cutntrim
PlowSite.com - Veteran
- Location
- Burlington,Ontario
Guys,<p>My partner Adam and I are going to go after new snow accounts next week. I know many of you probably started pursuing contracts weeks ago, but with all the rain here in Ontario we've been way behind in our landscaping chores and bogged down with long, wet lawns. <p>Anyhow since I'm the resident pesticide "expert", Adam is going to take on the responsibility of securing new snow accounts and handling the invoicing during the season. <p>The first thing he/we did was join SIMA. We'll definately be playing up the fact that we're members to potential clients,and other than some Clintar company guys (it's a big Ontario property maintenance franchise) we are the only ones in our area who belong. <p>This past february when we had a freaky warm thaw (we had shorts and T's on) we scouted out some potential year-round commercial maintenance sites. We scoped the grass, garden beds, and paved areas. We also got the contact names (i.e. purchasing mgrs.) for each location. <p>No luck with scoring any new customers then - poor timing plus our intitial quoted prices were too high. But we're looking to add to our snow list now and we'll take "snow only" accounts or full year, doesn't matter.<p>Here's what Adam's going to do; draft what basically amounts to a company resume outlining our company's history, philosophy, description of services we provide, equipment list, insurance coverage, professional association memberships and references from current/previous snow and/or year-round customers. <p>He's also going to draft a sample contract outlining the way we typically invoice our customers and detailing what IS included in the contracted price (we're looking for seasonal contracts) and what is extra (eg. snow REMOVAL from site). <p>Adam will be phoning each contact person and trying to set up face-to-face meetings with them to discuss the possibility of becoming their contracted snow plowing company.<p>Obviously, it would be easier for you guys to critique our approach if I were to post the "package" Adam's going to work on but he hasn't started yet. So, what I'm hoping for are some ideas as to what has, or hasn't, worked for you when trying to line up new commercial customers.<p><br>Thanks guys.<br><p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>www.cutntrim.com