One-Time Cuts

[TGCummings]

I don't do 'em.

I used to do 'em, but now I don't. I've been getting a lot of calls about them lately, along with calls to just edge one time or just trim one time, but I've turned them all away. I'm a full-service weekly and biweekly lawn care professional, the way I see it, and taking on these time-consuming one-time jobs just interferes with my schedule.

I've turned a few of these requests into quotes for full-time service, but I haven't taken on any one-timers this year at all.

And I don't plan to.

Do you? Maybe I'm being too hard line about it, but what do I tell the customer? I'll do it one time, but only when everything else is done for the week? If I'm running behind, you get done at the end of next week?

Or, do I tell my regular customers that the reason I'm running behind a day on their yard is because I took on a one-timer that took too long?

I've no problem with putting new customers in my regular rotation, because I know they'll keep panning out week after week, month after month, and, hopefully, year after year.

But I don't see the benefit of one-time clean up jobs.

Do you?

[BAMARED]

It just all depends on so many different variables: Size of your co., your schedule, how hungry you are, etc. Personally, I'll bid these jobs high and if I get it then I work it in. But I'm a one man, small operation. From the sounds of your schedule and work load, I feel like you are making the best decision to turn these one-timers away, politely, after explaining to them why you avoid them. Surely they can understand this. If not, then you didn't want them as a customer anyway.

Thanks,

sparsons

[bruces]

I'm new so I don't have much experience to go on. I believe that I will take one timers if I can fit it in.

I will probably also try to quote a higher price than normal. If they go for the higher price and I have time, great, if not, they can find someone else.

I figure if I have time, I might as well take the work and the money.

I can see a different viewpoint when I get closer to a full schedule.

[TJLC]

I sometimes do one time cuts. I prefer not to, so I price them according to the condition they are in at that time. I had one, the guy said it wasn't too bad. When I went to look at it I said "How long has it been since this was last mowed". He replied "about 2 yrs! It took me about 2 hrs to mow (10,000 sf.) and make look nice. I charged him $100.00 and he was glad to pay it. That was the worst I've ever done. It made me realize why I use commercial equipment.

[sunrise]

they just want you to do the hard work to get the lawn in to mowing shape so they can get jr to mow it with the push mower
I don't do it at all.

[TGCummings]

Well, I don't have a full schedule. I usually have some time to fill every week, and we are looking to add another full day or so of work in the next couple of months.

However, I think it's as much an image thing as anything else. I want potential customers to know my time is valuable, just like theirs. I've closed a few regular deals just by telling customers they couldn't have me "every so often". Some want to call me just when they're on vacation, or whatever, and that isn't the way I operate. I want the schedule I set to be drawn up, decided, and adhered to. If they want my equipment and expertise they need to sign up to my service. I guess I'm a little arrogant in that way. :)

Also, I look ahead to when I'm running crews and I don't want my guys running off schedule for quick side cuts. I'm setting a precedent and a reputation for my business and that doesn't include off-schedule cuttings. Know what I mean?

[SLS]

Yep, I know what you mean. :)

I don't do them either...or take on new bi-weeklys.

I do not have time to flex my schedule anymore for 'one timers'...my regulars are my priority...especially my weeklys.

I've only have 2 bi-weekly customers left from my first year but they are easy (shady/slow growing) and the money is good...the rest have hit the highway. I eliminated them as weeklys came in...and doubled my money for the month.

If twice a month is all that they can afford then they are usually price shoppers anyway and NEVER want extras, like mulch and cleanups...at least in my area. :rolleyes:

[eslawns]

I do them. I even advertise for it. I also charge $10-$20 more for it.

Also, I won't edge unless there is a defined edge already, I won't bag clippings because they didn't mow for 3 weeks, and I get my money IN ADVANCE!!! I explain all this (or my wife does) on the phone, and have yet to have a problem. I also do short term arrangements, like for somebody who goes on vacation. A lot of people who enjoy taking care of their own lawn will call me every year for vacation or when they travel.

IMO, this is a very profitable thing to do if you can sidestep the hazards.

[Mykster]

I've only had one of these one timers. I charged this guy what I would've charged him monthly. I mowed, he paid.

[James234]

I don't care how big or how small, I ALWAYS do the first cut for free. In my experience (23 years) 92.34% become new full time customers. Just a little advice.

[LAWNPROzII]

Bring'em on. These are the customers that usually end up calling and having us do other extras(fertilizing,aeration,etc.)And some even sign contracts after they see our work or refer us to others. To me turning these customers away is like shutting the door on a advertising resource.

[Soupy]

Yes we do them. But only when we have time, which is useally in a couple of days. It's no different then getting a one time Mulch Job or anything else. If you make money then why not.

The only time I turn one away would be if they call 2 days before a holiday and ask if I can rush over and cut their lawn. I have a resposibilty to my regulars first and then the Holiday is my day off. But any other time I try to fill my days off. Never hurts to make more money. I get my days off between January and March.

Soupy,

[TGCummings]

I cut year around, so I have to keep a year around schedule in place. Obviously, that affects what I can do.

If I had the closing rate of James or LawnProz with these one-timers, I might reconsider my position. Generally, however, the one-timers I take on are just that, so I pre-qualify them as interested long-term parties or not.

I might start doing them again later, when my schedule is full. During dry months (around here, that's June-October), I can hammer through my schedule in 3 1/2 - 4 days and have Friday to schedule some of these, knowing I won't need that day for catch-up due to weather. I like the idea of charging a full month's worth of work, or more, for that single cut. That still presents the image of a company who's time is valuable but still is willing to "help" in a pinch. I can see how that would be preferable to the occaisonal trimming/hauling job, if I can make a good rate with it.

Excellent responses so far. You've given me much to think about...

[Bob Minney]

I don't mind doing them as long as I can get the price I want and time is available.

[the point man]

I do believe that Bob Minney has your answer.

[KirbysLawn]

Rarely. I do mow single cuts for my fertilizing customers when asked and I will do a lawn if I have time and it's not a mess. If the lawn is grown up and a mess I pass.

[gravedigger5]

I allow time in my schedule for odd jobs (ie: excavating, hauling, part-time mowings and one-time mowings) adds alittle spice to the job, change of scenery, if you know what I mean. If I don't like the looks of a job I just high-ball them. If I do get it, I'm going to get paid good. :cool:

[David Haggerty]

I'll not mow the "my mower's in the shop can you help me out?" people in the spring.

But I will take on the people on vacation later in the season.

I tell them they go on the bottom of my list. My regular customers come first.

I never expect either of those two groups to produce a good customer.
Those people are always going to have a problem that needs solved, or always asking a favor of something extra.
They're just a few extra bucks, nothing more.

Dave

[Brickman]

In my experience I think you are all right. The only way I take on a one time, or vaction mow is if I have the time. And then they pay for it. Usually the only vaction mows I get are right beside existing customers. And down the road they might turn into weekly.
As for the "my mower's in the shop can you help me out?" people in the spring.
I can't complain too much about that one. My best residential customer started just like that. When the mower came back I got the job permanent, that was 4 years ago. They liked the work I did, and the amount of free time that they had to race their car, and go to their cabin in the mountains.
I agree that the twice monthly customer is only trying to be cheap, and I don't mow for them. If they leave a message for me that they are looking for every 2 weeks I will erase it and not call them back.
By the way I turn down about half as much work as I do, so I can get away with it.

[mdb landscaping]

I got a customer with the "mower is in the shop" bit. They asked me to mow it for a little while until it came back and theyd call me when to stop. They never called and i mowed it all last season, and they just gave me the go ahead for the spring cleanup and mowings again. Its a nice big yard too.

[MuskTurfKing]

As of now I have plenty of time on my hands so I'll take on misc. odd jobs and charge em plenty. Now in later years when I'm running a full schedule it'll a depend. Either way I charge them a LOT more because of the time and hassle.

You can pick up a new customer this way, or a neighbor of there's will see your work and give ya a call.

Hank