CREATING A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACE IS OUR PASSION LANDSCAPING IS OUR BUSINESS

Q: El tio Jorge, what does ‘Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.’ mean?
A: A famous investor by the name of Warren Buffet said those words. Another way of  saying the same thing might be, ‘You get what you pay for.’ Sometimes people buy things because of price, thinking there is value in price alone.

Q: And is there? Is that what it means?
A: That depends on a lot of things.

Q: Like?
A: Like, the quality of the product or service you’re buying to make your life better, at a price you can afford. Just like value, price is always a consideration no matter what you buy.

Q: Is it the same for your business?
A: Yes, it is. The value of a California Contractors State License business services is always important.

Q: So how do you figure out how much to charge your Landscaping clients?
A: You start by listing all your costs and there are many to consider.

Q: Like?
A: The cost of materials, labor, equipment, insurance, warranties, warehouse, vehicles, office personnel, uniforms, office supplies, accountants, advertising, safety equipment, lawyers, training, government licenses and fees, training, taxes and probably a few more I’ve forgotten.

Q: Why is there so much involved just for landscaping?
A: It ensures a smooth work flow along with the proper precautions. For example workers compensation covers the cost of an injury on the job such as medical treatment, payment for time off, compensation payment for any permanent disability someone may incur as a result of injury, job retraining if unable to return to the job and payment of benefits in the event of death. Could you imagine the legal liability a client could face without it? You would not want to go through that pain and suffering. Trust me from personal experience…

Q: I don’t want to imagine! That sounds very important.
A: Wait, there’s more!  For extra protection we have $25,000.00 surety bond as insurance against employee theft. $2,000,000.00 General commercial liability insurance is coverage that will protect our clients from a variety of claims including bodily injury, property damage, and other claims that can arise while we service their property.

Q: Wow! So, what’s value then?
A: Well in the landscaping business, value would be what the client gets for the money they spend. And for me, running a business I have a passion for, and being able to add value to the lives of others including clients, and especially the people who work for me. It’s the same if you’re buying a new cell phone or curb appeal landscaping. Clients want and deserve value. A good business delivers that to their clients.  This is how they stay in business.

Q: So Grandpa, Uncle and you stayed in business because clients got value for the money they spent?
A: Our family business spans 2 generations so we must be doing something right.

Q: Do all Landscaping businesses work the same way?
A: No. Some promise a lot more than they deliver. They cut corners, use inferior products don’t properly train their workers, or keep maintenance schedules, and cause frustration for their clients. They sell price and not performance. I don’t believe in doing business like that.

Q: No value there then.
A: Not really.

Q: So, it’s true, Price is what you pay. Value is what you get?
A: For sure, and not just in our business. It works for every reputable business.

Q: But especially in yours. Right?
A: Right, and we’re proud of it.

Q: So, there is even value in my questions and your answers for my project.
A: Let’s hope your teacher sees it the same way.