Keith, you are so right. When giving prices one has to say it with confidence. Stop thinking of what client's can afford or not. One has to have confidence in oneself in order to prosper. Great ending! LOL!
The ending was classic haha! I always tell them the same thing. We do landscape construction so our minimum is $10,000 and booked out 2 months. If they don't flinch then I'm happy to walk over and look at their project. If they go "oh that's a lot" I say I understand, but I do not want to charge you $10,000 for a small job, it wouldn't be worth it for you. It's better if you find another company that specializes in whatever type of work they are looking for. Keep up the videos Keith!
I put my 2 week notice in to go full time in my excavating business yesterday. Thanks to your videos you have helped make my decision, and escape my office job to do what makes me happy.
Man I needed to hear this. I was mowing overgrown lots for $45. I told my client I needed to get $75. They didn’t even bat an eye and said okay 🤦♂️ All that wasted time and money.
I skip around through your video based on what info im looking for. Well, I've taken your "advice" and quit working my slave driving 10 hours a day for less than 200bucks job. Went and got licensed and started up my own sole proprietorship in hopes of filing for my LLC within the first year and start to hire people and grow my company!! For now its myself, my father whos retired volunteers to help me get things going and now my brother in law is starting to do the same in hopes i hire him so I must say. Thank You Keith!! I've cleared around 5K in our first month and can't tell you how awesome the feeling is knowing you are your own boss!! 🙏🏼 so again, THANK YOU!! Now im having an issue with around 2 out of 5 customers turning me down, I believe, because of cost.. should I lower my rates or find other customers? I know our work is top notch for the area and also that my prices are far from the most expensive in town, so im puzzled.
I can confirm this is absolutely true. The take away is.... don't sell yourself short and get paid what you need and deserve for the work performed. If the prospect doesn't want to pay your rate, don't sweat it, someone else will. BTW -- in my 30 years of experience the clients that complain about price the most are always the ones that give the biggest headaches, trust me move on.... you don't want or need their business.
3 jobs bid properly can be more profitable and less headache than 10 jobs where you underbid yourself just to win the job. Accuracy over quantity. Be accurate with each job you bid on, versus trying to just win every job you look at. Sometimes it’s better to walk away from some jobs even. And you don’t have to bid on the spot even. Take pictures, and go home or back to the office and think it over.
Keith's got me ready to run through a brick wall this year! Learning a ton from the videos! Been in business for so long and I have just never been able to break through the 125k range with 1 employee. Working my ass off 60+ hours closing 95% of jobs to make less than my employee at the end of the year. Time to get what I am worth and fill my schedule with jobs that actually pay. Thank you for your infinite wisdom from MC5 Lawn Service in Plymouth!
I feel you man! Been there, now I feel im on a different level. If they are looking for the cheapest price, I’m not your guy. I’m the guy who is responsible, shows up on time, good communication, and really good work. But im charging for my work!
Yes u do. Everyone charges low prices until they learn the going rates and come out of infancy stage. It happens and hopefully your knowledge helps those identify going rates in their respective markets.
Don't regret what you did Keith. Think about this. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE TODAY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. Keith if you didn't make those mistake and learn from those mistakes who would you be today? Where would you be today? Would you still be that broke landscaper whose is working 7 days a week, making no money dealing with customers that under pay you and micro manage you? If you did not make those mistake and grow from them, would you be a national leader in landscaping? Would you not only have a profitable business and a top-rated RUclips channel? Would you have your podcast that people want to listen to? Would the big companies be contacting you for product review? Keith remember what you have been through only to be able to go forward and expand. And if you have concerns read the book You First Year in the Landscaping Business. What you shared in this video is what that book is all about. I am here for you Keith.
What makes me feel comfy about the lawn care business is that your competitors can’t find low paid workers to do this job to undercut you. And the average person is too lazy to go out on their own and undercut this work too cheap.
In 2022, I'm raising my weekly mowing prices to $100.00 per weekly mowing for up to the first: 2,000 sq ft of turf areas. The first initial mowing will cost more due to excessive growth. In 2023 the price will be double that.
I needed this video so bad I'm doing what you did underbidding myself and I think the same afraid to lose work because I'm just starting off and some yards are 2 acres and mowing and weedeating for 70 bucks and people say oh that's too much I had a guy doing it for 40 bucks 🤦
What I think is funny is when someone says,I can rent some equipment and do it myself but the next week they call you and say can you finish what I've started because they didn't have a clue how much effort that it takes to do the job.
I 100% agree with the ending. You can sense when a client is cheap by the way they talk to you and approach you. They interrupt my work flow it's disrespectful.
Every loss is a learning lesson just sometimes your blind to the lessons because your scared to up your prices as you think you won't get the work you think you need!!! Lol my business for almost 10 years. The problem is that you don't realize how much money people are willing to spend to have there problems go away . It has taken me years to finally give a price that I will make 50% profit or more on any job now and when they say "well I have a cheaper quote" I tell them that is my price I have to charge so I can be able to continue giving great service year after year. In my little area we have approximately 15 legitimate companies and about 25 Chuck's in trucks so prices can be all over the map. Thanks Keith for all the videos they have helped me tremendously!!! As I realized I wasn't the only one struggling back then and pushed me to be more successful for my wife and kids as well as me. Thanks again and have a great and prosperous 2022!!!
Royal Gardener here in New Hampshire. I have been through what you talking about. I think I started making a profit once I started thinking big and charge double than I used to. I also cried while trimming bushes because I was behind rents and bills. Since I have been through what you talking about I exactly know what you are talking about. From advice, I started charging from $25 to $100 per hour. Thank you.
I feel the same even though I've been doing it for only 4 years give or take. Never again! Same with snow removal too. I don't care what others are charging btw. I rather be on the higher end and be called expensive a few times than be full with work and at the end break even or make a tiny profit. I'm packed with work and thankful clients btw 😁
Hey Kieth I charge $75 an hour to trim and to do clean ups and it's for 3 guys to get it done and I'm raising my price to $85 if they don't like it they can get another sucker cheaper to do it or they can do it them self.What I can stand is when they say oh you don't want to do the job no I don't cause I know my value thanks to you and me believing in my self they pay me what I want thank you so much Kieth I would of never made it without you and your videos.
What we need is how to separate are work and make the time for self cause working isn't everything do you think turning my phone on silent is the best thing no matter what I still get customer's text and calling when I need time for myself it's so much BS don't they understand that sometimes we need a break from killing or self's.
I’ve been reading The Grumpy Gardner and it has made me more confident in speaking with customers because I feel more confident in my knowledge with plants
Awesome Keith! So true about charging real money for your services. Plenty of customers in the highest tax bracket. My friend designs and sells luxury outdoor kitchens marketed to millionaires. They’re swamped with orders. So much money out there. Charge your clients what you need for a comfortable life style. Strive for nothing but satisfied customers who leave glowing reviews!!! Keep crushing K😃😃. Have a nice Thanksgiving 🦃🦃🦃
I brought a few hundred net bags and have filled them with with unwanted clients logs. Winter bonus. Success is going from one failure to the next with a positive attitude, Winston Churchill. Risk assessment and job description written in duplicate signed before you start unless it's a quick job then that's cash on completion. Self believe is the key Kalfas but it takes a little time.
Hey man, I was wondering what you’re thoughts are on going electric with your equipment…is it feasible? Doable? Benefits? Cons? Challenges? Love to see a dedicated video on it…
Here the problem I have lawn guys charging 20 bucks for a lawn that's supposed to be 40 .... I stopped doing lawns i can't make any money Keith how can I overcome this
I'm not Keith but learn a few skills like gardening,sod installation,hedging/shaping,edging gardens and stuff like that. I offer all those and I'm always packed with work. I do lawn care too but at my price and it's 10% of my work. Sadly lawn care is filled with lowballers
Bread and butter tried to switch price to 12 an hour from 15$. Because the farm hand only gets 14$. Except he gets free food, free house, free electric, free phone plan, and free water. There's definitely a difference.
Keith, I completely understand and I feel I’m at that point. But as you mentioned with the customer situation, I have the same clientele and it is hard demanding price increases
Amen brother, feeling needed and wanted is great and thinking things through and keeping the great clients and building on everything while removing the cancers long enough and you'll end up in a great position. It's alot easier said than done, especially in moments of the bread and butter part of the grind specifically or when dealing with shiesters in the vetting process, stability is a hard thing to achieve in the beginning!
The thing I’m struggling with the most Keith is lots of estimates i get called to I literally can’t afford to do them and then i have no work at the same time do you know what i mean. So I’m stuck doing these small jobs that barley pay my expenses and make nothing off them. Im 24 3rd year in business last 2 years were great with part time help then i took on a full time employee this year and just been hitting that speed bump most of the year it’s been tough any advice,tactics? My older brother in his business he has non stop good paying jobs he’s a bit messy and has beat up equipment, me on the the other hand invested in brand new equipment truck,dump trailer, tractor, and am very careful on my work and make sure everything comes out clean but have zero good paying calls coming in.
Yo bro you the man . " You should live in a dumpster ". 😆. Your absolutely right. If you take less money and can't pay your bills that's your own fault. You made your bed now sleep in it. We out here working to make a profit not do charity. I'm learning a lot from you.
Dude I'm going through the exact same thing, just starting out. Like I feel like because I don't have a nice truck and equipment, that I can't charge them a higher price.
Your quality of work will out weigh whether or not your truck is new . Keep it clean ( wash once a week or as needed) paint your trailer once a year . I started in 2005 with a 94 f 150 . Had a used trailer . Painted it 13 times . Upgrade how and when u can . Your work will always win . Word of mouth referral will get u busier and busier . Wishing you success . If it was easy everybody would be doing it . But it’s worth it . I started at 35 with four kids , the misses stayed home . Pretty much no money . It can be done !!
Josh Latimer did an interview on the growth vault podcast with Brian Hagerty. Apparently they both did supply and demand pricing. I will be implementing that in 2022. I encourage you to do the same. It's how Brian had a multi million dollar business with a 45% net profit margin.
Can someone tell me how making a honest living makes you a scam artist? If anyone calls you a scam artist for "high prices". They obviously have no business experience what so ever. They have no idea that if you charge 150 dollars to remove a shrub you are not actually putting the whole 150 in your pocket after all expenses and taxes. For a 150 dollar job the business owner would be lucky to make 75 dollars profit. That's assuming you are one of the few making a 50% profit margin
My ENTREPRENEUR BUNDLE 👇
keithkalfas.com/bundle
The lowest paying customers are the most picky. I love it brother.
Keith, you are so right. When giving prices one has to say it with confidence. Stop thinking of what client's can afford or not. One has to have confidence in oneself in order to prosper. Great ending! LOL!
I feel like every time I open RUclips for a landscaping video I see one of your well placed videos ready to educate me. Love it man
The ending was classic haha!
I always tell them the same thing. We do landscape construction so our minimum is $10,000 and booked out 2 months. If they don't flinch then I'm happy to walk over and look at their project. If they go "oh that's a lot" I say I understand, but I do not want to charge you $10,000 for a small job, it wouldn't be worth it for you. It's better if you find another company that specializes in whatever type of work they are looking for.
Keep up the videos Keith!
I put my 2 week notice in to go full time in my excavating business yesterday. Thanks to your videos you have helped make my decision, and escape my office job to do what makes me happy.
Good for you and good luck wish you the best.2022 will be my last year before I quit my job since I want to buy equipment and save to be ready
Man I needed to hear this. I was mowing overgrown lots for $45. I told my client I needed to get $75. They didn’t even bat an eye and said okay 🤦♂️ All that wasted time and money.
I skip around through your video based on what info im looking for. Well, I've taken your "advice" and quit working my slave driving 10 hours a day for less than 200bucks job. Went and got licensed and started up my own sole proprietorship in hopes of filing for my LLC within the first year and start to hire people and grow my company!! For now its myself, my father whos retired volunteers to help me get things going and now my brother in law is starting to do the same in hopes i hire him so I must say. Thank You Keith!! I've cleared around 5K in our first month and can't tell you how awesome the feeling is knowing you are your own boss!! 🙏🏼 so again, THANK YOU!! Now im having an issue with around 2 out of 5 customers turning me down, I believe, because of cost.. should I lower my rates or find other customers? I know our work is top notch for the area and also that my prices are far from the most expensive in town, so im puzzled.
This is so awesome to hear brother. Congrats!!! I'm happy for you dawg
I can confirm this is absolutely true. The take away is.... don't sell yourself short and get paid what you need and deserve for the work performed. If the prospect doesn't want to pay your rate, don't sweat it, someone else will. BTW -- in my 30 years of experience the clients that complain about price the most are always the ones that give the biggest headaches, trust me move on.... you don't want or need their business.
Love you brother you don’t have any idea how you have changed my life GOD BLESS YOU
3 jobs bid properly can be more profitable and less headache than 10 jobs where you underbid yourself just to win the job. Accuracy over quantity. Be accurate with each job you bid on, versus trying to just win every job you look at. Sometimes it’s better to walk away from some jobs even. And you don’t have to bid on the spot even. Take pictures, and go home or back to the office and think it over.
"When you feel like you don't have any options or choice, you take whatever you can get" -KK
Keith's got me ready to run through a brick wall this year! Learning a ton from the videos! Been in business for so long and I have just never been able to break through the 125k range with 1 employee. Working my ass off 60+ hours closing 95% of jobs to make less than my employee at the end of the year. Time to get what I am worth and fill my schedule with jobs that actually pay. Thank you for your infinite wisdom from MC5 Lawn Service in Plymouth!
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, your right” - Henry Ford
I feel you man! Been there, now I feel im on a different level. If they are looking for the cheapest price, I’m not your guy. I’m the guy who is responsible, shows up on time, good communication, and really good work. But im charging for my work!
Yes u do. Everyone charges low prices until they learn the going rates and come out of infancy stage. It happens and hopefully your knowledge helps those identify going rates in their respective markets.
Some of the worst people are maki g negative posts. I agree with you 💯%. Negativity breeds negativity. Raise them prices!!! I am! Home run Keith!!
Don't regret what you did Keith. Think about this. YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE TODAY BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. Keith if you didn't make those mistake and learn from those mistakes who would you be today? Where would you be today? Would you still be that broke landscaper whose is working 7 days a week, making no money dealing with customers that under pay you and micro manage you? If you did not make those mistake and grow from them, would you be a national leader in landscaping? Would you not only have a profitable business and a top-rated RUclips channel? Would you have your podcast that people want to listen to? Would the big companies be contacting you for product review? Keith remember what you have been through only to be able to go forward and expand. And if you have concerns read the book You First Year in the Landscaping Business. What you shared in this video is what that book is all about. I am here for you Keith.
What makes me feel comfy about the lawn care business is that your competitors can’t find low paid workers to do this job to undercut you. And the average person is too lazy to go out on their own and undercut this work too cheap.
Hey Keith , keep up the good fight and speak truth. Wish you the very best and God Bless!
I couldn't relate to this video more. You are very honest and it makes your videos have such character I love it!!
In 2022, I'm raising my weekly mowing prices to $100.00 per weekly mowing for up to the first: 2,000 sq ft of turf areas. The first initial mowing will cost more due to excessive growth. In 2023 the price will be double that.
A great channel that provides so much wisdom in the business world but yet, makes me laugh so hard - BRILLIANT ! New sub from Scotland UK 😂
I needed this video so bad I'm doing what you did underbidding myself and I think the same afraid to lose work because I'm just starting off and some yards are 2 acres and mowing and weedeating for 70 bucks and people say oh that's too much I had a guy doing it for 40 bucks 🤦
manifesting is so real it can be scary but good to realize it's a choice wow cool vidya
What I think is funny is when someone says,I can rent some equipment and do it myself but the next week they call you and say can you finish what I've started because they didn't have a clue how much effort that it takes to do the job.
Something that I like when you say “ that way to speak to clients. Sometimes I’m not sure how much will be or if I will make it
I 100% agree with the ending. You can sense when a client is cheap by the way they talk to you and approach you. They interrupt my work flow it's disrespectful.
💯 agree. I hate that too!
Every loss is a learning lesson just sometimes your blind to the lessons because your scared to up your prices as you think you won't get the work you think you need!!! Lol my business for almost 10 years. The problem is that you don't realize how much money people are willing to spend to have there problems go away . It has taken me years to finally give a price that I will make 50% profit or more on any job now and when they say "well I have a cheaper quote" I tell them that is my price I have to charge so I can be able to continue giving great service year after year. In my little area we have approximately 15 legitimate companies and about 25 Chuck's in trucks so prices can be all over the map. Thanks Keith for all the videos they have helped me tremendously!!! As I realized I wasn't the only one struggling back then and pushed me to be more successful for my wife and kids as well as me. Thanks again and have a great and prosperous 2022!!!
Royal Gardener here in New Hampshire. I have been through what you talking about. I think I started making a profit once I started thinking big and charge double than I used to. I also cried while trimming bushes because I was behind rents and bills. Since I have been through what you talking about I exactly know what you are talking about. From advice, I started charging from $25 to $100 per hour. Thank you.
Great video bro
I remember working a day for what I charge an hour now. Your channel and advice has pushed me to grow and have an abundance mindset in business dawg🙏
Keith, you’re the man! I could watch these videos all day. The ending was hilarious happens to us every day.
I feel the same even though I've been doing it for only 4 years give or take. Never again! Same with snow removal too. I don't care what others are charging btw. I rather be on the higher end and be called expensive a few times than be full with work and at the end break even or make a tiny profit. I'm packed with work and thankful clients btw 😁
Hey Kieth I charge $75 an hour to trim and to do clean ups and it's for 3 guys to get it done and I'm raising my price to $85 if they don't like it they can get another sucker cheaper to do it or they can do it them self.What I can stand is when they say oh you don't want to do the job no I don't cause I know my value thanks to you and me believing in my self they pay me what I want thank you so much Kieth I would of never made it without you and your videos.
What we need is how to separate are work and make the time for self cause working isn't everything do you think turning my phone on silent is the best thing no matter what I still get customer's text and calling when I need time for myself it's so much BS don't they understand that sometimes we need a break from killing or self's.
Too low if your paying 3 guys wages and yourself off that $85 hr🤷♂️
Great video bro thanks
These videos are awesome. Thank you for your vulnerable videos. I appreciate you and your videos. Stay awesome Keith.
You have to do good work, look and act professional to demand high prices...💰💰💰
When a neighbour asks I tell them I'm busy on this job first thankyou. They'll keep you talking all day about nothing. Don't rush into new clients.
I’ve been reading The Grumpy Gardner and it has made me more confident in speaking with customers because I feel more confident in my knowledge with plants
Thanks for the suggestion.
Would love to see you talk about legal matters in another video!
Thanks for the idea!
Hey... you wanna throwa some mulch arouna my tree.... I love listening to this guy.
Awesome Keith! So true about charging real money for your services. Plenty of customers in the highest tax bracket. My friend designs and sells luxury outdoor kitchens marketed to millionaires. They’re swamped with orders. So much money out there. Charge your clients what you need for a comfortable life style. Strive for nothing but satisfied customers who leave glowing reviews!!! Keep crushing K😃😃. Have a nice Thanksgiving 🦃🦃🦃
No doubt!
I freaking love love love this video. Absolutely amazing advise. Let’s gooooooo!
I brought a few hundred net bags and have filled them with with unwanted clients logs. Winter bonus. Success is going from one failure to the next with a positive attitude, Winston Churchill. Risk assessment and job description written in duplicate signed before you start unless it's a quick job then that's cash on completion. Self believe is the key Kalfas but it takes a little time.
Hey man, I was wondering what you’re thoughts are on going electric with your equipment…is it feasible? Doable? Benefits? Cons? Challenges? Love to see a dedicated video on it…
Here the problem I have lawn guys charging 20 bucks for a lawn that's supposed to be 40 .... I stopped doing lawns i can't make any money Keith how can I overcome this
I'm not Keith but learn a few skills like gardening,sod installation,hedging/shaping,edging gardens and stuff like that. I offer all those and I'm always packed with work. I do lawn care too but at my price and it's 10% of my work. Sadly lawn care is filled with lowballers
Thank you for keep teaching us I learn a lot every time I click on your videos
Bread and butter tried to switch price to 12 an hour from 15$. Because the farm hand only gets 14$. Except he gets free food, free house, free electric, free phone plan, and free water. There's definitely a difference.
The grind don't stop
Great video Keith! Thank you for sharing!
This video like the rest are gold to me thanks
sameeee I used to charge 40$ to clean gutters! people straight robbing me glad I learned (:
Keith, I completely understand and I feel I’m at that point. But as you mentioned with the customer situation, I have the same clientele and it is hard demanding price increases
Great video. Resonates with where I am with my gardening business. Going to apply what you said. Cheers Keith 👍
Best of luck!
“How can you sleep at night with prices that high!?”
“I sleep on a $4000 bed so actually I sleep quite well.”
Amen brother, feeling needed and wanted is great and thinking things through and keeping the great clients and building on everything while removing the cancers long enough and you'll end up in a great position. It's alot easier said than done, especially in moments of the bread and butter part of the grind specifically or when dealing with shiesters in the vetting process, stability is a hard thing to achieve in the beginning!
The ending Thoo!
That face at the end says it all lol!
The thing I’m struggling with the most Keith is lots of estimates i get called to I literally can’t afford to do them and then i have no work at the same time do you know what i mean. So I’m stuck doing these small jobs that barley pay my expenses and make nothing off them. Im 24 3rd year in business last 2 years were great with part time help then i took on a full time employee this year and just been hitting that speed bump most of the year it’s been tough any advice,tactics? My older brother in his business he has non stop good paying jobs he’s a bit messy and has beat up equipment, me on the the other hand invested in brand new equipment truck,dump trailer, tractor, and am very careful on my work and make sure everything comes out clean but have zero good paying calls coming in.
Your videos are awesome
Do you use marketing 360 or gust use fiver up work for marketing?
Hilarious once again because it's so true, I think this everyday as cost of things rise an I raise my rates.
PREACH
Yo bro you the man . " You should live in a dumpster ". 😆. Your absolutely right. If you take less money and can't pay your bills that's your own fault. You made your bed now sleep in it. We out here working to make a profit not do charity. I'm learning a lot from you.
Dude I'm going through the exact same thing, just starting out. Like I feel like because I don't have a nice truck and equipment, that I can't charge them a higher price.
Higher price will get you a nicer truck and equipment. Just pay with cash, don't finance.
Your quality of work will out weigh whether or not your truck is new . Keep it clean ( wash once a week or as needed) paint your trailer once a year . I started in 2005 with a 94 f 150 . Had a used trailer . Painted it 13 times . Upgrade how and when u can . Your work will always win . Word of mouth referral will get u busier and busier . Wishing you success . If it was easy everybody would be doing it . But it’s worth it . I started at 35 with four kids , the misses stayed home . Pretty much no money . It can be done !!
@@fivepointslawn2275 amen brother!
In 2023, I’m raising my companies prices to $300.00 per man hour, plus materials, plus 1000% markup on the materials.
Josh Latimer did an interview on the growth vault podcast with Brian Hagerty. Apparently they both did supply and demand pricing.
I will be implementing that in 2022. I encourage you to do the same. It's how Brian had a multi million dollar business with a 45% net profit margin.
I have 2 of those customers who want to call me whenever to mow, and want it for $25😂😂😂 price just doubled!
How can I contact you Mr kieth
Keithkalfas.com/call
Sales sales sales...
Can someone tell me how making a honest living makes you a scam artist? If anyone calls you a scam artist for "high prices". They obviously have no business experience what so ever. They have no idea that if you charge 150 dollars to remove a shrub you are not actually putting the whole 150 in your pocket after all expenses and taxes. For a 150 dollar job the business owner would be lucky to make 75 dollars profit. That's assuming you are one of the few making a 50% profit margin
bro you use canva I know that thumbnail font
Poor Keith has been taken advantage of by so many Armenians 😂
Keith when you did store fronts did you skip Chinese restaurants?🤣
This video is 7 minutes 32 seconds long. 732 is my area code. Must smash the like button.
NJ
@@keithdougherty1584 All day
I just noticed this but you changed you channel name? Since when?
Probably been a minute. It just seems like a difficult choice to make.
Just sell time. Plus hauling
😆