HOW To Bid A COMMERCIAL Client! Breaking Down The Numbers!

Today we're showing you guys exactly how we bid a commercial lawn care client and how we pick up commercial clients for the new season. This customer was a snow removal customer of ours but naturally we'd love to submit a bid and try to turn them into a lawn care customer!
If you guys are just starting a lawn care business or you are getting into commercial landscaping, hopefully this how-to style video helps you guys out. Whether you get commercial customers with a lawn care flyer or postcard, or any other form lawn care marketing, these account can be hyper-profitable and a great asset to your business.
We share with you guys how we bid and price out the 7 or 8 common categories when bidding a commercial site. One that I left out was shrub pruning, since we usually price that separately with its own bid and proposal.
If you guys want to see the form we use to submit the bid, you can check it out here: bit.ly/3c4WVJi
Once we compile this whole bid, what we do is email it to the client and upon receiving a signed copy, we're good to go. We usually invoice commercial work end of month with net 30, just incase you guys want a few suggestions of the wrap up process of the work.
Hope you guys enjoyed this one, I tried to pack a bunch of FAQ's and tips into it at the end! Good luck out there as you guys grow your business this spring!
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[@logdon17]

Respect to you for having the balls to post a detailed video like this, probably why you have 80k+ subscribers

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We're an open book brotha. I'm not saying I'm wrong, or right, it is what it is :) I'm still learning too, every single day. Ha! Thanks for the love.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

This was one of the most requested topics back from our 80K subscriber video! We finally had a nice day in MI and I wanted to do a commercial bid walkthrough to help you guys out! Again these prices are a GENERAL idea and example of what we would charge! The video isn’t exactly what YOU should do, this is just what works for our business! Hope that helps!

[@SledgeHammer43]

Here comes your Snow 4 to 8 inches of it.

[@bigdogg1206]

Hey brian, great info bro. Love the outro music too. Got a quick question. How do you find the commercial clients that have bids open. You hit the street and just ask businesses? Or do you go to a website and find them?? Thanks for what you do. Pretty amazing.

[@tylervanwormer8302]

Where can we go to get the contract you talked about in this video?

[@brandonedwards1408]

@@bigdogg1206 yes great question. I am finding it hard to get to these commercials as well as HOA's like who do we talk to

[@spencerbird1273]

Loved this one Brian! Hope you'll do more of these types of videos in the future! Looking forward to the next one!

[@xbuttons12x92]

By far the most helpful video I've seen yet on here on how to bid commercial. Great job and I look forward to more videos and watching the growth of your company!

[@lawnmanmartinfan7909]

Thank you for taking the time to do that video that was very informative and spot on. I also like the way you think in regard to people in the industry working together to get a better price on the work we do.

[@TheEquipmentking]

Appreciate the transparency here Brian! I was surprised with the numbers tbh! Have a great 2020 season 😎

[@nativedesignstudios]

Brian thanks for taking the time to share your subject knowledge. This is very helpful for new owner/operators. I'm inspired, keep up the good work 👍🏾

[@pro-cutlawncarellc9128]

Great video Brian, I love how you keep your videos simple and practical!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey 3rd grade was the last year I aced. I try to teach at that level for guys like me 😂😎

[@bflawncare4568]

Hey Brian! This video was incredibly informative. Thank you man! I know this videos take alot to make. I know we all really appreciate it!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey you bet buddy thanks for the kind words

[@fetterlandscaping4881]

Thanks for a great video Brian. You always have helpful content!

[@drewstrongitharm9680]

Thanks Brian, This was the most useful video on lawn care that has ever been created. Very much appreciated

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Wow thanks pal, I’m honored.

[@christiangee8978]

Thank man for motivating me to go solo with my dad , this will help me out a lot when ever I get a commercial client . Currently 20 years old and can’t wait to see where I go from here . Greetings from New Jersey the garden state

[@RavensHardCore]

Pure Gold!!! Thanks for all the tips Brian! 👍

[@robertzobinski]

You help us new guys so much. Thank you! You & keith kelfas are awesome!

[@extremecleaningandservices9641]

Thank you for the breakdown! This helps out. I fully agree on let all raise our price together instead of undercutting each other!.

[@dandylawnandmaintenance4407]

Probably the best commercial pricing video on KZbin. Love it!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey thanks pal. I really hope it helps 👍

[@JR-ll9ci]

Man I haven’t even watched the Video and I already like this video, I’m sitting here with pen and paper ready to take notes. All I can say is thank you , thank you 🙏🏻, love your channel keep up the good work .

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You bet pal!

[@gandrlawnservice463]

I agree with you Brian on the fact that we all should set the pay scale all the same or about the same . here where I live in Warsaw NY there are to many cut throats .I have been in business for about 2 years and have seen so many fly by night company's come and go and they make it harder for guys like us that are trying to make a live doing what we love to do. But my works Speaks volumes about my type of work that I do for the customer.i find your videos very inspirational so thank you for all that you do for me and others in our business.

[@RavensHardCore]

Golden tips in this one! Thanks Brian!! 👍

[@Alex.AL_26]

Excellent video, very helpful for someone like me who is just getting into commercial accounts. Thanks for all your help!

[@franciscoalmazan3231]

Awesome video this is the type of info I've been looking for specially starting this season I've been wanting to get into commercial properties. Thanks 👌

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

I'm so glad you brought up the Industry Standard pricing. I head a saying the other day that stuck with me & I love sharing great sayings!! When ppl. come through and under bid you bye a ton they're "On a Race To The Bottom"!! Hoping all is well, Dirty Jersey out!!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

So true and so good. Thx brother!!

[@Lincoln-levi]

Awesome video! I’m just starting out and got my first plow this year! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Glad I could help!

[@Pinehollowmechanical]

Absolutely LOVE these kinds of videos

[@zachdavis1776]

Hey Brian thank you for your time this really helped me better understand and how easy it really is to itemize everything for roughly the same size job I’m bidding on.

[@Pipe-Layer]

Brian, great video(s) ! Thanks for being real and straight forward. ✌

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You bet pal

[@josephpainchaud7533]

Awesome video Brian, ty for the help!

[@Fencearmor]

Fire video, Brian! Really helpful!

[@TPM517]

Owner operator here in Michigan. 👋 Yes we all need to stick together and not perpetually undercut each other. We bid very similarly btw, great tips for others!

[@tgray8593]

I'm being real and comfortable saying this because I'm sure I'm not alone...."Got mad love for you bro". This is the best video period. You are 100% correct when you said that you never seen anyone put anything this descriptive out here for us. #MOTIVATION

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Haha thanks pal 💯

[@alphainteractions3408]

Brian brill info as usual. Landscaper here in Ireland with a deep thinking channel😊.

[@TwistedFatwood]

Really appreciate the video man thank you so much extremely helpful keep them coming

[@giovannimontes7910]

Hey Brian, I gave this video a like before I even watched it. Thats how excited I am

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hot diggity! I feel ya ha! 30 days and we’ll be back at it!

[@cretalandscapeserviceco.4728]

Great video Brian! Soooo agree with not shooting under prior company’s bid! It’s happening so much in our area that it’s really affecting ability to accept small commercial property’s. Remember guys we’re not just trying to create cash flow, goal is to create profit!!!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

And wealth ✅

[@clevercloverlawncare5066]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance Amen. I'm in a time capsule. Go Bucks!

[@kevinm.9830]

Hey Brian, I’m 18 and I’m going full time lawn care/landscaping this year. It’s crazy how much great information is on KZbin because of people like you. Thank you for doing what you do man!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey buddy that’s what it’s all about. Hope the content helps! Keep up the hard work 💪

[@ajdpurple]

Good luck, I was thinking about doing this myself and I am almost 40, if you start now at 18 and your serious, you could set yourself up for life, go out there and get it!!

[@jrblandscapingandsnowplowi4935]

Get it brother... 2020 is your year kevin make it happen, the sky's the limit bud.. hope you have a great season God bless.

[@legendlawncare2957]

Go Get it Kid! Work hard, be honest, and do what you say you're going to do. You'll be fine!

[@LuisEnriqueRubioChavez]

How’s it going for you?

[@fabianortega2707]

Thanks! was really helpful keep up the good work

[@Nothing734not]

thank you for your videos! they are helping grow my side business

[@jamiemelton6527]

All estimating is based on production numbers. Meaning I can mow X sf per man hour, edging, trimming, etc. All these numbers can be figured out by time and motion studies. Once you have that info you can price out anything from a .25 acre lot to 10-20 acres. Good content 👍🏼

[@DeanSchumacher]

Great video Brian lots of knowledge

[@chrisalvarez1962]

This is awesome info Brian thanks for sharing

[@robertpaidprice]

Thanks for the video Brian!

[@justinknipp4609]

Thank you for doing this. Super helpful!

[@toddott9053]

It is a really nice form...thank you Brian

[@nickzelner]

Your videos are awesome dude top of the line

[@darkwar12345]

I really appreciate videos like this. I am currently at 15 residential clients and I want to get mor before I go full time but no one i know owns a lawn business so all my info comes from KZbin and I’m so glad people like you help folks like me and many others who are starting out. I wish everyone the best of luck

[@Jose-uw3vm]

Me to man I’m 17 and I started a buisness landscape two years ago we get a lot of mulching and hardscaping but we need more houses to cut grass now there’s so much competition because if you tell client you’ll do for let’s say 50 an acre just an example another business would come and go it for way cheaper is so much competition now a days

[@wallaceshell1794]

How is your business doing today

[@aginnd5331]

Another great video and very professional, thanks

[@brysondouthit880]

Great video appreciate the transparency 👍

[@IAmDrewselum]

New sub, just getting started on my journey. Thanks for this man!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

You got this!

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

Love this stuff!

[@legendlawncare2957]

Guys, remember: We ALL have different markets. I'm in the Virginia/DC Market, what we charge here is not going to jive with a lower populated, lower income area. Brian is spot-on with the Bi-Weekly thing and the Create the LIFESTYLE you want. There's a market and plenty of work for all of us out there. Just gotta get up and GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

[@adrianrivera8063]

Hey, how much do you think should be charge on average per hour of labor in VA/DC area working solo?

[@Grunt300z]

In my market you have to do bi-weekly or you wont have any lawns. Commercial usually will be weekly but not residential. In summer the grass barely grows in 2 weeks.

[@dalelemmer]

T5

[@KBLC19]

Great video I am looking forward to spring.

[@GlennGoryl]

Thank you, Brian! Great video!!

[@davidcranford7382]

Years ago, I worked at a commercial building that wanted me to get quotes on lawn care. I had quotes for $75 a week to $600+. The GM hired the service that turned in the highest quote!!! I’m sure that’s not always what happens, but it did in this case. Businesses don’t always want the cheapest quote!

[@jerrycox4253]

This was an older complex with about 60% of it occupied; they were always late to pay and claimed that they didn’t have the money. I put up with that for two years, as I was just starting my business. No shrubs to trim and about 3 hours of labor for 175.00, but it was every two weeks and mostly crab grass. It's totally my fault for my misery, I should have walked away way sooner.

[@deshawnsanderson7415]

Great talking points!you Rock in the lawn and landscaping business!Brian……keep pushing!

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thanks pal

[@deshawnsanderson7415]

Sir…thank you!

[@PeezyReacts]

people look at me crazy when i tell them i make $100-$250 an hr with my leather business. watching this bc i want to build my lawncare business and this has been such a great help!

[@jsp5407]

Man thanks so much for this I needed this

[@Guerrero1187]

Times the winter work money x4 if your salting,that’s where the money is👍🏼. I agree 100% with the price raises with the cost of good laborers not bodies,good laborers. Great video lots of good info thanks for sharing.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

I tried to budget $2K for snow 1500 for salt. It’s probably more I agree. 👍💪

[@alexmalm6406]

Your wife must be very proud of how smart you are. I mean that as nice as I can say it. Until I saw your back story, I really thought you went to business school just listening to how you speak. Always very informative and professional. Kudos b. Keep it up. I think that is why so many people find your channel. You don't bullshit either. Not afraid of the pros and cons of running a business. Every so often we see glimpse of your personal life. Way to go rock star. Knuckles bro.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey thanks buddy that means a lot

[@Dale.Nienow]

Great video Brian, I bid simulator to what you just what different numbers! I enjoy doing fertilization and irrigation systems, just for fertilization you need a license in order to do it!

[@SuperSnappingturtle]

Brian. Love your videos! . I do tree work in Oklahoma and I wish they would kind of be a little bit closer and competitive because the bids Here can go from $400 to 2000 on the same tree but some people so desperate for work will under cut everybody just to try to keep their workers busy or just stay afloat.

[@marcoperez6750]

Thank you so much for this type of videos it really gave me an idea of how to bid shout out from nj

[@ajpropertycare6157]

Great content!

[@muskokapropertycare261]

Great content as always. Really enjoyed this video. Definitely agree with your pricing of that site and reasoning for it. Also agree that we shouldn’t undercut each other. Cost of living goes up every year so why should our lawn prices go down. We as an industry have to think like other trades that continue to increase year after year

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Amen pal

[@MrEjblanco]

Ooof..... Say that again in 2023 😮

[@chrisdarbo2073]

Thanks for the tips! I like your attitude, yes we are competitors today but tomorrow we may need one another.

[@guyfromsouthwest8959]

NICE !!! GREAT VIDEO MAN !!👍🏼👍🏼

[@ricepadi29]

Great break down. Thanks for the info.

[@1345mack]

Great Stuff here, Thank you So much for the great video

[@thekingscourtyardlawncares9324]

Great content. It’s funny how I’m looking at picking up a few commercial properties this year too

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Trying to be one step ahead of you guys 🤓

[@ferrisguy8435]

Thanks Brian. Great video 👍

[@johnvineyard3905]

This was very helpful please post more videos. Thanks 🎉

[@alejandroalcantarm.1835]

Excellent video good information Brian 👊🏽

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hey thanks pal glad to hear! Thanks for watching.

[@buenavistalawnlandscape3523]

Great advice brain. Down to the point

[@jsadtp]

As usual good information..keep it up 👍

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Well I’m glad you feel that way, thank you! We try!

[@anthonyclayton3219]

Awesome video! Thank you.

[@SpencerTheLandscaper]

Great video brian very informative👍

[@RubenPerception]

I needed a video like this just breaking things down thanks!

[@staceyhaynes7514]

I’ve been saying this for years we all need to work together. Just like most barbershops in cities meet on prices we should do the same. Good point Brian.

[@dgoodinground]

Price fixing is against the law

[@jackheinemann8780]

@@dgoodinground not entirely correct. Price fixing is a result of the govt taking control and fixing prices, this occurs in communism. and after a while, once socialism starts to fail, you have 2 options, price fix, or go free market. You are referring to collusion. Active collusion is absolutely illegal, active which means all the barbers in the city activity get together and raise there prices together. This is absolutely illegal, plenty of people are in jail because of convicted of collusion.

[@CreamCerebralCinema]

This video was clutch 💪🏿🔥🔥🔥

[@davewave2d2]

Appreciate the info! 👍🏻

[@jeremyfancher7338]

You're smart man. I appreciate ya

[@reviewsjustcuz1437]

Love the content.

[@Centerpieceofmind]

Your vids are so helpful, ty.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

🙏

[@markschmaus5580]

Thx Brian for the Info !!

[@natecrabtree9638]

Great vid! Thanks!

[@chugs1232]

Thinking of starting lawn care myself currently employed working in pharma world, gonna try to do both while working fill time until the lawn care takes off end goal is to just run my own and make it successful and healthy love the info you provide and just wanted to say thanks for all the videos

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Awesome!

[@MrEjblanco]

How's it going now man? Same boat here

[@johnr3924]

Awesome video helps out a lot. Another good topic would be how you run your payments and pay employees.

[@mentalosrs3076]

This is the 7th time I've watched this, for other reason than your energy. 2 questions: 1. Do you still have this site as a client? Did you scale your quote with your rate increases? 2. Can you do more of these? 😁

[@uuulaalaa]

I love this guy

[@CuttinUpLD]

good advise very detailed this helps a ton

[@nicoreza2912]

Great video I loved this format and your details on finances provided! Could you tell us how you go about finding commercial sites is it mainly calling property managers? Also side note what landscape conferences do you recommend besides the GIE?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Check our more recent videos about getting new clients and our marketing video, we touch on all of this!

[@albertslawngarden5948]

Great video.

[@nathanmagdaleno2482]

Thanks for the awesome incite!

[@pauls3758]

Man I love your channel

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Thanks Paul!

[@maquedaslawnmaintenancevlo3989]

Favorite video Brian I recently entered a bid like this for a apartment complex

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hope you get it and at a fair price!

[@Archifx]

I'm not even in the lawn business and I watched till the end. Fantastic breakdown and smart methodology brother. Nice. I'm just a home gamer with a Scag lol

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Haha well thanks! What SCAG you run?

[@Archifx]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance Picked up the tiger cat 2 after watching a bunch of your vids last year. I did a video on my channel about a week ago on installing that QwikChute that I saw you were running too. I appreciate all of your vids brother. I run a web design company here in FL and while the industries are completely different, the business skills and the "get paid for the little stuff" principals are critical. It's one of the main reasons small businesses go out of business. Don't be afraid to charge what you're worth. If guys/gals are in business, they need to make sure that the business gets paid as well as the owner-operator.

[@cleangreenlawnservicellc2630]

Informative. Thanks!

[@scottfeatherstone7156]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@ronhart4166]

Spot on !! I am glad to see this video. It really helps the industry standards. Most lowballs are just under educated and do not know what it cost to run a business. Thanks for sharing.

[@daveallen4194]

Brian... I agree with your focus on medium to small commercials and homes. If you get one or two large commercials instead, they may be gone next year along with a huge % of your business. (You may not be able to fill out that huge hole, and end up with a bad down year as a result.)

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That’s another nugget, yep! If one account makes or breaks you, that’s never a good business model, imo.

[@saulfalcone4817]

On a real note, great vid!