I am not sure what to charge for mowing a business lawn that is between 5-8 acres. What is a good quote?

Question

I will be strictly mowing and there will be some trimming. I will also be applying weed killer along fence line as needed. I am planning on purchasing a lawn tractor, any ideas on what kind and size to purchase. This is all new to me as I am just trying to earn some money during the Spring and Summer months. The property I am talking about is right across the street from where I live, so I will be convenient for me. I have talked with the company and they told me to take a look around the property and give them a quote. I had a price in mind of $300.00 per week. Does that seem to high. Also do I have to also include the 6.5 percent tax in my area?

Answer 1

I would check the prices with your local lawn businesses for that size of lawn and then drop your price $20.00 or so below the lowest quote you find. That way you are under the competitors price but still making money. what I would do is figure out how much it will cost me in gas, and then add a few extra dollars for my labor. The trick to keep the business with any customer is staying below your compitition.

Answer 2

* Spring 2007 Acre+ Grass Cut Service
Keep in mind this is in Virginia and I use Industry Standard rates.

The prices are for an uninterrupted lot (vs. say 50-some islands) on reasonably flat terrain w/ the usual obstacles (such as house, driveway, mulch and flower beds and a few trees and such, but not parking lots with cars up to the curbs).

These are minimum prices:
One acre: $55 (12/100 cents / sq.foot)
1.25 acres = $65
1.5 acres = $75 (11/100 cents / sq.foot)
2 acres = $90 ($45.00 / acre)
2.5 acres = $110
3 acres = $130 ($43.33 / acre)
4 acres = $150 ($37.50 / acre)
5 acres = $170 ($34.00 / acre)
6 acres = $190 ($31.66 / acre)
7 acres = $210 ($30.00 / acre)
8 acres = $225 ($28.12 / acre)
9 acres = $240 ($26.66 / acre)
10 acres = $255 ($25.50 / acre)

That's with a 13 mph 60" entry-level WAM, if you per chance own a larger machine then you may likely go slightly lower, but I wouldn't go much below $25 / acre for 8, no less than $30 / acre for 5 under no circumstances, likely I would double the minimum for a business (more so if it's association or board owned vs. a single owner entity).

Answer 3

It depends on the area you live in and the type of mowing. Around here you can get a farmer to rough mow 8 acres with a large tractor for around 100 dollars. However, if you were using small "finish mowers" for a more lawn-like effect you would obviously charge more.

Answer 4

It's not what you charge it is what people will pay. Depends on acreage also weeds grown tall, first time mowed or is it property taken care of and maintained? Check around and see what the price is for getting mowed lawn. It would also make a difference if your are using mower or tractor. Some property has to be bush hogged to clear.

Answer 5

probably no less than 10 dollars an acre.. then extra for weed eating and other landscaping chores.. that is on a personal house so I'd go as much as 20 on a business.

call another lawn business and ask them what they'd charge to do that job.

Answer 6

Too many variables such as: type of grass, how often will you be cutting it, trimming,etc. As a starting point, you need to estimate how long you think it would take to cut the grass as well as the cost of your own investment (insurance, gas, equipment, maintenance).