We ask 25% up front to lock in the job and to get scheduled,another 25% the first day when we start the job and the other 50% at the completion of the job,it has worked great for us! Great topic! 👍
I ask for 50% deposit to get on the schedule. I never asked for one before but found that some customers would approve an estimate but then continue shopping for a cheaper price. A week before it’s scheduled after you have spent all the time designing and setting up materials they call and cancel “we decided to go a different route”. When they have 50% deposit paid, they are serious and aren’t still shopping.
Great video . I actually run a Hvac business . 9 years strong now . We actually collect 70% deposit upfront. I was actually scared to do that because I was doing 50%, but I have been collecting 70% upfront for years now with not one issue. I didn’t believe it would work but it did !
I own an HVAC/Plumbing company and always collect 3/4 down to cover most of the materials needed for installation and then the last 1/4 upon completion. If I get stiffed, at least I "technically" won't lose any money.
Don't be afraid to ask to cover the materials. I get them to cover me or pay my suppliers directly. If I have a job which I make more than 50% I just get them to pay 50%. If a customer doesn't want to pay deposit just walk away it's not a customer for you. In our contract we collect payment on completion of job. Cash ,card or cheque. If you let them know how you conduct buisnesss straight away and say it with confidence. They don't even hesitate. This is what I do in Australia
Dan Diamond Cut Landscaping here I take a 80% in big jobs $10,000 and up just because I know that you always run into something every time once I start I collect but good thing is I always put it in my joist and joist is amazing so don't be scared if you ain't doing it right you ain't doing it.BIG DOG talk.
I love this video! Going to give it a try myself! Working for a huge company and its amazing how many people will come up with reasons why not to pay. I cant take it like that when I do side work.
I ask for all materials/rentals paid for up front for anything $1,000+. Hardly anyone has batted an eyelash. I've never got burnt from anyone who put down the initial deposit.
If it's a job over $300 and will have have materials beyond gas consumption I take a deposit cost to cover at least materials. I'm not paying for your mulch or plants or dirt. I was Plan B and never got the deposit so never scheduled. Regular mow customer. Ticked me off profusely wasted my time quoting and derking around with them to have the rug pulled from underneath me.
I take a 1/3 deposit to book. And any jobs under 20k we invoice upon completion. Anything over that we will do a draw two weeks into the job for another 1/3.
30% start date 30% half way 30% at my request usually at 75% completion but hey sometimes the materials and labor starts eating away at you. 10% upon completion
I get it, I seriously do. I own an extremely expensive business to operate. That being said, I’ve been burned by contractors by giving a deposit. I will never give my money up front to any contractor. Many say that I will never find people to work for me, not true. I had a 40x60 pole barn delivered to my house ($94,000) and didn’t put a penny down. I get everything I want done and I pay after services are rendered. Just a prospective from the consumer side of it.
Do you still requires deposits if the customers is providing all the materials? Do you accepts jobs if customers insist on buying materials on their own? Do a video on bidding contracts
I don’t accept customers that want to buy their own materials, more often then not. The customer don’t get everything I need and that causes me to have to run out get what they missed
I get 50% down because I'm a vinyl fence contractor and the materials are expensive. The 50% doesn't even cover all of the materials. I notify my customers about the deposit almost immediately after they call me to accept my proposal. It's best to get it done right away. If your customer complaints about it its a huge red flag.
@sean hatch. Don't be afraid to ask to cover the materials. I get them to cover me or pay my suppliers directly. If I have a job which I make more than 50% I just get them to pay 50%. If I customer doesn't want to pay deposit just walk away it's not a customer for you.
@@lukedugga271 I was thinking the same thing after reading some of the comments. I certainly hate worrying about getting burned but this is my 5th year and I haven't had that happen yet. I'm going to update my contract and try 70% on a few jobs. Thanks!
I started my own landscape business because I got the courage watching your videos the past couple years. I'm not having a problem with deposits but it's my job pricing. I work by myself and the only power tools I have is a trimmer and a chainsaw, so I mostly use hand tools. I know you are really busy and all, so am I. I'm swamped with landscape work which is good but I'm still barely getting by. I just wondered if there is a way to get my job pricing right because the past couple weeks have been brutal....
Keith, Did you talk to Stanley about me? I just talked to him a week and a half ago and I sent him a text about this topic last week. I got burnt on 2 jobs. Also I am sure I will be doing work for you someday so I am going to need a $1000 deposit NOW!!! lol I will be emailing you with more deeper questions.
Great advice keith , I always ask for a deposit in my business But ill repair the dent first get it in primer thrn ask , this way they could see how good the repair is and I'm almost done So yeah ill ask for 30% to 40% and then they never see me again lol just joking lol
It's human nature to take where you can- sorry but they will. Your livelihood often times is number 1 on your list aside from family whereas landscaping is several or more spots down on theirs. Dont waver on deposits. Stick to your convictions.
We accept nothing less than a 50 percent deposit on all landscaping jobs. Doesn’t matter if it’s $100 or $10,000… we also have a 15 percent non refundable on all landscaping projects if client decides to back out once they sign the contract before we start the project. All of this is stated in person and in our contract.
Dude yes i do 25% cancellation fee on the total amount of the project before we even begin and or 60% deposit if they cancel in the middle of the project. Na man i had one customer cancelled. I place 2 separate batches for the store. As known phase one and phase two. Bringing phase one to his house just to tell me he decided to cancel. Yoooooo we had trucks parked and loaded. I am like 😠😤😐 "hold a second". He was like 😕. I told him "really? Couldn't just call me early 2 days. You do realize the retail store grab half of the team to load this up in our trucks". He was like "well i cancel i will like my deposit returned". Is said "read the contract once again and tell me if you want to cancel the project". Goes to the house and comes out 😡. 🤨My head (yeah fker got you, either pay the cancellation fee or proceed with the project). Comes with his wife i am like 🙄, why Woman have to get in the way when the Man sign the contract. She comes talk with sweetness. "Mam, with all the respect no third parties, your man signed and agreed on the contract". She goes back inside. She comes out says "proceed". I told her "with all the respect mam, your man must tell me either proceed or retrieve because he signed the contract". He comes out 🤬 "PROCEED". Many customers believe this some Walmart or Target you can get your money back. This is totally different.
People are cheap they will find some else that will do the job for free especially landscaping way too much competition not worth it. Good luck cuz the People coming fresh from the border will definitely get it done 👍
I do 60% 😂. Is mostly material and some labor. The rest is the reminder of labor. I've done great with it. Only one was like yoooo that is to much 60% and point 👉 out where mainly goes. Then he was like 😳. I tell them is basically you buying materials from retail store just that we go get it with our trailer. The rest is our hands and machines creating your idea into reality. They like 😐😶😌🙂🤝 okay go for it . Is all about how you speak to customers.
I require a 30% deposit on any job over 750$
That's awesome. 👌 Good man.
@@keith-kalfas thank u sir
We ask 25% up front to lock in the job and to get scheduled,another 25% the first day when we start the job and the other 50% at the completion of the job,it has worked great for us!
Great topic! 👍
I ask for 50% deposit to get on the schedule. I never asked for one before but found that some customers would approve an estimate but then continue shopping for a cheaper price. A week before it’s scheduled after you have spent all the time designing and setting up materials they call and cancel “we decided to go a different route”. When they have 50% deposit paid, they are serious and aren’t still shopping.
Your 100% right and people need to know this. Tell them dawg!
Great video . I actually run a Hvac business . 9 years strong now . We actually collect 70% deposit upfront. I was actually scared to do that because I was doing 50%, but I have been collecting 70% upfront for years now with not one issue. I didn’t believe it would work but it did !
Nice. 70%
Jobber helps me with deposits 👍🏻 all quotes I send out has the option for deposit and signature collected
Thank you for sharing and teaching us all of your wisdom. You are a humble 💯
I require half down / half on completion.
Great topic!
Nice. 50/50
I own an HVAC/Plumbing company and always collect 3/4 down to cover most of the materials needed for installation and then the last 1/4 upon completion. If I get stiffed, at least I "technically" won't lose any money.
That's interesting. Thanks for sharing this.
Your content just keep getting better.🔥🔥🔥 I’ll have to incorporate this into my business. Thank you 😊
NOT getting stiffed is VERY IMPORTANT for all of us because it CAN happen and it happens when you don't expect it
Thanks for the free knowledge, you a real one Keith💯🙌🏽
I've learned if you're upfront and stand your ground they respect that and return percentage near the top
Don't be afraid to ask to cover the materials. I get them to cover me or pay my suppliers directly. If I have a job which I make more than 50% I just get them to pay 50%. If a customer doesn't want to pay deposit just walk away it's not a customer for you. In our contract we collect payment on completion of job. Cash ,card or cheque. If you let them know how you conduct buisnesss straight away and say it with confidence. They don't even hesitate. This is what I do in Australia
Over a barrel
Or Under the gun
Kelfas...mixing your metaphors mate!
Glenn from Aust
Dan Diamond Cut Landscaping here I take a 80% in big jobs $10,000 and up just because I know that you always run into something every time once I start I collect but good thing is I always put it in my joist and joist is amazing so don't be scared if you ain't doing it right you ain't doing it.BIG DOG talk.
🤣🤣 I just saw an Exmark ( Weingartz ) commercial, and I'm like "wait....that guy looks familiar 😂🤣"
Another great video and we also get scheduling deposits and staged deposits. You hit all the reasons why!
Thanks Keith! 👊🏻
I love this video! Going to give it a try myself!
Working for a huge company and its amazing how many people will come up with reasons why not to pay. I cant take it like that when I do side work.
It's true. You gotta get that deposit.
Never out of pocket materials
I ask for all materials/rentals paid for up front for anything $1,000+. Hardly anyone has batted an eyelash. I've never got burnt from anyone who put down the initial deposit.
Do you use any websites to design landscape job
awesome video
California contractors can legally only take 10% or $1,000 for down payment. We make it up with a takeoff and progress payments
I'm surprised they let you take any down payment at all.
If it's a job over $300 and will have have materials beyond gas consumption I take a deposit cost to cover at least materials. I'm not paying for your mulch or plants or dirt. I was Plan B and never got the deposit so never scheduled. Regular mow customer. Ticked me off profusely wasted my time quoting and derking around with them to have the rug pulled from underneath me.
I take a 1/3 deposit to book. And any jobs under 20k we invoice upon completion. Anything over that we will do a draw two weeks into the job for another 1/3.
I’ve always required non refundable 50% upfront if they want to be put on my calendar. Even if I’m booked weeks in advance.
30% start date
30% half way
30% at my request usually at 75% completion but hey sometimes the materials and labor starts eating away at you.
10% upon completion
ALWAYS great information. Like 👍 👍
Thanks Charles
What do you do when the customer says I don't give deposits due to past rip off contractors ?
Loved the video 📹❤👌♥😍💕📹❤👌♥😍💕📹
Thank you.
Automatic like 👍🏻. I’ve been wondering about this.
Haha thanks man.
@@keith-kalfas absolutely brother 🤙🏻 thank you for the helpful tips and insights.
Too$hort baby! Get in where you fit in!
good video :)
2nd question. If the customer cancels the job do you keep the deposit or do they expect the deposit to be returned to them?
Create a clause where you keep 15% if they cancel and you haven’t started your. Add things like that.
I get it, I seriously do. I own an extremely expensive business to operate. That being said, I’ve been burned by contractors by giving a deposit. I will never give my money up front to any contractor. Many say that I will never find people to work for me, not true. I had a 40x60 pole barn delivered to my house ($94,000) and didn’t put a penny down. I get everything I want done and I pay after services are rendered. Just a prospective from the consumer side of it.
Do you still requires deposits if the customers is providing all the materials?
Do you accepts jobs if customers insist on buying materials on their own?
Do a video on bidding contracts
I don’t accept customers that want to buy their own materials, more often then not. The customer don’t get everything I need and that causes me to have to run out get what they missed
I get 50% down because I'm a vinyl fence contractor and the materials are expensive. The 50% doesn't even cover all of the materials. I notify my customers about the deposit almost immediately after they call me to accept my proposal. It's best to get it done right away. If your customer complaints about it its a huge red flag.
@sean hatch. Don't be afraid to ask to cover the materials. I get them to cover me or pay my suppliers directly. If I have a job which I make more than 50% I just get them to pay 50%. If I customer doesn't want to pay deposit just walk away it's not a customer for you.
@@lukedugga271 I was thinking the same thing after reading some of the comments. I certainly hate worrying about getting burned but this is my 5th year and I haven't had that happen yet. I'm going to update my contract and try 70% on a few jobs. Thanks!
I started my own landscape business because I got the courage watching your videos the past couple years. I'm not having a problem with deposits but it's my job pricing. I work by myself and the only power tools I have is a trimmer and a chainsaw, so I mostly use hand tools. I know you are really busy and all, so am I. I'm swamped with landscape work which is good but I'm still barely getting by. I just wondered if there is a way to get my job pricing right because the past couple weeks have been brutal....
Charge them like you don’t want to do it lol that’s what I was told
@@Fortvinsala thats pretty solid advice.
Keith, Did you talk to Stanley about me? I just talked to him a week and a half ago and I sent him a text about this topic last week. I got burnt on 2 jobs. Also I am sure I will be doing work for you someday so I am going to need a $1000 deposit NOW!!! lol I will be emailing you with more deeper questions.
50%
I hate using PayPal because if it’s over 700 they put it on hold for 21 days and that’s how I almost lost a customer
Make the customer pay for %100 of the materials if they cant afford materials they cant afford your laybor walk away
Great advice keith , I always ask for a deposit in my business
But ill repair the dent first get it in primer thrn ask , this way they could see how good the repair is and I'm almost done
So yeah ill ask for 30% to 40% and then they never see me again lol just joking lol
It's human nature to take where you can- sorry but they will. Your livelihood often times is number 1 on your list aside from family whereas landscaping is several or more spots down on theirs. Dont waver on deposits. Stick to your convictions.
I tell them half the money when it gets cut down the rest when cleaned up
Sup dawg 👍
Sup dawg.
We accept nothing less than a 50 percent deposit on all landscaping jobs. Doesn’t matter if it’s $100 or $10,000… we also have a 15 percent non refundable on all landscaping projects if client decides to back out once they sign the contract before we start the project. All of this is stated in person and in our contract.
That makes sense. 50%
Dude yes i do 25% cancellation fee on the total amount of the project before we even begin and or 60% deposit if they cancel in the middle of the project. Na man i had one customer cancelled. I place 2 separate batches for the store. As known phase one and phase two. Bringing phase one to his house just to tell me he decided to cancel. Yoooooo we had trucks parked and loaded. I am like 😠😤😐 "hold a second". He was like 😕. I told him "really? Couldn't just call me early 2 days. You do realize the retail store grab half of the team to load this up in our trucks". He was like "well i cancel i will like my deposit returned". Is said "read the contract once again and tell me if you want to cancel the project". Goes to the house and comes out 😡.
🤨My head (yeah fker got you, either pay the cancellation fee or proceed with the project).
Comes with his wife i am like 🙄, why Woman have to get in the way when the Man sign the contract.
She comes talk with sweetness. "Mam, with all the respect no third parties, your man signed and agreed on the contract". She goes back inside. She comes out says "proceed". I told her "with all the respect mam, your man must tell me either proceed or retrieve because he signed the contract". He comes out 🤬 "PROCEED".
Many customers believe this some Walmart or Target you can get your money back. This is totally different.
People are cheap they will find some else that will do the job for free especially landscaping way too much competition not worth it. Good luck cuz the People coming fresh from the border will definitely get it done 👍
I do 60% 😂. Is mostly material and some labor. The rest is the reminder of labor. I've done great with it. Only one was like yoooo that is to much 60% and point 👉 out where mainly goes. Then he was like 😳. I tell them is basically you buying materials from retail store just that we go get it with our trailer. The rest is our hands and machines creating your idea into reality. They like 😐😶😌🙂🤝 okay go for it .
Is all about how you speak to customers.
Cool cool
Always 33 percent down no Exceptions
People you don’t want to give a deposit will never pay you
Yup. Haha. Get that 33%
Black shirts are so hot you need a lighter color
Most of the time customers gladly hand over a deposit I've never had an issue hit the real reason issue I just simply tell them I can't do the job