We have more bi-weekly than weekly here in this part of rural Southwest Georgia. I can live with that and still make money. I use Google Calendar for my scheduling and Yardbook for my quotes, invoicing, customer info and equipment info.
Nice vid!! We have about 35 weekly and 47 on a 9 to 12 day schedule. Around here 14 days is too long and the grass gets out of control and it takes longer to make it look nice.
There is a method to the variable rotation madness. Happy's Family has figured out how to make it work. Scheduling is done the "Old School" way , no software today is able to keep track with this type of rotation. I rolled out my version, 10 to 14 day rotation. So far, I have noticed higher efficiency over the traditional bi-weekly service. Oh course, I prefer weeklies but that is not the norm in most of the neighborhoods I service.
I do 3 different schedules that include 5 weekly customers 2 by weekly and one time cuts which are usually overgrowth cuts that I charge double to 3 times normal cut rate depending on the amount of work needed to make the lawn look presentable. The bulk of my business comes from bank owned property that has been empty for some time or house flippers who need the property cleaned up and made ready for sale. And I also only do this part time after my day job and I keep my weekend's free for family time.
We ask all our customers to use our services at least Mar.-Oct. We do bi-weekly in (Mar./ Apr.),then weekly in (May-Aug.),and bi-weekly in (Sep./Oct .)We also offer 12 month plans and winter specials. The 8 month plan (Mar.-Oct.)works out to 3 cuts a month on average.
Dear Lawn Care Life or Comment Reader Question - If I am acquiring a new customer " What is a good way to organize all of my current customers so that I can easily identify what type of openings I have in my schedule. " I am absolutely new to this and I am trying to envision the entire process. Ideally I would like to keep something on my phone. So when I acquire a new customer I can open my phone and add that customer to my existing client list. While also being able to quickly see what openings I actually have. What type of tool/application can I use(If any). Even If you have a suggestion of a method that is something low tech/simple and free I am fine with that too. I just want to avoid any confusion possible and make sure I have good clarity and am able to see the big picture very easily. Just looking for tips on how to stay organized. Thanks guys
Chris lawn service where do you live? Something is worn if you have that many bi-weekly why dose the grass not grow at a regular rate in your area? that a trick question. You need to get your clients on board with a better lawn program.
I have weekly, biweekly and when its growing or no less than 1 cut every two weeks. All in the same neighborhoods. 42 customers as of today . I dont do one/two cut yearly anymore. I also do pruning/trimming/pressure washing and so on. If I have no grass that needs cut I can do something else in any one of those neighborhoods. I regret today let 6 clients go. A little out of my way or no sprinklers. I will still have enough work. Look at your numbers! Gas/expense/profit and client quality. Thats all I have to say!
I focus on weekly lawns, but I do take on bi weeklys but I change 50% more per cut than if they were weekly, but I will not take on people who want it cut every 3 weeks or once a month
You is right when I go and cut my customers yard they only want me to put the height it 3 I let them know there is only cutting the top off of the grass that's why I have to cut like that
It's all on the type of grass. Here in NC, especially in the spring, fescue yards need to be cut once every 7 days and I make that clear when I meet with the homeowner. Yards that have crappy grass and a lot of shade I'll tend to be ok with biweekly but I always ask the homeowner up front to be reasonable and work with me if there's a lot of rain. Once a monthers- no!
I only cut peoples yards that I like working for and I charge what some would say is a high price. I'd rather cut 2 yards and make $150 than cut 3 and make $150 in the same amount of or less time so I pick and choose my work as well as the client. But, I'm retired and do this half time and take on no more than 25 clients. That said, I think the idea can work for those full-time people that need to do more yards if they'll give it a try.
I have always found that the bi-weekly customers are more hassle and stress then weekly customers. They ussualy have you cut bi-weekly because they are probably on a budget Wich means they are pinching every penny Wich means if anything isn't perfect they are the first to complain and hold your payments ransom for a discount or something. I have always liked to put bi-weekly cuts on Mondays that means they are on most holidays on short weeks that make the short weeks even heavier. This year I have started getting rid of a lot of bills weekly customers that have been nothing but a nuisance. Now having said that I do have some bi-weekly customers that are very reasonable so no need to rule that schedule out completely.
We have 3 bi-weekly customers. 2 of them is due to lack of grass growth. Very shady properties that just don’t grow much. The other one is one of our first customers and we put him on bi-weekly as soon as the spring growth slows down.
Are you just mowing? is there any way you can get the soil better? So the grass grows weekly like it should? just asking what part on the country are you in?
Jon Walker just mowing only. One of the shady properties just had a lot of trees taken down so we should see some improvements in growth. The other is happy with slow growth due to budget restrictions.
Exactly I am about to cut out all bi weekly . I try to average 80 per hour for two people mowing. Lawns are all over the place. I have two in one spot weekly that take an hour and make 105 bucks. We have some bi weekly for 60 and take an hour with two people and you have to mow three times. Key is not to keep everyone happy. Business owner gets to the point to keep or let go. In the beginning you try to keep everyone happy. To survive you mow only profitable lawns. I still today have lawns I would rather pay the customer the money they pay us not to do there lawn. Trust your heart it lets you know the good ones from the bad. If your talking to yourself every week or two weeks move on .
Jason I know you do weed control our fertilizations but do you also do lawn renovations, aerating detaching overseeding top dressing composting, and if so how many yards year do you do in a year? or do you just strictly try to just do your weed and feed program?.
I have trouble with a few customers postponing scheduled bi weekly cuts and I end up mowing every 3weeks almost every time with those few customers, what should I do? It's annoying to have to double cut for no extra pay...
Have to respectfully disagree, Jason. All of my clients are every 10 days or every 5....easy to schedule and simple to work. It's the only two maintenance options I offer. I know how to sell my services and have a closing rate of 90%. Others have systems that work for them, but my system has been rock-solid for me since 2002.
I charge by the month. Take what you would charge weekly and figure your cutting season weeks. Then I’ll take 2 weeks off just for safe measure. And divide by how many months are in the season. Example: I have a yard that I would charge 25 a week, our season is 30 weeks, so I take 2 weeks off makes it 28, then divide by 7 months In the season. Makes it $100 due the first of the month that your mowing. THIS WORKS FOR ME AND MY CLIENTS.
You Guys are all going to put yourselves out of business with your scheduling crap and your insistence that people pay you even when their yard don’t need mowed. After 3 weeks of trying to find anyone to mow my yard without having me sign up to some stupid schedule I went and bought my own mower and equipment to do it myself. Sorry to See your industry going the way of greed like everything else
I've had one call out of 100 this year wanting weekly mowing.
Same in my area. I live outside of DC, no one wants weekley service. What are are you in
We have more bi-weekly than weekly here in this part of rural Southwest Georgia. I can live with that and still make money. I use Google Calendar for my scheduling and Yardbook for my quotes, invoicing, customer info and equipment info.
I use google calendar also! Best way for scheduling in my opinion
I agree with you. When you're starting out it's best to not be picky but once you get established then you can focus in on certain clientele.
Nice vid!! We have about 35 weekly and 47 on a 9 to 12 day schedule. Around here 14 days is too long and the grass gets out of control and it takes longer to make it look nice.
There is a method to the variable rotation madness. Happy's Family has figured out how to make it work. Scheduling is done the "Old School" way , no software today is able to keep track with this type of rotation. I rolled out my version, 10 to 14 day rotation. So far, I have noticed higher efficiency over the traditional bi-weekly service. Oh course, I prefer weeklies but that is not the norm in most of the neighborhoods I service.
I do 3 different schedules that include 5 weekly customers 2 by weekly and one time cuts which are usually overgrowth cuts that I charge double to 3 times normal cut rate depending on the amount of work needed to make the lawn look presentable. The bulk of my business comes from bank owned property that has been empty for some time or house flippers who need the property cleaned up and made ready for sale. And I also only do this part time after my day job and I keep my weekend's free for family time.
We ask all our customers to use our services at least Mar.-Oct. We do bi-weekly in (Mar./ Apr.),then weekly in (May-Aug.),and bi-weekly in (Sep./Oct .)We also offer 12 month plans and winter specials. The 8 month plan (Mar.-Oct.)works out to 3 cuts a month on average.
Dear Lawn Care Life or Comment Reader
Question - If I am acquiring a new customer " What is a good way to organize all of my current customers so that I can easily identify what type of openings I have in my schedule. "
I am absolutely new to this and I am trying to envision the entire process. Ideally I would like to keep something on my phone. So when I acquire a new customer I can open my phone and add that customer to my existing client list. While also being able to quickly see what openings I actually have.
What type of tool/application can I use(If any). Even If you have a suggestion of a method that is something low tech/simple and free I am fine with that too. I just want to avoid any confusion possible and make sure I have good clarity and am able to see the big picture very easily.
Just looking for tips on how to stay organized.
Thanks guys
Nice video I have about 35 bi-weekly and 9 weekly
Chris lawn service where do you live? Something is worn if you have that many bi-weekly why dose the grass not grow at a regular rate in your area? that a trick question. You need to get your clients on board with a better lawn program.
Same! I have more bi-weeklys than weeklys.. Works for me. Im in central cali.
Most are weekly till late summer drought hits. That’s when I market installation of underground systems. Hard work but pays well!
I have weekly, biweekly and when its growing or no less than 1 cut every two weeks. All in the same neighborhoods. 42 customers as of today . I dont do one/two cut yearly anymore. I also do pruning/trimming/pressure washing and so on. If I have no grass that needs cut I can do something else in any one of those neighborhoods. I regret today let 6 clients go. A little out of my way or no sprinklers. I will still have enough work. Look at your numbers! Gas/expense/profit and client quality. Thats all I have to say!
I focus on weekly lawns, but I do take on bi weeklys but I change 50% more per cut than if they were weekly, but I will not take on people who want it cut every 3 weeks or once a month
You is right when I go and cut my customers yard they only want me to put the height it 3 I let them know there is only cutting the top off of the grass that's why I have to cut like that
It's all on the type of grass. Here in NC, especially in the spring, fescue yards need to be cut once every 7 days and I make that clear when I meet with the homeowner. Yards that have crappy grass and a lot of shade I'll tend to be ok with biweekly but I always ask the homeowner up front to be reasonable and work with me if there's a lot of rain. Once a monthers- no!
Bi.weekly is definitely too much grass in the spring season ...i am looking forward to get some weekly next season
I only cut peoples yards that I like working for and I charge what some would say is a high price. I'd rather cut 2 yards and make $150 than cut 3 and make $150 in the same amount of or less time so I pick and choose my work as well as the client. But, I'm retired and do this half time and take on no more than 25 clients. That said, I think the idea can work for those full-time people that need to do more yards if they'll give it a try.
I'm ok with by weekly I charge 30% more and it works I'm in the neighborhood anyway I don't do every 10 days only weekly and biweekly
I have always found that the bi-weekly customers are more hassle and stress then weekly customers. They ussualy have you cut bi-weekly because they are probably on a budget Wich means they are pinching every penny Wich means if anything isn't perfect they are the first to complain and hold your payments ransom for a discount or something. I have always liked to put bi-weekly cuts on Mondays that means they are on most holidays on short weeks that make the short weeks even heavier. This year I have started getting rid of a lot of bills weekly customers that have been nothing but a nuisance. Now having said that I do have some bi-weekly customers that are very reasonable so no need to rule that schedule out completely.
Good comment. I agree with you
We have 3 bi-weekly customers. 2 of them is due to lack of grass growth. Very shady properties that just don’t grow much. The other one is one of our first customers and we put him on bi-weekly as soon as the spring growth slows down.
Are you just mowing? is there any way you can get the soil better? So the grass grows weekly like it should? just asking what part on the country are you in?
Jon Walker just mowing only. One of the shady properties just had a lot of trees taken down so we should see some improvements in growth. The other is happy with slow growth due to budget restrictions.
Exactly I am about to cut out all bi weekly . I try to average 80 per hour for two people mowing. Lawns are all over the place. I have two in one spot weekly that take an hour and make 105 bucks. We have some bi weekly for 60 and take an hour with two people and you have to mow three times. Key is not to keep everyone happy. Business owner gets to the point to keep or let go. In the beginning you try to keep everyone happy. To survive you mow only profitable lawns. I still today have lawns I would rather pay the customer the money they pay us not to do there lawn. Trust your heart it lets you know the good ones from the bad. If your talking to yourself every week or two weeks move on .
Jason I know you do weed control our fertilizations but do you also do lawn renovations, aerating detaching overseeding top dressing composting, and if so how many yards year do you do in a year? or do you just strictly try to just do your weed and feed program?.
I focus mostly on Weed control and fertilization. I do not do Renovations. That is not as common in my area.
I have trouble with a few customers postponing scheduled bi weekly cuts and I end up mowing every 3weeks almost every time with those few customers, what should I do? It's annoying to have to double cut for no extra pay...
Why put up with that? Cancel them.
Have to respectfully disagree, Jason. All of my clients are every 10 days or every 5....easy to schedule and simple to work. It's the only two maintenance options I offer. I know how to sell my services and have a closing rate of 90%. Others have systems that work for them, but my system has been rock-solid for me since 2002.
It seems like everyone that hires me wants bi weekly.
I charge by the month. Take what you would charge weekly and figure your cutting season weeks. Then I’ll take 2 weeks off just for safe measure. And divide by how many months are in the season. Example: I have a yard that I would charge 25 a week, our season is 30 weeks, so I take 2 weeks off makes it 28, then divide by 7 months In the season. Makes it $100 due the first of the month that your mowing. THIS WORKS FOR ME AND MY CLIENTS.
Sounds like a good strategy to me
You
Guys are all going to put yourselves out of business with your scheduling crap and your insistence that people pay you even when their yard don’t need mowed. After 3 weeks of trying to find anyone to mow my yard without having me sign up to some stupid schedule I went and bought my own mower and equipment to do it myself. Sorry to
See your industry going the way of greed like everything else
I add 5.00 for Bi-weekly accounts.
Ace #1 Should be 2 times the price or at lease 1.5 times. Time is money.
If its a $30 weekly.. I'll charge $50 biweekly👍