[Green4Me]

So here you are, you've done all the measuring and figuring, you've slept on your number and are ready to finalize your bid for maintenance work, but you look at the property one more time and see something that makes you add money to the bid?

What are those things that make you pull out your pencil and calculator?

[NC Lawnscapes]

Extensive trimming edging type stuff (anything that is going to extend my time on there property)

I figured one job and didnt notice that I would have to carry a 21 inch mower down a set of steps to a terrace at base of a lake wall to mow a 200 square path each week so I had to re figure a little for each mowing

[P-Train]

Time (labor) at the nursery getting materials.

This time can be really consuming on a large job.

Often I need to go to more than one place to get the best of the best and that eats up a lot of time.

One thing that helps me out is faxing in my order a few days before so the nurserymen can pull the order and have it ready when I get there. That could save me 45 minutes at times.

Access in another. Is there adequate access to the property? Can I get a machine where I need it? Will there be a lot of wheel barrowing long distances?

Lastly, dump fees and time. Many of my jobs require me to remove sod or existing plant material. That can be a bummer depending on the job if you didn't calculate it in the bid.

[BJR]

I would guess that if the property was grand, you would add extra time for doing things just that much better compared to your average garden.

[jwholden]

What is my backlog?

Have I tested prices lately?

What vibe am I getting from the potential customer?

[justgardens]

Client attitude!

[GLAN]

I have thrown in extra $ into estimates for all sorts of reasons.....Nothing that comes to mind quickly though.....Have to think about this one......

Great topic btw

[NC Lawnscapes]

I added an Extra Charge one time because I was Going to have to BACK the truck and trailer Down a CURVY Dirt Road (about 3/4 mile) Due to no place to turn around at the end where the house was

[cutntrim]

For condominium maintenance accounts I'll factor in the PITA element of having to deal with multiple "bosses" on a weekly basis.

Access and location are big factors in pricing for landscape installations for me. Can I get a bobcat back there? How far away is the landfill and the nursery?

For winter maintenance accounts I'll increase the bid if they need to be cleared by 7:00a.m. or if it's a property (like condos or apartments) that'll need a return visit to plow parking spots after cars have left for work.

[Green4Me]

Thanks for all the great answers, these are familiar situations. What made me pose the question came from my second maintenance customer. I did not think to look at the neighbors trees and their proximity to my customers lawn, and realize the I would inherit leaves from the neighbors in such quantity. So it set me to wondering about things that everyone else looks for. Great forum.

Great customer though so its worth it.

Thanks

[Dale Wiley]

In my world of varying size accounts everything is looked at on a time basis.

No matter how small, the mininmum charge is $ 35 or $ 150 per month. Time is then added in 1/2 hour increments ( 2 men 15 more min ) depending on the requirements.

My $ 150 accounts average $ 40 per hour. So do my larger accounts.

I have a very good estimating program for maintenance that has all functions except pruning quanitified by square, linear feet etc. It covers fertilizer, sprays, etc.

All I have to do is enter square feet, linear feet and then my subjective estimate on prunings and leaf cleanups and the estimate is done.

Don't forget to add support time to the estimate to cover off site items chargable to that account. Dump, load and unload. I add an additional 12% time for those factors. Be efficent and you can increase your net by reducing those times.

[Green4Me]

Dale: is your estimating program your own in Excel or is it a commerical program?

I like your $ 35 minimium, I try to stick to that although the competitoin makes it tough. A customer just accepted my proposal at $ 30 per weekly visit. I lowered my price because she is 4 minutes from my house, and I am optimistic it will work well. Her previous service was charging only $ 100 per month and I quoted $ 140, so we met in the middle. I am going to focus more on commercial properties and will look at residential as they respond to my ads. But I really like the discussions on building route density and may look at that near existing residential customers.

[daren_r]

I have added money to an estimate when I realized that I would have to use the push mower for an extended period or if extensive travel time between mowed areas on a property are going to happen. I did a hotel once and I thought I could get my Z into most of the grassy areas. Turned out I couldn't get the larger mower into a lot of those areas. I had to push mow or trim those areas. I ended up leaving the cost as is but realized I would need to increase the rate if they needed it done again.

[Ax Man]

Dogs, kids toys, plastic lawn furniture and chain link fence all add to my prices.
Drive time from the nearest job and to the next effect price as well.

[scooter]

P-train summed it up.. the running for material can kill your labor budget. After all the layout/install/cleanup labor is summarized, we add 10% to the total labor hours to cover all that running for materials, making extra trips to drop equipment (loader,skid steer, etc) off at site.
We have tracked it as a separate line item and it has been very accurate.....could be we are not as organized as we should be..lol