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Work I do to give you some idea
- Fencing, Patios, Jet washing, grass cut, hedge cutting etc
Hi Dan
I used to give lower rates to pensioners and the disabled.
But I stopped now doing this. It may be just me but I ended up tacking on 15 to 30 min here or there, just to get it done and for it to look pretty, but not charging for my time. I also felt I really had to work fast and hard to get it all done, because they could not really afford a gardener in the first place. It also broke me because I could never make a headway in because not enough hours were spent to fix it all.
My daughter actually made me change my mind on this. Dont want to go into detail here, but nearly everyone is now on my regular rates, and those who cannot afford it had to look for someone else.
Another point is that people will exploit your special offers and will never want to pay your regular rates. Had that a couple of times. Once the work was done on the special rate, they turned around and said they will carry on by themselves or their tenants will continue with the upkeep.
So, no; no more special rates, offers or any freebies.
If you have spare time and no work, then clean van/truck, check engine, tire pressure, clean tools, read up on this site ;-) revamp website, spend time with friends/family, study up on something, visit public gardens/parks or gardening centres.
I offer different discounts to different clients, for example in the Spring i offer new clients a time sensitive (book before date) discount a spring weed and feed product, usually when they buy it i also sell them higher priced services such as aeration and scarification (for full price).
I have found with careful planning discounts can be very good motivators, however you need to think carefully why you are doing them, who you want to target and why...
People will be wary if you offer % off service such as jet washing, grass cut, hedge cutting as it's time based and not tangible.
Hi Dan,
With lawn care it's a bit easier because you can give a discount on a treatment eg do a feed and give them a free/discounted weed control at the same time. With one off jobs like fencing or patio etc, I wouldn't give a discount as you'll end up being compared on too much on price vs quality/service. You could however reward loyal customers eg 10th mow for free/50% etc; this way you've encouraged them to stay longer term, but have given something back in return. When jetwashing patios, you could give them a discount on a follow-up weed control.
I would not consider a discount/deal on a single service for many of the reasons already listed, but if into lawncare etc, a packaged offering with a 'discounted' element is an easier sell.
Otherwise, price sensitive clients will bite on the inital offering, refuse the full price in the future and go looking for the next 'mug' contractor offering another discount.
It also makes a back to back comparison difflcult and stops the client cherry picking in the future.