Love the video! Switching to the "pay for services as you go" model. In the past, I felt obligated to provide services even when the weather was bad. As you know here in Florida, hurricanes and tropical storms can sideline mowing for a week. I personally will not put a machine on a wet lawn just to make a dollar. Quality of your work says a lot! Thanks for all the great videos!
I'm not doing contracts anymore is not so profitable I did it for money flow, I totally agreed with you in residential accounts but commercial customers is got to be contract
My 2 favorite guys on 1 comment... Cheers guys. You both are the real deal. I have taken a little bit from both of you. The idea I like the most from blades is the idea of keeping my business and home separate. Renting a small storage place to keep it all organized plus keeps the house in a nice area, looking like a home. Keeps the peace with the Mrs. My favorite idea from turf pro is the video on seeing the actual income per property per hour. There was a property I loved doing because it's nice but turned out after expenses I was making very little doing it. That formula has helped me focus better . Good sheet from you two PLUS!!! Never heard either of you get into the TH-cam drama some other companies were doing. They all lost my interest and subscription. Bunch of high school female bs . So cheers guys. Wish you both continued success and and happiness
Small world. I've been watching this guy as well and you too, making my own content as well, but off topic, what is it with the dis like button gettin clicked. This video has one dislike and I notice that all over TH-cam. It's not like the video says, here is a million bucks and the content is about catching small pox lol. Dislike makes no sense, if someone don't like, they should comment their concern. Anyways, Blades of Grass videos, I feel you watch some of mine for ideas, and I watch some of yours for Ideas, and Florida Turf Pros also, ideas I get when watching. On TH-cam, small like me, or middle, or big, we all tend the land and the content cannot be disliked cause we care. Remember Geek to Freak videos? That dude was so passionate and when people dislike a video, I feel that the message of the content wasn't truly grasped. Keep it up and keep posting, both of you, 2020 is gunna be GReeeeeeeaT!
I totally agree.... We used to do contracts but stopped a few years back. I kind of had a revelation.... You work so hard to sign customers up, why force them to think about whether they're going to remain your customer every year? In our market mowing is seasonal we just inform them in early March what date routine mowing will resume. We do cards on file as well and it has been a game changer.
All Phase Lawn & Landscape That’s it.. the customers have to make a decision every year whether or not to use your service again... I’ve found it works best to just keep them on auto pilot.. hey, it works for Netflix and other auto charge services! =)
We don't do contracts, but we do have our customers sign a service agreement which lays out the services that we will provide and how we will get paid, we use this method to make sure our potential clients are clear about how we operate, all of our service agreements automatically renew each season unless terms change and the customer is more than welcome to quit at anytime.
Southern Style Lawn Care I agree. I do have contracts with several HOA’s, and it is nice getting the additional winter income. I would never want my whole business to be tied up in contracts, but it works fine for HOA’s and the few commercial we do.
I agree, I covered something similar and I did do an agreement that prevented people firing us over the winter time to get the year-round rate back charged on final bill. they could let us go at any time because it's their personal property and I don't think a contract should be able to allow anyone to stay on anybody's private
I own a pest control company and am thinking about starting a landscaping company now. Everyone signs a contract. It protects us and either party can cancel with 30 days written notice. We do not get new contracts signed each year. Our contracts renew month to month with the same terms unless we say otherwise or they cancel. How can you take someone to court for non payment without a contract? How can you debate if they say something should be covered, but it is not without a contract?
Jonathan I’m the owner of McGowen Lawn Care in Wildwood, Mo. Like you we don’t use contracts. We explain on our website that the reason we don’t is it incentivizes us to provide the very best service possible and we are confident the customer will be so pleased they will want to stay with us. On larger jobs like mulch installs and annual leaf cleanups we sometimes require partial advance payment before work commenced with the balance due immediately upon completion. I find your videos very helpful. Larry McGowen
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t do contract and it works for me. It’s also just my youngest son and I, sometimes my oldest. Being it’s just us I don’t want a contract because if something happens like me getting sick or anything I don’t want a contract to be there in place.
Good content. I agree with your reasons. It's how I think and feel about it also. Thank you. I'm seeking wisdom for lawn care. And your videos help me alot. :)
J's Crazy Cutz, LLC I have contracts with all our HOA’s as well. That’s a different ball game than residential, and it DOES provide us with winter income.
I had to do contracts to have money flow I still do contracts depending on the client, the contracts signed in during the winter and spring time but I stop taking contract clients in the summer. For me is good to know how much money I am going to make with maintenance clients.
I agree, no contracts for individual home owners. However for large HOA,s, apartment complex's, and other large businesses, I always have a contract, and they usually want it or need it and normally insist on it for their budget and various approvals. In addition, a contract, in those situations, can help my business planning for the year, and maybe for the next two or three years. (More or larger or different style equipment needed? More employees? A new team leader, etc?) Blessings
I also do not do contracts and never have. I find that they are not needed. If I am doing good work for a client as we have agreed upon why would they let me go? The great thing as you stated is that if it is not working out for either party then its easy to move on and not be locked in. I charge monthly flat rates as you discussed. Have not had a problem with that way of billing. I do however prorate the first and last month with a per visit rate if not starting or ending at the beginning or end of the month. My billing is also due at the beginning of the month for the month services. I don't bill after services are completed so I don't have to hassle clients when they late pay.
31 years never a contract. Never had a no payer! I am still waiting on one client to send a check here on 11/27/19. I consider it money in the bank! Don't have it can't spend it! I save a portion every week of my income! Buying a new Infiniti tomorrow 12/18/19 with cash!!! Grass is good in NC! Just did last leaf removal of the year today! Randys Lawn Care
Nice job on the video. I totally agree with you I don’t like to be in a contract with someone els so why would my clients want to. I don’t do contacts either
Great information as always, Jonathan. We do not do contracts as well and are working slowly to get existing customers to CC on file and certainly new customers. We/I did one time serviced this year, at a higher rate, but I like the idea of minimum cuts. Also, for your weekly customers, do you charge their cards every week or a set time? I assume you also calculate the processing fee at the time of charging? Thank you in advance!
Gwinnett Lawns so I just noticed the name of your business and visited your web page to see where exactly in Gwinnett county you call home. I live in Dacula as well and am starting my own lawn business this 2020 season. Don’t worry, there is plenty of grass to go around but perhaps we can be of assistance to each other. I would love to have someone I trust who does professional work to help cover me in the case I get the flu and can’t work for a week or perhaps I just need an extra hand on a large job. Let’s talk.
Yes I think that would be a great idea. Brians lawn maintenance did a video on working with other landscapers as subs and was excellent and spells out everything, so there is no misunderstandings on either side. Check on the video and then I think we should get together before it gets busy. Here is the video th-cam.com/video/W5Uesc9zETY/w-d-xo.html
I agree, currently operate with all customers having a card on file/charged each service. That being said, I have considered offering an option for a 12month contract for my best customers that have been with me for over a full year, not so much for winter income but to help them out by having one flat monthly rate and not having to pay $700-1000 twice a year for hedges and pinestraw. I wouldn't offer that for customers that I don't have a well established relationship with, or ones that I don't particularly trust
What CC service do you use for automatic payments? What fees are associated with it?Do you charge the card at the time of service or a particular day (Friday)? Thanks
Do you charge a premium if a customer calls to have the lawn mowed on a day off scheduled or for Friday work? I find that occasionally we have to if it is outside the area we are working.
I run a successful tree service company and haven’t signed a single contract. Only been screwed once for $250. Definitely not a big fan of locking people into a contract
A payment agreement (contract) is necessary in the instance that someone does not pay. Also, to charge late fees. We do require a card on file but you never know when it might get declined. It has not slowed down our growth. The payment agreement states that it auto renews until otherwise cancelled.
Not to criticize you , but as a homeowner I would NEVER sign a contract, there's plenty of people who will mow your lawn without one. I'd NEVER give my card number to a lawn service either.
Don Juan that’s perfectly fine and some “companies” only invoice once a month and then wait 30 days or more for payment..... or to find out you have no intention to pay. We can not afford to not get paid quickly and efficiently. We have doubled in size this year and have the highest ratings in the area we service, so it has not hurt us at all. Best decision we ever made is cards “on file”. That means we can see the last 4 digits and the expiration date only.
Love the video! Switching to the "pay for services as you go" model. In the past, I felt obligated to provide services even when the weather was bad. As you know here in Florida, hurricanes and tropical storms can sideline mowing for a week. I personally will not put a machine on a wet lawn just to make a dollar. Quality of your work says a lot! Thanks for all the great videos!
Jonathan, Do you have a spy in my shop, 😂I run my business the same way and it's been running very smooth whit no issues. Great information!
I'm not doing contracts anymore is not so profitable I did it for money flow, I totally agreed with you in residential accounts but commercial customers is got to be contract
Blades of Grass Lawn Care, LLC If I’m doing it like you, it’s proof I’m on the right track! 😃 Thanks for commenting, Jonny!
My 2 favorite guys on 1 comment... Cheers guys. You both are the real deal. I have taken a little bit from both of you. The idea I like the most from blades is the idea of keeping my business and home separate. Renting a small storage place to keep it all organized plus keeps the house in a nice area, looking like a home. Keeps the peace with the Mrs.
My favorite idea from turf pro is the video on seeing the actual income per property per hour. There was a property I loved doing because it's nice but turned out after expenses I was making very little doing it. That formula has helped me focus better .
Good sheet from you two PLUS!!! Never heard either of you get into the TH-cam drama some other companies were doing. They all lost my interest and subscription. Bunch of high school female bs .
So cheers guys. Wish you both continued success and and happiness
Small world. I've been watching this guy as well and you too, making my own content as well, but off topic, what is it with the dis like button gettin clicked. This video has one dislike and I notice that all over TH-cam. It's not like the video says, here is a million bucks and the content is about catching small pox lol. Dislike makes no sense, if someone don't like, they should comment their concern. Anyways, Blades of Grass videos, I feel you watch some of mine for ideas, and I watch some of yours for Ideas, and Florida Turf Pros also, ideas I get when watching. On TH-cam, small like me, or middle, or big, we all tend the land and the content cannot be disliked cause we care. Remember Geek to Freak videos? That dude was so passionate and when people dislike a video, I feel that the message of the content wasn't truly grasped. Keep it up and keep posting, both of you, 2020 is gunna be GReeeeeeeaT!
Blades of grass lawn care LLC you do contacts if i remember correctly?
I dont like any contracts or debt. If i do have to take out a loan, I double or triple the payment to knock it out
Completely agree with not doing contracts. Thx for a great video!
I totally agree.... We used to do contracts but stopped a few years back. I kind of had a revelation.... You work so hard to sign customers up, why force them to think about whether they're going to remain your customer every year? In our market mowing is seasonal we just inform them in early March what date routine mowing will resume. We do cards on file as well and it has been a game changer.
All Phase Lawn & Landscape That’s it.. the customers have to make a decision every year whether or not to use your service again... I’ve found it works best to just keep them on auto pilot.. hey, it works for Netflix and other auto charge services! =)
We don't do contracts, but we do have our customers sign a service agreement which lays out the services that we will provide and how we will get paid, we use this method to make sure our potential clients are clear about how we operate, all of our service agreements automatically renew each season unless terms change and the customer is more than welcome to quit at anytime.
I agree 100%. Thats how I run my business. Makes it easy when you have to part ways as well. Contracts are a huge waste of time unless its commercial.
Southern Style Lawn Care I agree. I do have contracts with several HOA’s, and it is nice getting the additional winter income. I would never want my whole business to be tied up in contracts, but it works fine for HOA’s and the few commercial we do.
We are a No Contract company too for residential property. We do have a few with National and Military clients.
Do you still retain/pay employees over the winter? Via managing cash throughout the year
I agree, I covered something similar and I did do an agreement that prevented people firing us over the winter time to get the year-round rate back charged on final bill. they could let us go at any time because it's their personal property and I don't think a contract should be able to allow anyone to stay on anybody's private
Beach River Landscapes Ya I never really thought about it that way but that makes sense. Thanks for commenting.
Agreed no contracts no discounts. Another reason I dont do them is if I want to let someone go. Not the goal but ya know.
I own a pest control company and am thinking about starting a landscaping company now. Everyone signs a contract. It protects us and either party can cancel with 30 days written notice. We do not get new contracts signed each year. Our contracts renew month to month with the same terms unless we say otherwise or they cancel. How can you take someone to court for non payment without a contract? How can you debate if they say something should be covered, but it is not without a contract?
Thanks for the input. I have been curious about this idea and haven't felt comfortable with that approach. Thanks for the content
Jonathan I’m the owner of McGowen Lawn Care in Wildwood, Mo. Like you we don’t use contracts. We explain on our website that the reason we don’t is it incentivizes us to provide the very best service possible and we are confident the customer will be so pleased they will want to stay with us. On larger jobs like mulch installs and annual leaf cleanups we sometimes require partial advance payment before work commenced with the balance due immediately upon completion. I find your videos very helpful. Larry McGowen
Larry McGowen I like the idea of saying it incentivizes your company to do good work.
If ur just starting don't make a contract for 6 months on a bad deal you need to be able to stop doing those yards when u want to
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t do contract and it works for me. It’s also just my youngest son and I, sometimes my oldest. Being it’s just us I don’t want a contract because if something happens like me getting sick or anything I don’t want a contract to be there in place.
Good content. I agree with your reasons. It's how I think and feel about it also. Thank you. I'm seeking wisdom for lawn care. And your videos help me alot. :)
We run our business the same way! The only contract account we have is an HOA common ground property that we have been maintaining the past few years.
J's Crazy Cutz, LLC I have contracts with all our HOA’s as well. That’s a different ball game than residential, and it DOES provide us with winter income.
I had to do contracts to have money flow I still do contracts depending on the client, the contracts signed in during the winter and spring time but I stop taking contract clients in the summer. For me is good to know how much money I am going to make with maintenance clients.
I agree, no contracts for individual home owners. However for large HOA,s, apartment complex's, and other large businesses, I always have a contract, and they usually want it or need it and normally insist on it for their budget and various approvals. In addition, a contract, in those situations, can help my business planning for the year, and maybe for the next two or three years. (More or larger or different style equipment needed? More employees? A new team leader, etc?) Blessings
Dave Allen All good points. Thanks for commenting.
I also do not do contracts and never have. I find that they are not needed. If I am doing good work for a client as we have agreed upon why would they let me go? The great thing as you stated is that if it is not working out for either party then its easy to move on and not be locked in. I charge monthly flat rates as you discussed. Have not had a problem with that way of billing. I do however prorate the first and last month with a per visit rate if not starting or ending at the beginning or end of the month. My billing is also due at the beginning of the month for the month services. I don't bill after services are completed so I don't have to hassle clients when they late pay.
1. No one actually "likes" contracts.
NOT true. I like them when I'm not sure about the contractor. It locks him in to what he says he's going to do.
31 years never a contract. Never had a no payer! I am still waiting on one client to send a check here on 11/27/19. I consider it money in the bank! Don't have it can't spend it! I save a portion every week of my income! Buying a new Infiniti tomorrow 12/18/19 with cash!!!
Grass is good in NC! Just did last leaf removal of the year today!
Randys Lawn Care
Nice job on the video. I totally agree with you I don’t like to be in a contract with someone els so why would my clients want to. I don’t do contacts either
Being in Florida, are you cutting year around? How are you maintaining your employees during the winter months ?
Great information as always, Jonathan. We do not do contracts as well and are working slowly to get existing customers to CC on file and certainly new customers. We/I did one time serviced this year, at a higher rate, but I like the idea of minimum cuts. Also, for your weekly customers, do you charge their cards every week or a set time? I assume you also calculate the processing fee at the time of charging? Thank you in advance!
Ohana Turf Services We bill the week after service on Mondays every week.
What about no competition clauses with your employees.? Thanks, CHASTAINS mowing landscaping and more
I agree with you 100% and I do not use contracts at all as well.
Oh and I appear to be first again. lol
Gwinnett Lawns so I just noticed the name of your business and visited your web page to see where exactly in Gwinnett county you call home. I live in Dacula as well and am starting my own lawn business this 2020 season. Don’t worry, there is plenty of grass to go around but perhaps we can be of assistance to each other. I would love to have someone I trust who does professional work to help cover me in the case I get the flu and can’t work for a week or perhaps I just need an extra hand on a large job. Let’s talk.
Thomas Farrell that’s cool you are both from dacula. I’m from here too, been running my business since 2016
Yes I think that would be a great idea. Brians lawn maintenance did a video on working with other landscapers as subs and was excellent and spells out everything, so there is no misunderstandings on either side. Check on the video and then I think we should get together before it gets busy. Here is the video th-cam.com/video/W5Uesc9zETY/w-d-xo.html
What about HOAs?
The only winners in lawn care contracts in most cases is the legal system because when you win you have to pay to collect, if you're able to collect.
So true. I don't want to be bound to any person any more than they want to be bound to me.
No contracts at all. Its month to month. Leaves flexibility on both ends and without the drama
Great Info. Starting a company in Palm Coast Florida and I will use your model.
I agree, currently operate with all customers having a card on file/charged each service.
That being said, I have considered offering an option for a 12month contract for my best customers that have been with me for over a full year, not so much for winter income but to help them out by having one flat monthly rate and not having to pay $700-1000 twice a year for hedges and pinestraw.
I wouldn't offer that for customers that I don't have a well established relationship with, or ones that I don't particularly trust
Great video thanks
Do you do commercial work? Do you have contracts with them?
What CC service do you use for automatic payments? What fees are associated with it?Do you charge the card at the time of service or a particular day (Friday)? Thanks
Good morning.. I use Stripe to process client credit cards and link it up to Yardbook. We charge the week after service on Mondays.
Florida Turf Pros Good morning. Thanks
Great advice. Loved the video
How do you get them to approve the work? Do they have to sign or...?
What is your minimum amount of cuts?
Do you charge a premium if a customer calls to have the lawn mowed on a day off scheduled or for Friday work? I find that occasionally we have to if it is outside the area we are working.
2:35 I've lost too many costumers because I said those 4 little words (credit card on file)
I run a successful tree service company and haven’t signed a single contract. Only been screwed once for $250. Definitely not a big fan of locking people into a contract
Micah Sulik I’ve been stiffed for small amounts and it stings every time.
Or locking yourself into one
What company do you use to store your credit cards on file
I use Yardbook to run my company and pair it with Stripe to process credit cards.
@@FloridaTurfPros thanks brother! Enjoy your winter
What program do you use to keep credit cards on file?
I use Yardbook w/ an integration with Stripe.
A payment agreement (contract) is necessary in the instance that someone does not pay. Also, to charge late fees. We do require a card on file but you never know when it might get declined. It has not slowed down our growth. The payment agreement states that it auto renews until otherwise cancelled.
Not to criticize you , but as a homeowner I would NEVER sign a contract, there's plenty of people who will mow your lawn without one. I'd NEVER give my card number to a lawn service either.
Don Juan that’s perfectly fine and some “companies” only invoice once a month and then wait 30 days or more for payment..... or to find out you have no intention to pay. We can not afford to not get paid quickly and efficiently. We have doubled in size this year and have the highest ratings in the area we service, so it has not hurt us at all. Best decision we ever made is cards “on file”. That means we can see the last 4 digits and the expiration date only.
If it's for one time big jobs or projects, would you recommend them? So much rev could be lost if not.