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Rod
31-07-2004, 06:32 PM
Over the last twelve months Estate agents and Body Corporate Services (multiple units) make up the majority of our Customer Base.

As this area of our Business grows is lessens the need for advertising on my part and of course increases profit. If I advertised now I would need to duplicate staff and equipment even in winter.

Has anyone else moved in this direction away from domestic customers. I find it less stressful we are paid promptly eg: 15th and 30th of each month.

It seems to take more effort and administration time to invoice then chase a domestic customer for say an average of $80-90 a month than it does to chase a Estate agent for 2-3 thousand.

For an average $40.00 lawn cut I am finding some domestic customers just too stressful.

Our Real restate business grew for two reasons we mowed consistently and on time in summer when others did not (for whatever reason) and did not mow in the cooler months (because it did not need it) when others continued servicing and invoicing.

So if anybody out there is keen to pick up Estate Agent work market you business from a credibility point of view. Agents seem to get excited when you don't mow and tell or show them ie: digital photos. I picked up 50 sites from agent as the previous contractor continued to mow every 14 days 52 weeks a year.

ryancronin
31-07-2004, 06:46 PM
Can you tell me the best way to get the real estate to contact me is it best to send them letters or what do i do

Tonyr
31-07-2004, 06:46 PM
Hey Mate,

this is the direction along with gov I want to go, residential is too unstable, too many bargain hunters, time wasters etc..

The bay is in a residential boom right now with small 800 square metre lawns, too small for my ZTR, thinking I should of kept the Walker!

Also, big boom on with resorts, so being as though I don't have garden experience or a degree in hort. managing resort gardens will find me unqualified for, but there is plenty of opportunity for contractors with a broader range of experience.

I think the money is there, thinking acreage mowing is dieing as many folk buy their own ride ones, but the future is maintenance, not working for bargain hunting residentials who offer no stability.

Good post old mate!

Alex Callaghan
31-07-2004, 06:56 PM
Admiral, I'm with you on domestic clientel being a major pain in the ass! Litrealy more trouble than there worth and In a perfect world I'd have a 100% comercial client base!

They whine, they pay when it suits them, they are unpredictable as far as things like ringing you up and saying "oh I don't think we need you today" when you're turning inot their frigen drive etc, There harder to deal with than strata or council, Some of them have the nerve tell you things like........."Thats not how you mow a lawn. You should be mowing in circles, not back and forth" or " Are you sure you shouldn't be ferting once a week" or "You need to cut my lawn lower". and then saying a couple of weeks later "Why is my lawn going brown?) just to name a few really stupid things people have "told" me.

Where a strata mob or council will show you the job tell you that you will be paid every fortnight or month on a tuesday etc and leave it in your capable hands. Thats it. You do a good job they pay you and respect the fact that you are a profesional and not some bloke with a 21'' rover, ryobi trimmer and a broom!

Rod
31-07-2004, 07:01 PM
Firstly I sent out standard letters to all the agents outlining all the services we can offer, I then follow up with a similar letter six month later when no response.

Secondly I advertise my web page and email address in all ads including the Yellow Pages. I was amazed how many requests for quotes and inquirers came through as office people love their email.

I would then get one job here and there and I would do it within four hours and in some occasions took photos and emailed the contact person. Many Agents can have 100's of properties and they cannot visualize most of them I found the photos (digital) where a big "clincher" and cost nothing to take and email.

Communication is vital and ustilse technology (email etc) to enhance this. A bit concern expressed to me by most agents were:
- Children answering their mobile phone (could not take messages.)
- Fax machines not turned on or out of paper.
- No email contact with contractors to save time etc.
- Contractors never answer phones (noise probably.)
- Never knowing the current status of a job (especially in wet.)
- Contractors mowing around items ie: kids toys of palm fronds.
- One contractor had one crew whipper snipping one day followed by
another crew days later (if at all that mowed.)

Once you are in the door it gets better. The continual posting of standard letters proves to a good extent that you are in it for the long term.

I even got one agent to change over after quoting higher prices. Most agents will still use at least two contractors just to keep us honest. Good business practice.

Rod
31-07-2004, 07:19 PM
sorry thought I lost the above post we went offline:

APS_QLD
02-08-2004, 02:58 PM
I must be lucky all mine are residential apart from a couple and they all pay mostly within a week. I found having the option of direct deposit was a big plus as people working all the time found it easier to pay.

At the end of the day i would do the accounts and email them off and be paid within the week.

In saying that i would like to get more unit/ struta complexes. At least you can set budgets with some confidence then. I also beleive if you get enough of them you can reduce your advertising and thus some overheads. Then again i have not advertised for close on 10 months now.

I also do not mow if it does not need it, and this has been welcomed by my clients.

Brian

Rod
02-08-2004, 08:57 PM
Your Lucky, I have Bpay facilities and still have to chase them.

I do Amex, Visa, Bankcard, etc etc I have Eft details all over my invoices.

Must be doing something wrong. What sort of Base Ball bat do you carry?

APS_QLD
03-08-2004, 10:23 AM
I followed my old bosses advise when i started out renovating. If anyone wants to haggle with you over your quote (you will have trouble getting paid at the end). If you don't get a deposit up front (DO NOT START) walk away it will be cheaper.

To be honest he was bloody right, (costly to learn myself).

I had to learn how to use his wisdom to mowing. Had plenty of problems when first started out. Now when i get a client i tell them what the payment schedule is and state i cannot afford to have monies outstanding. We agree on the terms (usually 7 days if invoiced) and payment schedule and how they going to pay.

I just use a different approach i mow no more than three times ( about 6 weeks) after that i will not return until paid and once paid i then advise them to find someone else. I'd rather lose that person than have the hussles of chasing payment.

So far its worked and I must say have advised many to find someone else. If they don't pay or want to pay i do not muck around i contact my debt colletor and i get paid within a week.

Hursh maybe but i don't like working for nothing.

Brian

dvmcmrhp52
03-08-2004, 10:33 AM
Our experience on this side of the pond is a bit different,Comercial properties are really competitive and not as profitable in the mowing area. Why? Because most larger contractors are lowballing their mowing prices to get the contracts and raping them on other services because the managers are looking at the recurring cost of mowing rather than the contract as a whole............Go figure????

We like residential because the profitability is greater for us..............Some prefer comercial and it does get them a year round paycheck..........a nice bonus to be sure.

I suppose at some point we will get involved in smaller comercials but for now we are 100% residential.

pbm
03-08-2004, 10:38 AM
I followed my old bosses advise when i started out renovating. If anyone wants to haggle with you over your quote (you will have trouble getting paid at the end). If you don't get a deposit up front (DO NOT START) walk away it will be cheaper.

To be honest he was bloody right, (costly to learn myself).

I had to learn how to use his wisdom to mowing. Had plenty of problems when first started out. Now when i get a client i tell them what the payment schedule is and state i cannot afford to have monies outstanding. We agree on the terms (usually 7 days if invoiced) and payment schedule and how they going to pay.

I just use a different approach i mow no more than three times ( about 6 weeks) after that i will not return until paid and once paid i then advise them to find someone else. I'd rather lose that person than have the hussles of chasing payment.

So far its worked and I must say have advised many to find someone else. If they don't pay or want to pay i do not muck around i contact my debt colletor and i get paid within a week.

Hursh maybe but i don't like working for nothing.

Brian

How much does your debt collector charge to recover monies owed????

APS_QLD
05-08-2004, 09:22 AM
Without going looking in my files memory is over $1000 is 10% under $1000 is 20% not sure about under $500 but he said he would chase $50 because he hates people not paying for works that are completed.

The last time i used him was to recover just under $1000. I invoiced the client and they sent back a letter and a cheque for $250 and said the the job was only worth that much and if i want to take that matter further you can deal with my solisitor. Does not matter the fact i told her appromiately what the cost would be.

Anyway cut it short i sent all my info to him times on site, costs ie wages, dump fees, fuels etc etc. I received a cheque for just under $800 in a couple of weeks. I was happy with the outcome.

As i have said elsewhere on this site if someone does not pay me i don't care if its for $50.00 they will get a visit from him even if it cost me 50%.

If you want there name email me and i will pass it on.

Brian

Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden
07-08-2009, 08:03 PM
I followed my old bosses advise when i started out renovating. If anyone wants to haggle with you over your quote (you will have trouble getting paid at the end). If you don't get a deposit up front (DO NOT START) walk away it will be cheaper.

To be honest he was bloody right, (costly to learn myself).

I had to learn how to use his wisdom to mowing. Had plenty of problems when first started out. Now when i get a client i tell them what the payment schedule is and state i cannot afford to have monies outstanding. We agree on the terms (usually 7 days if invoiced) and payment schedule and how they going to pay.

I just use a different approach i mow no more than three times ( about 6 weeks) after that i will not return until paid and once paid i then advise them to find someone else. I'd rather lose that person than have the hussles of chasing payment.

So far its worked and I must say have advised many to find someone else. If they don't pay or want to pay i do not muck around i contact my debt colletor and i get paid within a week.

Hursh maybe but i don't like working for nothing.

Brian

My customers have a pre agreed spot where they leave cash except one who puts it in the bank by direct deposit. I mow the yard then go pick up the cash not there once leave buisness card there and in there mail box. Second time not there leave note in there letterbox saying pay or not coming back. Third time no money no more mowing I have only had to do this twice. Once got a phone call from the customer asking me to mow there new place stupidly I was mowing where they no longer live. The other well who cares what happened to them if there not going to pay why should I mow. What does a debt collector cost as i had a job once that i didnt think was going to pay was a $400 dollar job they did eventually pay.

geoff
07-08-2009, 09:38 PM
most of our real estate and body corps are great payers it depends when the rent comes in..agents recieve the rent then deduct fees and invoices and send the rest to the owner..so its timing make sure you get the invoice in before the rent and out goings gets finialised..

Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden
08-08-2009, 07:02 AM
most of our real estate and body corps are great payers it depends when the rent comes in..agents recieve the rent then deduct fees and invoices and send the rest to the owner..so its timing make sure you get the invoice in before the rent and out goings gets finialised..

not here i just through away my body corporate job through kingsberry cause i got sick of not being paid and payments just being so random there was no set time frame.

GreenHaven
08-08-2009, 12:01 PM
all ive had is good experences with my strata jobs they do do pay a bit ramdom sometimes but i invoice them a bit ramdom also as long as there arent gettin complaints i dont hear from them much which is good and they flick me jobs here and there

Countrymile
08-08-2009, 05:27 PM
We are now about 50/50 Real estate and private customers. The real estates we deal with are good payers (end of the month), but it does depend on when they are able to recover from owner/ bond etc. We do find we receive the bulk of whats owing, and only a few carry over. We do need the domestic customers for cash flow, as you can sometimes be waiting for a larger amounts. But it does start to flow and after a few months there is less concern....When they come to trust you and you them, it is very rewarding in all aspects.
Shannon

andy056
20-04-2010, 07:14 PM
Hi All,

I have to do a quote for a retirement village, for their lawn maintenance

Just wondering how I go about setting out the quote for the strata company

Thanks in advance

Andy

Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden
20-04-2010, 08:21 PM
Hi All,

I have to do a quote for a retirement village, for their lawn maintenance

Just wondering how I go about setting out the quote for the strata company

Thanks in advance

Andy

Go out and have a look at the place. Work out how long you belive it will take you. Remember thinking if it was the last job on a really hot anoying day. Then when you have that add half again and times that by your hourly rate. Souds like a good figure.

MowerRob
20-04-2010, 08:58 PM
Go out and have a look at the place. Work out how long you belive it will take you. Remember thinking if it was the last job on a really hot anoying day. Then when you have that add half again and times that by your hourly rate. Souds like a good figure.

Then add another half for all the oldies who want to stop and chat.

If im doing a strata or retirement and an oldy stops and chats i add the time to invoice and put it thru as rubbish cos thats what they usually talk

andy056
20-04-2010, 09:11 PM
Hi

I have been and had a look

It should take about 12 hours for 1 man, mix of push mowing , ride on mowing, edging and whippersnipping and of course blowing driveways etc

maybe 15 hours with all the chatting to the oldies

I am just not sure how I write the quote up for the strata agency, eg what info they require on the quote

Cheers Andy

MowerRob
20-04-2010, 09:29 PM
Hi

I have been and had a look

It should take about 12 hours for 1 man, mix of push mowing , ride on mowing, edging and whippersnipping and of course blowing driveways etc

maybe 15 hours with all the chatting to the oldies

I am just not sure how I write the quote up for the strata agency, eg what info they require on the quote

Cheers Andy

Write exactly what u r going to do and how much your going to charge and how often ya going to mow it etc etc

4 Gardens
20-04-2010, 09:45 PM
Hi Andy

below is a copy of how I set out mine. So far 99% success rate.

SCOPE OF WORKS – Regular Garden Maintenance

 Trimming and pruning of plants, shrubs and trees to keep them tidy and growing with vigour. Any plants overhanging driveways or walkways will be trimmed. Dead or unsightly plants will be removed promptly. Replacement plants are in addition to the monthly price but will be purchased and planted once approval has been granted.

 Hedges to be trimmed biannually as a minimum, or more frequently if the species requires.

 Weeding of all gardens, large unsightly weeds will be removed while smaller weeds will be sprayed. This also depends on the lifecycle of the weed and what is the best treatment.

 Keeping pathways and driveways clear of plant debris and leaves, particularly during the months of autumn.

 Removal from the site of all garden and green waste material on the completion of all maintenance visits.

 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM), any pests and diseases detected will be treated as necessary. Chemical use will be kept to a minimum and the use of safer and organic options will be considered when selecting the best method of treatment. Plants will be fertilised bi-annually with controlled release fertilisers.

 Irrigation systems will be maintained and adjusted seasonally for efficiency and will comply with the current water conservation measures. NB: Repairs to major components such as valves, controllers, lines and wiring are in addition to the monthly quote.

 Recommending of repairs, improvements and upgrades which includes replanting and major works such as remulching will be reported as appropriate with costings for approval. In making recommendations the requirement to comply with the current water conservation measures and low water use plants will be of paramount importance.

 Any damaged property or unsafe conditions will be rectified if possible and reported immediately to Property Management.

 Some large trees may require specialised pruning by a qualified arborist. This can be arranged by 4 Gardens and is additional to the monthly price.

 The mowing of grass on the nature strips on both Maclay and Watson Streets, and also in the centre courtyard area will be done as required. Grassed areas will be fertilised bi-annually.

 Visits would generally be on a fortnightly basis with some weekly visits required depending upon varied seasonal conditions.

 4 Gardens holds a current $10M Public Liability insurance policy.


The team at 4 Gardens are extremely dedicated to their tasks and take immense pride in the level of personalised service and plant care that they provide.


Total Price per month $530



NB : This price will be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted in accordance with inflationary measures, subject to approval by Management.

andy056
21-04-2010, 10:09 PM
Thanks for all your help

Cheers Andy :wave-hi:

Andy B
24-04-2010, 08:40 PM
Hey Andy,

Great thread and even better name!