Adding leaf removal to annual contracts

[JohnnyRocker]

I would like fresh insight on this topic. Consider going to a new residential property, how would you go about estimating/adding leaf removal to an annual agreement? Thanks!!

[ponyboy]

It is more of a pain than its worth but I charge the extra man hours to get to curb side what ever your going rate is and I have a 84 Hp leaf vac that loads quick and I charge min $150 to suck up and dump my truck holds 20 yds and I get $500 per full truck load
If I could I never would pick up again
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[Darryl G]

I just bill hourly for cleanups for regular mowing customers. When they're just at a nuisance level, like late September to early October I might charge a little extra to deal with them during their scheduled mow, like $10 or $20 if I have to spend extra time. After October 15th all my mowing/cleanups become hourly at my cleanup rate, plus any disposal.

[Smallaxe]

For small matchbook lawns and very little landscape concerns maybe you do an annual estimate... but if there are trees in the neighborhoods and shrubs everywhere in landscape beds you can never know when you're done...
"The mulch looks bad, the stones are not adequately cleaned, the branches have leaves stuck in the interior of the bush, etc., etc "...
It is way too easy for the client to point out faults forever if it is a prepaid fixed cost... I enjoy leaf cleanup most of all, becuz I charge by the hour... and if the turf is to be saved from leaf suffocation, then my price is worth it...

[JohnnyRocker]

Great info. Keep it coming. I really appreciate the insight. It seems I lose sleep over this every year. Question: If it is hourly...do you list the rate in the contract?

[Darryl G]

Yes, I list my rate. I also require that all of my accounts get a spring cleanup if I feel it is necessary, same rate. I can't stand when they say they don't need one and there are sticks all over the place...it's a lawn mower not a wood chipper!

[JohnnyRocker]

Darryl, anyway I could see a sample of yours if we private messaged?

[Darryl G]

My consulting rate is pretty high dude. LOL. I've shared the language from my mowing agreements here before.

My section on that is as follows.

Spring & Fall Cleanups: Hourly at $60/hour - 1 Hour Minimum

We perform spring and fall cleanups on all properties we service unless it is clearly not necessary or you make other arrangements and inform us of them in advance. The lawns we service need to be free of debris in order for us to safely maintain them.

[Jaybrown]

I make more than $60 hour mowing so I mow until nov. all October I collect the leaves with my mowers.

[Jaybrown]

It looks really good too better than raking