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How Much to Charge for Lawn Mowing
First off, I have a set lawn mowing “drop gate” fee which used to be $25.00, which I have recently raised to $30.00. I do make exceptions, however, if I feel the customer won’t go for $25.00, or if they are close to other accounts which make it worth it. This is the fee for showing up to the customers’ house, and “dropping” the gate. It is my minimum service charge.
Most of my small residential accounts fall in the range of $30-$40. Like I said earlier, you have to take into account multiple aspects before giving them the quote. Depending on the location, how many other clients you have in the area, the house, the personality of the client, the amount of quality you think the customer will expect, etc, etc, you can give them the quote. Also take into account the size of the lawn, obstacles (I.E toys, trees, rocks, hills) and areas that may take more time (I.E areas that you cant fit the big mower in and have to push mow). As a rough guide, I would have to say that a $30 lawn should take you approximately 10-15 mins and a $40 lawn maybe 15-25 minutes, and a $50 lawn maybe 25- 40 mins.
From there, the price goes up. Bagging I will charge $5 more for a small lawn, and $10 more for a larger one, since it is more work and the mowing does take more time. I generally try to convince people not to bag since I have been told that the clippings return the nutrients back to the soil. Besides, its just a pain in the ass and I don’t want to deal with it.
If a customer requests a bi-weekly mow, and it is a reasonable request (on a slow growing lawn) I will allow it, but usually charge a bit extra.
Last but not least, I usually shoot high on the price. Giving a higher price first allows room for bargaining on the customers end. If you first give you bottom line price then people’s tendencies will be to negotiate anyway and you will have no room to bargain with. Also, if you give the high price first and they don’t negotiate, you get more for the property anyway so it’s a win-win situation.
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