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Replies
Haha he makes it sound so easy ;)
It is interesting to think about pricing discreet items on a large job individually to come up with a final figure, particularly when considering larger jobs with multiple parts. I don't generally price by breaking things down (say for example an overgrown garden clearance/one-off tidy up) and think 'if this particular item was a stand-alone job it would be x amount, this part would be y amount etc.' and then add all of those together to come up with a final price. That method would probably always come up with a much higher price than simply a basic time estimation and your own internal pricing rate plus waste etc.
But his view about gut feeling is also interesting. A lot of the time just getting a feel for the customer, a general feel for the work site, the access, the age of the garden... all of these things might lead to sticking on an extra x amount to cover whatever worries you perceive. Lots of times I've been glad that at the last minute I decided to increase the price by 20% or whatever when you get into the nitty gritty of the job and realise your hunch was correct!
I find the guy great! I've been following the "The Landscaping Employee Trap" for some time now. Some great videos. Anyone else give him a watch? Obviously it's a bit different as it's from accross the pond. Find his stuff very motivating.
In terms of pricing (I'm finding my feet as we speak) I seem to be chopping and changing between by the hour and by the job. Are set prices the way forward?
What about in terms of fencing, laying turf, slabs etc? x amount per m2?
Had 1 lead yesterday, received an email me asking my rates as she wanted her front garden done. I asked was it landscaping or grass cutting and she said both, I said I couldn't really give her a price unless I seen it or even if she sent me a picture and what she was thinking? Reply was again about my rates and then she never got back to me when I again said difficult for me to say without seeing or what ideas. Frustrating.
That made me laugh. The box hedge would take no time & the idea of charging per plant is bonkers. He is clearly in a very affluent area. I have been in this business a long time & I provide an all in cost to cover what I know will need doing over the year.
Customers like routine & certainty. It makes it much easier for them to budget if they get a set price.