[o4grandamgt]

I hate to ask this....but I recently started a landscaping company in New Jersey and am trying to figure out where my pricing is lieing or if I'm off the mark. In the seven months I've been in business, I've taken on ten residential lawn accounts (mowing, leaves, shrub trimming, etc.). From the take-off of my business, I'm starting to wonder if I'm not charging enough. Basically I have no employees nor overhead as I've started with my personal truck and equipment. I realize I must account for these items as expenses cause one day they must be replaced. Right now, the easiest figures I can use is $40/Man Hour based on one man doing the work (me). For example, for a 3/4 acre property, I'm charging $35 to cut. Does this seem low or high? I know it depends on the area (more affluent, more to be charged) but can you give me some guidance? Also, I will be pricing out doing leaves and liming. Any help on that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Greensmith]

$40 is to low. Are you accounting for insurance and future equipment costs? Be careful charging less for one area and more for another. I got caught in that this year and I paid for it by having to handle many calls of bargain hunters and explaining to the other side coin of why I charged them more.

And it is also harder to explain to existing clients when you do have to raise prices dramatically to account for the rising costs.

As for what to actually charge, it has been frequently asked. I would just search for it.

[agla]

Please fill out your profile. It makes us feel like you want to be a member of the community and not just a drive by. My opinion.