Hi All,
I have a meeting at the weekend with the people whom we installed a new GAA pitch (3acre) for last year. They are looking for me to quote for the cutting and maintenance of the new pitch.
Now I know from browsing previous posts that I should know my costs per day/time etc... Well as this is slightly outside my zone as in never having done it I would like advice on what a general charge would be for a year just cutting grass.
My background is that I am a landscaper and have my own 4 acre nursery been in business just inder 10 years now.
I do not have any grass cutting equipment for the pitch as yet am looking into purchasing a Major 8400 to do the job as I have a compact 40hp tractor but I am still not sure on machinery.
I can appreciate that you may not wish to divulge this information so a private message would help either. Anyway look forward to reading the response
22 Apr 2011 by Barry Pace Last edited 22 Apr 2011
I have decided this is how I will answer all of these q's now rather than rant....
Rob, ..... so many questions.... deciding your mower will dictate your costs.. ie how long it will take/servicing/repair/sharpening etc etc, how far away is it, will you be doing more mowing on the same day as a 'round' or will you be going there special...
When you say 'mowing and maintenance' this is a long piece of string... get the exact requirements defined... how many cuts per year/week/in season/out.. aeration, feeding, weed control, watering.. marking... end of season reno's.. are these included in just 'mowing and maintenance'
You know your costs per hr, what you want an hour for the tractor, the mower, the transport costs.... that is what you charge when you know how many cuts they want to pay for/need.
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
to begin with you need to find out exactly what they think of as maintenance as that could include practically anything.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Thanks for the reply and kinda expected the response I got.
I will wait and see what they say after the meeting. As far as distance goes it is only 5 mins from my Nursery. No other cuts will be made as this is just for this pitch. One side of me wants to get in so that if it goes well it could provide a new revenue stream and maybe look at getting some more local pitches. The maintenance will be a complete requirement fertilizing etc.... Guess will have to see what happens on the flip side I am up to my ears in work at the moment planting new lawns maintenance trees nursery etc great complaint to have anyway Happy Easter everyone.
I think complete maintenance might be a bit much to take on in an area you're not used to. Dependent on the standard played and when spec they draw up you could be looking any where from 5k upto to many 10's of 1000's
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Rob,
You have to see what their specification is.
Complete maintenance, is a real trap for you. Two reasons 1. they do not know what they want at the moment, but could ask you to do an operation later that they consider maintenance, at your cost.
2. they know exactly what they want and they will screw you down to get it.
Your best bet is to price for the major works that are required, cutting, marking, ect, and ask for anything else as variation of contract.
12 equal payments over the year.
You will for sure need to employ someone who knows more than yourself, if you are going to make some money.
On purchase of equipment, a capital cost, you need to make money from the start, not on what you might pick up in the future.
Blimey the more I look into doing this the more my head gets wrecked and the less i want to take this on.... The reason I am interested as I think it would be a nice addition to my business and something I can grow over time as there are many pitches in the area and would love to gain more expertise in this. Anyway still waiting for the meeting to tale place will keep you posted on when that happens.
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