How do you price lawns per/sqft

[kebrowns]

I am a newbie and was wondering how to price yards. I currently have 3 yards that are below 7000sqft. What are the ranges per price per sqft. I was thinking 3000sq ft- 7000sq ft would be $35-$40. 1/2 acre to be $70-$90 and 1 acre would be $90 and up. Please help.

36" Bobcat walk behind mower
Detachable edger, trimmer, and blower.
1994 sonoma truck.
21 Inch push mower
5 by 10 trailer.

 

[32vld]

I am a newbie and was wondering how to price yards. I currently have 3 yards that are below 7000sqft. What are the ranges per price per sqft. I was thinking 3000sq ft- 7000sq ft would be $35-$40. 1/2 acre to be $70-$90 and 1 acre would be $90 and up. Please help.

What are you charging to do the lawns you now have?

 

[cpllawncare]

first you determine your cost to do business then decide how much you want to make go from there. Everyone is different.

 

[kebrowns]

The lawn I have now is less than 5000sqft I do that for $35. the two other lawns I have is about $7000 sqft I charge $40.

 

[RGM]

The lawn I have now is less than 5000sqft I do that for $35. the two other lawns I have is about $7000 sqft I charge $40.

I can't get those prices in Baltimore
I charge based on time and what size mower should be used but basically around 60 an hr for the right mower

 

[Dr.NewEarth]

The lawn I have now is less than 5000sqft I do that for $35. the two other lawns I have is about $7000 sqft I charge $40.

Are single residential lawns here are 2000 square feet or less on average, with a house plopped in the middle.

We won't do a 2000 square foot property for less than
32.50 plus 12 per cent tax. So that's $36.40 a week for 2000 square feet.

 

[cpllawncare]

I don't understand why you guys are giving prices when you don't know what his cost are? Better yet does he know what his cost are? If he does, he knows the answer to his question .

 

[32vld]

The lawn I have now is less than 5000sqft I do that for $35. the two other lawns I have is about $7000 sqft I charge $40.

$35/5000 = charge per .007 per sf

$40/7000 = charge per .0057 per sf

Now a half acre at .007 x 20,000 = $140 or .0057 = $114 I don't think you will find anyone that would pay those prices.

You need to figure a sf rate that your area will support and price by the sf.

When a LCO wants to charge over a range say $40 (.002 sf) for a 1/2 - 3/4 acre he is willing to do 30,000 sf for the same money as 20,000 sf. When he should be getting more for the larger plot say $60 for the 3/4.

What you will find though is that a sf price that works out well for larger plots will be to high for small plots so you will need to have a minimum rate you will now a lawn this way you will not lose money.

Now this is where knowing your costs is important. 10,000sf x .002 = $20 charge.

However if it costs you $20 to mow the plot. You have just worked for free.
So to at least net yourself $10 you need to have a $30 minimum charge.

So now is the time to figure out your costs of doing business. The profit desired to know your rate of charge. The range of the going rates for services for your area.

Last do not fall into the I'll charge less to get the customers. Go ahead but you will learn the hard way.

 

[ralph02813]

I have two properties almost side by side, so I don't have to move the truck they are both the same size one I charge $25 to do, it takes me 15 min including weed whacking and blowing off the walks, the is $40. it takes me 25 min. One is flat no bushes the is all hill with bushes along three sides of the yard about 5 feet apart.
But, I know what I need to get for my time. What you need to get to do a job is a tool worth developing.

 

[clc000]

I think there are two factors you should consider for optimal pricing - the cost of your time and the market price. We choose to price jobs by time instead of lot size. An uneven quarter-acre lot on a steep grade with multiple trees might take longer than a flat, open half-acre lot. We know from experience how long a job will take and also know how much we need to charge an hour to make a profit. You should also consider the market price in your area. We know what the other guys charge and keep that in mind when we give estimates. If every other company is charging $35 for a lawn that takes half an hour, you probably won't get many customers by charging $45. If you come in below market price you're leaving money on the table. Just starting out, I would talk to people in your area and find out what they pay or would be willing to pay. Other than that, the best way to learn is by trial and error. We have lost our share of jobs by overestimating and lost money on jobs we estimate. Most importantly, know your costs so you're not working for free or worse, but know that making some money is better than making no money at all.