supplies and labor) all in one price. You dont show one price for supplies and another price for labor.
Is it better to show everything in just one price instead of customers seeing how much you are charging for each. I hope what i just wrote is understandable.

Yes, one price is much better, leaves a whole lot less room for argument.

[dKoester]

We charge by the job. Never show the homeowner the breakdown. We tell them what the job covers for the price as far as work goes. For instance; Edging of landscape beds, Weed removal and Mulch Installation of those beds.

[topsites]

I did want to add something I thought up earlier today, concerning fairness.

Because I used to think fair meant giving out a good price.
This isn't entirely wrong, there is something about giving value for the dollar, yes.

But in truth I found fair to be about equality, or about treating everyone the same.
I can be a total jerk, so long I am a total jerk all around and I don't give anyone the royal carpet but not to someone else, there that to me defines fair is to treat everyone the same first. Granted it might be wiser to be a nice guy, but...

I also find that so long I charge consistent prices that is fair, even if I charge $500 an hour, so long I charge everybody that much granted the customers may not like it but it is still fair. In the end I always have to cover my costs so I have to remember to be fair to myself, too.

And so it's more than just being fair to any one customer, it's about being fair all around.
It's about equality, why should I take a beating so someone else can sit in the a/c?
I'll do the work but I want a/c too!
See what I'm saying...
At the very least in my house I want to be free of sweat in summer, doesn't have to be super cold so long I can set it at some kind of temp, and it's nice to have it in the truck as well.

Just something I like to think about from time to time.

Hope that helps.

[hackitdown]

So you just give them a price of everything(supplies and labor) all in one price. You dont show one price for supplies and another price for labor.
Is it better to show everything in just one price instead of customers seeing how much you are charging for each. I hope what i just wrote is understandable.

In general, the less you break it down, the better it is for you. You want to avoid giving the customer the ability to nitpick individual line items. Plus, customers seem to like simplicity.

But with mulch, I like to go by the yard. I explain to people that it will cover between 100 and 150 sq/ft depending on plantings, mulch depth, etc. I measure (say 1000 sq/ft) and quote "10 yds for $650, additional mulch @$65/yd". After you get going, sometimes they want it laid on thicker or whatever, and the 10 yds gets eaten up too fast. No problem, they can have me provide more mulch at $65/yd. Fair to all, everyone is happy.