new member/first question

[michael stofflet]

Joining in from SE Pa. This will be my first year working by myself after working for others for many. May I say I have been reading all the posts and this site provides a great resource. Question: I met with my first potential client and she has 2+ acres of mostly open flat land. She has had the same guy for several years but is looking to switch. I know from a friend of hers she paid $75 per cut. When I met with her she volunteered the info that she was paying $65 a cut. This is a little low for the amount of land, but it is a nice neighborhood and I would like to get my foot in the door. Suck it up and get in or let it go?

[LoneStarLawn]

Is there a profit margin still there? or will you just break even or have a loss with this client?

If there is any profit form the client then go for it others would have to reconsider.

[kutnkru]

If you have equipment big enough fo the task so that you think it wont be costing you money, I would say go for it especially if it has potenbtial in a great neighborhood.

PS joey's pizza still makin killer subs down there on the rte.30 bypass??

Just my .02
Kris

[Scraper]

Being from you're area...Chadds Ford...$65 is too low...I get $65 for 1.5 acres. I'd say even $75 is borderline. If you're just starting out remember you're going to have a lot of costs and you need profit to cover those costs! I just bid a 2 acre property for $100 and it looks like I'm gonna get it. I wanted to bid higher, but I know I can make a good profit and next year I can raise the price after they see the quality work I do. Don't just take it to get a job as when the 90 degree weather hits and you're mowing it for peanuts, you're going to be pissed.

Drop me an e-mail if you wanna talk.

P.S. What size mower are you going to use to cut this 2 acres?

[michael stofflet]

Kutnkru- just got a meatball parmasian (sp?) from there this past weekend. Where abouts in the area did you live? Let me also add the neighborhood is 2 minutes from my house and all of my equipment is paid for.

[Eric ELM]

Welcome to Lawnsite!!!
What will you be mowing with? If all you have is a 36" w/b it will take you a long time to do this, but if you have a 60" ZTR with some speed to it, it can be mowed in a half an hour. Make sure you can make money doing it.

[michael stofflet]

I will be using a 48 exmark metro walk behind.

[GREG R]

Just starting out I would suggest to book the account
Your overhead should still be low and your schedule should
have spaces in it to fill in.
One of the biggest problems for new people in our area is
they think they need to compete with everyone. It takes time
to build a solid and sound company.
I guaranty if you book that job, and do your best, another job will follow. either from a referal or just by haveing your truck been seen it that part of town.
Example: we started in a nice part of town with one corner
lot...9 yrs later we have 21 accounts in-with
2 blocks Sometimes you have to look at the bigger
picture
your best advertisment is a well groomed yard and your truck
parked along side of it.

[Edited by GREG RUMPLE on 02-07-2001 at 11:04 AM]

[Runner]

Micheal, Take it. Especially if your just starting out. It's $300 a month you didn't have before!

[awm]

Sounds to me like she is going for a lower price.
Tell her after doing the math 70 is the least
you can come out on.Then if she dont bite
tell her youll take the 65.Just buisiness..

[Joe W.]

"Looking for a switch". I find that most people do not look for other contractors just because they want change. Honest, quality contractors are to hard to find. Something happened with the other guy. Don't go to low, but get into the area and show them what a good job looks like.

[accuratelawn]

Tell her you really want the account. Do it for $65 for the first month. Then move it up to $75. Explain this up front. Also, offer her a "bonus" for refering new accounts in the area.
Prove you will show up and do a GREAT job.
Good luck.

[zipp669]

Take it & remember what you may be doing this job for in price that may be lower, she may have other lawn jobs around the yard that you could make up for it on by charging a tad more. i do it alot where i am at
my .02 cents worth

[Paradise Yard Service]

The last guy left the job (happens all the time in Hawaii) or was fired. Try to discern why. If he worked at it in 90 degree humid, maybe she did'nt go for his price increase (the writings on the wall for you). Lived or visited very frequently in the area (Maryland, Olean N.Y., Cold Spring Harbor N.Y., Shelter Island N.Y., New Hampshire) know its hot in summer. Get the money you want. At least $35.00 per man hour as many posts indicate. Welcome to the Hood! Great subs at White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City N.J.!!!!

[Paradise Yard Service]

Oh yea, if the customer has 2 plus acres, she has the money!
Get the money you want!
P.Y.S.

[npalomba]

It's always the ones with the most money that are the cheapest!! It depends on how long it is going to take you; what type mower you have and clean up time; If you would make money doing it do it. 2 arces; $65 is a little low for my pricing.

[65hoss]

First of all, GET A SULKY! You will not want to walk 2 acres, and it will make you TWICE as fast. If its wide open areas and not very much trimming and edging I would go with $75. If she got rid of the other guy because she thought $75 was to much and she is looking for lower prices, you don't want her. Then again, maybe she really was paying only $65 and the info you got was incorrect.

The other thing is, how often will you cut it? Every week? If she wants it done every 2 weeks you better go up more. Say at least $90. Don't short change yourself just to get a job. Its only you that must pay for that equipment and expenses. If you must move on to other jobs. Don't get into a pricing war with her. Tell her your honest price and stick with it.

ex: Last fall I had a jewish woman I gave a fescue seeding estimate to for over $225. She called and said she really like me better than the others that came by. She said I was in the middle with my price (were I always want to be) and asked if I would come down some. I politly said no. I told her I know my cost and always give a fair and best price up front. She said ok and when can you come do my fescue.

[Kevin]

THORNDALE! My old stomping grounds . I'd rather go to the Pizza Box on rt.30. I have accounts in tdale, dtown, cville, w.c.,chester springs etc. There are plenty slices of pie out there! You like pie Michael, don't you? I'm not telling you what to do, just remember what you do and learn from it. This potential client is telling you she pays 65 when you know she pays 75. Is she going to want to tell the next person she wants it done for even lower? With your equip are you going to be there 2 hrs? Alot of trimming? If I can help in any way let me know, I can go over with you or whatever, Kevin