Pricing Lawn Care Business (WORST Mistakes!)

[@JohnPetrie]

I just started mowing lawns and picked up a couple of clients quickly. Another potential one called for an estimate. It was a .77 acre lot with some woods, a fenced back yard, at least two dogs, and multiple things to string trim around. I told them $55 per week. They said too much money and no thanks. I though it was actually under-priced. Oh well, on to the next one. lol

[@KeepItMowed]

The common thing I see around here is people charging only $5 more for every two weeks cutting versus weekly. No one will ever pick weekly if they can sucker you in to doing two weeks of mowing in one day for $5 more. So if you charge $35 weekly and $40 every two weeks, they take every two weeks, you cut for $20 a week. You put your equipment through harder mowing and a lot more wear on equipment in general. There's no way to cut two weeks of growth faster then one week. Discount weekly and raise the every two weeks fees.

[@alfirst9087]

I'd rather cut lawns every two weeks. In my area, weekly yards do not often require service every week and this leads to downtime, However, it's rare when a lot doesn't need service after two weeks and this leads to more consistent scheduling and cash flow. If a customer leaves for whatever reason the loss doesn't impact me as much as I still have a slot filled the following week and I can fill the void eventually with a new customer. I'd rather have 150 bi-weekly customers than 150 weekly customers as it spreads the load around and provides me with a more consistent workflow. It also provides me with 300 unique customers a month versus 150. One benefit here is that there are more opportunities for word of mouth advertising and more opportunities for my truck(s) to be seen and there isn't as great an impact when the growing season ends and more yards do not require service.

[@KeepItMowed]

@@alfirst9087 Glad you're able to do that. In Houston we have about 99% St Augustine and you get killed in most lawns every two weeks. From basically April through early September the grass is naturally thick and lush. Ads fertilizer and regular watering and it's really hard even on the best equipment. You're basically doing two cuts for the price of one and tearing up equipment. Now we do have every two week accounts. They are smaller and or have a lot of shade with slow growth. The bad thing about every two weeks is if weather forces you a week out. Then you're really regretting it for sure.

[@alfirst9087]

@@KeepItMowed Yep, when in Rome do as the Romans do. The markets dictate how we run.

[@KeepItMowed]

@@alfirst9087 You also create market too. I'd rather do less and make more. Just me. I've built a wonderful client base. We all need to know our worth and there's plenty of work.

[@ChadDiller-LandscapeLeadership]

Good points. Have a flat rate and then variable rate based on lawn size and difficulty. Then track your time and materials on each account. Don’t discount for neighborhoods. Offer a referral program or an introductory offer. Then there are no discounts past the point of sale.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

These are all really good points. No discounts past point of sale... LOVE it.

[@ChadDiller-LandscapeLeadership]

@@FloridaTurfPros Yeah, I learned that one over the years...if people get a % discount off the year, they think that's their price. If you bump them up after that introductory year, they think you just jacked their price up. It's best to give a discount on one service sometime in that first year. Say you do 6 lawn treatments at $50 and give them one for free...that's better. After that discount, they forget all about it later on and the price is the price. I have some more thoughts on offering pricing info on your website. Check out this webinar I did with LMN kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6e0nHeqmM2pra8 - Thanks for replying.

[@EuroYardService]

Great video. Needing to add many guys starting a lawn care business have no previous business experience and they enter the game with an employee mindset. It still takes many years of developing your basic business skills even with all the great online content available these days. And the exciting part is the learning never stops 😊

[@calebncontreras-117]

How do you charge if not by per man hour it takes to do the job. Are you just constantly negotiating with the client to get the highest price you can get out of them?

[@TheTrailblazer1974]

Once your known as the “cheap guy” it’s hard to break away from that

[@CastawayHikes]

Bonus: have set minimums for all services. I have a $40 minimum for lawn service, $60 minimum for hedge trimming. I have several properties that by far exceed my target operating cost on just because they are small, have no paved surfaces and/or require minimal/no string trimming. It just isn't worth adding a property to the route without earning at least $40

[@MrVadims14]

Great video Jognathan. Very much needed info, keep yourself from a downward spiral that alot of guys get into by offering better and better deals. Then all your reputation tells people is your the cheapest, but not the best. You have to keep prices consistent, and for referrals charge more...because they have the added guarantee that you will show up and go things right.

[@alfirst9087]

I've made all of those mistakes but I'm learning thanks to your advice. Last summer I fell into the Lawn Care business by mistake, I only wanted to mow a few lawns to help pay for a mower that I'd purchased for my own property and the thing took on a life of its own. Now heading into my second season I'm working on correcting those mistakes and building a business that will provide for me and my family long term. I still have my day job which I hope to get rid of within two years. We need health insurance otherwise I'd be looking to go full time at the business sooner. Once my wife secures health insurance I'll have the freedom to go full time with the business. I work from home so that gives me some freedom and my day job ends at 2:30 pm, I usually hit the road till dark and repeat the next day. It's a whirlwind pace so I'll be happy when I'm able to focus full time on the business.

[@briantownsend8660]

Please do a segment on add-on pricing. What is the going rate for weed spray in flower beds, one small hedge or a dozen hedges or maintaining all the flower beds? I get these questions everytime I talk to a new client. Most want sprinklers maintenance included too. Keep up the great videos.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I think I've done a video on this topic. I won't do an additional service unless it means what we can get for mowing. So think about it that way whenever you go to price add ons.

[@andydavis1508]

U got that right yards we do in 10 minutes we get 25 week or 100 monthly and now we’re in winter I only cut 2 times a month and still get the 100 every month no Contract and they are glad to pay . I live in Orlando Florida we cut 90 lawns a week . Hope u have a great 2020 man

[@42swissmocha]

Good pricing advice for solo/small operations. Not the best for larger outfits/commercial.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Emily Burcham Pricing a dollar a minute, lowering prices for neighbors, charging low hrly wages, and not standardizing prices is a mistake for any size organization. Why is it ok for larger operations to not do these things??

[@42swissmocha]

@@FloridaTurfPros Because they have more labor to sell. Large commercial work/HOA goes for 30-35-40$ per hour. You will win very few bids going much higher. Of course, there is higher margin work associated with big commercial/hoa (irrigation,fert/weed pest) and thats what those companies profit on. Low margins but they sell more work. I know some successful companies that sell mowing at break even, maybe even 5% loss to get desirable properties. Most successful companies have some kind of standardized pricing, that is true. When the Graze mowers and other automated mowers start to hit the market prices will be even more competitive.

[@freeportlawncare5997]

$0.01 a foot mowing. $0.05 a foot leaf removal.

[@geauxcuts4496]

$0.01 for mowing is close to what I’m charging doing small residential, but a bit steep. Are you getting that?

[@amosdarnall6865]

Wouldn’t that be 150$ for a 15k sq ft lot?? And 750$ to do a leaf cleanup?

[@freeportlawncare5997]

Amos Darnall yes, bingo!

[@freeportlawncare5997]

Waylon Ratcliffe yes, we have a price sheet it’s posted on our website www.freeport-Lawncare.com

[@amosdarnall6865]

Freeport Lawn Care Wow interesting to look at your price sheet, I can tell you there’s no way I could charge those prices in my market where I live! Nice website by the way

[@sunseeker5071]

Our company name is LAWNS FOR LESS and we are probably the most expensive lawn care company in the area. KNOW YOUR WORTH!!!!!! Can't stress that enough. Our minimum lawn mowing price is $35.......we actually do 6 small trailer park lawns and each pays $35. Go Get them......God Bless.

[@CraigsCuts]

I try not to price $1/min but I try to MAKE $1/min after expenses

[@CashensPowerwashing]

thanks again for the vid man always enjoy your content. much love from st louis MO ✌

[@alfirst9087]

The only service I offer at this point is hedge trimming. I've found it difficult to set a price for this as before I trimmed the first hedge I'd never done one before. It's a lot of work especially with the clean up of the trimmings. Thanks to KZbin I've learned where my pricing should be...

[@allphaselandscape]

Good video...I agree on all fronts. We are building out the rate matrix within service autopilot so that properties are measured by office staff and the price is calculated automatically. Owner involvement no longer required!

[@sebajolly]

👏👏👏👏 better and better and better. Great stuff! I was wondering the other day to give a discount on the next cut if I get a referral from my client. I reckon is a way of appreciation for them?

[@Gambit8121-i7v]

Not bad to do every once in a while but dont get in a habbit it adds up. I normally just do somthing a little extra light bush trimming ect but try not to give away a whole or half cut that's money down the drain. Its better to just do little extra service 10 minutes tops. Or a thank you letter email or text telling then thanks GOES a long way

[@bronsonbonner4916]

Do you charge tax when invoicing your customers?

[@ThomasSmith-wy6vs]

Only my opinion but I feel it’s not about square footage it’s about obstacles. I would rather cut a 20,000.00 square foot property with my 52 then cut a 10,000.00 square foot property with my 36 which has a bunch of obstacles. Time and material wise the 20,000.00 SQ FT property is more profitable. Love to watch your videos and keep up the great work

[@joshslawnlandscape9935]

Whats a good system....do you always charge by sq ft or?? Enjoy the videos man....keep it up!👊💪

[@thelawncaregivers6034]

Quick question; I know it varies region to region (I’m from Texas): but when do you, personally, tell your customers you will begin their weekly, or bi-weekly, mowing servicing?

[@geauxcuts4496]

The Lawn Caregivers in northwest Louisiana we try to keep a monthly service through the winter and all goes bi-weekly march 15th

[@stevef.9659]

I understood the $1 per minute as minimum beyond your minimum service rate for showing up which ever is greater. It is difficult to get $1 per minute in the neighborhood I service area. I'm finally going to a $35 minimum and will lose all my existing $30 bi-weekly customers. The only weekly customers appear to be in the country club type neighborhood. My 7,500 sq ft (50x150) fenced lots mowing take 2.5 mins per 1,000 sq ft = 18.75 mins. String trimming 10.0 mins, stick edging 2 mins, blowing 4 mins (including rear patio). Total time 34.75 mins or $35.00. My minimum weed eater, edging and blowing is calculated at 15 mins and increase with lot size and increase with difficulty. It is difficult for slow newbies to get more than $1 per minute with a small zt. A 21" push mower will yield about 6 mins per 1,000 sq ft gross lot size. So 7.5 lot x 6 mins= 45 mins + 15 mins (WEB)= 60 min × $.5833= $35.00. I record my time and other services time to compare and reduce my time to decide if I want to go full time. I just talked with an aquantis with 10,800 sq ft corner lot (8,400 turf) and she pays $70 month including shrubs for bi-weekly service. I would need to get $86.25 per month for 20 bi-weekly and 3 monthly cuts for 23 cuts yearly plus shrubs $45 minimum, 3 times a year. I will continue to collect data during the learning curve and find what works. Thanks for the insight 👍.

[@brentbanks8314]

What's your take on per for performance? Also, what's your take on giving an exact price for cleanups vs an hourly rate?

[@bugfresh1]

That's my struggle sometimes is on clean ups! I need help on this, lol.

[@BillyGoatLawnService]

This is definitely a debatable subject. Looking forward to all the comments.

[@LawnscapesAmerica]

The last time that I herd $1 a minute in lawncare was back on Lawnsite before KZbin. Wow I feel old 😂. Anyway, Great video & great info. thank you for sharing

[@UnblockedOne2]

it's a bad idea. Might work for something like pulling weeds. That's about it.

[@TheTrailblazer1974]

Lawns go by the square ft. Then you make money on every yard.

[@markoashwin]

Profit. There's nothing wrong with making a profit. "Money is the answer to everything." Eccl 10:19 (NASB)

[@billflying2977]

Thanks for the videos, great info. I have a question on your gas bill a week and how much maintenance time?

[@louieevans9125]

Just finished a winter clean up on a two apartment duplex, it didn't look like it had been touched in 3 years, 10 hours of labor of 2 people= 20 hours. Bagged close to 30 bags of leaves. What would you say would be a beneficial Price per hour? Thank you in advance.

[@frankmonteforte5210]

Just want to say your information is very helpful and I appreciate it big time! But at $60 an hour say you get 8 hrs worth of work in 10 hrs (2hrs of windshield time) a day that’s 480 a day. Times that by 5 days a week that’s 2,400 a week. I’m in jersey and I’ll take that all day! Thanks for the video

[@DoyleBros03]

Frank Monteforte we strive for $750 after expenses. Double it up

[@frankmonteforte5210]

I was just thinking of being a one man crew content on making that till eventually you were able to expand and get another crew on the road. I meant no harm by the comment. Just gauging by my experience I would be excited ready to take it to the next level. New Jersey is really tough and you have 9 months to make 12 months worth of money if your lucky.

[@Sutherland420]

I am a small company and my overhead is about that

[@johnromanelli1818]

Another useful video, discounting learned that lesson already, came back and bit me like u said.

[@happyhourattheranch4477]

What about monthly pricing? I cut every week during the spring/summer and every other week during the fall/winter. Average yard $80 same price all year.

[@alastairduncan1944]

My. Mind. Is. Blown. exactly same issues down here in New Zealand re pricing and the stupid 60/hour I assume cause it's stupid easy to work out, u do an hr 60$ u do 30mins 30$, took me all of a week to work out what I could do in 20mins was worth ALOT more than 20$ to both me and the client

[@alastairduncan1944]

I aim for $115-150nzd an hr including driving time, if not, Its almost not worth leaving the house.

[@An11inchPenis]

Need to have a minimum charge though. $35 just to show up. That will cut out more than have of the 10 min lawns. Then you don't have to worry about the 20 min lawns for 20 bux.

[@mattpahuta]

Yes, absolutely positively! ;-)

[@RavensHardCore]

Always love your content Jonathan!

[@PCGonline]

i think i got bit in the ass this year by taking on 3 houses all corner lots next to each other thinking if i discounted the rate itll seal the deal. let me tell you what i charged $20 per house when in reality they were $30-$35 a house because i was eager to get the work especially 3 houses at once. dont buckle on your prices even if its one of your family members friends. learned my lesson

[@FloridaTurfPros]

Ah man, that's the worst. I've totally been there and had the exact same thing happen... Offered a low rate for a friend, then picked up their few neighbors for the same price... was doing work WAY underpriced.

[@tennesseeturfpros528]

Those people who put a thumbs down on some of these videos I really think they need to check their brain? If you’re the one doing this put your reasoning at the bottom👍🏽👍🏽 double thumbs up always

[@FloridaTurfPros]

I appreciate it! =)

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

I totally agree with your statements but, I'd like add that It depends on your area. I'm sorry but, I don't know anybody personally in my parish/country (25,000 residents 500sq miles) that's getting more than $60 an hour per man hour . Most people charge $50 an hr around here. Our minimum is $40 but,we aim for $60. I know I could move to a much nicer area like where you are but ,unfortunately we live in a rural area and have roots here so, moving not an option. How much would you charge for one guy to mow a yard that takes him an hour? Just curious 🤷‍♂️not trying to be snarky.

[@FloridaTurfPros]

This is a really good question, and I totally understand your point. I'm going to do a video on this topic of maximizing per man hr rates, but in essence here is my thoughts and perspective: Whenever we do a yard that takes 1 guy 30 minutes to do, we can typically get $45 for that yard... (easy, quick, cookie cutter yards are what I target). However, if a yard takes one guy 60 minutes to do, we are not typically able to get $90 for that yard (producing the same per man hr rate). So, small cookie cutter properties have much higher per man hr rates than larger properties in my market. This is why I was saying $60 for 60 minutes is not good for us. And no, you're not being snarky... Totally legit question.. I simply don't do properties that take 60 minutes to do, because the margins are much lower for us. Hope that makes sense.

[@JsCrazyCutzLLC]

@@FloridaTurfPros oh! Ok! I see what you mean 👊

[@alfirst9087]

@Hall's Pro Lawn Mowing Service Same here.

[@jaelinwhitt9275]

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