[Rick Carver]

Starflower

For years I worked for the biggest national home builders. If I can help you with anything just give me a holler,,,,, but reread what Bill S. and others have to say regarding builders payment.
You need to get ready to not only do good work fast, but learn how to work the ADMIN side of getting paid.

Get your foot in the door?
(A) Pull up with a pallet or two of sod or some nice plants and ask if you can freshen up the model home? If they like your work then tell them all you want is to have an opportunity to bid on there next work,,,,
(B) Pull up and ask for an appointment with the super. Ask him if you can drop him off your guarantee and warranty program for your work,,,,, MAKE SURE YOU EXPLAIN THAT ALL YOUR INSTALLATION WORK IS GUARANTEED FOR AS LONG AS THEY WANT AS LONG AS YOU MAINTAIN IT. Also tell them that all the builders you work for get a 3 zone 10 head (whatever) irrigation system for cost for all the model homes and summer colors planted at XXX% off your regular price's. As long as you have all the plant packs and rake/seed straw and tack and/or sod contracts.
(C) Tell them along with your great price's they will have a 24hr emergency number to call if there is any storm wash outs or inspector issues. Also, with your soil stabilization price you guarantee to make all C.O's and inspections etc etc.

FYI,,,,,, super's normally do look at the bottom price, but I have found that if I were able to take some headach burden from them, like dealing with the inspectors, and guarantee service etc they would be more likely to listen closer and gave us an opportunity.
Once you are in you have to do the shmoozeing then,,,, but the way to do it is by always comming up with ways to make the super's job easier and making him look good to his boss. Always use higher grade grass seed and more to the sqft then what is called for,,,,extra fert,,,,, things like that.

When you start working for a home builder YOU MUST GET BUSY AND FIND OUT WHAT THERE ADMIN POLICY IS AS FAR AS WHEN THEY PAY, WHEN THERE CUT OFF DATES ARE, WHAT WILL RED FLAG ANY INVOICE ETC ETC!
Ask the admin or super for a monthly email detailing the projected lots going to close,,,,, The big builders have mandatory monthly sub meetings where all Q&A can be taken care of.
If you are still finding it hard to get in the door,,,, ride through the site,,,, take note who the HVAC,,, carpenters,plumber contractors are. Ask around to folks you know, if anyone knows the owners of those subcontractors,,,,, get an intro from a sub even if it will cost something, have them go to bat for ya.

There are many more ways and lots of things to watch for.

You can make tons of money if you are not just another landscaper to the super! So don't be!

HTH
Rick