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For a new client who needs their lawn harvesting as opposed to mowing then, yes, I would charge more - a one off fee to restore the lawn to a manageable level, then a fixed fee for a fixed period of time over the rest of the season. If there is going to be no agreement to a regular, seasonal or annual contract for garden maintenance then the fee for the harvesting of the lawn becomes a quote usually at a higher rate.
However I avoid quoting for or doing lawn treatments as in my area we have several good professional companies who can do it more efficiently and more effectively than me.
Hope this answers your question?
Same here. If it's a regular contract it's my problem if I've let it get too long. A one-off job, it's their fault and they pay more!
If it's a new client, who looks like becoming a long-term regular, I'd usually be more flexible.
btw residents here would never do a contract for the year like down south...
so no cuts since september end/ october ..
Gardens4u.co.uk said:
Well, have you asked them?
Let's say you do the lawn for £30, 20 times a year. That's £600, so whether it's £30 per visit, or £50 per month, they pay the same. In fact, set up a standing order, and I save the hassle of invoicing, plus there's no cheques or stamps, so I'll give you a small discount if you pay monthly!
Even better, as I have a loyal client, less likely to leave and bringing me steady income, I'll do the extra few cuts if the grass looks like it's getting long: it's in my interest to keep them happy, and make my life easier.
I also set a fixed day, and am or pm. That way, they get in the habit of leaving the gate unlocked, clearing the dog mess and toys etc. Of course, you have to re-schedle sometimes, but that's easier than trying to arrange a day/time every visit.
The other thing is to make weekly visits cheaper than fortnightly. Again, you both benefit as the work's easier, it looks better all the time, and one wet week doesn't matter much. On the figures above, I'd say something like £50 per month for fortnightly, £80 for weekly cuts when it's growing fast.
Remember that you make more money from doing more regular cuts, even if you charge less for them. Less waste, less wear on the machines, and most importantly, less time. Save 10 minutes on each hour's lawn cutting, and you add an extra job every day that's almost pure profit.
I have a number of clients from the North (Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria) who are all on regular contracts. They have moved down here for work or to be nearer grandchildren all of them wanted regular work and asked me rather than the other way around.
You're right that some gardens don't justify 12 months work but all do need 10, regular contracts are better long term as you have a guaranteed source of income. Mowing, weeding, pruning, trimming and the like can be done much of the year. I was still cutting some lawns right into December and began again February.
Hope this helps.
Gardens4u.co.uk said:
no chance of standing order here. i get paid a variety of ways and some by bank transfer either regulars or one-offs. i advise as much as possible , but ultimately they all have the last say (most jobs are as straight forward as possible i take on) i dont have time for any weekly cuts and do weeding for very few due to time better spent tree cutting / big hedges or odd soft landscaping/gates etc. i have keys for a few places. i should change to gardens4me :)
funny as the lawn ive refered to on both threads is my twitter photo :
https://twitter.com/gardens4ucouk
Yes I would charge more, why do a load more work for the same money?
And the guys that think their 'area' won't accomodate a 'contract' are completely wrong... do your clients have sky tv? Mobile phones? Electricity on direct debit? I suspect, a lot of the time, yes.
Getting clients to use this method is down to you, your presentation, professionalism, the way you talk and sell it to them. I don't accept cheques any more and am reluctant to do cash as well. Everyone gets told the method of payment they can use is direct banking. I don't offer anything else.
my point was when a job price is not worth doing .... ie £25 only one job , 6 miles away and they wont pay current full rates. -
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Robin Ainsworth do you not consider she was using me and planned this? after the first cut in 6mths? hence why it should be 1.5x normal rate for any first yearly mowing job ..
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