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Red flags...
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The other day I was chatting with a lawn mowing contractor who was frustrated that he was out doing quote after quote, only to end up looking at jobs that were not ideal. I dug a little deeper and found the real problem: he wasn’t asking any questions during the initial call. Because of that, he was turning up to jobs with no real understanding of what the customer actually needed. Problem solved. Once he started qualifying leads properly over the phone, things improved quickly. It all starts with the first conversation.You’ll of course get the name, number, and address—but your very first question should be: “Were you looking for a price on a one-off or a regular cut?” If they say “one-off”...This is your moment to mention your minimum charge for one-time jobs (if you have one). 🟥 Red Flag #1: The sudden switch from a one-off to a “regular mow” when the minimum price is mentioned could mean they just want it done fast before a rental inspection. 🟥 Red Flag #2: If they contact you multiple times during the quote process, they may turn into a high-maintenance customer. 🟥 Red Flag #3: They insist on being home for the quote. This may work out okay but can be tricky to fit in. 🟥 Red Flag #4: They need the job done before or after a specific time of the day (e.g., due to night shifts). This can work only if:
🟥 Red Flag #5: They go into detail about how bad their last mower was. A quick mention is fine, but a long rant? That’s a signal they might be hard to please. 🟥 Red Flag #6: They say, “I’ll call you when I need you.” These are just a few warning signs I try to pick up during the first call. I’ll cover red flags to look out for at the actual quote in a future email. In the meantime, if you’ve spotted other signs I missed, I’d love to hear them! Until next time,Get out there, mow lawns, and have fun. Stuart P.S. Need a website for your lawn care business? |
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