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I'd say price them as you would a normal round. Are there multiple plots on the same site? I'd opt for a fixed price per plot which will work out in your favour if they're all close together.
I'd also be prepared for very late payments. I've worked for 1 developer before and they took 45 days to pay. I now have a 30 day payment window for commercial jobs then the late fees are applied. I've had bills settled within hours of exceeding the 30 day payment window after sending out a reminder email. If you need more info: Late commercial payments: charging interest and debt recovery: Inte...
Good luck
Hi Josh, thanks for taking the time to reply mate.
It's plots on the same site but obvioulsy it will be rolling as units sell and new ones are built. After a bit of time spent on site floating about
I noticed they have a large company in there doing the same thing currently. I wish I knew what their rate per unit is! I bet it's razor thin margin to get them in, either nationally or in certain areas.
I like the idea of getting in with that side of the buisness but I don't want to get it at peanuts or end up working more time than I'd planned for if things don't go my way.
I've been lucky with payments from them for one off's that I have done, never been more than 14 days. So hopefully that isn't an issue but you never know and thanks for that link.
Anyway, thanks man, see what happens?!
Mind how you go! If they already have someone on there it begs the question why have you been asked?
In our lengthy experience in this trade your biggest problem will be getting paid, you tend to think of all this work without looking at the problems.
We now insist on 14 day payment regardless of who the client is and make sure this term is acknowledged in writing. At day 13 we email a payment reminder. We are fortunate in that we are in a position to refuse the work if the client will not accept our payment terms.
Late payment legislation/ small claims court/ solicitors letter are a waste of time the damage has already been done to your business.
We would charge a flat price per plot at our normal rates you say you don't want to.lose out but it's pointless discounting your charges just because it's a national developer be prepared to walk.
Thanks Peter, I think they are trying to get it done cheaper, is why the other guys are on site. They are a bigger company and have to travel a ways to be there.
Noted about payment again, I have just been very lucky by the sounds of it!
Regards, Paul.
I did this in the early days of starting out with a large well known builder, also did the lawns of their senior execs and Chairmen. All went well until it came time to pay their bills. Everything passed to their Payment Prevention Team (Accounts). my terms were 30 days. Took 4 months and dozens of emails and phone calls before receiving payment. Needless to say I sacked them off and concentrated purely on residential clients. 20 years on and never looked back. I wouldn't take a building company on at ANY cost.
I would say follow your gut feeling but don't put all your eggs in one basket but start by testing the waters if you are asked to take on more work .
Consider your own regular cash flow needs and also consider that you may have to invest to take on staff or upgrade your kit in the future to meet demand .
Sometimes you have to find a way of testing the waters without initially over committing .
If you turn down opportunity it can leave you with regrets but sometimes you walk if a negative costly outcome is obvious .
Good luck
One thing to bear it mind is that the grass will probably need mowing weekly until the new turf has exhausted itself and starts to reply on nutrients in the ground.
Update: In the end they wanted a price per plot so they could add and remove at will, so I said an hour per plot. Thinking I could probably run round 7-9 plots a day if there wasn't much weeding. After reading about the troubles on here, I went in at £40 per plot/hour. Couldn't see how I (anyone?!) could do it less than that, as they were potentially asking for a fair amount of flexibility. Total silence from them, so I assume they have people that do it much cheaper.
I hope this helps someone else on here.
Regards,
Paul.
Paul, that seems a very fair price for both parties. Obviously we have not seen the plots but we will not go anywhere for less than £45 plus vat even if it's 10 min work think you have been sensible, if someone wants to do it cheaper let them get on with it!