Ever Wonder How To Price Snow Removal? My 4 Step Formula For Pricing Snow Work

This show is about how we price snow plowing & salting to have a profitable business during winter. We discuss the 4 quadrants to bid on and how we handle per-pricing versus flat-rate monthly billing.

In this episode, you will learn:

• My 4 step formula to plow pricing
• The ins and outs of pricing
• The importance of understanding clients' needs
• Some tough love to encourage you to use your resources!
• Understanding scope of work and what's beyond the scope

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• Residential Snow Plowing Contracts
• Commercial Snow Plowing Contracts
• Say It Like It Matters When It Matters: Communicating with Power, Effectiveness, and Authenticity
• Brian's Survey

Want To Listen To More Plowing Episodes?

• Ep 538. Snowbound Pros: Plowing Your Path to Winter Success
• Ep 443. Answering Snow Plowing FAQ & Tips For Profitability!
• Ep 398. Mastering The Snow Business & Flat Rate Pricing
...

Everything You Need To Know About Plow Right Marking Stakes

Today we're joined by Matt Mcintosh, owner of Clippers Landscaping Supply in Livonia, Michigan, sharing about Plow Right marking stakes! Matt and his team have grown a very successful operation and tripled their productivity with their invention and snow staking system.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Who Plow Right is and where the business came from
• What people used for plow stakes back in the day
• All that a Plow Right Kit has to offer
• About Plow Right's growth
• How and when to use marking stakes

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• Plow Right Marking Stakes - BRIANS10 saves 10%
• NEW Tool Allows 450 SNOW STAKES Per HOUR Installed [Plow Right!]

Want To Listen To More Episodes With Clippers Landscaping Supply?

• Ep 426. Fall Tour Kickoff! 35+ Year Legacy w/ Clippers Landscaping & Supply

Links Mentioned In The Episode

• Lawntrepreneur Academy Live 2023 - Thanks to our sponsors: Exmark, Sure-Trac, Yardb
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Strategies We've Used To Market And Grow Our Own Lawn Care Business

Samantha Heald at Postcard Mania joins us, sharing some helpful tips and mindset for a successful fall marketing campaign. We share how our business is utilizing her team to grow our business, including launching our first-ever winter postcard initiative for new snow clients.

In this episode, you will learn:

• When you should prepare your Spring campaign
• Strategies that have helped grow Brian's Lawn Maintenance to what it is today 
• The best strategy to market for Fall clean ups
• Why targeted campaigns are a good idea
• The importance of collecting prospect information & why you might want to have a prospect database

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

• Postcard Mania
• Fall Leaf Cleanup Postcard Training Program And Design
• Fall Leaf Cleanup Door Hanger Training Program And Design
• Fall EDDM Postcard PDF Design & Training Program

Want To Listen To More Episodes With Postcard Mania?

• Ep 474. Marketing ...

9 Green Industry Podcasts to Help You Grow Your Business

All the time we spend sitting on our mowers is valuable time we could be learning. With podcasts we now have thousands of hours of education right at our fingertips, and the best part...it's FREE! I want to share with you 9 podcasts within the industry that will help you grow your lawn and landscaping business. Each and every one of these guys has an abundance of knowledge and information which they share with you in their own unique way. Let's dive into it!

Lone Star Lawn Talk W/ Andrew Martinez

Join Andrew as he talks about all things business. He is regularly joined by guests from not only within the green industry, but in the service industry as well. Gain a different perspective by listening to the guests that come on the show from a variety of trades industries.
Episodes release every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Growing Green Podcast
Jeremiah Jennings

On "Marriage Mondays" the Jennings discuss the real life ...

Running a successful lawn care business requires more than just knowing how to mow lawns and maintain properties. It involves effective leadership to guide your team toward excellence. In the world of lawn care, the best way to spell "leadership" is by setting an example. Being a leader who leads by example not only fosters a positive work environment but also attracts and retains top talent. In this blog post, we'll explore why leading by example is crucial for your lawn care business and how it can help you build a thriving team.

Setting the Standard

As a lawn care business owner, you are the face of your company. Your actions and behaviors set the standard for how your employees should perform their tasks and interact with clients. If you are yelling in frustration and swearing when you’re upset, what kind of example is that setting? Would that make you want to come to work? Instead, if you lead by a positive example, you establish a clear and high standard of professionalism, w...

As a lawn care business owner, you're undoubtedly passionate about keeping lawns lush and green. However, there's another green you need to keep in mind – your taxes. Understanding how much to save for taxes is crucial for the financial health of your business. In this blog post, we'll delve into this topic and provide you with some valuable insights.

How Much Should You Save for Taxes?

One of the most common questions among small business owners, including those in the lawn care industry, is how much to set aside for taxes. The simple answer is 15-20% of all gross receipts that come in for your company. This rule of thumb can help you avoid last-minute financial stress when tax season arrives.

Let's break down this percentage and see how it works in practice.

Example Scenario:

Imagine your lawn care business has gross receipts of $100,000 for the year. Using the 20% guideline, you would set aside $20,000 for taxes.

However, here's an important caveat: this 20% rule assumes you...

Q : Are site checks necessary?

A : At the start of the winter season before any snowfall I take the time to ride around to all of our commercial sites and take videos. Not only am I checking the sites with my very own eyes, but I also have a video for reference. I perform site checks for several reasons. Primarily, I want to ensure we have documentation of the condition of the site prior to any work being completed. If the property owner raises any issues we can definitively say whether it was there prior to the start of the season. Another reason we take videos is because we want to point out all the abnormalities - smashed curbs, damaged manhole covers, downed wires, locations of street lamps, conditions of the loading docks and so on.
As the season progresses, we also complete site checks after a storm and at the end of the season. After every storm when we go around doing our final clean up we check the sites to ensure no damage was done during the last storm. We also want to en...

As a dedicated lawntrepreneur, your commitment to delivering top-notch lawn maintenance services is unquestionable. However, it's crucial not to lose sight of the fact that while we may be in the business of maintaining lawns, we are ultimately in the people business. Beyond the meticulous mowing and trimming, we are providers of a service that directly impacts the lives and satisfaction of our customers. So, let's delve into the heart of the matter – the journey from being an employee in the field to becoming a successful business owner, and why people skills are the key to true greatness in this industry.

1. Embracing the Employee Perspective

Imagine starting your career as a member of the mowing crew. At this stage, the emphasis is understandably tilted towards acquiring technical expertise, with a focus of 80% on mastering the intricacies of mowing, trimming, and ensuring everything is done to perfection. Interactions with customers are limited as your immediate supervisor or b...

As I embarked on my journey to interview young lawntrepreneurs for our LawnTOURpreneur Series, I had the incredible opportunity to meet numerous young men who have transformed their passion for lawn care into successful businesses. These young entrepreneurs exuded some remarkable attributes that set them on the path to prosperity. So, whether you're a high school student with dreams of entrepreneurship or a parent questioning your child’s path, read on to discover the key qualities shared by these remarkable individuals.

1. Purpose: Paving the Way for Passion-Driven Ventures

Every successful lawntrepreneur I encountered on the LawnTOURpreneur Series had one thing in common: a deep sense of purpose. They weren't just in it for the money; they genuinely loved what they were doing. This sense of purpose fueled their determination and commitment, setting them apart from the rest.

2. Financial Discipline: Sowing Seeds of Fiscal Responsibility

Running a successful business requires mor...

In a world that often equates success with a college degree, it's time for the lawn care industry and the trades industry for that matter to break free from this limiting perspective. As seasoned lawntrepreneurs, you understand that not all valuable life skills and experiences can be obtained within the confines of a classroom. This blog post aims to empower you with insights into the immense potential of building a successful lawn care business without a college degree, while challenging the notion that traditional education is the only path to respect and accomplishment.

1. Climbing the Ladder: Starting at the Bottom, Reaching the Pinnacle

Contrary to popular belief, success is not reserved for those who hold a college degree. Many who embark on a journey in the lawn care industry without formal education find themselves on a path of growth and prosperity and they do so quite quickly. The beauty of the industry lies in the opportunity to start at the bottom and work your way up, ...