In this day and age, being a responsible, respectful, rule-following business owner can be a tough job. It seems there are a lot of people out there looking to cut corners and take the easiest route instead of having a grounded moral compass and brag-worthy business practices.
While being morally grounded will help you run your business in a way you and your entire company can be proud of, lawn care software can also help you compete against the uninsured competitor, who is undercutting your price.
The main way to keep the valuable and “worth your time” customers is to provide great service. I have been using the same landscaping company since the day we moved into our house. Granted, I know they are not the cheapest company I could go with, but I am always more than pleased with their work. I would rather be proud of my lawn and the design the landscaper has set up for me, than sell out due to price. I also know I can trust my landscaper to fix any issues I may have or to correct his wrongs if something were to happen. You can’t always get that with the cheapest guy because they are out to make a quick buck, not build a relationship.
Lawn care software helps you store a a history complete with field notes so you can handle the sue-happy customers that your uninsured competitor have already or will most likely meet. With lawn care software, you can see what was done on their property, when it was done, and who did it. Retrieving this information at the click of a button helps you to respond quickly and accurately when it comes to those who are looking to sue over the little details.
Scheduling and routing features providedg by lawn care software enables you to get your guys out in a timely manner each and every day. Sometimes it is the little things that matter most to the customer, like showing up on time, or being on their property when you say you will be there.
Lawn care software also puts you a step ahead of your uninsured competitors by being an invaluable tool when it comes to customer service. You have all of the customer information available for your office staff within a few seconds. By dumping the old practice of shuffling through papers, calling technicians, calling customers, calling techs again, more paper shuffling, and calling the customer back, you are able to provide quick and accurate responses to any and all of your customers’ questions. Again, it is the little things. Customers appreciate being taken care of, and lawn care software allows you to do this in a simpler form.
You know what else customers like? Someone who helps them improve their property. With lawn care service software, you can have your crews complete an electronic assessment that asks if they saw any additional work - like pruning a tree, adding some edging or fixing a sprinkler – that your company can complete. Not only are you suggesting ways to beautify a yard, you’re putting some more revenue in the bank.
Competing with those that are uninsured and offering cheaper prices will be a constant battle as long as you are in the field service industry. The best thing to do is to stay true to your morals and not let the “cheapos” push you in to lowering your standards. You may lose a few customers to the cheaper guys, but in all honesty, you are better off. You will have more time to service customers who are truly deserving and appreciative of the work you are so proud of.
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