Using pricing strategies that accurately reflect the actual costs of labor and equipment will help your business boost profits. Investing in overhead costs like small business insurance, gas and advertising is also important.
When calculating your lawn care estimate, start with the cost of all your operational expenses and then add in the markup for profit. Many factors influence this formula, including:
Labor
A big part of lawn care is labor-intensive. Mowing a yard takes a lot of time, and if homeowners let it grow too tall between mowings, this can drive up the cost. Other services like trimming, weed control, annual fall leaf cleanups, and watering add to the bill.
Lawn professionals typically charge by the hour or per job, and a property’s size can affect costs. For example, hilly terrain takes more time to navigate with a mower than flat ground.
Some lawn care companies offer seasonal discounts or reward repeat business with lower prices. This helps them retain customers, guarantees income, and reduces the need to advertise their services to new clients. It also gives the company an edge over competitors that do not offer these benefits to loyal customers.
Equipment
Equipment and tool costs are among the most important factors determining lawn care estimate pricing. Many large or syndicated lawn services have newer equipment and company trucks that must be factored into the prices they charge for mowing and trimming.
Lawn size is another major factor. Very large yards can be difficult to work on and take much time to cut and trim. Other features, such as fences, patios, landscaped areas, trees, or steep hills, can increase trimming and mowing times.
Some lawn care estimates Arlington VA will charge by the square foot of the yard, while others may have flat rates determined by the number of workers and hours worked. It is also common for businesses to offer bundled pricing for mowing, trimming, mulching, and fertilizing.
Overhead
Many lawn care businesses have fixed and variable overhead costs, such as business insurance and rent. Providing customers with an itemized list of these expenses helps ensure that they get the most value for their money.
Some professionals offer recurring packages, saving customers time and simplifying their billing. This bundling can also help increase customer loyalty and improve retention rates.
Pricing by square foot is one of the simplest methods for lawn care services, but it may not be fair to customers with challenging terrains that take longer than other properties. Keeping a pricing chart to reference quickly can help you quote jobs more accurately and prevent costly surprises for your clients.
Materials
Lawn care services require a variety of materials. These materials may include lawnmowers, weed control equipment, mulch, topsoil, and fertilizer. It’s important to understand how each of these impacts the overall cost of your services.
Another consideration is the type of grass that will need to be maintained. Grasses grow at different rates, and some must be mowed more frequently. It’s also important to consider the geographic location of a property. Some areas experience seasonal changes, occasionally requiring additional maintenance, like leaf removal.
Once you’ve calculated your pricing, create packages that offer customers a choice. Providing competitive pricing will help you close more sales and increase your bottom line. However, lawn care customers are typically willing to pay less for quality service.
Time
One of the most important factors in determining lawn care estimate pricing is time. Most customers know that the cost of a full lawn service includes labor and equipment and time spent by the professional on the property.
If the yard has many trees, bushes and other landscaping features that require trimming, or the property is located where debris is often blown onto streets and sidewalks (like in cities), this takes more time to clean up. Some companies charge by the hour or the job, while others charge a flat rate per cut.
A pricing chart can provide consistency for potential clients comparing lawn care companies. Providing a comprehensive list of rates for the most common services and yard sizes is an easy way to give them a clear idea of what to expect.