How to charge for weed killer / Roundup applications.

[jaybow]

I am putting in some bids this year on commercial properties and need to know how to price Roundup applications for rock beds and cement cracks. I'm sure I will need to get a spray tank and some concentrated weed killer to mix. Your recommendations would be appreciated.

[David Haggerty]

I charge by the gallon for spot spray applications.

[david shumaker]

I charge by the time it takes plus about $14.50 per gallon for Round-up. In Virginia, you need a "Right of Way" license to apply vegatation killer along fences, driveways, etc. This is a separate license from the turf license.

[Runner]

This requires licensing in the state of Michigan. It also requires 3B (ornamental for the bed areas) and 6 (right of way for the hard surfaces) certifications.

[ed2hess]

You don't charge extra for stuff like that or for trash pickup just part of job.

[Lawn Freak]

By the gallon if its alot of area. But for a weed or two here and there in a bed don't worry about it. They will appreciate the extra bonus and it will pay off

[jaybow]

This requires licensing in the state of Michigan. It also requires 3B (ornamental for the bed areas) and 6 (right of way for the hard surfaces) certifications.

Yeah I know it requires a license but mostly just want to kill lot weeds and sidewalk weeds.I think I have read you need to have a couple years doing applications under somebody elses license to get your own.
I wasn't going to do any applications for lawns.
Since you are talking to me wich is rare for Michigan guys I wanted to ask you how this sounds.I am going to place a bid on a small apartment complex of 10 buildings.The buildings are not all placed in line with each other so it is tuff to size it up and get a good feel of how much property it is.At first I came up with about $240 per cut but then I decided to just go $30 per building with 10 buildings bringing it to $300. The buildings are pretty close together.I know its hard to give an opinion without seeing but what do you think. I also made the bid out for 28 cuts is this typical. I think the complex had around 95 shrubs mostly evergreens on the small side. I put in the bid to trim shrubs 2 times for the season and I charged $5 each shrub. Some insight would be greatly appreciated since I usually am ignored buy my fellow Michiganders.

[LushGreenLawn]

Yeah I know it requires a license but mostly just want to kill lot weeds and sidewalk weeds.I think I have read you need to have a couple years doing applications under somebody elses license to get your own.
I wasn't going to do any applications for lawns.
Since you are talking to me wich is rare for Michigan guys I wanted to ask you how this sounds.I am going to place a bid on a small apartment complex of 10 buildings.The buildings are not all placed in line with each other so it is tuff to size it up and get a good feel of how much property it is.At first I came up with about $240 per cut but then I decided to just go $30 per building with 10 buildings bringing it to $300. The buildings are pretty close together.I know its hard to give an opinion without seeing but what do you think. I also made the bid out for 28 cuts is this typical. I think the complex had around 95 shrubs mostly evergreens on the small side. I put in the bid to trim shrubs 2 times for the season and I charged $5 each shrub. Some insight would be greatly appreciated since I usually am ignored buy my fellow Michiganders.

As far as pricing, if the turfarea around the buildings is 1/4 acre or less, with minimal trimming, I would say your price is low, but not really low. The only thing with apartment complexes there is usually much more turfgrass than this, and a large building to trim around so I hope you know what you are getting into.

Also, it does not matter where you are spraying chemicals, you still need a license. I understand in your state that you may have to work under someone for 2 years, but the law is the law. I would like to do perimeter and flea/tick treatments, but I can't because of the two year rule preventing me from getting the license. That dosen't mean I go out and do it anyway. Its just a part that I have to leave out of my business. You can always sub that part out if you don't want to get a license.

[LushGreenLawn]

You don't charge extra for stuff like that or for trash pickup just part of job.

Picking up the trash, yes. Going through all the trouble to get certified to spray chemicals so you can do it for free? Your nuts!

[Runner]

As far as the mowing, it is sort of unanswerable with the info you gave me. You can't really go by how many buildings there aree...It is how much turf you are cutting, how much trimming is involved (fences, trees, beds, etc.), and the terrain (hills, ditches, rough areas, etc.). EWhere abouts are you? If you want to PM me with an address to this place, I can look at the satellite of it and give you a much better idea. I would be glad to help. As far as the spraying of the lot and bed areas, yes, the licensing is required even for just spraying Roundup in these type areas. My suggestion? Find a private company around you that is licensed and sub it out. I do alot of work of this type for local lawn services, and it works out well.

[stressed]

You don't charge extra for stuff like that or for trash pickup just part of job.

you dont do ANYTHING for free,idont care if you charge em 10 dollars,you cant do i8t for nothen or theyll expect it every time

[david shumaker]

you dont do ANYTHING for free,idont care if you charge em 10 dollars,you cant do i8t for nothen or theyll expect it every time

I've learned that about some customers. They will add 15 minutes of work each week and keep adding until you have done what would cost $100.00 to $200.00 if you did it all at once. If something takes a minute or 2, I don't mind doing it, but when they start trying to add extra work every week for free, they are just trying to take advantage of you.

[tlg]

LiYeah I know it requires a license but mostly just want to kill lot weeds and sidewalk weeds.I think I have read you need to have a couple years doing applications under somebody elses license to get your own.
I wasn't going to do any applications for lawns.
Since you are talking to me wich is rare for Michigan guys I wanted to ask you how this sounds.I am going to place a bid on a small apartment complex of 10 buildings.The buildings are not all placed in line with each other so it is tuff to size it up and get a good feel of how much property it is.At first I came up with about $240 per cut but then I decided to just go $30 per building with 10 buildings bringing it to $300. The buildings are pretty close together.I know its hard to give an opinion without seeing but what do you think. I also made the bid out for 28 cuts is this typical. I think the complex had around 95 shrubs mostly evergreens on the small side. I put in the bid to trim shrubs 2 times for the season and I charged $5 each shrub. Some insight would be greatly appreciated since I usually am ignored buy my fellow Michiganders.

Let me repeat what Runner said eariler. If you are spraying round up or weed killer in a driveway crack, sidewalk or flower bed you need to BE LICENSED. Specfically a right of way certification and a pesticide license for your business. It makes no difference if you don't plan on doing lawns. If you need more insight just ask.

[mngrassguy]

Don't forget, your going to need to have someone fertilize and spray the weeds also. Check around for a local LCO that can work with you and do your round-up spraying.