This NIGHTMARE JOB Had An UNEXPECTED OUTCOME
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2024
- This overgrown shrub trimming job ended up humbling me in more ways than one. Watch the story unfold, and take away some keys lessons for your own lawn care business.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Backstory
2:30 My Perspective Changed
3:30 Never Go Into a Property Blind
5:12 Give Grace
6:09 Practical Tips
8:35 Before and After
10:00 Postcard Resource
RESOURCES:
A postcard that works: www.turfprosacademy.com/post-...
Rate increase letter: www.turfprosacademy.com/rate-...
Full lawn business course: www.turfprosacademy.com.
My 3 Favorite Lawn Care Tools:
For Pruning: Dewalt Hand Saw amzn.to/3hCWYPJ
My Multi Tool: Leatherman Skeletool amzn.to/34n8YlV
My Boots: Merrell Foresbtound amzn.to/3sXaCoo
My Story:
In 2016 I had been in law enforcement for almost 7 years.
I was not in control of my schedule, I was hardly making any money, and I was away from my family working nights and holidays. I was capable of more,, and I was silently suffering. I knew I was selling myself and my family short.
I started Florida Turf Pros as a side hustle in 2016 before going full time in 2017.
My lawn business changed my life. I control my own schedule, my own income, and I am proud of what I have built.
On this channel you will learn the steps I have taken (and am still taking) to have a lawn care business that serves ME and my family’s needs.
We are a small owner operated company (2 full time mowing trucks/crews, and now a sod installation division).
About this video:
This lady was not actually a lawn business client of mine, and I typically do not do one time lawn services.
But she called the day earlier and was needing work done the very next day.
I was actually free and my son was out of school on Christmas break, and he wanted to earn some extra money, so I asked her if she could send me a photo of the shrubs, so I could make sure we were on the same page regarding the price. I just didn’t want to waste either of our time if we weren’t on the same page about price, because it was quite a drive for me to get to her.
So she says, “Well, it’s about to be dark and I can’t get out there to take a picture for you right now.” I’m thinking in my head, “there’s like an hr of daylight left mam, why won’t you send me a picture???” THIS ALL COMES INTO PERSPECTIVE LATER.
So I pull up the next day, and I was supposed to have a 9 o’clock appointment with her to discuss the job.
When I pulled up you couldn’t even see some portions of the house because of how overgrown the shrubs were. At this point, I was really glad I brought my dump trailer, handheld saws, and the works, because this was not going to be a job for basic hedge trimmers and trash bags.
So I knocked on the door, and no one answered. There were cars in the yard, so I kept knocking, but no one would come to the door.
Now, I had waited about 5 minutes, then just went and sat in my truck and decided to call her.
She didn’t answer, so I left a voicemail saying I was here for our 9’oclock appointment.
NOW AT THIS TIME I’M HONESTLY PRETTY FRUSTRATED.
I DIDN’T RECEIVE A PICTURE OF THE YARD INITIALLY TO KNOW WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO, IT’S HONESTLY A MESS, IT’S A FAR DRIVE FOR ME TO GET TO THIS PROPERTY, NO ONE WILL ANSWER THE DOOR, NO ONE WILL ANSWER THE PHONE. I WAS CERTAIN I WAS GETTING GHOSTED.
So, I was just about to pull off, then MY PHONE RINGS.
It’s her and she apologizes saying she was trying her best to get to her phone when I had called earlier, but she didn’t make it in time.
She says, please don’t use the front door… Will you just come to the side door.
So I walk up the side door like she requested, and I’m honestly thinking to myself… this whole thing is just so strange.
But I knocked on the door, it slowly opens, and honestly… MY HEART JUST KINDA SANK.
Follow along to see how this played out.
Some have asked if I've ever been screwed on the guarantee... I have never been taken advantage of. It's a risk reversal tactic. If you want a deep dive on the reasoning behind the post card check out robert cialdini, and the power of persuasion... See if you can figure out how many methods are used.
I never heard of him, but that's pretty awesome! Looks like you have all 7 methods. Thanks for sharing great information and videos!
One of the benefits of this business is being able to help out regular people. It gives you a good feeling! Thanks for sharing and God bless you!
Totally agree!
Sometimes we forget how truly blessed we are Great job you and your son did
Thank you. We had a great conversation on the car ride home this day.
That little saw is Amazing I have one and the Dewalt clippers are Amazing also
I've never tried the dewalt clippers, but will keep an eye out.
This was great, i love your vids. I have several disabled/ handy capped customers myself. Like you said, patience, grace, and a heart and mind of servitude will take you far in circumstances like these. Thank you for showing this side of the industry and your raw emotions in the moment and after. I hope you and your business have a great and prosperous 2024
We've learned some expensive lessons doing this line of work for 10+ yrs... transitioning to mostly seasonal contracts and doing one-time jobs on an hourly base, charging for drive time, and collecting a deposit prior to leaving the shop has solved most of our problems.
You've added value by posting this video! Good stuff! Thanks and happy New Year from Alaska!
Nice video. Love all the content. Helped me start 4 years ago.
Another tip could be trim all the hedges the same height
Haha, no way I was getting those ligustrum the same height as that boxwood. I couldn’t even believe there were actually hedges in this crazy mess. 😂
Always great info bud
I would live to pick your brain
Awesome job ❤
I'm glad you like it
Fantastic video.
Thank you very much!
Real good job man!!!
appreciate it!
Not sure how you would have been able to do it all at once with no pics, and being a 40 minute drive. I always tell long distance customers i will only come if the job pays $1200 for a 1/2 days labor rate. Includes debris removal and travel expenses.. No matter what I come out a winner on any yard. hope this helps Eric
What blades and chute blocker are you running on your 36s? I picked one up a month ago and love it. Need a blocker for sure though.
During the spring and fall I use mulching blades. During the summer I use high lift blades. It helps lift the grass up during the summer when it's dry.
Love your your work from a fellow in Brisbane Australia doing the same thing for a life - good stuff👍👍🙏
Awesome! Thank you!
Great Content! What brand is your leaf rake? I can’t find one that is commercial or long lasting.
Happy New Year!
I just use a cheap one. Use it for a season or two and throw it away.
have you made walls for the dump trailer just so you can smash down more material?
I have not. I could probably double the trailer capacity if I did so.
What brand of saw was you using?
Check out the description
How you doing i would like to see your post cards
There's a link in the description if you want it.
You comfortable talking about time and cost/price for that job? It’s a common job I see often.
This person said another lawn company looked at this job and said it would take them half the day and quoted 750. If I had bid this job at my normal rate I would have probably charged 400-500. But keep in mind, you clearly hear the gentleman say I can’t believe you did this in an hour. That’s because as a homeowner it would’ve probably taken them all day long. Just have to be careful about not discounting your services too low just because you’re able to complete a job quickly. I have tons of experience and so have many other lawn care companies, and they should be paid for that efficiency. Some people just continue to lower the cost, lower and lower and lower because they can complete a job quickly, but you have to keep in mind how long it would have actually taking the homeowner to do this.
Thanks for the feedback.
@@FloridaTurfPros I've never considered how long it would take a homeowner to complete a job when giving a bid. That's an interesting perspective. Also, do you factor drive time for waste disposal into the price?