What is your percentage on closing bids?

[ConPro]

I only try and get 50%. If not I'm bidding to low. I also try and figure the customer out before I even give them a number.

[Bunton Guy]

If I bid low I get around 90% at the beginning of the season I will bid a little lower than normal and by mid spring I will have a higher price and close about 40%

[double e]

When I first started the biz a coupleof years ago I used to get 90%

Now I have 4 employees- I get 40-70% depending on timing- Now I know the price to run a biz with Payroll, ins, and liability prices

[walker-talker]

Last spring I had around 20 estimates for lawn maintenance....I closed 100%. I know what everyone says, "your prices are too low", but I even raised them and was getting the jobs. It was crazy, but I consider myself a pretty good salesman. I have always had a pretty good repour with people. I have given about 6 this year and have not received any, but all estimates have been dropped off since nobody is at home. Also, if I give estimate over the phone, I have a tough time closing. For me, it is always worth the trip out to the site and meet with the future client.

MATT

[jocko1104]

Amen brother. If you have a history of sales then u know that you cant sell over the phone unless the are lay-downs anyhow.

I always make the trip to the house and ALWAYS ask for the sale on the spot.

[lsylvain]

I usually get 100% of the residential jobs that I want. I usually bid really high on jobs I don't want.

Last year I got 100% of my comercials. This year I still have a lot still pending. The season doesn't get rolling for another few weeks, and most times I'll get the call the day they want it cut. I think this has a lot to do with my % since I figure a lot of people already have full scheduals and can't take the jobs on because they are stuffed full of residentials. (just a guess) There has got to be something going on since I do over half of the comercial jobs in the imediate area.

[cantoo]

I find that if my wife and I both go to the site we have a much higher chance of getting what we want. She does most of the work anyway so I'm really along just to look good. Some customers would rather deal with a guy and some would rather deal with a girl so we try to figure that out quick and that person takes the leading role. It also helps to establish that family business attitude around here.

[65hoss]

My closure rate is about 99%. But, my situation is much different than about anyone here. Under any other situation my closure rate would be about 60%.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I've paid my dues and don't solicit any new business. All my new accounts come from word of mouth and the potential account must be a nice fit in regards to my equipment and route. Call me the Nazi soup kitchen guy from Sienfeld. I probably turn down 5 accounts for every one I pick up.

[brucec32]

Originally posted by LAWNS AND MOWER
I've paid my dues and don't solicit any new business. All my new accounts come from word of mouth and the potential account must be a nice fit in regards to my equipment and route. Call me the Nazi soup kitchen guy from Sienfeld. I probably turn down 5 accounts for every one I pick up.

How funny. My wife says I am the Lawn Nazi because I have to have things just right to take on new business..or rather did. I lost some customers over the winter to the economy, death, and moves.

I'm out of practice, since I too relied on referrals only for the last few years, but I would rather bid a tad low than spend all Spring driving around giving free estimates. About 80% overall, I'd say is my "close rate".

[FrankenScagMachines]

Interesting topic- I was wondering the same thing because I need to know how many doorknob hangers to get. I know I want maybe 20 lawns under 1/2 acre (like upto 1/4 acre preferably but would take others) and on those fliers I am offering the first cut for free for new regular customers. With these size of lawns it will not take too long, it gives me an idea to know how long it takes, how hard it is, etc. I just time myself, take the minutes and add like maybe $5-10 or so for travel and fudge factor and that is the price I give them. Then they can see the work I do, I know what I'm getting into and can give them a fair price because I know exactly how long it takes.
With this deal they might also feel obligated to hire me but with the work I do there is nothing wrong with that! :angel: So shall I plan on 90% closure then for residentials?
Thanks,
Eric

[Meier]

Once I get my first 15 customers, I'm raising my prices on new accounts. I'll keep the same prices for the existing accounts, but the after that, my prices are going up aboput 10%.

I hope to get to the 40-50% take range. Right now, I've won 8 jobs and lost two.

One last thing: When a new customer calls you out and asks for a price, if the lawn has weeds calf high and looks like hell, it's going to take a lot more time to mow the first time and even a little more time the second time, than it will once the weekly mowings start. Digging out the edges with the blade is hard work too. I'm finding it is taking on average 3 times as long to mow the first time as it will once it's under control.

Are most folks charging extra for the first mowing if things are out of control? How willing are customers when it comes to a 'clean up' fee on the first outing? I'm thinking that going forward, if it hasn't been mowed in a month, I'm going to start charging double for the first mowing, then the regular weekly rate from there on out.

Appreciate any toughts.

DFW, TX

[FrankenScagMachines]

meier, good point I forgot to mention, in my deal that does not include lawns with excessive growth! If I have to quickly double cut without slowing down alot then I would still do that but if it is a "bushhog" job then no cigar! Most places in town like what I want are kept down reasonably anyway.

[ConPro]

One thing I think to think of when bidding a lawn jobs is this. Its alot of residual income. Meaning, If I get the job, I will get that job for 23 weeks during the year( Philadelphia, non fertilized property). I also have to find out if I will do a Spring cleanup, fertilize, mulch. If I'm getting these other very profitable jobs in the future, I may bid to get the lawn w/ benefits. Use your lawn cutting price to get your foot in the door.

[walker-talker]

Originally posted by 65hoss
My closure rate is about 99%. But, my situation is much different than about anyone here. Under any other situation my closure rate would be about 60%.

I am puzzled Hoss.....what is your situation?

MATT