How to Decide Prices for Your Gardening Services

Starting your own gardening service is an exciting adventure. In addition to being your own boss, you will have the opportunity to control your income and financial independence. In order to achieve your financial goals, it is important to set up pricing for gardening services up front.

1.Conduct research. You should definitely research what other gardening services are charging. Most offer a set fee per yard based upon its size. You should set up your pricing to be competitive, (i.e. a little below what most other services charge), but not too low so that you cannot earn a profit.

2. Offer incentives for homeowners. For example, if the homeowner enters into a contract with you to have you come weekly or bi-weekly, you should offer them a discount. In this way, you can build your client base and ensure steady weekly income.

3. Offer add-ons and upgrades to the standard service. This is an area where you can earn extra profits. You are already visiting these residences, so performing extra work is almost pure profit. Offer additional services for a nominal fee such as fertilizing, aerating, re-doing mulch and pine straw, planting annuals, etc. Most homeowners will be willing to pay an extra charge every few months to have these services performed.

4.Work hard for referrals. Referrals are vital to the success of your gardening business. You can set up a referral program for clients that will give your current customers a free mowing when they refer a new client. The beauty of this is that most referrals will be neighbors of your current clients, saving you drive time and expense. In this way you can increase your profitability.

5. Market your services. You will need to capture new clients to build your residential lawn care business. Again, you should focus on neighborhoods where you are already performing work. Put flyers on signs, telephone poles, clubhouse bulletin boards, or in mailboxes of areas you already have clients. You might also visit the neighborhood's website and post an online ad, or advertise in their community newsletter. Consider offering a $5-$10 coupon for first time clients to gain business.Building your gardening service will center on offering competitive prices, incentives for new and current clients, and of course, performing an efficient and detailed job. With the right pricing structure from the beginning, profitability is just a few yards away!