How to Quickly Quote a Lawn Using Google Maps.
How To Quote a Lawn Using Google Maps.
Do you ever find yourself needing to get a quote for a lawn mowing job quickly?
Good news – it’s now easier than ever! With the help of Google Maps and the power of the internet, you can quickly quote a lawn using Google maps in no time. This article will explain how to use Google Maps to your advantage when looking for quick and accurate quotes for lawn mowing jobs.
Get Started with Google Maps.
Google Maps is an online tool that will help for get an idea of the size of a lawn before you even arrive.
Simply type in the address, and you are on your way.
I have used the address of a property that no longer exists in this example.
Once you have the property on the map, then to measure, you simply right-click the mouse and select measure distance. Then click to choose the area you would like to measure. When you want to finish, click back on the first point to complete the area measured.
When you join the first and the last point, you will get a popup box that contains the entire measurement.
If you can measure the lawn one go, that is great, but usually, you will need to list the separate pieces and total them when you finish.
It won’t work every time.
So can you quote a lawn Using Google Maps every time?
Before you get too excited, you cannot always get the information you want off Google Maps. There are a few issues.
Age of the map
Not all maps are current. Google likes to show the clearest recent satellite photo, so you may be looking at a map that’s over three years old. The house on the map in the above image, which was removed over two years ago, is on the current Google map.
How to find the date of the map
There is no datestamp on Google Maps, and if you search on finding a date stamp, all the answers say to go to the “street view” and find a date there.
This is not correct.
The street view image is taken at a different time than the satellite image. However, it may still prove helpful as the Streetview may show that the house has gone saving you from wasting time measuring up the property.
The most recent date on the Street view in 2020, over three years old.
If you bring up Google Earth and search for the address again. You will get the correct date stamp for the image. You can get history going back and sometimes forward by using the View/Historical Imagery option. However, this is only available on Google Earth Pro version. The good news is that you can download this for free. It used to cost a few hundred dollars a year.
Trees may cover areas.
It can be hard to tell how big the lawn is on some properties as they may contain large trees. Take this one, for example, number two.
It is hard to tell where the property ends. If you go the default setting in layers (bottom left), then you can get a view that gives you an idea of property size, but you cannot measure the lawn using this view.
You wouldn’t be able to measure this property anyway because if you remember what I said about Streetview, you will notice that the satellite and the Streetview houses are different. A definite sign that the property has been developed.
Everything looks flat
Be careful there. I have measured some lawns on mad angles using Google Maps, thinking they were flat. Always check out the street view, as that is not the kind of surprise you want.
You cannot tell how long the grass is.
Remember that, as well as everything looking flat. The grass will always look short.
It can be hard enough to judge the length of grass from a photo, let alone a satellite image. Quote for regular mows only and not for the first cut.
Crunching the numbers
I have a spreadsheet I use to work out my quote price. I type in measurements and come up with a quote. It’s not always accurate, but it’s accurate often enough to make it useful. If you would like to try the tool, you can find it here.
One ballpark figure you could try is 10c per square meter. This is a good place to start. My spreadsheet is a little more completed but this equation is part of the base formula.
Gather Information for Your Lawn Quote
Before your quote.
When you have your quote ready, give the customer a couple of conditions with the quote, so you can avoid getting stuck with an underpriced job.
-
This is NOT a quote for the first cut. If the lawn is overgrown, it will cost more.
-
This quote is tentative and will be confirmed when you call to look at the lawn.
The main benefit of using Google Maps is that you can give the customer a good idea of the cost before you jump in the truck and waste gas and time.
If the customer is not happy with your tentative quote, you have just saved yourself a trip.
In conclusion, if you quote a lawn using Google maps, it is a great way to save time and resources. Instead of having to physically inspect the property before quoting a price, you can use the map to get an accurate estimate in no time.
You can eliminate the quotes you dont want and focus on the jobs that work for your business model.
With the help of Google Maps, it’s easier than ever to find the right pricing for every job.
Start saving time and money today by using this helpful tool!
If you are starting or growing a lawn mowing business, learn how to increase your profits every year without working any harder. Join the lawnmowing101 community today
