7 FEES You Need To Start Assessing Immediately! (ESPECIALLY #1!)

I wanted to share with you guys for a few minutes here 7 different fees that we've been assessing to our clients for the last few years now, and why I believe you should be as well.
Nobody likes to pay fees, that's a fact. I hate paying them, customers hate paying them, but in reality, fees can be a life saver for your business. When things are getting out of control or limiting your ability to get the job done, assessing fees to your clients can be the catalyst needed to change behavior that you require if they want you to do your job correctly.
These are just 7 examples I came up with off the top of my head that have made a huge impact on our business. Again, you DON'T have to integrate all of these into your business. But I wanted to make sure that you at least knew you COULD add these, if you wanted to.
Are there any fee's that we missed that you guys add, that we didn't cover? Anything specifically here that is one of your pet peeves and a fee that you regularly asses? Let me know in the comments down below!
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[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Ive been getting a ton of questions asking about fees we charge this spring (especially tall grass charges!) Hope this gave some more insight for what we do. 🤘

[@wesbridges1575]

Great Video, So on the long grass fee's when it has been raining a lot I'm down, for the extra charge. As of now I only charge first time customers when it is really long and thick like more than 4-5 inches. My question is what are you doing when it hasn't rained in 3 weeks and the grass hasn't grown. I had several customers try and skip a week a couple weeks back and I told them I don't skip services. My opinion on the whole thing is it even's out in the end. I would be worried adding extra fee when it's long and still charging the same or not skipping when customers want you to do to grass hasn't grown would piss people off? How do you handle when grass hasn't grown especially weekly customers?

[@richardspropertymaintenanc5807]

Good advice homie your really helping these kids and adults out.

[@Unfiltered.Dopamine]

Great video! What's your thoughts on excessive sticks/branches in yards or trimming chain link fences that chew up your trimmer line

[@Oned32]

What about charging by the hour?

[@Grassology-vs1hn]

Brian's Lawn Maintenance , PREACH IT BROTHER !!! Into my 2nd season of mowing lawns PT fully legit doing about 20 lawns per week. Most of our prices are $30,$35 and $40 I would like to move those prices up about 3-7% when should I let them know our prices will go up for the 2020 season? Thanks Bee !

[@kevinm.7161]

Fee list: 1.) Excessive Trash/ Toy Pick up ($10-$15) 2.) Return Fee - Locked back yard ($10) 3.) Late payment/ Billing delay ($25 min) 4.) Tall grass (20%-30% premium) 5.) Pet waste ($10) 6.) Landscaping not maintenance related (+$25) 7.) Edging ($10-$25)

[@caleblopez7130]

And...... screen shot

[@user-kn1rg2br4h]

@@caleblopez7130 Yes Siiirrrr

[@SconiHunter84]

@@caleblopez7130 Exactly what I did!

[@jsquad8472]

@@SconiHunter84 FR😂😂😂

[@paintedwarrior516]

What about sticks and branches?

[@bodiewulf9888]

Discovered you a week ago and even though I am only 13 and only have 4 clients with my 2 co workers, your videos have been helping me start up to make some profit this summer. Thank you so much

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That’s awesome pal, keep it up!

[@bodiewulf9888]

Thanks

[@aaronandvicky7652]

Don’t say “only” you know how many clients other kids your age has?? 0. That’s cuz they are playing video games instead of doing something constructive

[@bodiewulf9888]

Thank you guys

[@elisreviews4219]

I started today and I’m only 12 do you have any advice and how is it going for you since it’s been a year

[@jeffwhite8017]

Garden hoses, trampolines, soccer goal nets, and bikes get moved....GI joes, barbies, hot wheel cars get ran over and sometimes chopped up and glown through the air to the neighbors yard lol!!!

[@dannygriner4419]

Hahaha, same here because its annoying to pick up 50 toys after weedeating for 6 hrs in 100 degrees weather all day

[@slum3947]

This is the most informative video from a lawn care company I've watch yet thank you so much

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey we try to balance entertainment with actual help. That’s how we actually grow as an industry and community

[@SnookOnTheFly]

Give them an inch....... the other thing is once you start doing a favor, once you quit that favor they forget it was all just a favor

[@FerrariTeddy]

That's fax. Had someone fire us because we quit doing some courtesy favor type thing (something like blowing off an upper deck of theirs that no grass touches)

[@paintedwarrior516]

Yup

[@siprebcard561]

My biggest problem is customers who will NOT pick up their dog poop.... drives me insane. I charge when it's bad enough where I have wash my deck and tires.

[@glebermoura5865]

It all make sense and it’s great. But here in Orlando FL there’s a bunch of bs mowing guys that charge $30 for 5000sq/ft and do it all without any additional charge. Then when you try to charge a customer for these extras they drop you right away and think you are trying to take advantage of them. That makes me so mad.

[@Yonick1999z]

Same here in PA.. there has been a steady increase in competition (everyone’s realizing how lucrative a landscape business can be) so we tend to stay away from fees because most of our 160 clients are referrals from each other, so if one leaves many follow behind.

[@jamesculbertson1746]

I like how you explained an overgrown edge that was edged “just last week.” It reminds me of someone selling a crappy car that’s been sitting for 10 years but it “ran when parked.”

[@donnaw740]

If the gate is locked then heyyyy see you next week ! I never go back just do not have the time so it will be done next week and they soon get the idea ! Late billing well that is why I make everyone PRE pay. If they do not like that idea then they can get the guy who comes when he thinks he has time to do the job .

[@unisol2287]

I’m agree with you

[@eliseosanchez6785]

How do you apply your pre pay bill to your client? Any good suggestions to make the customer be on it when it comes to paying landscapers for there service?

[@JohnCarter-ip4fm]

@@eliseosanchez6785 I text or call ALL of my clients the day before to leave the money or check somewhere on property for me too pick up when I finish Blowing grass off. It's worked 20+ years for me.

[@claykennedy8199]

I actually started providing pet waste cleanup for an additional 15-20$, takes five mins and it took some of my lower end small lawns up to 50-60$.

[@wildbill23c]

There's actually a company in my area that does that as a business...I assume they make quite a bit of money always see them around.

[@danieljewell365]

Damn thats a good idea

[@TheCharger189]

William Sevier what a shit job that would be

[@Krazyk007x2]

Great idea. Some people might be "above" that, but I'm not lol.

[@court2379]

@@danieljewell365 It is until you are billing by the job and get the house with 8 labs with 2 litters of puppies.

[@kickashi2.015]

Thanks Brian this was exactly what i needed to hear, thanks for taking the time to help the lawn mowing community

[@grasshoppercrews1296]

Gonna have to charge you a fee for excessive length of the video lol , great points Brian thanks !!🤟✌😁

[@stevedyke639]

grasshopper Crews Get outta here lmao 😂

[@TV-zh4yw]

HHAHHAHAH

[@nryan9595]

Only time I did a one time cut was when the dude offered me $150 for a $60 lawn. All worked out. He paid and I went on my way no questions asked.

[@tori9365]

Shut up 😡

[@themeyer2010]

My one time cuts start at $120 for this reason. They don’t want service going forward. I call it a one time clean up job. Most of my first time customers understand that their yards are crap to begin with. I set the standard and keep it up from there.

[@saveamerica8460]

I use to do one time cuts first starting out, there is normally always an issue. Did my first one in years a couple months ago, took me an hour and I charges her $350.. I hit an axe, and a 9 iron. $45 on blades right off the bat. I didn't feel bad one bit charging her 350.

[@chucks4748]

This info is great if your in certain states and cities but here in Texas there is outrageous competition and some will cut yards for almost nothing. I found a card on a clients mailbox to cut their yard for $30 and I was doing the job for $40. Some people just want their yard done for the cheapest rate. It's not a science to cut a yard to look nice a teenager looking for extra money can do it easily with a mower and weed eater. But this competition can take our jobs almost overnight because the client wants to save a buck. Too many out there that will do the job cheaper and that my friend will run you out of business.

[@waynetec13]

I edge every lawn I mow. My name is on that lawn. It's included in my quote. I'll charge extra for the first mow, but edging is weekly maintenance.

[@Tayreyt]

same, i run $50 minimum down here in FL cutting 1/4 acre lots. Plenty of profit/time in there to include it.

[@mobile-1lawnservicellc875]

Great video Brian I can relate to all of them. I recently just stop service on two customers due to two cuts in an no pay who don't like to schedule for the season but be on call. Which I don't like doing on call once a month. I do apply fees for those over grown lawns too. My client list pretty good now, dropped slow/ low payers All 7 tips were on point in this video. Keep up the great work.

[@jackiehall8630]

So glad I found this video, 3 years later. I'm coming to the end of my second year full time. This season I seen and totally understand this video. I've gave away so much time and money. Thanks you Sir, you've been a big part of me getting into business for MYSELF. It's never to late to adjust what you're doing.

[@matthewjames2235]

Great video Brian...appreciate the details that aren’t your typical lawn business videos.

[@OLopez1984]

Really spoke to me, I remember all times customers added some stuff “help them real quick “ or the lawns that were really over grown I let side... the funds I missed out on

[@yngmajor100]

Great advice. You've helped me build my lawncare services here in knoxville, tn.and I really appreciate it.thanks so much and keep up the good work!

[@CraigsCuts]

Thank you Brian! Great video, it’s people like you that drive the professionalism in our industry.

[@stevewitherspoon7081]

Good stuff! I’ve enjoyed your channel ever since I got to hear you speak in Michigan last year. Keep them coming!

[@GrasshopperLawnCare]

Dog poop is the absolute worst imo.. weed whipping through it picking it up with my clothes and eye protection is uncalled for when they can do it themselves or pay for it to be done. In my route there is one notorious yard and I tell my boss to upcharge for it almost every time im there especially cuz it's the first yard I whip in the morning lol!!

[@GrasshopperLawnCare]

Also first time edging!! (commented before video finished)

[@sarahglanville1352]

Yeah. No dog poop. My best weapon has been mild shaming in this department...

[@billnyi9350]

I totally agree with everything you've said, it all comes down to TIME IS MONEY in this business!!! Good for you man keep on keeping on!!!

[@Fencearmor]

A very valuable video, Brian! These are important things to be talked about. Thank you for sharing.

[@cooleysmowingandlandscapin1925]

Great Video! As a new business owner, I am constantly learning more and more from your videos!

[@marquardtslawnservice9678]

If a child keeps coming outside while mowing, which is dangerous for everybody. Shut off mower and if they refuse to leave. May have to leave the property and come back. After the second time id charge a fee for that. I got that from Spencer's Lawn Care on KZbin

[@benkenobi671]

What would you bill that fee as??

[@CedricOwens]

@@benkenobi671 a return trip fee.

[@yaboijosh2645]

Love you man. You've helped me sooooo much!!!!

[@tony9305]

Loved the longer video. Thanks for your time Brian!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thanks sir!

[@naileditdetecting7276]

Thanks Brian, I do charge some of these now but never realized about the rest. I appreciate you having this video out there. Good luck my friend.

[@ianeverett10]

Great points!! I may have missed it in the vid, but I would say one thing you need to do is have these fees and their conditions detailed in the contract. Otherwise the client has not necessarily “agreed” to these potential fees in advance - this is something you don’t want to get caught by!

[@jackpinnell3204]

Great video and thank you for taking the time to share with "the other guys" how you approach fees.

[@meadowviewlawncarellc8079]

Dude you nailed it with this video! 100% with everything you said. A lot of that is written up in my contracts. Gotta get paid for your time.

[@gotcha1269]

This is the best video. Thank you!! Everything you talked about I deal with constantly, every day to the T.. this video should be viral.. for every freaking home owner to see so they understand where we (landscapers) stand and why we are doing and asking for what we ask for. I've been dropping those crappy customers f* that. Time is money..

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Haha thanks pal 👊

[@jdlawnservicedemars3192]

great video brian ,i think you covered just about every fee !!!!!!!!!

[@christopherdougherty4560]

As someone who is just started a business this has provided me a lot of information and insight! Thanks!

[@johnnyburkejr]

Brian thanks for the advice priceless, I'm starting my first business and you've been great.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey man you bet! Be safe!

[@shawnhenry7871]

Brian Heck of a video! It's always great to have you post these revenue reminders! Appreciate it! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thanks buddy. I really hope these videos help. These would’ve been gems for me a decade ago when I was just getting going.

[@shawnhenry7871]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance The cool thing is that they still are gems! You can't ever have too much good info! 😉 Veterans make rookie mistakes, because they feel they know it all! I choose to remain a student of the game! 😁😉👍🏾 Thanks again!

[@Railroader909]

Been watching your channel forever, how the heck are you not over 100k subs yet!?!? Keep it up great channel!!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey thanks man, that means a lot! One day! We’re growing well, tons of support! Never thought we’d get over 100 subs, and I really do mean that haha. The support has been amazing!

[@TheCharger189]

Brian's Lawn Maintenance so how do you sub contract out a job and what happens if they stuff it up and the job looks crap. Also do they have to have their own public liability insurance. Love the videos

[@mikejessable]

Thanks for the heads up on the fees. Great Job.

[@jgulley12]

Great points. I give my customers a 5 day net. Originally I didn't charge a late fee. But now I set up quickbooks to charge a 25% on the 6th day automatically. Late fees accrue monthly. I also have a initial mowing fee and a overgrown fee.

[@livinginmontgomeryalabama]

Great video! Thanks for the info. Just started this year, and already been taken by the "one time" guy. Lots to learn in such a short time for sure.

[@TheCharger189]

I get all new customers to sign an agreement about cleaning up dog poop if they have them that it’s a extra $10 if not cleaned up as it’s a health issue and you have to pressure wash your deck, which takes more time

[@kevinshore8103]

As a new business owner every word you said was very true far as how customers thinks and stuff some doesnt get the cost it takes to run. Thank you for the tips they really help

[@jondavidson1542]

I have told a couple of clients that they are not getting the cut for the money. They are buying my time. The longer I have to cut the more I have to charge. I had that discussion multiple times with the same (former) customer. Couldnt understand why I wanted more money if he delayed the cut for a week.

[@rodneyholmes7128]

WOW!!! What a great topic! DUDE, I so am with you on the entire conversation. I HAD one customer that had a backyard FULL of small and large bombs to step in and roll over. He'd call every so often, and like a dummy, I'd srvc his property. I was just trying to get him to commit so that I could show off my skills and advertise to the rest of the neighborhood. Waste of time

[@warrentruss9173]

Thanks brother! All 7 fee's make sense and I will be using them!!👍

[@wdilks]

Nice. I'm new to lawn care, but had been in busn for years. I charge a pay-in-advance, full, first-time fee where first-time part of the fee is 50% refundable after 4th mow. I still get paid a bit for first time work, but don't get screwed by the "first time/cancel" routine.

[@RavensHardCore]

Awesome video Brian! Thank you!!! 😀👍

[@AWgardens]

Boom. Great video Brian! Glad i found your channel!

[@botfoblhrp]

Omg. I'm so happy you made this video. I only had 5 lawns I took care of and last year I stopped to only do my own , cause I was charging xtra for lazy people. And if you have to wait another week it harder on your equipment and really takes longer. This is absolutely correct video. 100% thanks Brian, I'm showing this to ex customers 😜

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Ha thanks pal

[@TheSixStringGuy]

Thank you for the tips. Definitely gunna charge for edging fee and other stuff I'd dint think was a big deal....awesome video

[@gustacarr3901]

You have shown me things I didn't think of. I am an older guy and have done lawns working for someone else. But now at retirement want mowing for extra income.

[@jessel8833]

Your list all makes sense. You're running a professional business & doing quality work. Picking up STICKS/BULK leaves/excess grass clippings bagged/fallen tree debris is a huge time consumer & loss of revenue if you are not up front & honest with clients. Not only does it dull your blades, it takes a lot of time compounded on all your properties. Then, most clients want you to haul it off. It's hilarious how customers think I have a black hole in the enclosed trailer where all my equipment & mowers are. They will weed their entire gardens & ask me to haul off 4-6 full trash cans of debris. Most of of the time we do, but the charge is time & dumping fees. If you are up front with what your costs/fees/charges are, then customers will ask/pay when they can afford & do much better to avoid the fees they can't/don't want to afford. Be reliable, trustworthy, honest, take pride in your work. You will find clients who respect you & your business & will honor your direct communication on what you need to get them what they need/want.

[@ryanhunter8034]

For me, if its a recurring issue I dont charge, coming back is worth more than 10 bucks in my eyes, I just won't mow the lawn or if there's obstacles I will mow around, dog crap same thing. For payment, they dont pay, I don't come, if I notice people are kind of just screwing me around I just cut them lose, I'm a reasonable guy if I feel taken advantage of there's a good reason. I would love to have a chat with you one day Brian. Great video.

[@Camo-Dan]

Brian this video like all the rest is pure gold. Thanks for sharing. Ive dealt with almost all of these issues but never charged fees yet. I have properties littered with trash. One of them a bear or racoon hikes across the lawn and down to the pond splitting open trash baga along the whole lawn…. 😂 another property or two i have has land mines so bad i mow circles around them to highlight them 😂

[@Prestigeservices]

Thank you for exposing the trampoline liability issue, thats a big help, I hate moving those damn things

[@randyivie359]

Thanks for the info , that definitely cleared up some questions for me !!

[@TaylorSmith-nr9vd]

Great information. Very helpful and keeps people accountable. Hold them to the same standard.

[@archerslawnservice9422]

Great valued video! Thank you sir!

[@Solopraneur]

Amazing points Brian, I loved the way you tried to say modify behavior, I would’ve said something else probably. The other point I wanted to make was that in my house my wife and I always pre-clean our house on the day before our cleaning lady comes, I know my mother-in-law does this and I know my mom has also done this throughout my entire life. We are no different in that sense, it should be understood, and I think so often because we are “the lawn guy “or the “Landscaper “that people somehow have less respect for us as skilled workers and businessman. I love this industry and I wouldn’t want to do anything else for a living, I tried. I graduated law school in 2007 and rather than go out and practice law I went right back into the green industry. I stopped telling my clients that because it just raised too many questions in their mind because the idea that they have in their head is that people who do this for a living or not top level business and or skilled people. I wish that were true, because it would make it a lot easier for a guy like me to be ultra successful. Unfortunately, the truth is is that this industry is packed with totally amazing businessman and totally amazing skilled service people. Kudos to you man, guys like you really help this industry grow and become better and allows people to become more successful and provide for their families.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey thanks brother 👊

[@devinmyers2164]

Great advice and insight man!

[@dandylawnandmaintenance4407]

Learned from you not to take on locked back gates. Stopped doing them 2 years ago what a blessing. Never again! I charge a fee for anything I mean anything out of the normal lawn cut. First time client cut is extra you know why! Extra truck debris, delivery charges, extra dog doodoo, labor for anything. Billing same deal. Late fee will be added and stop service if not paid 14 days from invoiced. I might have a couple that get a friendly reminder no big deal. Personal you pay me late more than a couple times I may just stop service if you catch me on a bad day. Which brings up another topic. Be careful not to let those small things upset you. Many times when speaking with the customer it can be worked out or they did not realize the trouble they are causing. If you drop them you may have dropped potential very good business with them. Great vid Brian and great advise!

[@kentrush8250]

In any business when you are working with the public you must protect that business from liability and loss of revenue. Charging fees helps mitigate these situations while creating an extra revenue source. Great video!

[@robertpaidprice]

Great video perfect timing. Upfront conversations are about to shift a bit.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Bingo 👊

[@princenaz23]

Hey I have small lawn business with about 8-10 clients in my neighborhood and I use a bicycle to pull a cart that houses 1 push mower 1 weed eater, 1 edger, a small hand held blower and a backpack unit, 2 Gas Cans, and a tool bag with many assorted tools for quick on the job maintenance and with PVC pipe on the sides for holding rakes, push brooms, etc. and I have other tools such as a chainsaw that I sometimes bring. I went from charging only 25 dollars per yard when I should've been charging 40 and also going out of my way to do more than I should have to make the yards on my route look their best. It paid off to regularly charging 40, upgrading my equipment all to Echo or Stihl. I still use a troybilt push mower that has lasted me 5 seasons so far without ever breaking down, so they do make at least one good piece of equipment, but that's probably due to the briggs and stratton mower. Having to replace the wheels is the only maintenance besides oil changes and blade replacements, oh and spot welding a crack along the side shoot. I've watched a lot of your videos in the past but decided to subscribe today after this list because I've delt with almost of all of these issues with customers and I'm thinking about starting to hint at assessing a few of these with certain customers. If not it was still a hoot. I hate stepping in dog crap when I'm mowing and/or mowing over it and especially if they're grass is over 10-12 inches high assessing a high grass fee is golden! LOL thank you and keep the great videos coming!

[@theswatteam1909]

The greatest example of little things I got is something that happened to my dad. He owned a nightclub a while back and to make a long story short a girl was running the cash register selling sodas for $1.25 a pop. Only she rang them up at $1.00. That 25 cents added up to $1,000 a month! It took him 7-8 months to figure out she was doing this. That's a big deal. Kinda like stopping to pico up those toys, that mower is cooking that fuel doing nothing.

[@highjix]

yea, it's amazing how fast a few cents over time can add up to be loss.

[@marshjr8992]

Im starting to work with my father, just quitted my 8- 5 office job, alot of computers hours. He has been working on it a year in his business and now im going to help him out grow and manage it with my father.

[@cyppy7473]

I’m 16 and I usually do gardening for older people at a development I used to life guard at. And I feel like I’m under charging for a lot and you made me feel way less uncomfortable about saying no and charging more

[@claytoningram1333]

Dude your awesome thank you so much for your advice!!! Your the man! Boss!

[@Plays111295]

Can you make make a billing layout video where you go through your setup for categorizing and or explaining each fee (such as the edging fee or putting in lates fees)? Seeing the layout of how the bill is made and how (and if) each of the feed are explained is useful. Great videos btw

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Just create a line item. Whether it’s pen and paper on a paper invoice, or a line item you create as a custom field in your CRM (lawn software). That’s all it is!

[@dsblawnservicellcmrboyer6804]

Thanks for the tips about moving trampolines I’m incorporating that ASAP. As far as the one time cut people I don’t do them no more cause your right they burn. I try my best to feel people out also and a tell tell sign is how they lawn looks I think I’m dealing with one now. As far as billing it’s pay as you go that’s are policy I have a couple of monthly but every new sign up pay as you go cash credit only leave a card or a email and I bill through pay pal or cash app that’s really changed my business for the better.

[@cmbooks2000]

Some people think nothing of abusing small businesses. They would never makes requests of their utility company or the major grocers they frequent. Great points on being firm with your customers

[@123hotdog111]

I love the late fee. Since I went to it, it has been a game changer. I make good money in late fees. 8%

[@saveamerica8460]

You hit the issues that's for sure. Think we all have these issues. Unfortunately I have never charged extra even though I know I need to. Have one customer who has 4 accounts with me that is ALWAYS late, sometimes two months. Have a roofing company that is on a monthly billing schedule, currently two months late, apartment complex is 15 days late regularly. I need to add late fees. My next biggest is debris in the yard, followed by dog 💩, which they normally run hand in hand. Another customer who's yard has became a drainage issue and 2000 sq ft must be cut with a string trimmer or the mower gets stuck, in addition to his wife adding new areas to be maintained. Good video bro, I have a lot of things to consider here.

[@mrgood1cor13]

These vids are your best content! I wait for them like the SUN these days. Lol

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Haha thank you!

[@gregcooner2289]

I’ve just got started doing lawn care this spring. So can’t say a lot. But with me when I quote the price it’s the same for one time or the season, edging $15 charge every time, I get paid at time of service as I unload or load up. And on bigger jobs I always charge a deposit. At least materials. As of now so far so good.

[@johnverschoor7513]

Wow , this helps me out alot , i have couple customers that are always late with payments and want extra done , or dog poop in the yard that i have to kleen before even getting the machine back on trailer . Time to get down to business

[@StudioDaVeed]

I'm just getting started in central Iowa. (My first year.) My first conversations with prospective clients I make sure they understand each and every time I work for them is a separate and individual contract. They can drop me at any time as I can drop them. No summer long package contracts. Iowa weather makes that lose situation for one of us, guaranteed. Each job is an hourly rate and hours may change from job to job. Example; as a winter State, this spring I spent significant time picking up tree limbs and sticks. That is on the clock. Next time, I won't have to do that and the job time is shorter. Rain has been a significant issue this year and has caused delays where the grass is long. One job had 12 inch tall PLUS grass, I kid you not. (Medical issues resulted in the owner not doing it all spring up to my arrival.) A 45 minute job translated to a 3 hour bill and the owner was ecstatic with the end result. The son will do it for a few weeks before camp and vacation, then he will pick me up for the rest of the year. I have the video with before and after photos if anyone wants to see on my channel. Look for "Knocking Down Some Good Old Iowa Prairie" That takes time and is on the clock. Back to 'normal' regular mowing and the bill is smaller. Kind of a reverse of the fee behavior management; be up front and when you can trim the bill, the customer REALLY likes that. Overall, I don't like the fee thing but I see a definite benefit to them for the 'behavior management' thing you mentioned and will keep that in mind, yes sir. Dog poop. I have not had that issue yet, but if it is excessive during the estimate walk around; I will require them to reconcile that before I mow. Period. While I have a tiered hourly rate; $40 first hour/$30 each successive hour and originally a one hour minimum, I have a couple of postage stamp sized yards owned by elderly folks with fixed income that I charge $25 I would be interested how you price your season packages. If already discussed, please point me to that video. Thanks! Dave

[@lavalleeturfcare7523]

This is a phenomenal video. Great info!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thank you! We put a lot of time into it!

[@Dale.Nienow]

Great video Brian, great tips for fees! About the locked gates if I don't have a key or the pad lock code see you next week if the grass is 5 inch plus you get a long grass fee with it! About the Dog waste fee I have no clients beside my own yard that have no dog I am not taking the chance that I ride threw some get my tires full of that crap and then drive in my clean trailer and then stink up my trailer no thank you!

[@markschmaus5580]

Agreed. I make clients clean up their own yard before i arrive.

[@jd-kd3mm]

This info is GOLDEN!

[@billhull6842]

I will share with you my experiences. Also I discovered you through your friend I have consulted with Kieth K. I am already looking into next year. I am dropping a customer because he plays "Oh can you help me?" and says "every other week". This is costing me time and driving me nuts. And he expects me to do everything because his son used to be in the mowing business and would do everything for him because he was dad. When I do a big job I assess a 8% shop supply fee. I will usually cap the amount but this covers my tool use, the little things like screws, twine etc. Also I usually call my customers the night before and they are good about picking up their yards. I don't have a huge problem with that. I have learned from you and your colleagues that people will act like your friend and take advantage of you. I have been there. My new customers it is easier to not get taken advantage of but the old customers are harder to change. I have a friend who once told me that a favor is anything that can be done in 15 minutes anything after 15 minutes you have to bill for. People try to play you as the neighbor boy just looking to make a few dollars to go to the movies. I am running a business. Also my route density is very tight this year. I operate mainly in the 2 towns that I live in. With dog droppings I just consider that as the nature of the beast. I don't get to worked up over that. But it is nice working for myself. Today should have started my mowing week. But I didn't feel like working today because I had a very big day yesterday so I took the day off to relax and get myself in shape. Plus we had a little rain and my customers would not have liked the mower lines in the yard. But I like the videos that you share. Bill

[@TheCharger189]

We don’t get many rain days here in Australia but when we do I used that to do maintenance on all mowers. I always do a 50 hour service on all mowers, oil/filter grease ups

[@gordongamble3244]

Thanks Brian, I'm new guy and trying to be good at what I'm doing.Thank you for the guidance.

[@T0XICMASCULINITY]

Thanks for another great video Brian. This was definitely something I needed to hear and apply. Do you think in the future you could possibly make a video going over how to bid on subdivisions? Not how to do the bidding for the work and calculating costs, but where, how, and who you go to in order to actually submit a bid for subdivisions. Sorry if that's a dumb question, but there is limited advice on how that process actually works. There's always videos for how to do a bid, but none for where to go or who you submit bids to when trying to get a subdivision. I would greatly appreciate any help with this, even if it's only a 2-5 minute mention. Just something, anything lol.

[@michaelbacile8439]

I’m a floor installer but we do backcharges for sure. We move furniture (big furniture like couches, beds, dining tables, dressers) for an extra .20 cents/ft no problem. Some customers leave all their little personal items on top of said furniture. (Trinkets, technology, family photos, books, mail) it takes FOREVER to move all that stuff. God forbid if you break grammas glass dolphin paper weight. Or misplace someone’s phone charger and they accuse you of stealing it. We add 75$ for that. Adding areas that need to be done last minute will get a premium charge. Being forced to park farther from the job by HOA or not being allowed to use an elevator, having to take stairs in a condo get a fee. Customers requesting we only do one room at a time instead of multiple areas simultaneously gets a fee. I’m all for it man. Most of the time if you warn someone of this during the original estimate it can be avoided all together

[@jamesbedell7261]

Hey Brian, love this video l totally agree with you 💯 %

[@7425kevin]

padlocks are easy to get around... add one of your locks to double lock it so your works have one key for all yards the now that have locks.

[@anythinguploads2161]

Brian this came in at a perfect time. I think about these cases often. I have been putting together my new policy update. Getting ready to finalize it. At almost 20 years I'm still trying to figure it out. Be honest I'm totally burned out and ready to get out of the mowing side of it. How about picking up sticks and branches? Also storm clean ups from it. I think a few minutes of picking up small sticks is ok but it has to have its limitations and would be a separate job. Time and disposal.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Bam, fee time! Educate the customer.. tell them it’s their responsibility to keep the yard in a mowable fashion. Ie, sticks can be dangerous, and dull our blades, etc etc. If the yard isn’t cleaned up from a heavy storm, that’s fine. We can do it. But don’t be surprised when there is a $45 fee attached for my 20 minutes of work. Figure out what isn’t making the business fun, and don’t tolerate it. Is it low profits? Raise prices. Crappy equipment, can’t afford to upgrade? Raise prices. Customers that get on your nerves? Cancel them and find customers who appreciate you. Don’t let the tail wag the dog! I’m putting out videos as fast as I can to help with all of these thought processes. I’ve really enjoyed my business the last 2 years, probably more than ever. Eventually it comes down to you not the business. You can retool, rebrand, recreate your identity, any time you want. Just make a decision, and execute! Hope that helps pal!

[@MIHYLLC]

I arrived to mow an account recently. The lady quickly came out with a shovel and cleaned up the doggy bombs. I'm always happy to see an account being respectful of my service. The VERY REAL warning of discontinuing service due to lawn debris certainly helps. I like the fees approach even better👍

[@slum3947]

Well she sounds like an awesome customer I wouldn't lose her bro

[@MIHYLLC]

@@slum3947 agreed 100%👍

[@rayburnett3253]

You are making good sense ,Bryan

[@gleveridge3424]

Thanks for the eyes opener appreciate that

[@jameyrussell6098]

Great video for me just starting out. Thanks!

[@chriswegrocki7813]

thank you for those fee tips, cause this should help me with getting started but I'm still worrying like you said of getting a new client and then they drop you cause all I want is to learn about being successful

[@KevinBenecke]

You should also access a fee if they don't tell you about something in the yard and it causes any damage to the equipment. I know some will say that we should do a walk-through before starting. But it's still possible to miss something. Especially if they added something and didn't inform you.

[@toddbehrends1373]

I have a couple of customers that have their lawns fertilized and with the rains that we have had early on I charge a double cut fee. They have not squawked at all. Both are $25 cut and I charge $15 for a double cut. I always charge by the hour for new customers, because if I edge, it will take me almost an extra hour. So, if I take 2 or 3 hours it will cost the customer more than a regular mow.

[@kndvds1492]

The only "extra" fee I charge is a 10% (rounded up) for late fee. Everything else I just adjust the normal bill for what I call the "freak factor". So if I'm repeatedly weed wacking dog crap in my face at a particular lawn I just increase to compensate for it starting the next spring. I find that most customers would rather I charge a little more on a regular basis than periodically "punishing them" for bad behavior.

[@sjeffreyw]

Brian I don't do lawn care, but I do my own yard. Just want to say I agree with you 100 percent. If I did do lawn care I'd be charging fees, and if customer was upset and dropped my service they probably was going to drop me anyway. " Keep the mower going"

[@checoslawnmaintenance1874]

great information. I'm definitely going to incorporate this in my business. You should speak on trimming shrubs or bushes how much to charge. Love your vids

[@TheCharger189]

I charge $50 ph for hedge trimming as I have to take into account petrol and 2 stroke oil and sharpening blades

[@saanchips3965]

Awesome video man thanks