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  Adam Pilgrim November 20, 2011 at 9:18am

  This depends on several factors Joanne....You state you are using their ride on - are they supplying fuel for said machine? What size cut is said machine?

  Also - and this is just me - I would set out at the start who is responsible for servicing and repairs on the machine. I don't like using customers machines (and VERY rarely do), just in case anyone tries to claim that machinery has been broken or damaged whilst I am using it.

  Probably me being over cautious on this aspect after my time in the motor industry where we had to note down every item of damage on a vehicle before even moving it, this was bought into place after a customer tried (falsely as it turned out) to claim damage had occoured in the workshop! 

  Also is the grass being collected (job takes longer to do emptying collector etc), do you have to dispose of the grass or is it being left on site, or is it just side or rear discharge cutting without collection?

   

  Is it a straightforward square half an acre without flowerbeds, borders, trees and things that take time to go around??

  Personally (as I know is the case for many others), I don't tend to disclose my prices on an open, public forum (see other recent posts) - however, feel free to private message or email me to discuss or pop into LJN chat one evening and raise the question there.
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  Joanne Hitchcock November 20, 2011 at 9:45am

  Hi Adam - thanks for taking the time to reply - lots of questions I hadn't considered and will need to think about.

  Jo
  
  Adam Pilgrim said:

  This depends on several factors Joanne....You state you are using their ride on - are they supplying fuel for said machine? What size cut is said machine?

  Also - and this is just me - I would set out at the start who is responsible for servicing and repairs on the machine. I don't like using customers machines (and VERY rarely do), just in case anyone tries to claim that machinery has been broken or damaged whilst I am using it.

  Probably me being over cautious on this aspect after my time in the motor industry where we had to note down every item of damage on a vehicle before even moving it, this was bought into place after a customer tried (falsely as it turned out) to claim damage had occoured in the workshop! 

  Also is the grass being collected (job takes longer to do emptying collector etc), do you have to dispose of the grass or is it being left on site, or is it just side or rear discharge cutting without collection?

   

  Is it a straightforward square half an acre without flowerbeds, borders, trees and things that take time to go around??

  Personally (as I know is the case for many others), I don't tend to disclose my prices on an open, public forum (see other recent posts) - however, feel free to private message or email me to discuss or pop into LJN chat one evening and raise the question there.
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  briggsandscrapem November 20, 2011 at 10:07am

  Hi Joanne, to give a price without seeing it is nigh on impossible. It depends on lots of different contributing factors i.e. schedule, edging off, leaves, etc. I think the best thing that you can do is just be honest with them, tell them you are starting out and would love the opportunity to work on their garden to show them what your capable off. You won't get stressed thinking you may have bit off more than you can chew and your also treating the client with the respect that they deserve. 

  Once you've had a chat you can then ask them what the previous gardener charged and if they tell you and it sounds reasonable (they could be fibbing) you then have a rough idea what you should be charging. Set your price, take it on for a trial period then see what happens. If it doesn't work out then you can re-negotiate from there or part company.

  Good luck, mike. 
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  Joanne Hitchcock November 20, 2011 at 10:16am

  Hi Mike, thank you for responding and your sensible and down to earth advice. I've met the lady a couple of times and she is a longstanding customer of my husband's. I will have a chat with her when she returns to the UK.

  Thanks again

  Jo

  
  briggsandscrapem said:

  Hi Joanne, to give a price without seeing it is nigh on impossible. It depends on lots of different contributing factors i.e. schedule, edging off, leaves, etc. I think the best thing that you can do is just be honest with them, tell them you are starting out and would love the opportunity to work on their garden to show them what your capable off. You won't get stressed thinking you may have bit off more than you can chew and your also treating the client with the respect that they deserve. 

  Once you've had a chat you can then ask them what the previous gardener charged and if they tell you and it sounds reasonable (they could be fibbing) you then have a rough idea what you should be charging. Set your price, take it on for a trial period then see what happens. If it doesn't work out then you can re-negotiate from there or part company.

  Good luck, mike. 
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  Joanne Hitchcock November 20, 2011 at 11:38am

  Hi Paul - thanks, good idea about the trial cut.
  
  Paul @ PPCH Services said:

  You might be best doing a trial cut and then negotiating the price as you wont be familiar with the machine and its productivity. I would get them to provide the fuel, petrol tractors drink it and you could very easily be using 15 liters or so each cut on a large lawn.

  Otherwise just guesstimate it allowing a margin of time for error, you can always kill time by mowing slower,  cleaning the mower  blowing invisible clippings etc, likewise if you do cock up and under price then ree negotiate.

  You also want to make sure they point out any obstructions, hidden stumps etc as whilst they will be aware of them you will not.