Surcharge for Poor Cultural Practices??

[LawnTamer]

In an effort to keep Whoop distracted from his 14 rotund wives, I thought I would bring up this issue.:laugh:

I have noticed, as I'm sure most of you have, that lawns that enjoy proper cultural practices are much easier to treat.

For example: I have a 30k lawn that I have been treating for years. I have hardly raised his price at all, despite the rises in fert prices. Why? Because he mulches, mows at 3" and waters perfectly. I use so little product/k it blows my mind, yet his lawn looks perfect. I haven't had to spray a weed in his lawn since May. I haven't fertilized my own lawn in 3 months, and it looks good.

On the other hand, I have people who collect their clippings, underwater, mow at 1.5-2". I dump fertilizer and weed control on them month after month just to keep them looking decent!

Would it make sense to form some type of graduated scale, so that people who watered properly, mulched and mowed at the proper height paid less than those who don't? Has anyone tried anything like this? I think it is a good idea, but I doubt its practicality.

[DeepGreenLawn]

I don't see that possible... you will lose the customer the next day if you bring that in...

The best and only thing you can do is inform inform inform.

What pisses me off is these "landscapers" doing maintenance that either don't have a clue what they are doing or don't take care of their equipment. They either have torn blades or the lawn is cut at the opposite height that it should be. They set the height for the day/year and leave it there no matter what grass they are cutting. I came on a fescue lawn once just as the guys were leaving, it was about 1" tall. I was fuming...

And then they don't get the call about the lawn not looking good, I do, because of diseases and the grass isn't staying healthy.

Some days I don't know how I don't just go buy my own mower and start a maintenance division right then and there just so I don't have to worry about others mistakes...

[heritage]

In an effort to keep Whoop distracted from his 14 rotund wives, I thought I would bring up this issue.:laugh:

I have noticed, as I'm sure most of you have, that lawns that enjoy proper cultural practices are much easier to treat.

For example: I have a 30k lawn that I have been treating for years. I have hardly raised his price at all, despite the rises in fert prices. Why? Because he mulches, mows at 3" and waters perfectly. I use so little product/k it blows my mind, yet his lawn looks perfect. I haven't had to spray a weed in his lawn since May. I haven't fertilized my own lawn in 3 months, and it looks good.

On the other hand, I have people who collect their clippings, underwater, mow at 1.5-2". I dump fertilizer and weed control on them month after month just to keep them looking decent!

Would it make sense to form some type of graduated scale, so that people who watered properly, mulched and mowed at the proper height paid less than those who don't? Has anyone tried anything like this? I think it is a good idea, but I doubt its practicality.


Tamer,

Thats a "Judgement Call" all your own.

Recycling the clipps means you have to make less frequent apps of N-P-K-Ca-Mg-S-Micros.

Use your judgement.....Still need weed controls and insect controls so they need to stay.

You don't EVER charge less......You make fewer apps and charge MORE.

As a Steward of the enviornment, you have put yourself in a smaller "Niche" in the Lawn Care market.......That make you worth MORE.

Think about that.

Pete

[LawnTamer]

As a Steward of the enviornment, you have put yourself in a smaller "Niche" in the Lawn Care market.......That make you worth MORE.

Think about that.

Pete

I'm not a steward, I'm a lawn guy. I don't even like flying.:laugh::laugh:


No, just kidding around. Like I said, properly cared for lawns will have fewer weeds, will have higher thresholds for bug damage. I have lawns that haven't had a weed since spring.

[phasthound]

As a Steward of the enviornment, you have put yourself in a smaller "Niche" in the Lawn Care market.......That make you worth MORE.

Think about that.

Pete

Hmmm, more educated high paying clients who can tolerate a few weeds, higher mowing heights, understand proper irrigation and microbes? I like that! :cool2:

[americanlawn]

We don't, but we should....charge for return trips cuz they forgot to unlock their gate when we called them ahead the first time. Four of my stops today were to finish treating back yards that were previously locked. They were called ahead the evening before (again). I was only able to finish one back yard. The other 3 were still locked up. Gasoline, time, wear & tear on trucks, etc. adds up. That ain't right.

[heritage]

We don't, but we should....charge for return trips cuz they forgot to unlock their gate when we called them ahead the first time. Four of my stops today were to finish treating back yards that were previously locked. They were called ahead the evening before (again). I was only able to finish one back yard. The other 3 were still locked up. Gasoline, time, wear & tear on trucks, etc. adds up. That ain't right.

That is a good fit for a "Surcharge".......55 Bucks.

That should get the gate open the 1st time :)

Pete

[jbturf]

can we all agree to start enforcing a revisit/reschedule
fee or surcharge-- im seriously considering wording into my
contracts for next year

i think the easier route for me on these troublesome properties,
is to just adjust their price accordingly for the next year.
they dont care to try and understand how to properly maintain their
property , so i doubt they will care to understand a surcharge for
their own stupidity

[turf hokie]

Had one today the I wish I could charge a surcharge on. High profile movie star, confirmed with them to do application today in the am on Wed. No problem. I get there and get turned away at the gate b/c the star is home and does not want to be disturbed. Can I come back Tuesday at 9am.:hammerhead:

[turf hokie]

I have started to add a few bucks per round for the people that want a call ahead or always seem to have a gate locked. I dont line item it just bury it in your next price increase.

[whoopassonthebluegrass]

LawnTamer, you know how I feel about stupid people, so I shall forbear...

As for callbacks, I have a ONE STRIKE policy in my contract.

[NINER]

Man I am lucky most of our lawns are only 5 miutes away from any other.

[RigglePLC]

Called ahead, but gate locked--happened to me today. Lucky I guess. I called them on the cell about 4 and the kids were home and unlocked the gate so i could do the ap on the way back to the office. I hate when this happens. I am still trying to get in touch with a guy who didn't put his dogs inside. He was out of town; had somene feeding the dogs only. Big dog weighs about 200 pounds. Newfundland.