I don't do fert but customers demand it

[Expert Lawns]

I don't do fert, but a few of my customers that have called back on my advertisments have asked about it. My question is this: Do any of you that dont' do ferts sub it out to fert companies? If so, what steps do you take? Do you trade work, ask for a percentage, or just have an agreement with them? I have called a few fert companies in the area and left messeges. I would like to know how to handle their call backs. Thanks

 

[Aleman]

Im just curious why you dont do fert??

 

[turf9]

Originally posted by Aleman
Im just curious why you dont do fert??

North of HockeyTown whay would you not fert,you have to go there anyways ( to cut that is) It's a real money maker get involved keep others off your turf.

 

[specialtylc]

In my state you need to be a Licensed Pesticde applicator to do even fertilizing on a customer lawn. Tell the other company ( make sure they dont do mowing services ) what the deal is. Im sure you can find someone to do it. You may even be able to make 10 or 20 % on their work.

 

[Expert Lawns]

I don't have a license to fert, and can't take the time to work under someone for the 2 years that is required by law. I"m too busy with lawn care and college. It is easier for me to find someone to do it. In the past I have been recommending companies to my customers. I want to it to be controlled this year. I have a company around here that does fert and mowing, but they only do commercial mowing. A friend of mine used to work for them and said they constantly get calls for residential mowing. If I can get them to refer those call to me, then i could give them my fert jobs.
It will get tricky though. I could get screwed hard if all of the referrals are out of my area, or just tiny $15 lawns, or penny pinching customers. I would have to state to them what I want in return. Any other suggestions?

 

[lawnman_scott]

Originally posted by Expert Lawns
I don't have a license to fert, and can't take the time to work under someone for the 2 years that is required by law. I"m too busy with lawn care and college. It is easier for me to find someone to do it. In the past I have been recommending companies to my customers. I want to it to be controlled this year. I have a company around here that does fert and mowing, but they only do commercial mowing. A friend of mine used to work for them and said they constantly get calls for residential mowing. If I can get them to refer those call to me, then i could give them my fert jobs.
It will get tricky though. I could get screwed hard if all of the referrals are out of my area, or just tiny $15 lawns, or penny pinching customers. I would have to state to them what I want in return. Any other suggestions?

Thats exactly what I do. Evan if you only get a few customers, its not like you gave up anything for it if they are doing all the fert work.

 

[amw]

hey i had the same prob.

But what you CAN do WITHOUT a cert. is fertilizing ..yes you CAN...
Sraight fert ONLY you can not use a crabgrass, or "weed n feed"
i have spoke to the MDA and as long as its only fertilizer your fine..

I went as far as taking the classes and passing them before i found this out.
i also dont have anyone with 2y exp. and long story short
they refunded the cost of the classes (for 2 people) and still let me keep the cert.
they did this because i found out AFTER the class was ending that you dont need this for straight fert,
so i would talk to the customer and see if that would be ok..
also their are a few "loop holes" in the mich laws
but im not going to get in to that...
you still have to keep a record of the aps.

i found that most people where fine with this and for the ones who werent thier are the "loop holes"....let me know if you need more info

 

[Expert Lawns]

Good point Lawnman Scott. You're right, I'm not losing anything on the deal. Just as long as they only do fert. I dont' need anyone else on my "turf" trying to sell my customers some lawn care.

Interesting Tony. But I think I would rather leave it up to the professionals. I don't want to tell them I'll fert, then do a few apps, and have them be disapointed. I would rather they get their money's worth. It also will help me out since the grass will be growing better. I have very little experience doing apps. I'd rather just concentrate on my weekly mowings.

 

[lawnman_scott]

With that company, it sounds like you would be ok, if they dont do residential. It does work for me, I have 2 people that i reccomend depending on the area, and a guy that does major tree work i dont do. They get me enough customers to keep me happy. And your right, this way its done right. Its 3 years here that you have to work under someone who is licensed.

 

[MacLawnCo]

See if you can work it so you can get him to drop his stop fee... then charge your clients full price and you make aprox $30 per house per round just to bill your clients.

As far as referals, anything you get is gravy.