I find it is easier for me to go up on clients in July because, I'm always maxed out on work and struggling to get it all done so, I could care less if I lose a few. Liked the video!
Good advice! I literally raised my prices on three different customers and none of them cancelled. I’m trying to grow my business more and have other things that I need to get for my business. There are three ways to make more money: raise prices, get more customers, or expand service area. Also I fired a customer today. It’s nice when you have the power to do these certain things then letting customers punk you.
Brian you’re pulling some matrix skills on that zero turn avoiding the branches, you know it’s funny when I hear of the haters calling you a salesman and an actor, it literally blows my mind, your doing great and killing it they are just jealous do t even pay them any mind man
Wait people talk nasty about us? Aren’t people too busy mowing lawns and doing office work like I am? Makes me wonder who’s really acting then. Things that make you go hmmm
In my bicycle shop, we had a sign above the service department, which stated: "Long after the sweetness of low price has been forgotten.. the bitterness of low quality still remains".Still true years later. Ron A
I’m in a different industry but this is how I do it, in case there are other guys who watch your channel outside of lawn care. I’m a floor installer so we rarely have repeat customers unless it’s a big contract (schools, commercial property owners, designers) or home owners who do their house in phases. So we book our work firstly on a first come first serve basis. Once we’re booked a month out we change to higher profit to lower profit jobs. Anything over about 6-8 weeks out we start bumping our prices up on EVERYONE that isn’t repeat business. Most of our work is priced on a $/sqft basis so these increases are small, .05-.15 cents at a time. When we people start bucking the prices or our schedule is only a month out we freeze our pricing and we can repeat the process. Not for everyone but we found huge success in this model
Yes price increases are a part of it. You have to increase in $5 increments to make it worth the change for you. Yes they are customers but your right they are family. We have customers from 1984, we have seen the kids graduate get married and have kids themselves. If done right the customers tell you they are giving you a raise. Yes I have one customer that every three or four years bring me a check and say “your raise starts today” that raise is typically between 1/3 and 1/4 of the monthly going rate. I treat this customer like a treasure. Great channel How about nutrition How do you do lunches? Do you eat and go fast food? Bring your lunch? I even bring my tailgate grill at times. Do you have an expensive cooler? Water/ Gatorade
I will say 100% the Darwins Grip helps tall guys. I'm 6'3" I bought the Darwins Grip 6 months after starting my business. I'm still trying to get all my ducks in a row for being legit. I only have a handful of clients but currently getting more marketing going.
@@BriansLawnMaintenance I am taking alot of your videos to heart. Looking around for general liability is my main concern at this point since my income is enough now. When would it be a good time to get my business tax ID? I started this march. And probably made a few thousand by now.
Also you guys are lucky, here in Mississippi I'm on the gulf coast its 90+ outside all day. My main job along with cutting grass makes some days just brutal.
I’m 6’6” and just installed it the other night. I tested in my yard for a min or two. I knew right away that it works. I just stand straight up with no back bending whatsoever.
I was just thinking this morning about how and when i was going to raise prices. My prices run from $40-$120 a cut. I am a "Weekend Warrior", cutting in the evenings and weekends around my full time job. I have 23 yards currently, and would like to back down to 19-20 yards. With that, my yards that are in the $40-$60 range, i considered going up $10 next year. With the increase, i may end up at my target customer number. Also, huge shout out to Darwin Grips. Just ordered mine with the Brian10 discount. We all appreciate that! Keep up the good work, love watching the new videos.
Great advice. I usually wait until LAST minute to raise lol so they’re like in panic mode and just stick with us. I did that “split test” Kalfas mentioned in a video. I think we raised 28 out of 115. And we dropped several since we picked up new ones that better fit what we want long term. Not one complained about raise. I gave nice letter explaining the increase in labor, cost of living, maintenance, gas, etc. I love videos like this and about the numbers lol
Also, I totally get the prices are different everywhere. Very shocked how low they are in Michigan though based on what you said rent costs for an apartment and how much a house costs. A $350,000 Pittsburgh house is huuuge. We actually were voted one of the most livable cities. And someone told me my prices are cheap at $40-$50 a cut for the small 12-15 minute lawns. That’s very interesting. I wonder if it’s just like a “movement” where one lawn guy started in Michigan a long time ago and it spread, so then everyone has to compete with the 25-35 range. Whereas if they would’ve set the bar higher, everyone would be competing in the 40-55 range. We need to get the entire industry of landscapers to all realize to raise so we all benefit. If everyone understands that and everyone raises, even the small guys, we all make out from it...everywhere.
I do this every yr about this time to new clients I’ve had at least two seasons 3 buck increase I think I might lose 1 a yr and it’s usually the one I wanted to lose
Great advice on raising prices. A good rule of thumb is if you are mumbling to yourself while doing a lawn that you don’t like doing that lawn, either raise the price or drop it.
Mate! This is great content. I am writing all this down. My cheapest lawn is $25, it takes me 10 minutes. My most expensive lawn is $100, That takes me 1 hour 45 minutes to mow trim and blow. I'm killing it here on Waiheke island Much love from 🇳🇿
Hey all, Yesterday I stepped down from a job managing a hardware department and garden center @ a local retailer for nearly 1/3 of my life (just turned 35). Between that and the restaurant industry I have worked nights, weekends, holidays, 60+ hour work weeks my entire working life. No more. I have missed alot. Have a 3yo and a newborn @ home that I would like to watch grow up. Have an interview with the village next week and am welcoming a 33% cut in annual pay. Hoping to supplement with my lawn care business and side jobs. Huge leap of faith. But I would like my children to know thier father. One of the hardest things Ive ever had to do. Work to live people, don't live to work. Hate to be a millennial and call YOLO but I cant take the $$$ with me to the grave. Thank you Brian for your motivation, inspiration, and support. Side note if you are in IL you need to raise prices yesterday, that gas tax is no joke!
Brian - I watch all your videos and I’m impressed that you are willing to share your knowledge in exchange for your UA-cam business; well done. I am a commercial property landlord; I own a number of properties. I agree with raising your prices at the beginning or the end of the year, but you should never raise your prices mid season. If you give someone a proposal for the season, that should be the price for the season. It’s completely unethical to raise the price in the middle of the year when you know a customer can’t find a lawn service. They might not cancel on you mid season because they can’t replace you, but they will almost certainly cancel on you at the end of the year and not ever do business with you again because in the landlord business, that’s considered unethical. Just an FYI; again, kudos for what you’re doing. We just went in-house this year with our lawn maintenance, and we are one of the many beneficiaries of you sharing your knowledge and experience. Thanks again!
Hey Scott, thanks for watching! Honestly for commercial properties (which you manage) I totally agree. A contract is a contract, unless there’s a clause to raise rates for specific reasons. However, this video is relating to home owner properties. We have no contract with them, a la carte mowing! Is it inconvenient and maybe frustrating for the customer if the price is raised, sure. But, we still need to run our business and hit our numbers. Bottom line, there are plenty of options out there for residential customers to go with another company. Commercial can be a totally different story. Lastly, if they cancel us then (or end of season) based on a few bucks, then honestly they’re not the ideal client for us anyways. We’re searching for folks driven by relationship and partnership, not price. My local gas station changed prices daily with gas going up, I supported them because I know the owner, not because it went up 3-5%! Just my .02 from the contractor perspective! Hope that helps and wish you guys all the best with bringing things in house this year!
@@BriansLawnMaintenance Got it. Thanks for the quick reply. And from a business standpoint, I completely agree with you. Even if you enjoy your business, you’re in it to make money, just like we all are. Again, thanks for all of your sharing and advice. Looking forward to seeing more…
Great video, 2 things: 1. The Darwin grip, I got to get a couple of those, all about working smarter not harder not to mention saving the back!! 2. I like your idea on price increasing, I am such a pushover when it comes customers asking if I could do this or that (small jobs) and I love what I do, being outside getting to play with POWER TOOLS! and I get to see the results of my hard work, especially when the customer comes out to give me rave reviews! Your last video with Keith talking about pricing got me thinking. I am thinking about the 3.7% increase, My insurance, license, fuel costs, and then you have your capital costs, Equipment and cost of sales, expenses it takes to keep the business going and growing. Not sure what you use to track your business financials but we (wife, a friend and I ) developed this excel spreadsheet that we have plugged in the formulas in each cell column, then it keeps a running total at the bottom of the sheet for each column. Our CPA, LOVES iIT! and wanted a blank copy she could encourage her other clients who have small businesses to use. It's a game changer, saves time and our money (at her rate of $185.00 per hour) . All we have to do is to email our spreadsheet and our binder with all of our receipts separated by month and each month organized by date. I would be happy to send you a copy if you think it might help folks out their?
I work for the county that I live in, maintaining 40 county ran properties..I do alot of weedeating..I am 6'2 so I have been looking into the grip for a couple months. After seeing this video, & being able to use your code..I am going to purchase it. Thanks for your videos and all of the information you give!
I have found a great bump stop for mowers on open trailers, and it might work with a closed trailer. Get a full length , thick swim noodle. Measure to length. Run PVC pipe thru the middle, using a lubricant, and attach with 2 hole, electrical or flexible half clamps (1/2 inch wide or less) matching the outside circumference of the noodle, then secure them to the metal or wood surface with screws. I usually use 3-4 clamps.. Allow enough clearance for the mower frame on either horizontal or vertical plane. This protects the trailer and mower and uses very little space. It is water resistant and lasts a long time. Ron A
I'm legit across the board, therefore my overhead is fairly high as well. I secure about 80% of jobs I estimate. I used to be so offended by those that would pass. Once I became comfortable with my value, I learned to brush those off a bit easier. After going over last year's profit margin, I did a small price adjustment this Spring (you make a good point on timing these things). I only lost one job with it. I got word they already regret it lol. So you are right, the notion that you will lose customers with a reasonable adjustment, proved not to be. Good stuff👍
Ditch The Itch . Did a farmhouse clean up last week , a great money job but ended poison ivy both arms and legs , neck and above eye. No fun. Only second time in 15 years , it’s not bad if I don’t think about it :(
Great video Brian, tips are always better than mowing footage. I will disagree with the weather. I'm in Florida and there is no such thing as 80° here lol.
All right now mr brian you done a nice job great lil pep talk there , any one in business whom says they're not a salesman is not a true businessperson just my thoughts on that , ✌🤙🤟🎯
Just ordered a Darwin grip directly from the site. I'm 6ft and after about 4 to 6 yards in a day my back is DONE! hope this brings some relief. Seems like it is well engineered. Thanks brian keep hustlin. Sending love from Moyock NC
I agree and do everything you say except raising in the middle of the season, believe me I want to but I don’t feel right doing that lol I like to give them a early heads up and the opportunity to find someone else if I’m to expensive
I liked the Darwin’s grip for straight up trimming but can get awkward edging with it, also have had a hard time keeping it from sliding around after awhile even with the loc-tite. Definitely agree with the price increases 👍🏻
@@BriansLawnMaintenance Then this year you need to raise prices 40% to since that is how much the new USD were created in 2020 lol good luck with that. Hope you are putting your business profits in bitcoin or physical gold and silver.
No one should be in the $20s let alone $30s if you are legit, you know you can’t cut for that and make money and make it to the next level. Workman’s comp, insurance and taxes take a 20-30 a lawn to a few dollars. A lot of expensive equipment for no money. Raise your prices show your worth
TJ it will depend on where you’re at for prices to say the least and the yard size. I do this on my says off from the fire station and have insurance (don’t need workman’s comp as a solo). I do charge a low amount $20 for most yards I do (2500 to 3300 sf lots). But prices will have to go up for future business ventures. I’m looking to get rid of a bunch of low ballers and whatnot though and get more commercial stuff for next year. But I do hear what you’re speaking!!
I have just one tiny lawn I do for $30 then I have a few I do for $40 and $45 but most of my rural lots I get $60-$80 for them and I have one I do for $100 but no one lives at the house and it’s a big 3 acre lot but my 72" 12 mph mower takes care of the big lots fast. PS, there’s no trimming on that job 😃👍. Make money while you can all, Mark from Marks Lawn Care, Winter WI.
I think its crazy that no one you mow has a fence, I'm in Oklahoma and every house has a fence around it, so 20 yards a day is a lot and getting riders into back yards is tough to. But glad you shared some of your pricing because i would never go below 30 bucks a yard, no one can afford to do it at 20 to 25. Enjoy the videos keep it up
Very good stuff Brian! Keep up the good work! Thank you for adding value to the lawn care community! Probably because you are busy, but why didn't you make this into 2 videos (the mowing & Darwin's Grip and then a video on price increases)? Not sure if that would be better for your channel or not. What an awesone compliment when people say that your channel is fake! Wow! That must mean you and your stuff is so planned and in order that it looks fake or stahed to them. Lol.
Haha thanks Matt! Honest answer is each video takes about 2 hours to make, and just making one larger video was easier for me. We’re moving this week, my time is so limited, I just wanted to do one good video for you guys this week. Thanks for watching!
Bro., SOOOOOOOO TIRED today!!! Started working in garage yesterday at 7a. & was helping my buddy load up his truck at 11:30p.!! But, we gotz so much done!!! There even is enough room to vlog in there.... Hmmmmmm…. Hope all is well, Mike (G)Jones aka Dirty Jersey out!!!!!1
When it comes down to it, pricing is important, but it's all about density. You can have a $50 minimum all day, but if you're driving 10 mins between stops.. No bueno
That’s a super great point. Hopefully folks can see we do 20-30 lawns per sub per day. So others minimums may need to be that $40-$50 minimum for what we can do for $30 and still be very profitable.
Hay man it me again great vid oh and the weather were I live is shaping up so I'll be able to start mowing again soon, yay!!! We have been having 100+ degree days and that killed all the grass and then it rained for like 3 days straight soooooo yeah ha!!!
Hey Brian I was curious what if you have someone call you up and ask for your services to come work for them for a few hours and say they want to pay at a hourly rate instead of by the job. What would be a hourly rate charge you would suggest throwing out to the customer? Thank you for this channel it is a great help.
That’s a good question, I guess I’d say it just depends on the scope of work. I’m not really a for-hire laborer/handyman. I’m sure $25 is fine. For me, I wouldn’t probably offer my help for a rate, just not something I have time for. Hope that answers your question 👊
Your motivation is uplifting as always Brian. If I feel that i will be raising rates on a property, it motivates me to do the best most thorough job and maybe something a bit extra prior to raising. Conversely it sucks to be underpriced on a property, because then the quality of the work often slips. Hey do you guys take note of grass sticking to white trim, or step kick boards after trimming? Quite a bit is left stuck on even after leaf blowing stuff off. I was thinking a damp cloth or sponge might be a quick way to keep paint and trim sharp in focal areas. Any thoughts? ( Always knew u had a screw loose haha)
Ha! Love it. We don’t really tackle any of the green splat on houses or siding. We do walk around every property though. This eliminates any chance we miss something and helps to make sure the house and patio are blown off and cleaned up! Hope that helps.
I heard someone say the other day that you have to change up your striping pattern on the yards from time to time. They said that if you don't then you will rut up the yard. What are your thoughts and experiences on that? Any advice on how often you should change it up?
Absolutely I did my own yard same pattern for a year or 2 same way too see if this was true the first time I went diagonal the mower was bouncing from the divots
Great advice Brian. I’ve always struggled with raising a price I quoted that was too low. After watching some of your videos I think I need an entirely new clientel base. 😣
I completely understand the idea behind- Raise your pricing when you have no competition in July. But I think its bad look. You know you have them pretty much locked in, which you do, but they know that as well. Especially to raise the price $5 or $10. I couldn't do that to a customer, especially by that kind of margin. Now, if they have been a pain, then sure. If someone likes you, have been a customer for a while. Raise the price $2/$3 when you send out the sign up form. If its someone you don't care if you get back or not, then sure raise it however much you want, so if you get a crazy number, you're happy to keep them, and if they go elsewhere, you didnt want them anyways. For me, and hey if its working for you, great. But its like being at the store because you saw an advertised deal on tv that day. You get to the store, and the signs are still up, get to checkout and they say no its full price or whatever. You went there (they hired you) under the advertised price (what you got them to sign on for in the late winter), then changing the price at checkout. How many customers have you lost, the following year, when doing this? Raising the price any amount, in July, then the following year they went elsewhere..
Hahahah , I have family that says Im not tan until I pull down my neck on my shirt . Hard to get rid of the tan lines when you have little time for shirtless tanning . Unless you're one of those unprofessional weirdos that mows shirtless . I do switch to sleeveless shirts on super hot days to try and bump up the line to my shoulder lol. Great video , I am in the process of bumping up prices . Unfortunately I came in low years ago on my first 10 lawns or so and now regret it . Ive been raising by a couple bucks each year and havent lost one yet . With that being said , Im probably still a bit low on some. Next season I will be getting up to a $50-55 average and start making some better profits!
First off thanks for the video. I'm a mowing business owner in Ohio. Your videos help me out a lot. I was watching your technique mowing. I'm not criticizing but I noticed your discharge was facing beds and patios and blowing towards the house. Does your guy then go blow all that off? Are you not cutting much? I'm only asking bc Ive been mowing for 18yrs but just went on my own this yr. I'm up to 52 lawns yr one. I can't figure out how to go faster. I think I'm too picky maybe? Like about where my discharge goes and I always change my stripes.from WK to WK. I noticed you were doing the same stripes. Like I said Im not criticizing. Just curious. Can you comment on some of that? 25 lawns is awesome. Our record this yr is 22 but it took 11.5 hrs. Keep in mind a couple of them were 1-1.5 acres. Sorry for the long comment but just curious. Thanks again for all your insight to the biz. I'm happy I found you guys in Michigan bc it's just about the same here in Ohio.
Thanks for watching pal! Yeah are lawns are like 5k sqft, definitely a 1/4th the size of your average lot. We always discharge away from the house on the mower, but we do trim counter clockwise. Just how we like to do it. Those stripes are from 2 weeks ago! The week before we did diagonal. We always try to mow 3 angles, changing it every week. Rock on pal!
Ok. Cool. Thanks. And btw. I trim the same way. Not many of us do that. You just tip the trimmer a little to the left and it discharges away from the bed. I will keep watching. You and Keith are awesome.
@@redcammari1415 I've been mowing and Landscaping for other companies since I was 16. I've just never dealt with the business side of it. Before, if it took a few extra minutes, I didn't care. Now it costs me money. I'm open-minded to anything Brian has to say. So I absolutely ask questions. 18yrs exp in the field. 4months exp running a business. But thanks Red. Btw my nickname is Red too lol
My main reason for asking is to see if Brian thinks I'm being picky. My helper always tell me I do little knit picks of extra work all day that the homeowners would never know the difference.
Brian Excellent video & great content! 💪🏾👍🏾 Hey where can we use Brain's 10 for the Darwin Grips? As always, thanks for taking your time to discuss this info! 💯 Congrats on the new place! 👍🏾
I am thinking about raising prices for some customers for next year. I have a couple of customers at $25 a cut and would raise them to $30 for next year. I have mowed them for 2 years at the same price. I have one guy that has 3 properties all in a row. I catch his grass. I got the business for $25 per yard. I am thinking about raising him to $35 per property for next year, mainly for the fact that I catch his grass and mow bi-monthly. I would rather mow him every week. Your thought.
You gotta learn to love to say no! Call billy down the street, when he goes back to school, don’t call me, when it’s 100 degrees don’t call me! Total lack of respect for us.
As a new startup, lots of experience in the business but starting on my own now. Would you just hang flyers on doors or hang actual estimates for the property?
Brian, how receptive are your customers to the #1-$2 increases? I hate raising my prices. I always send out a spring letter stating this year price. I usually work in $5 increments. I don't usually charge tax but I am getting ready to add that next year. I just don't want to drive my customers away. I am not sure I could get away with mid season price increases but when a new customer calls me after July into the fall the rate is higher because I know nobody is picking up new accounts and I am loosing daylight. Your thoughts please. Also will you be at the GIE Expo in August?
Do people complain about getting mowed on Monday or Tuesday (beginning of the week)? Getting ready to heading back to teaching and trying to decide if i want to mow on M,W,F or W,Th,F in the evenings
I wish I can apply the advice that you provide. But unfortunately where I live, when I price $40 the potential customer gets another quote for $25. A crew of 3 charging $25. Larger lawns I quote $50+. But there is this guy that charges $30 for all lawn sizes. Same price. No matter what the size.
I find it is easier for me to go up on clients in July because, I'm always maxed out on work and struggling to get it all done so, I could care less if I lose a few. Liked the video!
Good advice! I literally raised my prices on three different customers and none of them cancelled. I’m trying to grow my business more and have other things that I need to get for my business. There are three ways to make more money: raise prices, get more customers, or expand service area. Also I fired a customer today. It’s nice when you have the power to do these certain things then letting customers punk you.
Amen man, amen and amen
Brian you’re pulling some matrix skills on that zero turn avoiding the branches, you know it’s funny when I hear of the haters calling you a salesman and an actor, it literally blows my mind, your doing great and killing it they are just jealous do t even pay them any mind man
Wait people talk nasty about us? Aren’t people too busy mowing lawns and doing office work like I am? Makes me wonder who’s really acting then. Things that make you go hmmm
Exactly
In my bicycle shop, we had a sign above the service department, which stated: "Long after the sweetness of low price has been forgotten.. the bitterness of low quality still remains".Still true years later. Ron A
I’m in a different industry but this is how I do it, in case there are other guys who watch your channel outside of lawn care. I’m a floor installer so we rarely have repeat customers unless it’s a big contract (schools, commercial property owners, designers) or home owners who do their house in phases. So we book our work firstly on a first come first serve basis. Once we’re booked a month out we change to higher profit to lower profit jobs. Anything over about 6-8 weeks out we start bumping our prices up on EVERYONE that isn’t repeat business. Most of our work is priced on a $/sqft basis so these increases are small, .05-.15 cents at a time. When we people start bucking the prices or our schedule is only a month out we freeze our pricing and we can repeat the process. Not for everyone but we found huge success in this model
Yes price increases are a part of it. You have to increase in $5 increments to make it worth the change for you.
Yes they are customers but your right they are family. We have customers from 1984, we have seen the kids graduate get married and have kids themselves.
If done right the customers tell you they are giving you a raise. Yes I have one customer that every three or four years bring me a check and say “your raise starts today” that raise is typically between 1/3 and 1/4 of the monthly going rate. I treat this customer like a treasure.
Great channel
How about nutrition
How do you do lunches?
Do you eat and go fast food?
Bring your lunch?
I even bring my tailgate grill at times. Do you have an expensive cooler? Water/ Gatorade
I will say 100% the Darwins Grip helps tall guys. I'm 6'3" I bought the Darwins Grip 6 months after starting my business. I'm still trying to get all my ducks in a row for being legit. I only have a handful of clients but currently getting more marketing going.
That’s awesome man. And yeah I haven’t heard any negative complaints or reviews really about the Darwin Grip. Seems to be pretty straight forward!
@@BriansLawnMaintenance I am taking alot of your videos to heart.
Looking around for general liability is my main concern at this point since my income is enough now. When would it be a good time to get my business tax ID? I started this march. And probably made a few thousand by now.
Also you guys are lucky, here in Mississippi I'm on the gulf coast its 90+ outside all day. My main job along with cutting grass makes some days just brutal.
I’m 6’6” and just installed it the other night. I tested in my yard for a min or two. I knew right away that it works. I just stand straight up with no back bending whatsoever.
Congratulations on the apartment upgrade, Bryan!
Thanks bro!
I was just thinking this morning about how and when i was going to raise prices. My prices run from $40-$120 a cut. I am a "Weekend Warrior", cutting in the evenings and weekends around my full time job. I have 23 yards currently, and would like to back down to 19-20 yards. With that, my yards that are in the $40-$60 range, i considered going up $10 next year. With the increase, i may end up at my target customer number.
Also, huge shout out to Darwin Grips. Just ordered mine with the Brian10 discount. We all appreciate that!
Keep up the good work, love watching the new videos.
That’s awesome Danny. Keep up the hustle!
these dudes be having the flattest yards ever. I'm be having the hills from hell every yards
Flat earth bro
Great advice. I usually wait until LAST minute to raise lol so they’re like in panic mode and just stick with us. I did that “split test” Kalfas mentioned in a video. I think we raised 28 out of 115. And we dropped several since we picked up new ones that better fit what we want long term. Not one complained about raise. I gave nice letter explaining the increase in labor, cost of living, maintenance, gas, etc. I love videos like this and about the numbers lol
Also, I totally get the prices are different everywhere. Very shocked how low they are in Michigan though based on what you said rent costs for an apartment and how much a house costs. A $350,000 Pittsburgh house is huuuge. We actually were voted one of the most livable cities. And someone told me my prices are cheap at $40-$50 a cut for the small 12-15 minute lawns. That’s very interesting. I wonder if it’s just like a “movement” where one lawn guy started in Michigan a long time ago and it spread, so then everyone has to compete with the 25-35 range. Whereas if they would’ve set the bar higher, everyone would be competing in the 40-55 range.
We need to get the entire industry of landscapers to all realize to raise so we all benefit. If everyone understands that and everyone raises, even the small guys, we all make out from it...everywhere.
I do this every yr about this time to new clients I’ve had at least two seasons 3 buck increase I think I might lose 1 a yr and it’s usually the one I wanted to lose
Great advice on raising prices. A good rule of thumb is if you are mumbling to yourself while doing a lawn that you don’t like doing that lawn, either raise the price or drop it.
Bingo
Very well done, Brian! Speaking the truth and getting right down to it.
Mate! This is great content. I am writing all this down.
My cheapest lawn is $25, it takes me 10 minutes. My most expensive lawn is $100, That takes me 1 hour 45 minutes to mow trim and blow. I'm killing it here on Waiheke island
Much love from 🇳🇿
Seems low@$100 per cut unless your just cutting
Raise your prices. So your the one out there working for cheap. You need to make at least $100 per hour
Hey all,
Yesterday I stepped down from a job managing a hardware department and garden center @ a local retailer for nearly 1/3 of my life (just turned 35). Between that and the restaurant industry I have worked nights, weekends, holidays, 60+ hour work weeks my entire working life.
No more. I have missed alot. Have a 3yo and a newborn @ home that I would like to watch grow up. Have an interview with the village next week and am welcoming a 33% cut in annual pay. Hoping to supplement with my lawn care business and side jobs.
Huge leap of faith. But I would like my children to know thier father. One of the hardest things Ive ever had to do.
Work to live people, don't live to work. Hate to be a millennial and call YOLO but I cant take the $$$ with me to the grave.
Thank you Brian for your motivation, inspiration, and support.
Side note if you are in IL you need to raise prices yesterday, that gas tax is no joke!
Very intelligent advice on when to do price increases. Thanks for your input on Kujo Jags. Those shoes can be worn all day long. So comfortable.
Rock on Brian. Good times. Best to the family
Brian - I watch all your videos and I’m impressed that you are willing to share your knowledge in exchange for your UA-cam business; well done. I am a commercial property landlord; I own a number of properties. I agree with raising your prices at the beginning or the end of the year, but you should never raise your prices mid season. If you give someone a proposal for the season, that should be the price for the season. It’s completely unethical to raise the price in the middle of the year when you know a customer can’t find a lawn service. They might not cancel on you mid season because they can’t replace you, but they will almost certainly cancel on you at the end of the year and not ever do business with you again because in the landlord business, that’s considered unethical. Just an FYI; again, kudos for what you’re doing. We just went in-house this year with our lawn maintenance, and we are one of the many beneficiaries of you sharing your knowledge and experience. Thanks again!
Hey Scott, thanks for watching! Honestly for commercial properties (which you manage) I totally agree. A contract is a contract, unless there’s a clause to raise rates for specific reasons. However, this video is relating to home owner properties. We have no contract with them, a la carte mowing! Is it inconvenient and maybe frustrating for the customer if the price is raised, sure. But, we still need to run our business and hit our numbers. Bottom line, there are plenty of options out there for residential customers to go with another company. Commercial can be a totally different story. Lastly, if they cancel us then (or end of season) based on a few bucks, then honestly they’re not the ideal client for us anyways. We’re searching for folks driven by relationship and partnership, not price. My local gas station changed prices daily with gas going up, I supported them because I know the owner, not because it went up 3-5%! Just my .02 from the contractor perspective! Hope that helps and wish you guys all the best with bringing things in house this year!
@@BriansLawnMaintenance Got it. Thanks for the quick reply. And from a business standpoint, I completely agree with you. Even if you enjoy your business, you’re in it to make money, just like we all are. Again, thanks for all of your sharing and advice. Looking forward to seeing more…
Those 2-5 dollars make a huge difference at the end of the season! Especially when you 10x it!!
Yessir!
I'm a landscaper in here in south Florida and your advice is very helpful , thank you . Keep striving 💪🏽
You bet Alex! Thanks for watching
Mid summer increases....
Best kept secret in the biz. Nail on the head kiddo. Ya hit the nail on the head.
Great video, 2 things: 1. The Darwin grip, I got to get a couple of those, all about working smarter not harder not to mention saving the back!! 2. I like your idea on price increasing, I am such a pushover when it comes customers asking if I could do this or that (small jobs) and I love what I do, being outside getting to play with POWER TOOLS! and I get to see the results of my hard work, especially when the customer comes out to give me rave reviews! Your last video with Keith talking about pricing got me thinking. I am thinking about the 3.7% increase, My insurance, license, fuel costs, and then you have your capital costs, Equipment and cost of sales, expenses it takes to keep the business going and growing. Not sure what you use to track your business financials but we (wife, a friend and I ) developed this excel spreadsheet that we have plugged in the formulas in each cell column, then it keeps a running total at the bottom of the sheet for each column. Our CPA, LOVES iIT! and wanted a blank copy she could encourage her other clients who have small businesses to use. It's a game changer, saves time and our money (at her rate of $185.00 per hour) . All we have to do is to email our spreadsheet and our binder with all of our receipts separated by month and each month organized by date. I would be happy to send you a copy if you think it might help folks out their?
Brian is the only one in the game with a coupon code that's more famous than the products it's attached to. Love it!
Brians10 worldwide bro. 😂😎 Trying to get us that Ford 10% off coupon.
That Aeration And Over Seeding program, sounds good!. Thanks!
I work for the county that I live in, maintaining 40 county ran properties..I do alot of weedeating..I am 6'2 so I have been looking into the grip for a couple months. After seeing this video, & being able to use your code..I am going to purchase it. Thanks for your videos and all of the information you give!
congratulations on your move and success. I like and take your advice!
Advise could not get much better! Thanks Brian
Thanks for the tips Brian!
I have found a great bump stop for mowers on open trailers, and it might work with a closed trailer. Get a full length , thick swim noodle. Measure to length. Run PVC pipe thru the middle, using a lubricant, and attach with 2 hole, electrical or flexible half clamps (1/2 inch wide or less) matching the outside circumference of the noodle, then secure them to the metal or wood surface with screws. I usually use 3-4 clamps.. Allow enough clearance for the mower frame on either horizontal or vertical plane. This protects the trailer and mower and uses very little space. It is water resistant and lasts a long time. Ron A
Brian, love the content man. Doing awesome and you always bring useful information.
I appreciate that!
I'm legit across the board, therefore my overhead is fairly high as well. I secure about 80% of jobs I estimate. I used to be so offended by those that would pass. Once I became comfortable with my value, I learned to brush those off a bit easier. After going over last year's profit margin, I did a small price adjustment this Spring (you make a good point on timing these things). I only lost one job with it. I got word they already regret it lol. So you are right, the notion that you will lose customers with a reasonable adjustment, proved not to be. Good stuff👍
Great challenge on the pricing. Too often folks are self-conscious or insecure of their prices. It takes courage price up.
Well said pal
Out there slaying poison ivy like a maniac brother. Keep making yards beautiful.
Lol
Ditch The Itch . Did a farmhouse clean up last week , a great money job but ended poison ivy both arms and legs , neck and above eye. No fun. Only second time in 15 years , it’s not bad if I don’t think about it :(
Great video Brian, tips are always better than mowing footage. I will disagree with the weather. I'm in Florida and there is no such thing as 80° here lol.
Lol maybe in Feb!
Yeah i was in that heat wave too. Im in southern Michigan
Thank you Brian, you gave me much to think about with my prices on my business!
Hope it gets you and others thinking!
I never considered the thought of raising during the season.
All right now mr brian you done a nice job great lil pep talk there , any one in business whom says they're not a salesman is not a true businessperson just my thoughts on that , ✌🤙🤟🎯
We’re all in sales, one way or another ha
Just ordered a Darwin grip directly from the site. I'm 6ft and after about 4 to 6 yards in a day my back is DONE! hope this brings some relief. Seems like it is well engineered. Thanks brian keep hustlin. Sending love from Moyock NC
Thanks B! Lmk how you like it. Rock on
I will soon!!
I agree and do everything you say except raising in the middle of the season, believe me I want to but I don’t feel right doing that lol I like to give them a early heads up and the opportunity to find someone else if I’m to expensive
I liked the Darwin’s grip for straight up trimming but can get awkward edging with it, also have had a hard time keeping it from sliding around after awhile even with the loc-tite. Definitely agree with the price increases 👍🏻
man right nows a great time life , with the massive knowledges of wealth for anyone or anything in combination of technology makes things so easy
You should be raising rates ~3.7% every year to keep pace with inflation.
Bingo
@@BriansLawnMaintenance Then this year you need to raise prices 40% to since that is how much the new USD were created in 2020 lol good luck with that.
Hope you are putting your business profits in bitcoin or physical gold and silver.
No one should be in the $20s let alone $30s if you are legit, you know you can’t cut for that and make money and make it to the next level. Workman’s comp, insurance and taxes take a 20-30 a lawn to a few dollars. A lot of expensive equipment for no money. Raise your prices show your worth
Yeah hard to stick around at $20/cut. Those guys always come and go, for that exact reason.
Brian's Lawn Maintenance our minimum is $50 and we maybe raising that very soon
TJ it will depend on where you’re at for prices to say the least and the yard size. I do this on my says off from the fire station and have insurance (don’t need workman’s comp as a solo). I do charge a low amount $20 for most yards I do (2500 to 3300 sf lots). But prices will have to go up for future business ventures. I’m looking to get rid of a bunch of low ballers and whatnot though and get more commercial stuff for next year. But I do hear what you’re speaking!!
I have just one tiny lawn I do for $30 then I have a few I do for $40 and $45 but most of my rural lots I get $60-$80 for them and I have one I do for $100 but no one lives at the house and it’s a big 3 acre lot but my 72" 12 mph mower takes care of the big lots fast. PS, there’s no trimming on that job 😃👍. Make money while you can all, Mark from Marks Lawn Care, Winter WI.
@@lawnman3638 I agree 😉
love my darwins grip......nice video....just what i was needing to hear...thanks, and i have been handing out flyers last two weeks......
Thanks for another great video....keep them coming.
Nice congrats on the move
Thanks man
Hey Brian, I’m a meat and potato kind of guy. Thanks for shooting us straight.
🥩🥔
Man you hit the nail on the head! Awesome information bro!!
Im going to check that darwin grip out it looks eazy to use.
I think its crazy that no one you mow has a fence, I'm in Oklahoma and every house has a fence around it, so 20 yards a day is a lot and getting riders into back yards is tough to. But glad you shared some of your pricing because i would never go below 30 bucks a yard, no one can afford to do it at 20 to 25. Enjoy the videos keep it up
Very good stuff Brian! Keep up the good work! Thank you for adding value to the lawn care community! Probably because you are busy, but why didn't you make this into 2 videos (the mowing & Darwin's Grip and then a video on price increases)? Not sure if that would be better for your channel or not. What an awesone compliment when people say that your channel is fake! Wow! That must mean you and your stuff is so planned and in order that it looks fake or stahed to them. Lol.
Haha thanks Matt!
Honest answer is each video takes about 2 hours to make, and just making one larger video was easier for me. We’re moving this week, my time is so limited, I just wanted to do one good video for you guys this week. Thanks for watching!
Bro., SOOOOOOOO TIRED today!!! Started working in garage yesterday at 7a. & was helping my buddy load up his truck at 11:30p.!! But, we gotz so much done!!! There even is enough room to vlog in there.... Hmmmmmm…. Hope all is well, Mike (G)Jones aka Dirty Jersey out!!!!!1
🔥
Hey Brian, had a question. Do you always mow with your chute up? What's the difference between putting it down and keeping it up? Thanks!
Usually it’s 50/50. In the afternoon I usually leave it down. In the morning I flip it up to help with grass dispersal when it’s wet/morning dew.
Thanks for the info I know 3000 Toro Rider vs. Exmark Rider really appreciate it love the channel
When it comes down to it, pricing is important, but it's all about density. You can have a $50 minimum all day, but if you're driving 10 mins between stops.. No bueno
That’s a super great point. Hopefully folks can see we do 20-30 lawns per sub per day. So others minimums may need to be that $40-$50 minimum for what we can do for $30 and still be very profitable.
Hay man it me again great vid oh and the weather were I live is shaping up so I'll be able to start mowing again soon, yay!!! We have been having 100+ degree days and that killed all the grass and then it rained for like 3 days straight soooooo yeah ha!!!
Hey Brian I was curious what if you have someone call you up and ask for your services to come work for them for a few hours and say they want to pay at a hourly rate instead of by the job. What would be a hourly rate charge you would suggest throwing out to the customer? Thank you for this channel it is a great help.
That’s a good question, I guess I’d say it just depends on the scope of work. I’m not really a for-hire laborer/handyman. I’m sure $25 is fine. For me, I wouldn’t probably offer my help for a rate, just not something I have time for. Hope that answers your question 👊
@@jmatney2011 there just trying to get a cheap price. Charge by the job
Love the info! Thanks Brian
Great video Brian, love the mowing footage! I love the Darwin's grip on my edger but I don't like it on my trimmer!
Great video brother keep up the awesome work
Your motivation is uplifting as always Brian.
If I feel that i will be raising rates on a property, it motivates me to do the best most thorough job and maybe something a bit extra prior to raising.
Conversely it sucks to be underpriced on a property, because then the quality of the work often slips.
Hey do you guys take note of grass sticking to white trim, or step kick boards after trimming?
Quite a bit is left stuck on even after leaf blowing stuff off.
I was thinking a damp cloth or sponge might be a quick way to keep paint and trim sharp in focal areas.
Any thoughts?
( Always knew u had a screw loose haha)
Ha! Love it. We don’t really tackle any of the green splat on houses or siding. We do walk around every property though. This eliminates any chance we miss something and helps to make sure the house and patio are blown off and cleaned up! Hope that helps.
I heard someone say the other day that you have to change up your striping pattern on the yards from time to time. They said that if you don't then you will rut up the yard. What are your thoughts and experiences on that? Any advice on how often you should change it up?
Absolutely you should. We change it up weekly, 3 different patterns usually.
Absolutely I did my own yard same pattern for a year or 2 same way too see if this was true the first time I went diagonal the mower was bouncing from the divots
Absolutely true. Plus, it just looks better. Lol
Congrats on the move!
Thank you!
Great advice Brian. I’ve always struggled with raising a price I quoted that was too low. After watching some of your videos I think I need an entirely new clientel base. 😣
Lol me too
I completely understand the idea behind- Raise your pricing when you have no competition in July. But I think its bad look. You know you have them pretty much locked in, which you do, but they know that as well. Especially to raise the price $5 or $10. I couldn't do that to a customer, especially by that kind of margin. Now, if they have been a pain, then sure. If someone likes you, have been a customer for a while. Raise the price $2/$3 when you send out the sign up form. If its someone you don't care if you get back or not, then sure raise it however much you want, so if you get a crazy number, you're happy to keep them, and if they go elsewhere, you didnt want them anyways.
For me, and hey if its working for you, great. But its like being at the store because you saw an advertised deal on tv that day. You get to the store, and the signs are still up, get to checkout and they say no its full price or whatever. You went there (they hired you) under the advertised price (what you got them to sign on for in the late winter), then changing the price at checkout.
How many customers have you lost, the following year, when doing this? Raising the price any amount, in July, then the following year they went elsewhere..
Hahahah , I have family that says Im not tan until I pull down my neck on my shirt . Hard to get rid of the tan lines when you have little time for shirtless tanning . Unless you're one of those unprofessional weirdos that mows shirtless . I do switch to sleeveless shirts on super hot days to try and bump up the line to my shoulder lol. Great video , I am in the process of bumping up prices . Unfortunately I came in low years ago on my first 10 lawns or so and now regret it . Ive been raising by a couple bucks each year and havent lost one yet . With that being said , Im probably still a bit low on some. Next season I will be getting up to a $50-55 average and start making some better profits!
Those flower beds were FULL of weeds Lol
Landscapers tan 💪🏽
Ha!
6:22 patch of Nutsedge. >>> What if grass grew that fast??? Mow every 3 days??? That crap loves the heat though.
Lol 🤷♂️
@Cory Piette Just uploaded one. Lawns are drying up here.
Love your videos!
Glad you like them!
Love your vids, keep it up. I'm a new business owner and learning a lot. My question is how do I raise prices mid season if I use contracts?
Fantastic advice... we will be following the same
First off thanks for the video. I'm a mowing business owner in Ohio. Your videos help me out a lot. I was watching your technique mowing. I'm not criticizing but I noticed your discharge was facing beds and patios and blowing towards the house. Does your guy then go blow all that off? Are you not cutting much? I'm only asking bc Ive been mowing for 18yrs but just went on my own this yr. I'm up to 52 lawns yr one. I can't figure out how to go faster. I think I'm too picky maybe? Like about where my discharge goes and I always change my stripes.from WK to WK. I noticed you were doing the same stripes. Like I said Im not criticizing. Just curious. Can you comment on some of that? 25 lawns is awesome. Our record this yr is 22 but it took 11.5 hrs. Keep in mind a couple of them were 1-1.5 acres. Sorry for the long comment but just curious. Thanks again for all your insight to the biz. I'm happy I found you guys in Michigan bc it's just about the same here in Ohio.
Thanks for watching pal! Yeah are lawns are like 5k sqft, definitely a 1/4th the size of your average lot. We always discharge away from the house on the mower, but we do trim counter clockwise. Just how we like to do it.
Those stripes are from 2 weeks ago! The week before we did diagonal. We always try to mow 3 angles, changing it every week.
Rock on pal!
Chris Gabel if you’ve been doing business for a while you wouldn’t be asking what you’re asking
Ok. Cool. Thanks. And btw. I trim the same way. Not many of us do that. You just tip the trimmer a little to the left and it discharges away from the bed. I will keep watching. You and Keith are awesome.
@@redcammari1415 I've been mowing and Landscaping for other companies since I was 16. I've just never dealt with the business side of it. Before, if it took a few extra minutes, I didn't care. Now it costs me money. I'm open-minded to anything Brian has to say. So I absolutely ask questions. 18yrs exp in the field. 4months exp running a business. But thanks Red. Btw my nickname is Red too lol
My main reason for asking is to see if Brian thinks I'm being picky. My helper always tell me I do little knit picks of extra work all day that the homeowners would never know the difference.
Brian Excellent video & great content! 💪🏾👍🏾 Hey where can we use Brain's 10 for the Darwin Grips? As always, thanks for taking your time to discuss this info! 💯
Congrats on the new place! 👍🏾
DarwinsGrip.com 👊🔥
Hey Brian, love the videos!!!
I have a question regarding the Darwin grip, can you edge sidewalks with your trimmer with the Darwin grip on??
Thanks
Yeah we just use the standard handle on the trimmer while it’s sideways. We showed a clip of it in this vlog!
Good Content, Dawg!!!!
Woof
Thanks for the info bro🙏🙏🚜🚜🚧
Great video!
I am thinking about raising prices for some customers for next year. I have a couple of customers at $25 a cut and would raise them to $30 for next year. I have mowed them for 2 years at the same price. I have one guy that has 3 properties all in a row. I catch his grass. I got the business for $25 per yard. I am thinking about raising him to $35 per property for next year, mainly for the fact that I catch his grass and mow bi-monthly. I would rather mow him every week. Your thought.
We did a video talking about biweekly, check it out
Todd Behrends , I don’t do bi weekly anymore I try to encourage them to do weekly cuts
Your "not too crazy" 17 lawns consumes my Saturday, but I only mow on Saturday :)
Dude! You tied me on subs! I knew you would catch me... :)
Lol no way. Dude you should be at 250K! #asmr
@@BriansLawnMaintenance We will both be there some day. Amazed at your progress man!
You gotta learn to love to say no! Call billy down the street, when he goes back to school, don’t call me, when it’s 100 degrees don’t call me! Total lack of respect for us.
Thanks for the real meat 😂😂
i'm a part timer and i do thirty for the sha-bang, alot more out in the county.
As a new startup, lots of experience in the business but starting on my own now. Would you just hang flyers on doors or hang actual estimates for the property?
Just flyers and then have those conversations when they call you
What type of blades are you using in this video (high lift, mulching, etc)? Thank you!
try riding your back tire on the concrete. doesnt squashe the soil onnthe edge makin it hard to square off
I've only had to increase one of my customers but that's only because I raised my minimun cut from $25 to $30.
What if your a lefty for the Darwin Grip???
That’s a good question. There isn’t a L option yet that I know of? Maybe other Lefty’s can weigh in!
LEFTY'S ARE RIGHT BRAINED......! funny thing.....most lefty's make better weed whippers, check it out hahaha
Brian, how receptive are your customers to the #1-$2 increases? I hate raising my prices. I always send out a spring letter stating this year price. I usually work in $5 increments. I don't usually charge tax but I am getting ready to add that next year. I just don't want to drive my customers away. I am not sure I could get away with mid season price increases but when a new customer calls me after July into the fall the rate is higher because I know nobody is picking up new accounts and I am loosing daylight. Your thoughts please. Also will you be at the GIE Expo in August?
Busy guy cool videos thx
Love the channel
Thanks pal
What height do you mow your lawns at this time of year? I’m currently at 4” on most of mine with st Augustine and centipede grass
3-3.25” with Kentucky blue
That’s where I have been in the past but went higher this year!
Do people complain about getting mowed on Monday or Tuesday (beginning of the week)? Getting ready to heading back to teaching and trying to decide if i want to mow on M,W,F or W,Th,F in the evenings
Not at all. We mow commercial Monday, residential t-th
I wish I can apply the advice that you provide. But unfortunately where I live, when I price $40 the potential customer gets another quote for $25. A crew of 3 charging $25. Larger lawns I quote $50+. But there is this guy that charges $30 for all lawn sizes. Same price. No matter what the size.
We all have those guys by us
You had to buy a 7' trailer so Rob wouldn't be hunched over getting tools. He'd struggle in my 6.5". lol
What do tou charge for blowing leaves in the fall. Do you just keep the same price for when you mow?
Usually we aim for $125/hr. Or 3x the mowing price to start for a clean up is a good rule of thumb
Hey Brian, whats the brand of your trimmer rack? Seems pretty nice i hate mines. Keep up the good work!
We use the equipment defender racks. They’re a partner on the channel, Brians10 saves 10% with them! I love mine.
How highly do you set the deck for striping?
😂 self promotion keeps the business in motion
Lol I like that