help with pricing

[macmackgrass]

Can someone quickly help me, I was called with a commercial account today to bid on. Last guys were really bad. I have never placed a bid with someone of such large capacity. Don't really know how to place a bid, but they were impressed with me when I went to give my card. Please help. It is a small apartment complex with no landscaping and are under construction as we speak. Need to know approx how much to bid for and how to contract.

You guys are great. Thanks for your help.
Mac

[tiedeman]

well...first of all tell us about the property..>the size, amount of trimming around trees & landscaping beds, slopes or hills, etc? What size of mower you plan on using? The location, by I mean a smaller city, or larger city? Income level in the area? Give lots and lots of details

[macmackgrass]

Property is in low income area, city is extremely small with big competition. It would take approx 2 hours to cut. No flower beds, just cutting grass, no clean up. Some trimming around trees in back but not of major concern to appartment.

[tiedeman]

are you cutting it by yourself or do you have employees? What size of a mower are you going to use?

[macmackgrass]

I am just starting out and it is my first season. Manager was very impressed with my presentation and was very impressed with the fact that I came to them in person to find out about their service noticing that it was middle of April and that there had been no mowing this season. There is little clean up since their are under construction and it is up to them to clean up the area. Has approx 7 buildings and 1 small playground. I hope this info helps you with suggestions.

[tiedeman]

the easiest way to figure out the cost is take your overhead and direct costs. Find out how much you have to charge per hour first to cover the costs. But then add a profit to that amount. Right there is about the cost that you should charge per hour. But then you have to add in your equipment cost for the hour. How much should and will you charge per hour for a 48" mower compared to a 60" mower

[tiedeman]

ok since this is your first year I guess another important question to ask you are you licensed and insured? Because you are cutting on a commerical property and a lot of problems can arise from a commerical property if something gets damaged or someone gets hurt. If you are not of the either then you need to do that before you get this property.

[macmackgrass]

I have a 36" mower and it is me and my fiance' doing it by ourselves. All legal docs are in place but we did not think that things would fall into place so fast since we just got started and we were late in the season. Started in middle of March.. How you like that for beginners luck, but then again, reputation goes a long way when you have good friends.

[tiedeman]

If it takes you about 2 hours with a 36" mower and since this is your first year and you want to get your foot in the door...somewhere between $60-$85. Because once you get a larger mower that time will be cut in half almost. (I'm trying to think back when I first started out about how much I charged my first year)

[macmackgrass]

How did you present your bid? I am pretty sure that I have this contract but I have never had to bid on anything.

[wriken]

$105.00, $15.00 per building. Give or take a few bucks:)
make sure you got insurance, lots of small kids, people walking to their cars etc, apt's have toys and rocks hidden in the grass.

[tiedeman]

The only reason that I said $60 to $85 is because you said that it would take you about 2 hours to do with a 36" mower. Well, it would probably only take me about 45 mins to 1 hour to do with my larger mowers. So the $60 to $85 price is just about on target because if you go any higher I feel that competition will under bid you because they know that they can do it faster and cheaper.
do some searches tonight on bid sheet templates. Design your own and present them with the bid and everything that is involved with it. Also present them with information regarding your guarantees, policies (if you have any), and of course the rest of the services that you offer. This is a perfect time because then they can see everything else that you offer.

[tiedeman]

Originally posted by wriken
$105.00, $15.00 per building. Give or take a few bucks:)
make sure you got insurance, lots of small kids, people walking to their cars etc, apt's have toys and rocks hidden in the grass.

yup, insurance...there is never such a thing as having too much insurance

[macmackgrass]

thanks for the help, but I guess I am still trying to find a web page with templates for bids.

You guys are great and I will let you know how it went:blob3:

[macmackgrass]

The bid went in this morning and it seems that we have the contract. We bid it at $105 and I think by the reaction that it may have been to low. Either it was in the ball park and she just really liked the way I dressed. I know that my fiance' was very jealous but did not say too much since it is income. she has stated that she will be there every mow to help out. I wonder why? lol.:D :D I do appreciate your input and all the information that is available on this web site. It has really come in handy.

OH!!!!! Come to find out that there is 5 other properties all owned by the same person. I think the apartment manager, who really thinks I am cute, is trying to get me into those complexes as well. Wouldn't that be something for my first year.

Once again, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!

MAC:cool: :) :D :D :D