The Downside of Bi-Weekly Mowing in the Lawn and Landscape Industry

Welcome to a crucial discussion on the impact of bi-weekly mowing in the lawn and landscape industry. With a staggering 10% profit margin being the norm, it’s clear that many companies are walking a fine line between profit and loss. One of the biggest culprits causing this problematic situation is the practice of bi-weekly mowing. Drawing from my 40 years of experience in the industry, I’ll be highlighting the pitfalls of this approach, from the hidden costs to the impact on service quality. Join me as we delve into the reasons why bi-weekly mowing could be putting your business at risk.

For nearly half of the lawn and landscape industry, a 10% profit margin is being both accepted and expected. This may be acceptable to you, but it doesn’t leave much room for error. The difference between making money and losing money is such a fine line for a lot of companies in this industry and a lot of companies aren’t helping themselves out by being smart and efficient. One of the biggest ways companies are losing their margin is by doing bi-weekly mowing. Some people will disagree with me on my viewpoint of bi-weekly mowing, but based on my 40 years of experience running a lawn and landscape business and consulting for nearly 30 years, I see this as a downfall to a lot of potentially great companies. There are so many places bi-weekly mowing can go wrong and I will highlight a few now.

The Hidden Costs of Bi-Weekly Mowing

The Time Factor in Bi-Weekly Mowing

One obvious issue with bi-weekly mowing is the extra time that it takes because of the extra length of the grass. The time factor in bi-weekly mowing is one that is thought of in many cases, but most business owners don’t actually charge for that extra time, and that’s where a big part of the problem is which we talk about next. 

The Pricing Challenge in Bi-Weekly Mowing

The pricing challenge is one that so many businesses do not look at from an analytical perspective- they try to solve it as easily as possible. The answer to this problem you may be thinking is to simply increase the price. A common belief and one that you’ll see on social media is 1.5x or  2x the price or $10 more than the mowing price. Well, there are issues with that solution. Maybe you do charge a little more, but is that enough to cover the extra time? One way to know is by knowing your cost which a lot of companies do not know. At the end of the day, it doesn’t make sense to the customer to pay 2,3, or 4 times the price to make your desired profit margin on the job. If they are being charged double or more the original price, why not just get it done every week? Maybe there are reasons why they only want it cut bi-weekly, but maybe they’re not the right customer for you. You don’t have to accept every potential customer that comes your way especially if they are going to cost you money.

The Impact of Bi-Weekly Mowing on Service Quality

The Effect on Lawn Appearance

Another reason I dislike bi-weekly mowing is the quality of job on a bi-weekly mowing is going to be worse than that of a weekly mowing service. Because the grass has grown at least 2-3 times as high, it will simply not look as good and will take a long time to even make it look decent. Especially in the spring when grass is growing like crazy, do you really want your business to be associated with a lawn that looks overgrown half the time which we’ll be discussing below.

The Influence on Company Image and Customer Satisfaction

Do you want your company to be associated with bad looking properties? This does not help you build a professional image with people who know nothing about your company except the properties they see you do. It will typically make the customer unhappy as well because they are paying for a service that does not make their property look good. By mowing every week, you can make the property look professional and keep your image professional and your customers satisfied.

While bi-weekly mowing may seem like a cost-effective approach, it is actually not. It can have hidden costs and impact the quality of service provided. The extra time required for bi-weekly mowing is often not accounted for in pricing, leading to reduced profit margins. Moreover, the quality of work is typically lower, which can affect your company’s professional image and customer satisfaction. It’s crucial to know your costs and set your prices accordingly, and remember that not every potential customer is the right fit for your business. By considering these factors, you can make informed decisions that benefit both your business and your customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the downsides of bi-weekly mowing in the lawn and landscape industry?

Bi-weekly mowing can lead to hidden costs and impact service quality. It often takes more time due to the extra length of the grass, and this extra time is often not accounted for in pricing. Furthermore, the quality of a bi-weekly mowing job is typically lower than that of a weekly service, potentially affecting your company’s professional image.

How does bi-weekly mowing affect the time factor in lawn care?

Bi-weekly mowing often takes more time because the grass is longer. This extra time is a hidden cost that many business owners don’t account for, which can eat into their profit margins and will most likely cause many business to lose money providing a bi-weekly service.

What is the pricing challenge with bi-weekly mowing?

While it might seem logical to simply increase the price for bi-weekly mowing, this solution has its issues. Charging double or more the original price may not make sense to the customer, and it may not cover the extra time required for the job. Knowing your costs is crucial to pricing this service correctly if you do choose to offer it which is not recommended. 

How does bi-weekly mowing impact the quality of service?

Bi-weekly mowing often results in a lower quality job compared to weekly mowing. The grass has grown 2-3 times as high, making it harder to achieve a good look. This can affect customer satisfaction and your company’s professional image.

How does bi-weekly mowing affect my company’s image?

If your company is associated with properties that look overgrown half the time due to bi-weekly mowing, it can harm your professional image. Potential customers may judge your company based on the properties they see you servicing.

How can bi-weekly mowing affect customer satisfaction?

Customers may be unhappy with bi-weekly mowing services because their property does not look as good as it would with weekly mowing. This can lead to dissatisfaction and potentially harm your company’s reputation.

What should I consider when deciding between weekly and bi-weekly mowing services?

Consider the hidden costs, the impact on service quality, and the effect on your company’s image and customer satisfaction. It’s important to know your costs and set your prices accordingly. Remember, not every potential customer is the right fit for your business, especially if their requests could cost you money.