They try to lowball me bad cuz one I have a baby face, second I'm Mexican and third im from the ghetto lol but thanks to you I dont let them walk over me. Thank you brother!!! All praises to the most high!!!
I'm Mexican our own race is hurting the landscaping industry they go out and work for Pennie's they don't know how to bid where im at lawns in Colorado lawns are small where is live but the prices a few years ago was 50 the cheapest was 30 now there's alot of companies that joined I mean like 300 more came in and the lawns dropped now these guys are charging 25 to 10 bucks the cheapest after I lose these 70 lawns that I have left I will never do lawns again I will just stay with clean ups and trimming and decks and fencing and install rock mulch
@@newsaroundtheworld5363 I got A new client in a senior home subdivision 55 year + only subdivision . It took me literally 10 minutes to cut her yard I charged her $45. I knocked on the neighbors door to get more clients, she asked how much I charged her neighbor and I told her and she said oh no you are way over charging! I have a guy that does mine for $20..And I replied with “ oh I’m sorry the reason I knocked on your door was to offer my lawn services because your lawn looked like it needed some upkeep and maintenance”… but if that’s what you’re paying please do stay with that person. We are in 2022 now and everything is super expensive I am not sure how this person is able to provide for himself yet alone his business.?? And I respectfully dismissed myself. Two weeks later she tries to talk to me again and said hey I like the way you cut my neighbors yard can you do mine for $25? I said I’m sorry mam did your lawn guy not come back or? She said no I just like the way you cut her lawn. So I kindly declined her offer and said I’m sorry I won’t go below $40. So here’s the thing this kid or guy is going around offering $20 lawn cuts!!! When I have now three customers add it to my list in that subdivision because of my quality work! One at $45, $55 and $50. I also seen four other landscaping trucks there in that subdivision in one day God only knows what they are charging as well!??? 😒🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ people really out here working for pennies and it’s 102 deg here in SA TX!
Preach it. If you are a true landscape professional, you should be getting paid Iike a professional. If the customer thinks it’s so easy then why did they call you. It is the “blue collar workers” time to get rewarded. Econ 101 = supply vs demand. Raise those prices folks!
I accidentally miscalculated and over quoted a job by double and got the job! I forgot to divide a number by 2 and that simple mistake netted me about $800 more
I did that too recently in my housecleaning business - I overquoted on something I hadn't done before but it seemed reasonable in my head - turns out I earned myself $143 per hour :)
I underquoted a job last year. Big big landscape job. Took me 2 weeks solo. I will never ever make the same mistake again ever. Thank you for this reminder!
I believe it’s important to be very specific with landscaping work orders, no matter how tedious it may seem. Making note of every detail does two things, 1. It let the customer know that you’re not messing around with the details and quality of your work, and it also will show them the reason you’ve charged what you did, that you didn’t just take a random number out of your butt, and you’ve paid great attention to every aspect of the work, and 2. It makes it where the customer can’t just throw in random small things that weren’t agreed to at the beginning of the quote. Also, for large jobs, NEVER let the customer force you into giving them a price on the spot! Confidently let them know that you’ll get back to them. Calculate everything so you’re not stuck in a situation that you don’t want to be in!!! Great video as always Keith!!
Bruh idk how you ended up in my algorithm. I don’t give a DAMN about lawncare. I work on an ambulance but for some strange ass reason I’ve watched like 4 of your videos. I won’t subscribe cuz I don’t want them all but as long as you keep popping up I’ll keep watching. Oh and I’ll like your videos too. This video was actually a cool perspective and I appreciate it a lot
Bro, I appreciate the honesty. I work in the HVAC industry. I watched myself get bulldozed until I stopped caring about what they think. I do a great job, it works after I leave. I back it for 1 year. But you know thats too expensive. I just stopped caring. The price is the price, enjoy being hot if you don't like the price.
The pool and grill smelling food is so F’n true. If you’re getting paid out it’s not so bad, under priced and you wanna lose it! Like salt in a wound... That was a good laugh.
One of our biggest inspirations For my wife and I to grow from the back of our 06 Scion tC with a old toro push mower that has the self propelled feature that doesn’t really work and our echo pass system with weed wacker, edger, and blower to a full blown pickup truck, trailer and good working machines 👌🏼 Thank you so much for everything in your videos including the truth behind life! Thank you, thank 100 times boss man! “Chicago Detail ULTD” (from the suburbs of grayslake IL 60030) here letting you know you’re appreciated to the maximum! 💯💪🏼
Man hilarious! Yeah working being hungry and all you smell is food in the air. You know its a long day when their doing the laundry and it smells good too....
I've had customers do this trimming trees .... I'll give them a price and they'll say how bout just do this for this much , then once you're in the tree they're telling you to take this branch , this one and that one trying to get the original work order for the lesser price ..... I never let customers walk on me ..... I've had to walk away from a lot of jobs ....
Yes I feel bad about it sometimes but I just ghost people if they give me that type of lowball vibe. I only do work for people that are easy to work with. The difficult people are almost never worth it. I’ve even straight up just walked off the property when giving an estimate to this one lady 😂🖐 she was being crazy rude and difficult RIGHT off the bat
I need to be more like this! I always hear “ oh you can just do that for me can’t you” I find when I push back and say no I charge X for that, they are usually a bit funny after. Why is it service business constantly get screwed on price! Keith’s videos have always helped me on this topic! Know your worth. Love it.
@@lucastoal8476 I have customers that wait till I'm not on the job and then come out and start asking for extras, or try to play my crew by pretending they talked to.me and I approved the extra shit. Unreal...
Big Mike always happen to me too when I leave job site they tell the climber can you take this off😂 or they give you a tip in front of your worker and tell you to buy lunch for everyone 😂
@@kaiberry5502 Dude , too funny , was going to say that , just happened last week same thing , gave the guy a price on trimming/thinning out 3 trees , gave him the price , he's say well can you just take a little for this much ? So I just agreed since I was there , then every time I left the immediate area , he would go under the Tree and yell up to my climber to take , this branch , that branch , that one over there ! Lol .... I became extremely frustrated with the guy and he knew it ... I had to yell up to my climber we're done here , he got the work he wanted to pay for , but the Trees didn't look anything like they should of , but that's not my fault , wasn't gonna get tricked into doing it for free ..... I would say I run into customers like this 1 outta every 10 jobs ..... If they sense that you're weak they will definitely take advantage ...... Thanks for the reply Cuzzo !!! Work safe brotha !!! There's no money like Tree Money !!!!!!
Lmfaoo!!! You got me man this happen to me during a plant installation I did on a Saturday my clients ended up having a pool party and grilling food me and my helper just looked at each other haha they did invite some beers and Ice-cream lol
My favorite line of yours and I tell myself this ALL THE TIME...Lesson is repeated until lesson is learned. I find myself not speaking up when a client asks for a job quote and then gets my verbal "estimate" and hold me to it as though it is a God's honest fact...but then tacks on X, Y, and Z to the job and expects these things for free. Here again, the skillful clients will try (and can often succeed) bulldozing these requests through my defenses and ramrod me into not addressing any price increase. Unfortunately, many times I've let it happen and the client gets one over on me. I've decided if these types of clients repeatedly and continually want to dictate to me how my business should be run, I can release them back into the sea (Million fish in the sea reference.) You are one of my favorite RUclipsrs and I watch as much as I can of your channel. I started my business around the same time you did in lawn care (circa 2012) and I feel I've experienced many of the things you have shared through the years. Lesson is repeated until lesson is learned! Keep those video's rolling! - Philip in Montana
Grass is green, weeds are green, money is green, as a grass farmer the crop keeps on growing. Like the jelly of the month club, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, Clark, thanks Eddie!
Nice! Took me about EIGHT years to figure some of this out!! Today I have NO QUALMS going back to a customer if I mis-quoted! You gotta go through some pain to get there!
I always enjoy your videos Keith. I've read some of your comments that people posted on here. I want to say that this the second video I've watched today by Keith. The first one Keith talked about business not drying up. Then this one talking about upping prices and knowing your worth. I have to say I understand all of this. The thing is, people are low balling so badly here where I live that lawns are getting cut for $20 and $25. Tree and shrub trimming jobs are being done for $167-$200. These ate lawns that are worth at least $40+ and trim jobs I know Keith wouldn't take for less than $500. I've only been doing this since last August and I have learned a lot one of which is the cheaper guy always gets the job and two, if you aren't that guy you want go out of business because for you to go out of business you have to have a business. I'm glad that you all have work and you all are making the money. From the little guy here, a $500 week would feel like your $1,000 day does to you. Thank you all for sharing and as always, great video Keith.
I solo, just did a small quick trim 2 apple tree job yesterday. I spent and hour and filled the truck and then had to go to the dump. I charged $100. The people sent me an email and said the charge was outrageous and they would have never ok'd that price. By the way, they are renters. Note to self, no more rentals.
$100 is low because let say you pay $40 for the dump that leaves you with $60 plus gas , time traveled, labor. People think you just magically appear in their back yard and some say it’s only a quick cut , trim etc. I learned to stay away from people like that even though it can be tempting. There is other people out there who will pay Don’t get desperate because you will not profit that way. I work solo myself. When I started I would charge $150 here in Los Angeles for an overgrown yard clean up. Now days for a similar yard I charge $350 and I end up getting the job.
They really should've paid $300 for that job..since you had to dump..you have to calculate time to commute to and from the dump site, gas, .. fam you'll be outta business soon charging that low
I have to say THANK YOU! You and Brian have changed my business this last year I have always been called a dream killer on my dreams and let people walk all over me and I started standing up for myself and now I'm making $$$ so THANK YOU!!
CRAZY you put this out. My old boss told me yesterday, "my lower paying jobs are my bread and butter, I love getting good paying jobs but they're not my bread and butter" WHAT?!?!??!? 🤯🤯🤯🤯
6:58 love it, there’s always a moment that cracks me up lol. Awesome insight and advice! It’s rough sometimes in our industry when clients don’t see as we see. Remember the bigger picture, keep business cards in your pocket and stay prepared out there guys!
Great video. Been there Bro. I appreciate you sharing your learning experience, the situational stuff and your thought process. You are not alone. Keep improving and keep sharing. My dad keeps telling me he is either winning or learning. You need both in your business especially just starting out and quoting things you have never done before. Cheers!
Love the term "personal boundary"... Keep saying what is in my head.. Been doing this since 2001.. wish I found your blog in 2001.. Oh and I saw the trailer back at 22 and VD.. Keep up the positive motivation!
Hey Keith been watching your material for some time now i dont do much commenting i believe in doing . So i watch your stuff and then practice it and i want to say thank you. It has changed the way i run my business the way i think and the way i carry my self . keep doing what you do it helps in a way you may not realise i appreciate your herdship and want you to know it means alot .... You're a stand up guy .. From South Africa Kyle KSV Tree Fellers😎
Dude, I’ve been watching your videos for a couple years now. I started my own hardscaping and landscaping last summer. There were some nerves but I watched a lot of your content that gave me more confidence that I could do so. I commented on a video before saying we had an almost identical upbringing and you referred me to your other channel. Anyways, all this time I had no idea that my sister Tracy does your pest control. What a small world haha! Anyways thanks for creating this Avenue of information for guys like me that otherwise wouldn’t have access to knowledge you’ve accumulated.
I just want too say thanks for all the advice and real footage of you on the job and real situations that you share. I just posted an add last week then found your channel after two days later I got a big job I gotta hire help everything from trash bags too a mower 600 later and I’ll make 800 on my first job
This is life changing content. Thank you, sir. So many thanks. People hate giving me this information. I've been through 3 businesses and I'm always the hardest worker very reliable and Always seem to be at odds with lazy unproductive coworkers so it really seems like a no Brainer that I put my hobbies to the side and full on comit to starting my business and changing my life. Huge ups thank you thank you
Amen Bro ! Congrats on another successful month, i ended up buying jobber for the year its going great, it saves me alot of time, especially for my florida customers that are out of state i can whip up an invoice supa fast now, i have to get that darn orchard ladder you have that thing is bad ass i will look for a link in your video when i get close to purchasing it, Have a great rest of the week and weekend !
I hate this because I’ve felt it so many times. Since I was a kid I haven’t been blessed socially. I’m not a good public speaker and have anyways described myself as a “listener”. I’ve been in many situations where I just shoot myself in the foot with a client but I can’t back peddle without looking like I have no control of my business lol. So I forge ahead and just get the job done, hating every second of it because I’m basically doing it at cost. Good news is I have gotten better. Still not the best but I’m working toward it
I learnt a couple things from doing volunteerism for clients, i am trying to build some volunteer days into my business. So far this year i done mothers day and fathers day, i figured whats two days a year, i may do a free weekend or something at or near the end of the season around october or november. I switch into property cleanup, landscaping ckeanouts and firewood during the winter and spring so i dont have a hard time getting started in the spring (for now atleast). Anyhow i only done something free for existing client and told them anything upto 2 hours, it showed me who seemed really appreciative and who paid anyway, as well as made me feel good. Plus most people only wanted a 5-10 minute thing done. I wouldnt try to do that unless you can afford it but it will add alot of positive energy to client relations and your business and reputation. Also on very small 10-30 minute jobs id tell the client to just give me whatever they wanted and its usually above what my minimums would be, sometimes significantly higher which is also good for moral and good to know who really wants to benifit you aswell, being positive and friendly goes a long way itself! I literally do 8 houses on my street! Love thy neighbor! Do a good job every time and eventually youll have enough good people to keep you busy!
Keith...my first year in business in 97, in early spring in booked an 8 yard mulch job...told him it might take a few weeks but i'll get to it. starting up can get complicated, he calls, i said don't worry i'll get there soon and it will look great..so...by the time i roll in not one square inch of the beds can be seen cause there's two feet of weeds covering everything.!he starts tellin me, ' i told you to get here' .....he wasn't wrong, i screwed up...the mulch i ordered had been delivered and sittin in his driveway..had to weed it at almost no cost before i could lay down the mulch. lesson learned. you gotta think ahead guys!
My time is valuable I ain’t workin for free. Sure I want to give the best value to my customer but even more I want to give value and time to my family!
Dude you are so awesome at putting tons and tons of information and explaining my exact mindset as I've gone through these experiences. Thank you SO MUCH for helping educate and more importantly motivate all of us!
I'm worried about you buddy, have that pep talk every day. Take care of yourself, you are all over the place, and I am glad you have this as your outlet!
You are so good every time when I make a mistake wall in all your videos the way help me fix my mistakes some people don’t like when you tell the truth but I like because your videos help me grow in my business and my person thank you 🙏🏼 and God bless you be safe👊🏽
Preach! I literally had a customer blame me for not servicing their building when it snowed .5" after they demanded a 2" minimum snow removal contract and signed it 3 months ago! They literally asked for 2" because they wanted to keep the price down. I even reviewed and recommended they go with a completely different option before signing. Anyways... they call yesterday to tell me the 2" threshold just isn't working for them and they are thinking about going with a different vendor. lol. I had to spend 20 mins talking them through how it was their decision and then re-wrote the contract I recommended in the first place... unreal. Dealing with those situations is a skill and i barely have the patience for it! Good video Keith.
I’m on my way to eat this turd I made up while listening. Quoted a job on the spot instead of going home and really looking at it before I quoting it. I’ve done this too many times and still haven’t learned 🤦🏻♂️💩☠️😓
I used to be one of the managers for a large landscape company that would make 20 million a year and we would still freakin struggle and you would think wtf with that much revenue a year you guys should be rolling in it?? Problem was we had that you take the good with the bad problem and it really does affect you don’t be fooled. So yea Keith your not wrong when you say every job needs to be a winner!
I agree with you Kalfas in business you gotta take charge, control, momentum, tone or else you will not only lose but fail . as far as those saying'' you gotta take the bad with the good or sometimes you win or lose'' those people already failed and did not survive or make it in business in all fairness they are losers who had no vision, motive or reason whatsoever.
Keith, if 80% of the jobs go well and they’re at least 80% good then you’re good, don’t beat yourself up. In the service based businesses have the worst times, because people feel like they could take advantage of us, don’t let them. You know your worth and you know how to do your job better than most people. I know for a fact you can get 20 times the amount of clients and I can therefore just know (you said this and I live by it) A no at the moment is always a future yes. Small actions when done repeatedly Lead to massive results. I believe in you buddy.
I'm stuck in a rut Keith. We currently are a husband wife team. We have 80 weekly mowing clients. 5 huge HOAS ranging from 10 houses to 30. And 40 residential. We mow 4m5 days a week. Trying to cut it down to 4 days. To leave 1 2 days for small jobs. By Friday we don't wanna do jobs. We're beat. But my Issue is almost every client wants landscaping done. From mulch to planting to pruening you name it. I've had to push off the jobs to the point they canceled or just said screw it we don't want to do it anymore or find someone else. We can't do all these jobs that I use to be able to do. I can't say no so I take it on and try and try to get it done and can't. It's a bad look for Me. But not only that, im stepping over 100 dollar bills to pick up penny's. 50k in jobs I've had to pass on over the past 3 months. It's killing me Keith! ! But I feel I wouldn't have the jobs if I dident do the mowing. I love the mowing and need to offer it for my commercial contracts. That's what pays the bills year round amd keeps a consistent income flow to be able to budget. I've already lost a few amazing clients that say they need someone that can do it all. Meaning someone that can mulch in a timely fashion when they want it. Idk weather I'm going to stop mowing and goto just landscaping or just mowing. I hate the fact of having to consistently having to do bids, and chase products for the job. With the mowing, I have a set pist of clients. I can goto work ans c9me home ans shut off for the day. Doing landscaping you can't do that. But I want the bigger money. I'm in a rut Keith. I have absolutely no one in life to bounce ideas off from. Or a friend to say hey that don't seem right or even employees to point out shit I can't see or blind to. Idk what I need man. I need something. I'm loosing the drive.
Easy answer. Hire someone to mow the lawn while you split off into a 2nd crew and go do all the landscaping Jobs. You'll be swamped and making more money. Remember. It will NEVER change unless YOU take a leap.
You give a customer a quote and they agree. If you make money great! They dont care if you make a penny. Do good work and they will pay what they are comfortable with. Noone is forcing someone to pay them.
Yep had that happen before and felt like an idiot like why did I just let them talk me down. Last time was the last time. Now I’m just like either you want it or you don’t.
preach brother. im not even in the lawncare business, but i run my own IT services company for small business and deal with the same shit. just had to fire a client for all the same reasons.
La manera mas fácil de resolver ese problema es especificando el tiempo o material del proyecto y en términos y condiciones de tu contrato especificar si excede en material o tiempo estimado se cobrara la diferencian. Siempre funciona. Suerte.
And it’s true I’m here in Los Ángeles, very versatile ethnicity and all clients of different backgrounds tend to super low Baw until they find a desperate worker who would work minimum wage, and not think about the landscapers expenses. Helpers, gas, machinery, dumping fees, etc. And it’s awesome and full filling when you find good clients
They try to lowball me bad cuz one I have a baby face, second I'm Mexican and third im from the ghetto lol but thanks to you I dont let them walk over me. Thank you brother!!! All praises to the most high!!!
same here man
MUY bien amigo
I'm Mexican our own race is hurting the landscaping industry they go out and work for Pennie's they don't know how to bid where im at lawns in Colorado lawns are small where is live but the prices a few years ago was 50 the cheapest was 30 now there's alot of companies that joined I mean like 300 more came in and the lawns dropped now these guys are charging 25 to 10 bucks the cheapest after I lose these 70 lawns that I have left I will never do lawns again I will just stay with clean ups and trimming and decks and fencing and install rock mulch
@@newsaroundtheworld5363 I got A new client in a senior home subdivision 55 year + only subdivision . It took me literally 10 minutes to cut her yard I charged her $45. I knocked on the neighbors door to get more clients, she asked how much I charged her neighbor and I told her and she said oh no you are way over charging! I have a guy that does mine for $20..And I replied with “ oh I’m sorry the reason I knocked on your door was to offer my lawn services because your lawn looked like it needed some upkeep and maintenance”… but if that’s what you’re paying please do stay with that person. We are in 2022 now and everything is super expensive I am not sure how this person is able to provide for himself yet alone his business.?? And I respectfully dismissed myself. Two weeks later she tries to talk to me again and said hey I like the way you cut my neighbors yard can you do mine for $25? I said I’m sorry mam did your lawn guy not come back or? She said no I just like the way you cut her lawn. So I kindly declined her offer and said I’m sorry I won’t go below $40. So here’s the thing this kid or guy is going around offering $20 lawn cuts!!! When I have now three customers add it to my list in that subdivision because of my quality work! One at $45, $55 and $50. I also seen four other landscaping trucks there in that subdivision in one day God only knows what they are charging as well!??? 😒🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ people really out here working for pennies and it’s 102 deg here in SA TX!
You have to be firm and know how to say no.
Keith you crack me up 😂👊 You’re next to 100K my dude. 💯
Already there baby! Yee
Pro trick : watch series on flixzone. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies lately.
@Chandler Mohamed definitely, I've been using flixzone for since december myself =)
Idk how this dude doesn’t have a million subscribers yet. Pure gold all the time.
Its coming
He is like sorta the Valuetainment of landscaping. Crazy!!!
Most people ain't trying to subscribe to "realness", but rather "nonsense"!
Preach it. If you are a true landscape professional, you should be getting paid
Iike a professional. If the customer thinks it’s so easy then why did they call you. It is the “blue collar workers” time to get rewarded. Econ 101 = supply vs demand. Raise those prices folks!
I accidentally miscalculated and over quoted a job by double and got the job! I forgot to divide a number by 2 and that simple mistake netted me about $800 more
Awesome, you seen how much more valuable you really are!
Haha niiiice!
I love you man haha. The honesty! Thank you for taking the time out to make these videos.
I did that too recently in my housecleaning business - I overquoted on something I hadn't done before but it seemed reasonable in my head - turns out I earned myself $143 per hour :)
I underquoted a job last year. Big big landscape job. Took me 2 weeks solo. I will never ever make the same mistake again ever. Thank you for this reminder!
I believe it’s important to be very specific with landscaping work orders, no matter how tedious it may seem. Making note of every detail does two things, 1. It let the customer know that you’re not messing around with the details and quality of your work, and it also will show them the reason you’ve charged what you did, that you didn’t just take a random number out of your butt, and you’ve paid great attention to every aspect of the work, and 2. It makes it where the customer can’t just throw in random small things that weren’t agreed to at the beginning of the quote. Also, for large jobs, NEVER let the customer force you into giving them a price on the spot! Confidently let them know that you’ll get back to them. Calculate everything so you’re not stuck in a situation that you don’t want to be in!!! Great video as always Keith!!
Bruh idk how you ended up in my algorithm. I don’t give a DAMN about lawncare. I work on an ambulance but for some strange ass reason I’ve watched like 4 of your videos. I won’t subscribe cuz I don’t want them all but as long as you keep popping up I’ll keep watching. Oh and I’ll like your videos too. This video was actually a cool perspective and I appreciate it a lot
Bro, I appreciate the honesty. I work in the HVAC industry. I watched myself get bulldozed until I stopped caring about what they think. I do a great job, it works after I leave. I back it for 1 year. But you know thats too expensive. I just stopped caring. The price is the price, enjoy being hot if you don't like the price.
💯💯💯🇺🇸
I need to teach myself this. Im just too nice and always want to please the customers
Great timing, cause I just beat myself by under quoting a job I did yesterday!! Love ya Keith!
same here
I don’t even have a landscaping or lawn care business but this advice is golden
The pool and grill smelling food is so F’n true. If you’re getting paid out it’s not so bad, under priced and you wanna lose it! Like salt in a wound... That was a good laugh.
One of our biggest inspirations For my wife and I to grow from the back of our 06 Scion tC with a old toro push mower that has the self propelled feature that doesn’t really work and our echo pass system with weed wacker, edger, and blower to a full blown pickup truck, trailer and good working machines 👌🏼 Thank you so much for everything in your videos including the truth behind life! Thank you, thank 100 times boss man! “Chicago Detail ULTD” (from the suburbs of grayslake IL 60030) here letting you know you’re appreciated to the maximum! 💯💪🏼
If you under quote and over grown job at least you'll have good before and after pictures
Yeah. It happens and I don't mind as long as it doesn't eat into my profits. Instagram food all day👍
I couldn't stop laughing when you said can you smell that 🥔🥩😂😂😂 and you probably know why, it happened to me too 😅🤣😂
Man hilarious! Yeah working being hungry and all you smell is food in the air. You know its a long day when their doing the laundry and it smells good too....
I've had customers do this trimming trees .... I'll give them a price and they'll say how bout just do this for this much , then once you're in the tree they're telling you to take this branch , this one and that one trying to get the original work order for the lesser price ..... I never let customers walk on me ..... I've had to walk away from a lot of jobs ....
Yes I feel bad about it sometimes but I just ghost people if they give me that type of lowball vibe. I only do work for people that are easy to work with. The difficult people are almost never worth it. I’ve even straight up just walked off the property when giving an estimate to this one lady 😂🖐 she was being crazy rude and difficult RIGHT off the bat
I need to be more like this! I always hear “ oh you can just do that for me can’t you” I find when I push back and say no I charge X for that, they are usually a bit funny after. Why is it service business constantly get screwed on price! Keith’s videos have always helped me on this topic! Know your worth. Love it.
@@lucastoal8476
I have customers that wait till I'm not on the job and then come out and start asking for extras, or try to play my crew by pretending they talked to.me and I approved the extra shit. Unreal...
Big Mike always happen to me too when I leave job site they tell the climber can you take this off😂 or they give you a tip in front of your worker and tell you to buy lunch for everyone 😂
@@kaiberry5502 Dude , too funny , was going to say that , just happened last week same thing , gave the guy a price on trimming/thinning out 3 trees , gave him the price , he's say well can you just take a little for this much ? So I just agreed since I was there , then every time I left the immediate area , he would go under the Tree and yell up to my climber to take , this branch , that branch , that one over there ! Lol .... I became extremely frustrated with the guy and he knew it ... I had to yell up to my climber we're done here , he got the work he wanted to pay for , but the Trees didn't look anything like they should of , but that's not my fault , wasn't gonna get tricked into doing it for free ..... I would say I run into customers like this 1 outta every 10 jobs ..... If they sense that you're weak they will definitely take advantage ...... Thanks for the reply Cuzzo !!! Work safe brotha !!! There's no money like Tree Money !!!!!!
Lmfaoo!!! You got me man this happen to me during a plant installation I did on a Saturday my clients ended up having a pool party and grilling food me and my helper just looked at each other haha they did invite some beers and Ice-cream lol
“If you grab a cookie... or a TURD!..”. I love you man..
My favorite line of yours and I tell myself this ALL THE TIME...Lesson is repeated until lesson is learned. I find myself not speaking up when a client asks for a job quote and then gets my verbal "estimate" and hold me to it as though it is a God's honest fact...but then tacks on X, Y, and Z to the job and expects these things for free. Here again, the skillful clients will try (and can often succeed) bulldozing these requests through my defenses and ramrod me into not addressing any price increase. Unfortunately, many times I've let it happen and the client gets one over on me. I've decided if these types of clients repeatedly and continually want to dictate to me how my business should be run, I can release them back into the sea (Million fish in the sea reference.) You are one of my favorite RUclipsrs and I watch as much as I can of your channel. I started my business around the same time you did in lawn care (circa 2012) and I feel I've experienced many of the things you have shared through the years. Lesson is repeated until lesson is learned! Keep those video's rolling! - Philip in Montana
Keith I love listening to your book "1st year in landscaping business" on Audible
Grass is green, weeds are green, money is green, as a grass farmer the crop keeps on growing. Like the jelly of the month club, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, Clark, thanks Eddie!
I drove over the rumble strips when you said baked potatoes . 🤣
Nice! Took me about EIGHT years to figure some of this out!! Today I have NO QUALMS going back to a customer if I mis-quoted! You gotta go through some pain to get there!
I always enjoy your videos Keith. I've read some of your comments that people posted on here. I want to say that this the second video I've watched today by Keith. The first one Keith talked about business not drying up. Then this one talking about upping prices and knowing your worth. I have to say I understand all of this. The thing is, people are low balling so badly here where I live that lawns are getting cut for $20 and $25. Tree and shrub trimming jobs are being done for $167-$200. These ate lawns that are worth at least $40+ and trim jobs I know Keith wouldn't take for less than $500. I've only been doing this since last August and I have learned a lot one of which is the cheaper guy always gets the job and two, if you aren't that guy you want go out of business because for you to go out of business you have to have a business. I'm glad that you all have work and you all are making the money. From the little guy here, a $500 week would feel like your $1,000 day does to you. Thank you all for sharing and as always, great video Keith.
"who are you talking too", "i'm talking to myself in the mirror" lmao.......love it bro, more of us need to check ourselves this way, it works!
I solo, just did a small quick trim 2 apple tree job yesterday. I spent and hour and filled the truck and then had to go to the dump. I charged $100. The people sent me an email and said the charge was outrageous and they would have never ok'd that price. By the way, they are renters. Note to self, no more rentals.
Sounds like a $250 job to me.
$100 is low because let say you pay $40 for the dump that leaves you with $60 plus gas , time traveled, labor. People think you just magically appear in their back yard and some say it’s only a quick cut , trim etc. I learned to stay away from people like that even though it can be tempting. There is other people out there who will pay Don’t get desperate because you will not profit that way. I work solo myself. When I started I would charge $150 here in Los Angeles for an overgrown yard clean up. Now days for a similar yard I charge $350 and I end up getting the job.
Dude thats awful. $100 seems low to me. Its a shame some people are like that. Best of luck to you.
They really should've paid $300 for that job..since you had to dump..you have to calculate time to commute to and from the dump site, gas, .. fam you'll be outta business soon charging that low
I have to say THANK YOU! You and Brian have changed my business this last year I have always been called a dream killer on my dreams and let people walk all over me and I started standing up for myself and now I'm making $$$ so THANK YOU!!
CRAZY you put this out. My old boss told me yesterday, "my lower paying jobs are my bread and butter, I love getting good paying jobs but they're not my bread and butter"
WHAT?!?!??!? 🤯🤯🤯🤯
6:58 love it, there’s always a moment that cracks me up lol.
Awesome insight and advice! It’s rough sometimes in our industry when clients don’t see as we see. Remember the bigger picture, keep business cards in your pocket and stay prepared out there guys!
Great video. Been there Bro. I appreciate you sharing your learning experience, the situational stuff and your thought process. You are not alone. Keep improving and keep sharing. My dad keeps telling me he is either winning or learning. You need both in your business especially just starting out and quoting things you have never done before. Cheers!
Love the term "personal boundary"... Keep saying what is in my head.. Been doing this since 2001.. wish I found your blog in 2001.. Oh and I saw the trailer back at 22 and VD.. Keep up the positive motivation!
*When climbing the ladder of success make sure your ladder is leaned against the correct building*
Hey Keith been watching your material for some time now i dont do much commenting i believe in doing . So i watch your stuff and then practice it and i want to say thank you. It has changed the way i run my business the way i think and the way i carry my self . keep doing what you do it helps in a way you may not realise i appreciate your herdship and want you to know it means alot .... You're a stand up guy .. From South Africa Kyle KSV Tree Fellers😎
Dude, I’ve been watching your videos for a couple years now. I started my own hardscaping and landscaping last summer. There were some nerves but I watched a lot of your content that gave me more confidence that I could do so. I commented on a video before saying we had an almost identical upbringing and you referred me to your other channel. Anyways, all this time I had no idea that my sister Tracy does your pest control. What a small world haha! Anyways thanks for creating this Avenue of information for guys like me that otherwise wouldn’t have access to knowledge you’ve accumulated.
I just want too say thanks for all the advice and real footage of you on the job and real situations that you share. I just posted an add last week then found your channel after two days later I got a big job I gotta hire help everything from trash bags too a mower 600 later and I’ll make 800 on my first job
LOVE THIS VIDEO REMINDS ME OF OLD SCHOOL KALFAS💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
This is life changing content. Thank you, sir. So many thanks. People hate giving me this information. I've been through 3 businesses and I'm always the hardest worker very reliable and Always seem to be at odds with lazy unproductive coworkers so it really seems like a no Brainer that I put my hobbies to the side and full on comit to starting my business and changing my life. Huge ups thank you thank you
Amen Bro ! Congrats on another successful month, i ended up buying jobber for the year its going great, it saves me alot of time, especially for my florida customers that are out of state i can whip up an invoice supa fast now, i have to get that darn orchard ladder you have that thing is bad ass i will look for a link in your video when i get close to purchasing it, Have a great rest of the week and weekend !
A trud.... I don't know Keith. That may be hard to swallow. LOL !! 🏴☠️
Remember to raise prices, inflation is right there.
Dude your analogies and metaphors are cracking me up lol.
I hate this because I’ve felt it so many times. Since I was a kid I haven’t been blessed socially. I’m not a good public speaker and have anyways described myself as a “listener”. I’ve been in many situations where I just shoot myself in the foot with a client but I can’t back peddle without looking like I have no control of my business lol. So I forge ahead and just get the job done, hating every second of it because I’m basically doing it at cost. Good news is I have gotten better. Still not the best but I’m working toward it
what upppp
you have some good advice !! I can relate i have been at this game since 99! have to say this is our best season yet!
keep grinding !
I oversold, just spend 5 weeks working 8am till 8pm. It was rough but I did it and definitely got some reserves now.
Enjoyed the video. We are going through it right now. 12 months of revenue into 6. Keep stacking folks.
I learnt a couple things from doing volunteerism for clients, i am trying to build some volunteer days into my business. So far this year i done mothers day and fathers day, i figured whats two days a year, i may do a free weekend or something at or near the end of the season around october or november. I switch into property cleanup, landscaping ckeanouts and firewood during the winter and spring so i dont have a hard time getting started in the spring (for now atleast). Anyhow i only done something free for existing client and told them anything upto 2 hours, it showed me who seemed really appreciative and who paid anyway, as well as made me feel good. Plus most people only wanted a 5-10 minute thing done. I wouldnt try to do that unless you can afford it but it will add alot of positive energy to client relations and your business and reputation. Also on very small 10-30 minute jobs id tell the client to just give me whatever they wanted and its usually above what my minimums would be, sometimes significantly higher which is also good for moral and good to know who really wants to benifit you aswell, being positive and friendly goes a long way itself! I literally do 8 houses on my street! Love thy neighbor! Do a good job every time and eventually youll have enough good people to keep you busy!
Keith...my first year in business in 97, in early spring in booked an 8 yard mulch job...told him it might take a few weeks but i'll get to it. starting up can get complicated, he calls, i said don't worry i'll get there soon and it will look great..so...by the time i roll in not one square inch of the beds can be seen cause there's two feet of weeds covering everything.!he starts tellin me, ' i told you to get here' .....he wasn't wrong, i screwed up...the mulch i ordered had been delivered and sittin in his driveway..had to weed it at almost no cost before i could lay down the mulch. lesson learned. you gotta think ahead guys!
this channel is my new indulgence! keep it up bro.. your killing it.. and thank you for the motivation and energy!
Haha thanks Hector.
Wisdom. Why your not wearing a cape gown big hat and huge staff!! The entire village looks to you for answers. Your amazing man
I’m not eatin no metaphorical turds Keith! Hahaha love y’all
My time is valuable I ain’t workin for free. Sure I want to give the best value to my customer but even more I want to give value and time to my family!
Dude you are so awesome at putting tons and tons of information and explaining my exact mindset as I've gone through these experiences.
Thank you SO MUCH for helping educate and more importantly motivate all of us!
Wow means a lot. 🙏
Kalfas you just have a way with words brother...saw myself in the same boat ...keep rockn man 😎
I'm worried about you buddy, have that pep talk every day. Take care of yourself, you are all over the place, and I am glad you have this as your outlet!
You are so good every time when I make a mistake wall in all your videos the way help me fix my mistakes some people don’t like when you tell the truth but I like because your videos help me grow in my business and my person thank you 🙏🏼 and God bless you be safe👊🏽
Love your videos man ! Keep them coming !
Preach! I literally had a customer blame me for not servicing their building when it snowed .5" after they demanded a 2" minimum snow removal contract and signed it 3 months ago! They literally asked for 2" because they wanted to keep the price down. I even reviewed and recommended they go with a completely different option before signing. Anyways... they call yesterday to tell me the 2" threshold just isn't working for them and they are thinking about going with a different vendor. lol. I had to spend 20 mins talking them through how it was their decision and then re-wrote the contract I recommended in the first place... unreal. Dealing with those situations is a skill and i barely have the patience for it! Good video Keith.
yep Kieth lesson is repeated until lesson is learned and I learn mamy lessons wish you well in this covid-19 craziness God Bless
Looking forward to meet you here in the Czech republic, buddy!
I’m on my way to eat this turd I made up while listening. Quoted a job on the spot instead of going home and really looking at it before I quoting it. I’ve done this too many times and still haven’t learned 🤦🏻♂️💩☠️😓
I've been taking your advice on board Keith. And i tell ye buddy, its working a treat 🤑
Just discovered your videos and I agree with others, great info and entertaining at the same time! Keep up the good work!
Well said Keith
Good chat! The goal to have a buisness and work your tail off is to provide for yourself and family!!!
Had me cracking up on this one bro! Good advice
Well i learned a while ago. Bid high and 90 percent still take ya.
Keith Kalfas is my favorite looney toon character..
I used to be one of the managers for a large landscape company that would make 20 million a year and we would still freakin struggle and you would think wtf with that much revenue a year you guys should be rolling in it?? Problem was we had that you take the good with the bad problem and it really does affect you don’t be fooled. So yea Keith your not wrong when you say every job needs to be a winner!
"HAA🤣"
I love it i love it, me and my brother do that... HAA🤣😂😂
Or worse the old break even jobs. Oh boy. Will be great advertising.
I agree with you Kalfas in business you gotta take charge, control, momentum, tone or else you will not only lose but fail . as far as those saying'' you gotta take the bad with the good or sometimes you win or lose'' those people already failed and did not survive or make it in business in all fairness they are losers who had no vision, motive or reason whatsoever.
Keith you definitely don't only care about money haha! This is abundantly clear.
Dude you should go to Czech it’s beautiful. Go in the winter before the Fullerton eyes set in.
Thank you big dog you’re 100% right not to let these people bulldoze over you
And not letting customers take
Advantage
Keith, if 80% of the jobs go well and they’re at least 80% good then you’re good, don’t beat yourself up. In the service based businesses have the worst times, because people feel like they could take advantage of us, don’t let them. You know your worth and you know how to do your job better than most people. I know for a fact you can get 20 times the amount of clients and I can therefore just know (you said this and I live by it) A no at the moment is always a future yes. Small actions when done repeatedly Lead to massive results. I believe in you buddy.
This is exactly ! What I needed to hear today haha
Love the videos man!!!
I love your mentality. I try to do the same thing as you.
Yes after lesson 1 theres also Lesson verison 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 ....... etc
I like the fact that ur reall...i feel exactly like that ..glad it aint just me
I'm stuck in a rut Keith. We currently are a husband wife team. We have 80 weekly mowing clients. 5 huge HOAS ranging from 10 houses to 30. And 40 residential. We mow 4m5 days a week. Trying to cut it down to 4 days. To leave 1 2 days for small jobs. By Friday we don't wanna do jobs. We're beat. But my Issue is almost every client wants landscaping done. From mulch to planting to pruening you name it. I've had to push off the jobs to the point they canceled or just said screw it we don't want to do it anymore or find someone else. We can't do all these jobs that I use to be able to do. I can't say no so I take it on and try and try to get it done and can't. It's a bad look for Me. But not only that, im stepping over 100 dollar bills to pick up penny's. 50k in jobs I've had to pass on over the past 3 months. It's killing me Keith! ! But I feel I wouldn't have the jobs if I dident do the mowing. I love the mowing and need to offer it for my commercial contracts. That's what pays the bills year round amd keeps a consistent income flow to be able to budget. I've already lost a few amazing clients that say they need someone that can do it all. Meaning someone that can mulch in a timely fashion when they want it. Idk weather I'm going to stop mowing and goto just landscaping or just mowing. I hate the fact of having to consistently having to do bids, and chase products for the job. With the mowing, I have a set pist of clients. I can goto work ans c9me home ans shut off for the day. Doing landscaping you can't do that. But I want the bigger money. I'm in a rut Keith. I have absolutely no one in life to bounce ideas off from. Or a friend to say hey that don't seem right or even employees to point out shit I can't see or blind to. Idk what I need man. I need something. I'm loosing the drive.
Easy answer. Hire someone to mow the lawn while you split off into a 2nd crew and go do all the landscaping Jobs. You'll be swamped and making more money.
Remember. It will NEVER change unless YOU take a leap.
Much respect 🙏
Minute 4:00 is so true when you under quote and the client doesn’t care and still wants a major discount.
I enjoy your chanel bro, very educational 😎.
You give a customer a quote and they agree. If you make money great! They dont care if you make a penny. Do good work and they will pay what they are comfortable with. Noone is forcing someone to pay them.
Congrats on 90k subscribers
Keith you are awesome! That’s all just wanted to say
Your my hero no joke love every video
Marketing and marketing and marketing and marketing then it doesnt matter cause you can dissolve the bottom while expanding the top
Yep had that happen before and felt like an idiot like why did I just let them talk me down. Last time was the last time. Now I’m just like either you want it or you don’t.
Great video men hello from Panama...New suscriber 👍
Man you e been a good person and to learn a lot from you
Neurosynaptic pruning …. That’s where it’s at!
preach brother. im not even in the lawncare business, but i run my own IT services company for small business and deal with the same shit. just had to fire a client for all the same reasons.
Eddie Murphy joke: what have you done for me lately... 😂
Hahaha
La manera mas fácil de resolver ese problema es especificando el tiempo o material del proyecto y en términos y condiciones de tu contrato especificar si excede en material o tiempo estimado se cobrara la diferencian. Siempre funciona. Suerte.
And it’s true I’m here in Los Ángeles, very versatile ethnicity and all clients of different backgrounds tend to super low Baw until they find a desperate worker who would work minimum wage, and not think about the landscapers expenses. Helpers, gas, machinery, dumping fees, etc. And it’s awesome and full filling when you find good clients
Great video bro
Cool runnings. “I see pride. I see power”
Can you not find something better to quote? Marcus Arealius : Meditations, check that out. Its 2000 years old and everything in it applies to today.