Posting Prices

Pricing postemergent herbicide applications can vary depending on which way the wind blows. For instance, in Texas where warm winters are common, herbicide applications may be more expensive than in the Midwest where cold winters typically halt weed growth.

 “You see a big fluctuation of herbicide rates in Texas than maybe in Ohio because you don’t have as much weed pressure there,” says Gary LaScalea, owner of GroGreen, Plano, Texas.

Lawn care operators (LCOs) should take several factors into consideration when pricing postemergent applications. Time, labor, weather conditions, grass type and customer loyalty all come into play.

New Milford, Conn.-based YardApes typically charges customers $5 per 1,000 square feet for its broadleaf weed control program, which is mixed with a preemergent crabgrass control product, points out YardApes President Shayne Newman.

Most lawn care operators make it a general practice to combine the two types of herbicides, says LaScalea. “If someone’s not mixing them together, they’re wasting a lot of labor,” he says. “I know some people spray preemergent, and then come out again and spray postemergent. Why do both at separate times when you can spray them together? They work better as a synergistic effect than they do separately.”

YardApes charges $15 per gallon if it must return to properties for postemergent crabgrass applications because these products are double the cost of their preemergent counterparts, Newman says. But YardApes will sometimes throw in spot spraying of postemergent applications for long-time customers who have a pre-paid maintenance program.

Also, labor costs are a big issue when it comes to pricing, LaScalea says. LCOs also have to factor in the type of education these technicians require to do the job right. As a result, labor costs for herbicide applications are nearly double in cost compared to other general labor, such as mowing, because of the time involved with record keeping, calibrating sprayers and applying the product, Newman says. For this reason, YardApes marks up its herbicide and pesticide treatments by about 70 percent, according to Newman.

Rockingham Turf Care, Exeter, N.H., has a similar pricing plan. The company charges $6 per 1,000 square feet and $14 to $16 per 1,000 square feet for postemergent crabgrass control, according to Rockingham Owner Roger Nownes. The company uses a postemergent product, which Nownes says costs about $480 per gallon. Then the company factors in 25 percent chemical costs no matter what – whether it’s a large or small-sized job – to ensure profitability, Nownes says.

LaScalea takes a slightly different approach to pricing. GroGreen sets a minimum charge of $29.95 for up to 5,000 square feet for its residential post- and preemergent applications. The company then charges approximately $6 per 1,000 square feet after the minimum price. Its commercial prices average between $125 and $150 per acre. However, those rates can change depending on the difficulty factor (if a particular property has many obstacles, such as steps and walkways, for example), grass type and overall condition of the lawn. Even weather can affect pricing. For instance, during the winter in Texas, herbicides tend to work slower, so more product must be used.

Proper site maintenance also comes into play when pricing postemergent applications. If the lawn is not watered and the LCO has to make a return visit, prices may increase, LaScalea says. Newman tries to only treat lawns that YardApes cuts to ensure the lawn has received proper care. “We do get calls from people who want us to (only) fertilize and get rid of weeds, but we feel that to have a healthy lawn you have to put everything together,” he says.

The author is associate editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at jkatz@gie.net.