What are you guys looking for in a landscape service? (San Antonio: home, neighborhoods)

[Reallybigshoe]

I'm trying to get a better feel for what to market to San Antonio residents, especially on the NW side. I have put up some door hangers in my area, advertise on craigslist, keep a lawn and garden blog now, and try to be helpful overall.

What are some of your needs as home owners and renters?

[djw]

Originally Posted by Reallybigshoe

I'm trying to get a better feel for what to market to San Antonio residents, especially on the NW side. I have put up some door hangers in my area, advertise on craigslist, keep a lawn and garden blog now, and try to be helpful overall.

What are some of your needs as home owners and renters?

I need for people to stop putting door hangers on my door!

But really, what I've looked for in the past is someone that speaks my language fluently that will be the same person(s) doing the work. Someone that will give free estimates, or put the fee toward the first service. Automated billing/payment either email or paypal, etc.
I've also had need in the past for someone that would help me design some simple plans, then lead me through installing and maintaining them myself. I'm free cheap labor but got no design/landscape skills. I understand that doesn't lend toward repeat work from a landscapers standpoint, but I'd be certain to call on those folks again and again as my ideas/yard/climate changed.

Good luck!

Oh, and the places I go to for finding those folks is neighbors and co-workers. Word of mouth is best. I actually NEVER call door-hanger tag numbers for anything. Or at least if I do, it's because I got their name/number from someone that's used them and comes highly recommended. Most of the services I've used here in SA I've gotten from folks here on CD.

[dendox]

Originally Posted by djw

I need for people to stop putting door hangers on my door!

But really, what I've looked for in the past is someone that speaks my language fluently that will be the same person(s) doing the work. Someone that will give free estimates, or put the fee toward the first service. Automated billing/payment either email or paypal, etc.
I've also had need in the past for someone that would help me design some simple plans, then lead me through installing and maintaining them myself. I'm free cheap labor but got no design/landscape skills. I understand that doesn't lend toward repeat work from a landscapers standpoint, but I'd be certain to call on those folks again and again as my ideas/yard/climate changed.

Good luck!


Oh, and the places I go to for finding those folks is neighbors and co-workers. Word of mouth is best. I actually NEVER call door-hanger tag numbers for anything. Or at least if I do, it's because I got their name/number from someone that's used them and comes highly recommended. Most of the services I've used here in SA I've gotten from folks here on CD.

A lot of truth in this post. I currently use a guy that I say in my neighborhood. The neighbors yard looked good and it was always the same guy there doing the work. Once I stopped and talked with him, it was obvious that he was the man in charge - it was his company. That meant a lot - meant he cared. I have since given his name and number to about 20 people who all use him.

He shows p when he says he will, charges a fair rate, and does generally very good work.

I think the best way to get in is to get "in" with a couple of neighborhoods. Meaning to get a couple of clients and do a good job.

Now, I think you asked for what else you could do to market yourself. I think full service - meaning you will do fertilizing (on time and when needed), tree trimming (on time and when needed), bed cleaning (when appropriate), etc. at a flat rate per month on a regular draft on the persons CC. I had a guy that did all of this for $50 bucks a month. Loved it - problem was, his wife got home sick and he moved back to Iowa.

I would love to not have to think about "when is the right time to do XYZ" and do I have the time to do it when it is needed?

I think more people are willing to do a regular flat rate monthly deal if they know they will get reliable, dependable and quality work.

[jules07]

Absolutely agree with djw! "Doorhangers" SUCK!! I hate them and violently throw them in the recycle bin. I'd honestly almost rather that you knocked on my door and said, "Hi! I'm NOT selling anything, just wanted to let you know _________, may I give you my business card/flyer/whatever?"

Also agree with djw, speak English fluently so that I can actually understand what you're saying, same person doing the service each time, and the REALLY big one ~ are you ready for this???? SHOW UP!!! Simple, eh? But we've tried 4 times (yes, 4!) to hire a landscape service and every time, they don't show up! Apparently they have more work than they can handle?

There was a thread about landscapers on here like last summer. May take some digging, but you could probably find it for more info.

[Paka]

When you get your calls, if you are RELIABLE you will have more business than you can deal with...but being RELIABLE is a HUGE issue.

I am fortunate enough I have found someone who shows up like clockwork...but I can tell you that the business I have sent his way was all because he could be relied on and they felt the same way.

For some reason, those that are in the landscape/yard work field seem to think it is a "if I want to" type of schedule, and I think that is a HUGE part of the success/failure rate.

Good luck to you.

[sapphire]

1) No door hangers, please.

2) Daisy Dukes......my little hottie neighbor wears hers and she gets lots of business. (She does yard work as her side job.)

3) Be reliable.

4) Fair pricing....fair to the customer AND to you.

[djw]

Ya know, since you're trying to drum up some new business and may not have the "word of mouth" advertising going for you. How about some type of really agressive marketing for a free assessment/estimate and/or half off the first ____whatever___. Then, when you show up on time for the assessment and the first whatever, you may have a few "regulars" hooked.
No doorhangers, though!! Maybe a few rounds through the neighborhood, talking to folks. Offer to do their yard free if they'll refer two of their neighbors, etc. The money you don't get paid for that one service may be saved by not printing those annoying door hangers.

just thinkin...

[Reallybigshoe]

Originally Posted by jules07

Absolutely agree with djw! "Doorhangers" SUCK!! I'd honestly almost rather that you knocked on my door and said, "Hi! I'm NOT selling anything, just wanted to let you know _________, may I give you my business card/flyer/whatever?"

Alright so NO door hangers. People are tired of them, no kidding!

But I'm new! So word of mouth doesn't really work for me. The people I have done work for are happy with me, and I have pictures of that work on my website... But finding my website is almost impossible unless you type in my name (since there are probably 200 guys with websites in town).

Would you guys really prefer that I go door to door and introduce myself?

I am a talented landscape designer, and I ALWAYS show up for my jobs. I have tried marketing a $50/month full service but people tend not to trust me up front as they have been burned before. A simple mow, edge, and blow starts at $23-28 weekly for small to average yards (up to 12,000sft) but I've actually been told over and over this is too expensive, which I cannot fathom. I am not saying I am too good to work for less - but after expenses I'm only making something like $15-20 for the hr and a half worth of loading up, driving, work, then loading up and returning I'm doing.

I would LOVE to find a small niche of customers near my home but my community does not have an outlet for me to get to know them, and now I'm concerned that the door hangers are offensive.

Most of my business is currently coming from fliers posted on mailboxes, the hangers, and craigslist. I am trying to support a family though, and I need more business plain and simple.

Thanks for the suggestions so far! Keep them coming!!

[sapphire]

Palo Alto College offers a 2 year degree in landscape and horticultural science. It's been my experience that the community college instructors are very willing to talk to people--I'm not trying to send you to school, but you might try talking to one or two of them and see what they have to offer in the way of advice. Since you're new here, it seems like you'll need some "inside scoop". Also, have you checked with any professional organizations re networking, or gone to any local nurseries to see if they can give any guidance? If you're in a neighborhood with an HOA--have you advertised on their bulletin board, or in their newsletter, or on their website?

Good luck!

[sapphire]

Oh, and I'm a craigslist fanatic! It's a great tool, and I hope you get some traffic that way. I've gotten a handyman off there, sold lots of stuff, and bought things as well.