Author: Harper Snyder

Picture of Landscaping

How to get City Contracts for Landscaping?

by Harper Snyder

Do you own a landscaping business and you are looking to get city contracts? Look no further. We have got you covered. Securing a contract in landscaping is a big deal as it means big money for your business. Winning such contracts comes with too much work to lose at the end of the day.

Getting a city contract differs from state to state. For cities like Honolulu, landscaping city contracts can be obtained from the city’s commercial district. The procedure may be unique to the state. You can check out the requirements for getting a landscaping Honolulu gig.

Owning a landscaping business is an excellent way of making good money. One of the most accessible means of making big-time money is getting a city landscaping contract. Securing a landscape contract comes intending to win at the end of the day. That is making a profit for your landscaping business.

How to Get a City Landscaping Contract?

So, how do you get a city landscaping contract? Check out these steps.

Set-up a meeting with contract decision-makers

All you have to do is get your business out there, network your business to secure that city contract. You will have to approach people to do so. You can write out an email or letter to these places you want these contracts. You can also send to HOAs, Real Estate groups, or business owners.

Another way of getting your business in their face is by networking at local events, or you could set up a meeting with your BOMAs. You can also try your city’s commercial district, chamber of commerce meetings, or CEO’s forum.

You could try it out the old hard way. Drive within your city once you find a property that needs fixing and introduce yourself. It can be a great way to win contracts if you have good in-person sales skills.

Be Professional

People love to work with professional clients if you can handle a city contract. Most businesses work with the corporate world. Your looks matter a lot for you to be able to win some contracts.

You should be able to sell yourself and business as one that can handle such big contracts. When most landscape businesses submit bids, the goal is to differentiate themselves, focus on the bottom line, and offer better service.

Some questions to assist you in addressing your business professionalism; Do you have a professional website? Do you have trucks painted or wrapped with your business name? Can your equipment do the job required on time?

Present the value you bring to their property

Show them the essence of having a well-done landscape. It is most likely to ignite the right amount of interest within them. Ensure tour work with your clients, brainstorm together on the landscape designs.

Ask for their perception about landscaping, listen to all they have to say. It will determine how you move forward. Get to know their expectations and challenges. This knowledge will help you get to know them better.

Speak with them concerning the disadvantages of lousy landscaping, such as poor job, dead lawns, and inexperienced labor.

Hand in a well-formatted proposal

This act speaks volumes. It is a professional means of winning a city contract. If you hand in a well-tailored proposal, it makes a good impression on your client or a business owner.

Also, salesmanship is essential to winning a bid. You can school yourself on this through books, YouTube videos, and other resources.

Questions to be Answered While Bidding for a City Contract

City Contracts for Landscaping

Some questions to be answered while bidding for a city contract.

Question 1 – Can you upsell to make a profit?

If you have a good job costing tool, this question can be quickly answered. You could lose in fertilization packaging while you can make over 100% in mowing.

Most times, offering the lowest cost is the key to winning some contract, but you mustn’t give prices that aren’t worth it. Your job costing gives you the information labor needed and how much to charge for your business to profit.

Question 2- How many competitions do you have for the job?

Knowing your competition is essential. If you have over a hundred businesses clawing for the contract, it might take lots of effort. If the action isn’t worth it, then reconsider. For cases where you already have an existing relationship with the account, your chances can improve.

Question 3- How often does the account switch landscaping contractor?

There is always the possibility of losing accounts—no need to panic. You could still make a win with them. Be professional even when losing an account, appreciate them for using your business, and offer them a last counter offer. It could be a comeback for them.

Conclusion

In a bid to win city landscaping contracts, ensure you do not price your business out of profit. Do not be dependent on a single account. You can give some resident accounts as a safety net.

sandcastle/

by Harper Snyder

13th ANNUAL SANDCASTLE FESTIVAL

August 4th Cobourg Beach 8:30am Registration 10:30 Competition – 12 hours of fun!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8am

Master Sculptors begin their work (Viewing all weekend)

8:30am

Registration Opens

Amateur Competition (under the blue tent)

10:00am

Sandsculpting Lessons

10:30am

Competition begins

11am  – 5pm

Kid Zone Open

Inflatable Fun Park Opens*

Live DJ on Beach

4:30pm

Awards Presentation at DJ Booth

8:30pm

Movie on the Beach: Moana

10:30pm

Fireworks over the Pier

 

*$5 wristband applies. Available at registration tent.

Buy your wristband for only $5

MEET THE MASTERS

SANDI STIRLING

Hamilton, Ontario

“In every pile of sand is a castle beckoning to come out.”

Sandi began sculpting in 1995 and has competed in British Columbia, Ontario, Florida and Texas. Sandi’s accomplishments include placing 1st in Sauble Beach Ontario in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Additions to her list of accomplishments include placing first in the amateur division in Fort Myers Beach, Florida and placing 2nd in the Texas State Championship in the same year. When Sandi is not on the beach, she has a passion to teach children the technique of sand building through her 90 minute “Sandi Castle Presentations”. The unique learning allows children to bring creativity and imagination to the studies of Medieval Times and/or rocks and minerals. We are pleased to welcome back Sandi to Cobourg. www.sandicastle.com

SUNWAVE SAND ART

New Haven, Michigan, USA

Sara Sunshine and Big Wave Dave are SunWave Sand Art.
They build Sand Castles, indoors, outdoors and even on Beaches.
Big Wave Dave learned how to build Sand Castles 19 years ago on South Padre Island TX from Amazin’ Walter.  Sara Sunshine his Step-Daughter started 15 years ago.  Together they have build on almost every beach in Michigan and Canada. Big Wave Dave along with the late Don “Dad Feet” Wierenga won the 2000 Sand Castle Days Texas State Championship with a nine foot tall sand castle.  Sara won quite a few events at the annual Sand Castle Days on South Padre Island during her High School years. Someone once asked Sara while she worked on a castle, “Why is Big Wave Dave giving the interview and you are back here working on the sand castle? ” Her reply, “He’s the personality, I’m the talent!”

NICK BALDWIN

Guelph, Ontario

Always having an interest in art, Nick began his career as a clay sculptor for public events. With the interest of attracting an audience and seeing the look of excitement in their eyes, Nick continued his dream of sculpting and took it to the next level. Nick entered his first sand sculpting contest in Sauble Beach, Ontario, in 1999 and won 1st place. Since this first win, Nick has continued to amaze his audience and clients.

KAREN FRALICH

Guelph, Ontario

A four- time World Champion and 4 time North American Champion of Sand Sculpting Karen has been working in the field for 18 years. She is the only woman to ever win the SOLO World Championships. She has participated in 92sand sculpting competitions all over the world and won many titles. Her work as a freelance sculptor includes many sculpting mediums including sand, snow, clay foam wood and fiberglass for movies, television, special events and art galleries.

TANYA KASTL

Waterloo, Ontario

Finding her hidden talent during a visit to Sauble Beach, Ontario Tanya has continued to enter contests and takes every opportunity to practices on local Ontario beaches. As Tanya states “ I would love every opportunity to sculpt and make sand come alive”. Tanya is one of Cobourg’s favourite Master sculptors – and this year we welcome her back with an additional sculptor NICOLETTE KASTL

BOB VANCLEEF

Burlington, Ontario

Bob is currently employed by the CAW and has been honing his sculpting skills since 1999. His work has been on display on such beaches as Port Colborne beach festival, Port Elgin, Cobourg and Beachway Park in Burlington along the infamour “Beach Strip”. http://sandcastleman.piczo.com

MICHEL BEAUPRE & RACHELLE ROCHELEAU

St-Hippolyte, Quebec

It is while vacationing in Les Iles de la Madeleine that Michel and Rachelle were attracted to sand castles. For 12 years it has become their hobby and passion. They learned the basic techniques with Michel Lepire (World Master) and discovered and developed their artistic side and won several amateur contests. This is the first time the team will participate in Cobourg and are very excited to work alongside Master sculptors but above all, sand sculpting is lots of fun.

DALE ANDREWS

Burlington, Ontario

Dale Andrews started sandsculpting in 2008 when his nieces asked him to join them in a local family sandcastle building competition. He was hooked. After a few years of competing with the family, Dale decided it was time to venture out on his own. Since that time, he has gradually made his way up the ranks, accumulating several awards along the way. In 2014 alone, Dale competed in Lake Worth, Florida (People’s Choice Award), Bluewater Sandfest (Port Huron, Michigan) Burlington, Ontario (1st Place), Sauble Beach, Ontario (3rd Place, Professional) and at the American Sandsculpting Championship in Fort Myers Beach (4th Place, People’s Choice Award). In 2015, Dale will continue to travel across North America competing and demonstrating his work at various festivals.