Pics of new bed edges & mulch question

[Premier landscaping south]

This was my project for the afternoon. Oh how I love working in the wet Carolina clay. Questions comments or critisism welcomed.

Ahh the mulch question. Clients whole yard needs to be mulched front, back(which I just cleared out large amount of underbrush and cleaned up besides some leaves that had fallen since yesterday.) and both sides of house.

He wanted dyed black mulch. I said cool let me get you a price.

18 yards installed is $914

He told me sorry I can't do that much. He told me a company that blows the dyed black mulch in would do the job for around $600.00.

Has anybody been under bid this much by blown mulch companys.

I called a local mulch company that does blown mulch and I just asked for 12 yards dyed black mulch. How much would that be and she said $625.00.

Something is not adding up here.

PLS

[scagdude]

ya there is no way i would do 18 yds of mulch installation and me having to provide the mulch for $600!!! is he crazy?? i think your price is good if not a little under priced.
Also what did you do the bed edging with? It look really nice

[ALC-GregH]

Sounds like the customer is trying to lowball you now that you spent time cutting the edges but I have to ask, did you not give him a price beFORE you started the job?

[Premier landscaping south]

Originally Posted by scagdude

ya there is no way i would do 18 yds of mulch installation and me having to provide the mulch for $600!!! is he crazy?? i think your price is good if not a little under priced.
Also what did you do the bed edging with? It look really nice

Hey scagdude,

On the side of the house Set up a string about 8" off the ground and followed it with my stick edger with a fresh blade as deep as possible. It rained a lot this past weekend so it cut through the clay pretty easily. Then came from the back side with a straight bladed shovel on a 35 degree angle or so and lifted from the back to dislodge the dirt never the front.

I hope to get a call from the homeowner saying that I have the job for the mulch. The mulch company has never came out to do an estimate. I believe home owner is going to be in for a rude awaking. They are good people and grateful for their business. I would just like to be able to finish off the job. I know when they blow mulch they will not contour around tree trunks and spread the mulch nice and even. My intention is not to dis on blown mulch company's because I think it is a great idea but I do believe I can be competitive with their prices.

I just like to do a really nice job for them to set the job off correctly.

PLS

[Premier landscaping south]

Originally Posted by ALC-GregH

Sounds like the customer is trying to low ball you now that you spent time cutting the edges but I have to ask, did you not give him a price before you started the job?

I Gave him an estimate for 12 yards of dyed black mulch for the area I cleaned in the backyard. Estimate was $616. Then after I started the work he asked about doing the whole house.

PLS

[tjwalkingon]

Nice edging! Pretty!

[ADVANCEDOHIO]

Looks very nice. Dont do the mulch for free. If somebody else can do it that cheap - let them. Its cheaper to stay home and do nothing before losing money. He cant do it himself for that much. You might be a little low.

[DLAWNS]

Dude your edging looks amazing...very crisp. Keep it up and I hope you get the mulch job for the price you gave him.

[ron mexico75]

Damn, I'd swear you used a bed definer to make those lines. That homeowner sounds like he is BS'ing you. I bet he never even got an estimate for blown mulch. That price he gave you is probably what he wants to spend.

[laird006]

I'd charge 1170 including and delivery of mulch, homeowner is already getting a deal. that price includes edging and light bed prep however