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Ex-Cop’s 3-Strike Rule for Lawn Care Clients: Firm Prices, Trip Charges | Andy Wilson (Lawn Hustle)

📅 October 19, 2026 ⏱️ 1:02:36 🎤 Andy Wilson, Greg, Evan

Chapters

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  • 4:42
    From Cop to Lawn Care
    Andy Wilson recounts his transition from law enforcement to lawn care after a battle with throat cancer, starting his business with a single, overgrown client.
  • 4:53
    Firm, Fair, Consistent
    Andy explains how he applies his law enforcement principles of being 'firm, fair, and consistent' to his lawn care business, especially in pricing and client interactions.
  • 5:40
    Confidence in Pricing
    Andy advises both new and experienced lawn care professionals to be confident and firm with their pricing by understanding their true costs and value, not just competitor rates.
  • 6:40
    Protecting Against Damage Claims
    Andy recommends taking timestamped photos of existing property damage before starting work to protect against false accusations from clients.
  • 7:24
    The 3-Strike Client Rule
    Andy discusses his 'three strikes and you're out' policy for complaining clients, emphasizing the importance of peace of mind and sanity over constant grievances.
  • 8:06
    Navigating Skips & Trip Charges
    Andy explains his policy on client skips, including implementing trip charges if he arrives at a property only to be told not to mow.
  • 8:39
    Annual Pre-Payment Benefits
    Andy shares his experience with annual pre-payments from clients, highlighting how it provides operational funds during the winter and simplifies billing.
  • 9:24
    Dealing with Slow Payments
    Andy recounts a challenging experience with a large commercial client (Walmart) who was late on payments and how he used leverage to ensure he was paid.

Speakers

A
Andy Wilson
Lawn Hustle
G
Greg
Host
E
Evan
Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Adopt a 'firm, fair, and consistent' approach in your business by setting clear policies on pricing, services, and client expectations, and adhere to them without exception.

✦

Know your numbers inside and out, including man-hour rates, shop rent, insurance, and taxes, to confidently price your services based on your value, not just competitor rates.

✦

Implement a policy of taking timestamped photos of a client's property, especially any existing damage, before starting a job to protect yourself from false accusations.

✦

Consider a 'three-strike rule' for habitually complaining clients; prioritize your peace of mind and business efficiency over constantly dealing with unreasonable grievances.

✦

Establish clear skip policies and implement trip charges for last-minute cancellations or non-mows to cover your time and fuel costs, reinforcing the value of your scheduled service.

✦

Offer annual pre-payment options to clients, potentially with a discount, to secure upfront operational funds, especially during off-peak seasons, improving cash flow.

✦

If you have commercial accounts, ensure your contracts clearly state payment terms and don't hesitate to enforce them if payments are overdue, using leverage when necessary.

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