You can quote most mowing jobs accurately without visiting. Measure the mowable lawn from aerial imagery, price it off a simple rate card, and ask the customer two questions about access and condition. The contractor who replies first usually wins the job.
Why speed wins
When a homeowner sends a quote request, they're usually asking two or three people at once. If you have to drive past first, someone else has already replied. A same-hour quote beats a perfect one sent tomorrow.
Step 1: Measure the lawn, not the block
The block size on a council map or real-estate listing includes the house, driveway, pool and gardens. You need the grass only.
Ways to measure:
| Method | Time | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Drive past and pace it out | 20–40 min | Good |
| Draw a polygon on Google Maps | 3–5 min | OK, but you have to subtract the driveway, pool and paths yourself |
Airmow /measure |
~10 sec | Lawn auto-separated from hard surfaces and structures, nature strip split out |
Step 2: Build a simple rate card
Three numbers are enough:
- Base fee: covers travel and setup (e.g. $35)
- Per m²: (e.g. $0.10)
- Minimum: (e.g. $50)
Price = max(minimum, base + per m² × area), rounded to the nearest $5.
So 400 m² → $35 + $40 = $75.
Adjust per m² for your area and equipment. Raise the base if you have a long drive between jobs.
Step 3: Ask two questions
- "Is the grass currently overgrown?" If yes, quote the first mow at 1.5–2× the price.
- "Any steps, tight gates, slopes or dogs?" These are the things aerial photos can't always see.
Step 4: Send it in writing
Include the measured area, the price, what's included (mow, edges, blow-down), the frequency, and what's extra. A quote that shows "420 m² measured" looks professional, and it heads off "it's only a small lawn" haggling.
Step 5: Do it automatically for every lead
If your leads come from hipages, Airtasker or a website form, forward those emails to Airmow. Each lead comes back measured, priced from your rate card, and drafted as a reply. See Reply to hipages and Airtasker leads in 60 seconds.
Step 6: Check your existing round
While you're at it, measure your regulars. Most contractors find at least one or two customers they've been undercharging for years. Pro flags anyone more than 10% under your rate card.