Church bid

[BoogieDog]

I have been asked to give my bid on about a 100,000 square foot church property. It has some gulleys and hills. The deacon claims that a kid who is not reliable did it for only $60 per cut. They will provide the equipment (Craftsman LT)but I would prefer to use my own equipment (Scag. ) I live in east Texas. Any ideas what a job like this should cost? I'm not doing this to make a living as I am retired but wouldn't mind keeping busy.:(

[Bunton Guy]

I have a property a church in fact similar size sounds just like it with some farely decent sized hills and dips and one drainage area....anywho I charge $250 per cut. There is no reason to use there equipment and no reason in the world to charge them less....all the people there make a living if they want to help the church they can give a donation no reason for you to give up money to help them out your trying to make a living off of them. Dont hold on to tight to this account they (churches) have been known to give the job to any joe smoe who went to that facility that had gotten layed off or fired....so you could do it for a few months without knowing they have other plans. Goodluck....60 bucks is WAY to cheap !

[robert payer]

Pricing depends on the degree of difficulty. With out seeing the job, I would say in the $250.00 range also. If you are using his equipment just quote an hourly price.

Hope that I was of help.

[Mowingman]

I bid one just about that size here in North Texas at $250/cut. The guy that got the bid came in at $242/cut. The price you mentioned is WAY too cheap.:)

[65hoss]

I think I would double the $250 to $500 if I had to use the crapsman.

2.29 acres of grass but no mention of how much trimming and edging. If its not much trimming involved I would think it would be hard to get $250 per cut.

[P&J Lawncare]

Im with you HOSS, for sure double it if you have to use the crapsman.

[hubb]

I don't know how you guys price your residential jobs, but I usually charge around $60.00 per acre. That would mean about $137.00 per job for that one. Of course I would have to look at it to see if there was any excessive trim work. I think around here any more would surely make me loose that bid. This is just my opinion though. If you can get $250.00 for it, then more power to you.
Good Luck!:D

[REO]

I must say, I have to agree with Hubb, I have a 72" LQ eXmark that would mow that area ( 2.29 acres ) in about 1.25 hrs. Max. There's no way that I could get $250 per cut where I live.

[Mowingman]

My bid included a lot of trimming and edging, thus the 250.00/cut. Of course, if all you have to do is mow and go, then you might do it for 130.00 - 150. /cut.:)

[TFL]

hey boogiedog where in east texas do you live. i am also from east TX

[Scraper]

Originally posted by REO
I must say, I have to agree with Hubb, I have a 72" LQ eXmark that would mow that area ( 2.29 acres ) in about 1.25 hrs. Max. There's no way that I could get $250 per cut where I live.

That's because you live in York. ;) All kidding aside, $250 seems a tad high for a little under 2.5 acres, but depending on trimming volume it may be just right.

[BoogieDog]

To TFL, I live in Palestine. Also, to those who can do this in 1.25 hours, I think that would be a stretch. There is a ditch to contend with and a steep hill on the side plus trimming and blowing debris. I finally bid $100 on this but really don't want it enough to argue price. With my time, my equipment, time to get to the job (10 minutes) I doubt if it really worth it.

[TFL]

Welcome to lawnsite. Good to Know someone else in the area is on this site. 100 sounds about par for this area.

[Turf Ranger]

I have a church that i mow for $100 a cut. there is minimal edging but a lot of trimming...it is probably 2 acres altogether. I myself i think im mowing cheap but it might also be that i know the background of the church... its a hurting church that barely gets by... you can call me soft, but if you dont have much mowing to do one day, go by and give it a shot.. if they are impressed, raise your price... but i would say it all depends on how well the church is doing.. just my opinion

[brucec32]

There are so many variables associated that it is hard to give a quote online! I think it's more important that you know how long it will take you to do the work and price according to that. Prices per acre are at best a rule-of-thumb thing.

I would never use a customer's mower, especially a slow crummy lawn tractor!

I am usually wary of any potential customer who has a mindset about price based on what some unreliable "kid" did it for. That has nothing to do with the reality of the market price for proper and reliable mowing. There's always some fool willing to work cheap.