Measuring lawns?

[BAMARED]

I just read a few posts from the past talking about measuring the yards w/ a measuring wheel and deriving a price via an algebraic equation of the sort. <B>You've got to be kidding!</B> Maybe I'm just not in-tune w/what's going on but, personally, I would be too embarressed to pull up to a prospective customer's house and whip out a measuring wheel as the customer watches me measure his yard to the exact inch. It just seems too ............................ Well, I don't know. Someone help me here.

Thanks,

BAMARED

[Tom Musselman]

professional?

No offense but basing your contract on actual turf/bed square footage numbers is the only way to ensure you are accounting for appropriate levels of time and material.

This is how we do it anyway.

[Organix]

Petty? Excessive? Over-kill? Greedy? Materialistic?

I could see doing this if you are doing commercial with various lawns of various shapes and sizes. I could see doing it if you had an odd sized residential or different shapes or whatever. But if you are dealing with pretty standard types of homes, especially suburban type, I think that would look pretty stupid too. I also think the customer's may look negatively at you for not being able to give a decent esimate by just look and for being, well, petty.

Ah what the hell, where do I get one? Basically I go by a rule a thumb in one of the areas I work in, all homes are 75 a month until proven otherwise.

[HarryD]

with mowing I pretty much know what its gunna take so I dont measure. but when it comes to putting fertilizer down the wheel comes out

[Flex-Deck]

I usually just say I am going to look the lawn over - my steps are so close to 3' that if I take 100 paces - I will be within 1 foot of the total - that gives me the opportunity to step off the amount of grass to be mowed, the number of difficult spot there are -(Not many difficult spots with the flex-deck however) but it gets me there.

Thanks Brad

[1grnlwn]

I measure everything, always have and always will. My formulas are great, every job matches time quote. No suprises. Our jobs are not cookie cutter variety. Measure once and then aeration/fert quote can also be supplied any time. Don't care what customer (or you for that matter;) ) think about how I arive at my price. They only care about price anyway.

Mark

[greenman]

I measure every property for my records, the turf, the beds, everything. When it comes time for fert, I know how much I need. Aeration, the same thing. I have formulas that I use for every type of job,mowing,edging,aeration,mulching,etc.
IMO, its very professional. Also, you know you are not cheating yourself or the customer. Every has their own way though.

[Lance L]

i started measuring so that if i ever have a crew w/o me there i can compare their time with mine knowing exactly how long it would take me from measuring the yards of done before with out me having to go and mow the new yards... and if they are interested in fert programs after they declined i will already know the sq footage and can quote them a price on the phone. many things you can do by knowing the exact size of a yard.

[walker-talker]

It's good to have a record of all lawns that you service. Should the mowing customer call up and ask for an aeration, you can give them a quote right over the phone. Should the next week they want overseeding, again, right over the phone. They call about a fertilizer program.....estimate over the phone. This has already saved you 3 trips to the customers property.

MATT

[darryl gesner]

I measure most of my lawns with a wheel too. Lots around here, even in the same subdivision vary greatly in size and shape. For small lawns, it may not matter much, but whether it's 1.25 or 1.85 acres can make a big difference in time. It's hard for me to tell the difference just looking at it.

[Bigfoot]

A measuring wheel will help you give a competitive estimate while still making money. Helps take the guess work out of things.

[KerryB]

Although this practice of measuring every property may seem a little anal on the surface, it is necessary if you apply any fert, pest. , or overseed or aerate.
This is the method we choose to use in managing our businesses and giving the customer an accurate price.
It also goes to the customer's perception.
The customer percieves he or she is getting an accurate price because you measured the property instead of pulling a pie in the sky figure out for them.
The customer's perception is their reality.

[Strawbridge Lawn]

Honestly, you need to re-think things a bit. I suppose if you are just cutting you can eyeball a property. I have done that especially in developments wherer all the lots are similiar. Only thing you need to be concerned with is obstacles on the property and trimming needs. BUT, If you intend to fertilize, or seed you must measure and there is no better way than with the wheel.
You look more professional with one than without.

Best to you

[Katwalk]

Started measuring two years ago. It does make a difference. Consistency is something we strive for. The drive by estimate or the quick walk estimate can be manipulated by many things in the mind. An example......you just finished a nice installation job and got the final payment of say $4500. As you walk onto this property the mind is saying.....I have money.....I shouldn't take this job unless I can get money!!! You quote it at $60 and you would be making GOOD money and they go with the guy that measured, knows his costs, and quotes $50 and still makes good money.....not a lowballer....a professional that knows his numbers. Also, we have tracked time on every single job and plug the time back into the measurements to create formulas. IMO, I think measuring and tracking time will help.

[bushwoods1]

The wheel is a must for Fertilizer and aeration jobs. I used to eyeball those jobs, and stepped in "it " on more than one ocasion, by not having properly measured it out. :blob4:

[Just Turned Pro]

Pretty much for all the reasons described above.... Even if its only a mow-go client, I like to have the measurements on hand in case they want additional services down the road.

[Clay]

I believe the word or theme of this thread should be "systematic"...

You develop or implement the "systems" and then the systems run the business...

[deason]

Originally posted by Bamared
Maybe I'm just not in-tune w/what's going on but, personally, I would be too embarressed to pull up to a prospective customer's house and whip out a measuring wheel as the customer watches me measure his yard to the exact inch.

Well, maybe so but what if you underpriced it by 5 bucks because of that? Do that on 20 yards and leave $100 on the table (per week = $3200 per year).

To me, measuring in some cases is a bit much for the simple postage stamp cutting job. But, anything larger and you may not be getting the big picture. Time is money, and the longer it takes the more it costs. Aeration, seeding, fertilizing, mowing, trimming, all need to be measured for cost purposes. On the other hand, measure for profit also. The guy with the 21" Toro will take longer on the same yard the 52" Z will. Will you price them the same based on "what it looks like"?

[EJK2352]

You also need a square footage or acreage measurement for pesticide application records. I feel it's best to measure properties even if it's just a mowing quote. It makes estimates for add ons easy and accurate. :) ;) :) ED

[crazygator]

I always measure. Makes me 100% sure of a good bid, plus always easy to give them a price on an add on service.

Plus it looks more professional for you to tell them they have (blank) number of square feet and the price is $$$, especially if you bid commercial. It shows you take the extra time to be accurate.