I am bone idle when it comes to quoting, I do take a good look around, and give a price there and then, if they like the price, I send a digital quote, personally, I find as soon as I give a quote I know whether or not they are going to go ahead, I still send a quote, even if I have a strong feeling they are not going ahead. season for me is pretty much all year round, lots of work top do in the lead up to xmass, january is usually the quietest month, soon picks up in feb, it all depends on what your business model is. I do however save for a 3 month reprieve (December January and February) if I need it.
"I completely agree. It's crucial to avoid discussing money hastily with customers. Allowing both parties some time to think twice ensures that decisions are well-considered and mutually beneficial."
Evening Rob, I have only just started out and have found your videos unbelievably helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience with the rest of us. All I can say is that it's helped me massively. I was just looking for some advice. I have a budget of £300. Can you recommend a good lawn mower for me starting out at that price? Any recommendations on a hedge cutter would also be appreciated. Thanks very much!
Good video Rob. I still get asked for a price on the spot. I do the same just say I will give you a price later. Better for you to think about it and potential customer can decide in their own time.
Agreed, I stopped giving prices at the first meeting after a few years, because I'd inevitably forget something important. Better to take photos of the garden (and the access!) then think about it carefully later. I need to refer to texts or emails, because I can't remember what I said 😅
number 3 on my old Izy lol. A trick i use when things start slowing down for winter is i mow the lawn 1 notch higher so when i come back in a fortnight i looks like it grown more than it has lol, It may get you an extra cut or 2 before winter.
I pretty much do the same thing you do - also arrived at through experience. I would add onto your great points about increasing turnover:- other chargeable services for existing customers such as top dressing, over seeding, lawn weed killer, full lawn renovations, scarifying, dozens of lawn treatments from foliar feeds to iron and seaweed applications. I offer the lot, and if you can get a customer to ditch green thumb in favour of your more bespoke service then all the better.
Hi Rob, just recently started watching your videos. I work in the same industry as you, but with a mixture of Tree services as well as landscaping. Your videos really are top notch, I loved your story on how you gotten into Gardening. Please keep up the fantastic work, and I really hope your channel & business grows further and further. Take care, Josh.
Great tip Rob. I’ve implemented that from your videos, instead of a business card, I hand over a leaflet with all the services I offer “oh you do fencing, can you look at this while you are here”. Paid off loads of times 👍🏻
Hi Rob. Great video as usual. I do similar to you. The bonus with sending your quote by text and getting the client to agree to the terms it then becomes your contract if they come back to saying thought you where going to do this and that aswell. Always revert to that first text, that is what you agreed to that's what I've done. Keep up the good work.
My lawn is 2 1/2" cut twice a week. Very healthy with little maintainence. Some customers like scalped lawns, some like 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" weekly. Depends on customer preference.
Morning Rob good to see you again with some more great advice and have taken them on with amazing success 😎😎 With regards to mowing heights,I’m using battery powered kit now and set my heights at number 3 which is roughly 2 inches or slightly below and looks amazing with stripes especially when the green gold is DRY 👍🏻👍🏻 Keep the info coming fella as it helps all of us in this industry. Cheers till next time Steve
Great video Rob. Always enjoy your van chats. Im using your method of not giving quotes at the door. Works well, gives the customer time to review the quote and works outlined. Also its good to think about the time involved in carrying out the work and costing instead of plucking a figure out of the sky. 😊
Hi Rob, I think most people do not understand or care, that not only do you need to cover all your hidden costs that the customer has no appreciation of, but you need a good living and pension from your business.
Thanks Rob!!! I am new in this industry and just started to build. I follow your instructions, all my business models comes from you! 😀I added only one thing when i gave my quote i always tell this to my potential new clients. All of my new clients will receive a terracotta pot with a seasonal plant.
Good advice mate . Always go to see the customer and garden first i see so many people quoting on line from a photo they have posted . Your spot on see if you want the job most important .
Ideadl height of a lawn really depends on the lawn, its not one fits all, generally I cut at the highest setting on the honda hrh (yes I know its a roller) this is my guideline, I don't now its height, on a large lawn (football pitch) I may cut higher, on a small lawn I may cut shorter, last couple of hot days I have set my mower a bit higher and mulched 95% of my lawns.
Old compact lawns usually require a shorter cut. If you can cut regularly at one and a half to two inches. I have found that this makes a huge difference - improvement. All the best.
Great advice on the "never talk money with the customer" I'm going to use your wisdom on my next quote. Ideal height: a #2 or #3 - on my mower that's between 1½ to 1¾, and mulch when I can get away with it. I don't like customers who tell you to cut it on the lowest it'll go!
Mate I love ur videos. I’m just starting out and I have suck problems in quoting for some jobs. This vid very good I love it professionalism, I’m like that but need help guidance with pricing some jobs. At the moment I have a career in different industry and the gardening job is gonna be my retirement job. I currently do gardening part time Fri sat n Sunday. I would welcome your knowledge and advice if ur happy to give. Thank you. Great vids well done. Amazing 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Its a difficult one some ive been doing some for years and are still on hourly rate.........down here in so called well off Surrey anything over £25 per hour and they think your robbing them , like we've said in previous posts ours is probably one of the most difficult trades to master theres lots of competition out there ie mr jack of all trades in his estate car under cutting our prices who youll only see in the summer months, thankfully most of my customers see my worth and realise like you said you do a professional job with all the right equipment, even after all these years though i do go through a phase is this all worth it and jack it in , but i don't know anything else and deem myself unemployable (too long working for myself) all best from thankfully finally a sunny Surrey
There isn't a one size fits all when it comes to cutting height. As each lawn is different. Regarding pricing. It's very subjective as so many factors need to be taken in to consideration. Not least is where you are in the country. There is no point in "influencing" fellow business owners to charge higher rates if they know there customer demographic won't sustain it.
You definitely need to know your own expenses including what wages you need to live comfortably for to then get to your proper hourly rate...or it's just not worth it, you'd be better working at Tesco...this is what Rob's implying...🙂👍
@@andrewsflicks7920 Totally agree 100%. But the point I was making is that not everyone can charge £35 - £40 for a normal sized mow blow and go. So many different factors go in to pricing a job. Which include your own over heads as well as where you are in the country. It's about finding the right balance.
The price it’s very difficult when you’re starting for your own, last year here in London working local for £20 per hour it was not too bad but now £25 not everyone like that number. For £30 ph should be good but in my area many people don’t get you for that rate . But anyway when greens grows we keep mowing
Hey Rob, if after your visit you are not keen on working for them, let’s say they came out with the old "my old gardener retired" comment how do you back out and save face?
I would give it more than one visit. If I don’t want to work for them . If they are a nightmare. A polite text message , saying that due to a change in circumstances I am no longer able to service your garden. Wish them well and replace.
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Same as @robertclarkson3499: Sharpening mower blades info would be really helpful! Could you provide the rcl gardening link for us? m(_ _)m
You definitely need to know it...but that doesn't mean that the customer does...all it means is you know the minimum you need to earn in a billable hour...what you charge the customer is up to you though...🙂
