The 5 Star-Formula to Get More Landscaping Referrals

Описание: 🧩 THE 5-STAR LANDSCAPING SOP FORMULA
Skill + Process + Communication = 5-Star Jobs
5-Star Jobs → 5-Star Reviews → Referrals → Bigger Projects

STEP 1: SCOPE OF WORK (CLARITY FIRST)
Goal: Eliminate confusion before it ever exists.
What you do:
Walk the property with the customer
Define exactly what is included
Define exactly what is NOT included
Agree on what a “successful outcome” looks like
Script anchor: “This is what the finished project will look like when we’re done. Does that match what you’re expecting?”

✅ Verbal agreement
✅ Written agreement (contract)

STEP 2: PRICING (CONFIDENCE + OPTIONS)
Goal: Anchor value and control expectations.
What you do:
Offer 2 options (Premium + Standard)
Ask about budget before finalizing
Decide: line items vs lump sum
Price for profit, not hope
Rule:
If you’re nervous saying the price, your process isn’t tight enough yet.

STEP 3: TIMELINE (DAY-BY-DAY EXPECTATIONS)
Goal: Prevent customer anxiety mid-job.
What you do:
Tell them how many days the job will take
Explain what happens each day
Example:
Day 1: Demo + haul away
Day 2: Prep + trimming
Day 3: Install plants + edging
Day 4: Fabric + stone + cleanup
Customers don’t freak out when they know what’s coming.

STEP 4: PAYMENT STRUCTURE (PROTECTION)
Goal: Protect cash flow and professionalism.
Standard setup:
Materials / good-faith deposit upfront (ex: 33–50%)
Balance due on completion
Larger jobs: split into before / middle / after payments
Rule:
No deposit = no start.

STEP 5: DAILY COMMUNICATION (TRUST BUILDER)
Goal: Make the customer feel safe and informed.
What you do:
End of each workday, send a quick text:
What was completed today
What’s happening tomorrow
Example text: “Today we completed demo and haul-away as planned. Tomorrow we’ll prep beds and edging. Have a great evening.”
This alone puts you in the top 10% of contractors.

STEP 6: CHANGE ORDERS (MAKE MORE WITHOUT AWKWARDNESS)
Goal: Turn excitement into opportunity.
What you do upfront:
Ask if they’re the type to want more done mid-job
If yes, build extra time into the schedule
Rule:
Never say “we’ll have to come back in 6 weeks” if you can avoid it.

STEP 7: FINAL CLEANUP (THE ‘FINGERTIP PICK’)
Goal: Create the WOW moment.
What you do:
Book 10–20% extra time at the end
Meticulous cleanup
Lights adjusted
Edges perfect
Windows, driveway, street clean if needed
Water plants + prep walkthrough
If you’re not proud to knock on the door yet, it’s not done.

STEP 8: FINAL WALKTHROUGH (OWN THE RESULT)
Goal: Reinforce value before payment.
What you do:
Walk the property with the customer
Point out everything you did “as promised”
Fix small tweaks on the spot
Then…

STEP 9: REVIEW + REFERRAL ASK (THE PAYOFF)
Goal: Turn one job into many.
What you say (naturally): “If you’re happy with everything, would you mind leaving us a quick review? It really helps our business.”

Bonus:
Ask them to post from their phone
Ask them to take their own photos

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Tools I Mentioned (Jobber)
I use Jobber to send quotes/contracts, collect deposits, manage change orders, and get paid fast.
Get a free trial + discount with my link:
https://go.getjobber.com/kalfas
(also linked below)
Disclosure: I’m a Jobber ambassador. If you use my link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Want More Breakdowns Like This?
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Mulch + bed rehab
Hedge trimming routes
Cleanups
Full installs
Retaining walls
Pricing + estimating

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