Bidding help! (60 commercial lawns!)

[Let it Grow]

I'm processing a bid on a 60 lawn contract for a local college, and I'm wondering what you guys think the monthly price should be. It will include mowing, trimming, and trimming the bushes about two times per season, as well as some weed pulling. Most of the lawns are about 30 minute lawns, but there are about 5 that are about 1 hr and a few that are 15-20 minute. The monthly price I'm looking at is $5,840. Is this anywhere close to a fair price for both of us??? Thanks for the help!!!

[hboyd_com]

So if I figure correctly, you are charging them ~$40/hr, given a 7 day rotation. Only you know what your costs are... if you can live with that go for it.

[Angelo]

This won't answer your questions but something I thought about as I read this post. I don't know how big your company is or how many people you employe but if your solo that is going to be atleast 2 days a week of time spent and that 1 customer could leave in a year or two and leave you with a lot of extra time. If you have employees then adding this account might just mean adding another employee. Then see what the cost of that would be, ie equipment/uniform/insurance etc.
So basically I think you should make sure you get atleast your normal hourly rate give or take 10% max.

[Let it Grow]

I've got one employee right now, and we do have other residential lawns, and we'll be really working on getting more, and hopefully be able to add another employee and more equipment.
I am thinking that $40 per hour seems pretty fair. What do you all think? Is this about what you charge for commercial accounts?

[rodfather]

Originally posted by Let it Grow

I am thinking that $40 per hour seems pretty fair. What do you all think?


Where I come from, $40 per hour is real cheap...but then again, I don't know your market. About the only thing I would do for $40 an hour would be to pull weeds...and that's if i had nothing else to do at that moment.

I would think hard and fast about bring on 60 new jobs to service though. That's a hell of a increase over what you're doing now. You get that account, you're gonna know what "growth pains" are all about and in a hurry too.

Good luck whatever happens.:D

[crazygator]

Mostly around here commercial is a PITA, and so is a higher rate. Always pay when they want to, and never on a time.

If you cant get at min $45 per hour I would run. Do you know for sure the exact times or are you guessing? You might be way off and this could sink you in a hurry.

At a rate of $60 or so an hour you could be a whole lot better off.

I think you need to recalculate.....but thats just me!

[fblandscape]

I don't think I would touch that kind of account for a couple reasons.

1) it's going to go to the lowest bidder unless it's a private college.

2) college kids are slobs

3) college kids love to sue

4) college kids are crazy and will steal

5) don't do it.

[jvanspro]

First off I think you accusations towards college students was just uncalled for and unprofessional. I myself am running an honest lawncare service. I'm also in college. You shouldn't base college students as the only thiefs out there. Many Adults will do the same.

Just my thoughts,

Jeremy

[Let it Grow]

Unfortunately around here $40 per hour is pretty close to what others are charging from what I've seen. I'm new to the business here so I will be doing a little more research.
It is a private Christian college. I am actually just graduating from here in June. I have about 4 people that are interested in working for me, so if I do get the contract I'll probably hire one.
All your advice has helped...thanks!!!

[Patrick Gleason]

Give it a go,do your home work,figure it twice ,then have wife or friend go over the bid with you a third time to check if you missed anything.Submit the bid,bid high enough to make the job worth your while,what ever happens just remember you have to jump in the water to learn how to swim,don't fear the big jobs their same as the work your doing now only more area.

[nu83]

Are they all on campus, do you have to reload and unload the truck? I would say you are about right if you want the work bad, meaning this is probably about what it will go for. That being said I would double check my estimates on how long it will take.

[fblandscape]

I have met some really nice college kids, but I have also seen some college events that would baffle some of you. Thousands of people rioting, breaking into buildings, houses and buildings burning down, etc.

[Let it Grow]

This is a Private Christian college. I'm not saying we don't have problems, but overall, the students are great. It sounds like many of you have had bad experiences!!!
They are not just looking for the lowest bid, they want someone to come in and do a good job on a regular basis, and are looking for a fair price for both parties involved.

[nu83]

Well if thats the case raise the bid, imo you are on the low end of fair.

[LawnGuy73]

I think $40.00 an hour is way to low.....but thats just me....

[Let it Grow]

I put the bid in today. I had a few locals who I can trust review it and they said that they thought it was about right, so we'll see what happens.

[SCAPEASAURUSREX]

Are you guys serious saying that $40.oo per man hour is on the low side ?? It's hard enough to get $25 here, If I tried $40 Id' be outta business in a week IF I lasted that long.... Maybe I'ts time to move ??????

[thartz]

Scapeasaurusrex;(man what a name)I agree to a certain degree.Here is the new thing in my area.Temp service is now accepting private individuals accounts.If you need labor you call this temp service and they drop off the laborers and pick them up at the end of the day.Charge $15.00 per hour per person.A lot of the retirees are starting to use them instead of lawn care professionals.

[jfenton]

I think he meant per hr for 2 guys, $20 per man hr. Way low

[rodfather]

Originally posted by SCAPEASAURUSREX
Are you guys serious saying that $40.oo per man hour is on the low side ?? It's hard enough to get $25 here, If I tried $40 Id' be outta business in a week IF I lasted that long


At $25 an hour, I would be out of business in 2 weeks. At $40 an hour, I might (with a prayer) last the season...but it would be my last for sure.

[MOW ED]

Are you getting the pesticide app for this college also? If not who has it?
I have seen the big liquid N spray bomb come out and make a drop and then see 6" of new top growth a week. Try bagging 60 properties after 6 days of rain.

If you can control the fertilizer application, you are much further ahead of the game. You also won't have to pull as many weeds, you can spray them.

Good luck with the bid.

[jbrink01]

$40 / hour isn't enough!! $50 at a minimum, and most insured, non-scrub guys here, myself included, bid $1 per minute on the job, maybe a bit more for an institutional job as you have to contend with the students, people in the way, more trash etc....With travel $1 / minute should come close to $50 / hour total.