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Replies
Richard, yes quoting is difficult when you are new to the trade. I see an issue with the job as it's listed on mybuider , why would you do that? It might work in your favour as it"s not a buiding job, but suspect that the customer is looking for the cheapest price and it will attract the Ford Fiesta with B&Q mower in the boot brigade who will do it for £15.
Your quote should be based on - How long will it take me to get there, how long to do the job, is access ok, can I leave waste there ? Looking at photo it seems 30 minutes would be ample to mow it, so you should price it on a minimum charge of 1 hour to take into account travelling, loading, unloading etc. Not just the mowing time.The recognised charge on the forum for mowing is £1 per minute so we arrive at £30 if my estimate of how long it will take to mow is accurate, then add £5 for travelling etc. £35/hr should be your minimum charge. DO NOT tell the customer the hourly rate. Your work should be price work only ! You should not go anywhere for less than £35 even for a 5 minute job, any enquiries you get by phone etc tell them that £35 is your minimum charge and you will not waste your time on looking at jobs where they want to pay £10 to £15.
Remember £35 is not what you earn, take 30% off for tax and NI, and less fuel, insurance, repairs etc. It's a business you are running not a charity, let the B&Q gardeners get on with it and be prepared to walk away if you can't make money.
After 40 years in the trade, we still make mistakes pricing work, but as long as you are right most of the time thaf's all that matters.
Hope that helps.
Yeah, I really struggle with quoting. I say that's the hardest part of the job for me but I'd like to get your guys help because I've expanded my business from just grass cuts to full garden maintenance. Basically I've been asked to look after two unoccupied properties one of which is a couple of hundred yards from my home and they have said they just want it to look lived in basically keep the neighbours happy and keep trespasses at bay. Obviously I don't want to quote and it's too low then I'm stuck in with something as I feel confident now with the just pricing grass cuts per job garden maintenance is different for me so any help with you guys. How much would you guys charge for these separate qoutes? I have to say I find everybody's messages so helpful and this has enabled me to help my business gain some traction which is great and hopefully in the future to go full-time and quit my other job. Thank you all again !
The client has asked for me to look after both of those from now until November 25, 2024 then restart in March 2025.
Don't think anyone can add to what Peter has said, all spot on, everyone's overheads are different but if anyone is charging less than £35.00 for getting a mower out they are devaluing the trade
I must be devaluing the trade then lol!! If there's other work you're doing nearby + I'd reckon this would take 20 minutes maximum, I'd be quite happy with £20.... let's not kid ourselves... this really isn't a skilled job requiring expensive equiment. Where I live, there's no way anyone would entertain £35 for a smal lawn like that. As you're starting up, you really need to attract a decent number of customers and I'm pretty sure £35 would put them off. Unfortunately, as Peter says, you will be competing against "B & Q gardeners"... can't be avoided.......... so if you want the work, you'll have to price competitively .
At £20 less tax& NI that's £14 less fuel and other costs you'd be lucky to net £11 which is less than national minimum wage, why bother?
Working for less than £35.00 you become a busy fool, at £20.00 what if the customer comes out and starts chewing your ear off, what if you hit something in the lawn that damages your blade or covers it in cat crap. What should have taken half an hour has now took an hour. If customers won't pay £35.00 you've got the wrong kind of customers if your service is good there will always be customers willing to pay £35.00 for a lawn cut. Maybe you should try just increasing your prices on a few quotes and see how it goes you may be surprised
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