[ds99ds]

I have been asked to design and plant 6 containers for fall. This is around a pool at a $2-3mm house. The containers are perhaps 15-18in wide.

How would you price this? I usually try to charge cost of plants x 3. If I put in 5 plants x $15 per plant that is $75. 3 x $75 is $225. I am reluctant to charge $1,350 for 6 planters.

all feedback is appreciated.

thanks, David

[Stonehenge]

You'd change your mind after your millionaire client hassled you for days, then stiffed you on a few hundred dollar project.

Some projects were not meant to be won - price it the way you need to and let the chips fall where they may.

But you might want to revamp your pricing arrangement to better account for labor and G&A expenses. If you search "pricing" here you'll find lots of discussions on the topic.

Good luck.

[Andyboy]

It does seem high for fall display containers. This kind of work has always been tough to price, my experience is that you need to approach fall/spring display as a manufacturing exercise. Buy all your materials at once and store them, and do your displays fast and efficiently this is the only way to make any money on these things. If you can combine them with other services like garden clean-up then you are better off. Think like the maintenance guys - get in, get out and charge a fair price.

Good Luck.

Jason

[Fine Edge]

I assume that you don't have to furnish the containers.
Listen to Stone and price it so you can make some money. Or price it cheap and you'll end up with a cheap looking pot.
Depending what you plan to install, your price and plant selection is going to have to have some value for the client to grasp.

If he only wants to spend $200, then give him an 8" mum in the center of each pot.
Then you can curse yourself because it really didn't make you that much money after the drive time and gas.
On the other hand, if he wants something nice, it's up to you to make sure he understands the value of the nicer plants.

Irrigation in these pots??

[Andyboy]

I'm not sure if you are suggesting that I do cheap looking pots?!?! my point was that to make stuff like that profitable - for us anyway- we buy our materials in bulk and have it on hand and do all our pots (be them fall, x-mas or spring) all at once over the course of a week; by doing this you cut down on trips to the store and other inefficiencies.

I do agree with Stonehenge (although I am not sure how his amusing rant fits in) that you do not want to under price yourself just to get the job but at the same time I find it's the millionaires who know best the value of a dollar and you may have to live with losing the job.

Anyway, I was only offering a suggestion on how to do it for less, give a good service AND make money.

Cheers,

Jason

[landscaeproblemsolvr]

What were your thoughs on the plants you were going to use? You are located in New York were you thinking of using Pansies, Violas or Ornamental Cabbage?

These annuals will sputter out on value and become less attractive as the cold weather sets in. Your client may look at this as wasted money and lose a little trust in you.

Would your client like some type of evergreen instead, (Steeds Holly, Hicksii Yew) with ivy draping over the sides? This will give a formal, evergreen look with continued value thru the winter. You can even use a Variegated Euonymus (yellow/green or white/green) to add some more interest with the ivy hanging below. Varieties of Nandina are also nice in pots with their changing red fall color but they need to be in a protected area. Winter winds will defoliate this plant and leave it looking thin and sparse.

Talk with your client and try to use an evergreen that they like. Tell them in the spring you will transplant the evergreens to another plart of the property and give even more value.

Most important, you need to price this work so it is profitable for you. Give real value, that you believe in and you will have little problem pricing this work.

Good luck,

Todd-www.landscapeproblemsolver.com

[jwholden]

Jeff nailed it on the head!