When to go out and get contracts

[Duncan IN]

This will be my second year mowing and I was wondering when you guys head out to try to get more contracts. What is the best time to go out and talk to business'. I just don't want to be to late and miss out on a contract. any info would be greatly appreciated

[unique lawns]

Well to help answer your question, based on my own experiences is that there is no specific time to get business. But there are some strategies that can help with timming. Here in Florida summer is the busiest season in the lawn business, That is when every body is too busy to even keep up with the accounts they already have. That's when I offer my services the most, I hire extra help to keep up with all the work. But on the other hand, I have got some of my best accounts during winter, that is when usaully the contracts are up and costumers are looking for new companies. I would say that all the time is the best time to look for new contracts.
http://www.uniquelawns.web.com

[Hardy Enterprises]

Duncan,

I have found that most of the larger accounts want bids in by the end of January. As the size of the account gets smaller the closer to season they will except bids.

Jay

[Randy Scott]

This question goes along with Duncan IN's question. I know alot of the commercial accounts need to be done around January, but how do you give a bid on a property for grass cutting when it's covered with snow, like they are here in Wisconsin?

[HOMER]

I think that would fall under the creative estimating chapter!

[Randy Scott]

I guess I could shovel off their property, that would show a determined and hard charging business man going the extra mile, orrrrrrrrrrrrr, make me look like an idiot LOL.

[HOMER]

Go get that new BR 420 Stihl, it has a defrost feature on it that will melt away 12 ft-------no-------20' snowdrifts. People are using it to ice fish with now, they stick it to the ice and a hole appears in seconds---no more messy ice chipping! No more scraping ice off those windshields either, stick it up there and presto, you got a clean heated windshield.

Amazing machine-------------really!

[awm]

That sounds like something you could heat a house
with.

[Eric Green]

My name is Eric and I'm going into my second season.
Last year I did all residential but I would like to bid on commercial properties this year.
Is there a particular format that you guys use to bid for apartments or factories.Also that was my next ? about bidding in snow-covered conditions. Thanks you guys are great to have around! Just like a bunch of older brothers with tons of knowledge.

[Hardy Enterprises]

What snow? All we got here is rain. I can't help you that problem.

Jay

[Skookum]

Most around here, go for signed contracts on current accounts at before the years end in November. So you have to hit them by October if they are an account that is on the ball and signs right away with their current contractor.

There are always accounts that wait till Spring. So, now is a great time while you have time as well. It is nice to see the lawns, but I have gotten accounts that I made the bid on where I did not actually see the lawn due to snow. These were commercial accounts that I was already familier with by just watching as I drove by in the past.

The measuring wheel does not work too good in snow though!