Township code enforcement can bring you more business.
As you drive about your area, do you notice some homes are on the market for quite a length of time? Have these homes been sitting without care for so long that the grass around the house has grown tall and become an eyesore? If so, they are probably going to be fined by the local township code enforcement division. Once this happens, did you know that many towns have a list of lawn care companies they can call upon to mow the property if it is not done within a specific period of time?
A discussion on the Gopher Lawn Care Business Forum brought this topic to light. One lawn care business owner wrote “Has anyone set anything up with any real estate companies as far as mowing goes? Or maybe even set something up with the town? Last year, I noticed that houses are not selling to well and some of the lots were out of control? What can I do to profit from this?”
A second lawn care business owner answered “I am a firm believer in the nothing ventured, nothing gained, theory….
What you should do is check with local code enforcement office to see if the town/city/county has adopted any property maintenance standards pertaining to the condition of lawns. The city where I live has done so. In fact I have a copy of the code that I keep with me. See if you can get one. Most property owners would rather not face the prospect of court action, or may not even be aware of such ordinances being on the books. The idea is not to blackmail potential customers, but to enlighten and show that you are the solution.
Don’t be bashful about speaking with the real estate agent that has his/her name on the for sale signs of such homes. A face to face meeting is better than a phone call though. Set up a meeting time or visit them at the property. When you meet, be prepared with an estimate and be ready to answer any questions posed to you. Keep in mind that a great deal of the work related to real estate is legal in nature and very detail oriented. A good contract is in order. You need to be paid so spell it out who will pay you, the office or the property owner, and when.
I have mowed for many real estate offices before. It is very good to get in with them. A lot of times I am sent over to maintain a property just before it sells. Kind of like a send off for the new home owner
You also should speak with the local township code enforcers and find out how you can get your company on the list of lawn care service providers that the township will call in the event the home owner is unable to comply with any property summons issued.
By following these steps you should find yourself plenty busy through out the year.”
